 | Those beautiful healthy blooms that are the envy of your neighbors do not get so without plenty of work on the part of the gardener. Most gardeners and homeowners understand that a healthy garden requires various elements—one of which is water. How you bring water to your garden and landscape can be accomplished by a variety of methods; the following article discusses several practical solutions for watering your garden.
A watering can may do justice to a small patio container garden, but most landscapes at some point need to be watered on a more large-scale basis. For some, this might mean lugging out the hose every time there is a dry spell in the weather; for others, this means installing a sprinkler system or irrigation system in order for plants to thrive. Weather often plays a definitive role in the selection of a water system, but maintenance and cost are other factors that will influence the type of watering system you employ on your property.
Landscapers have a couple options when it comes to water systems. Sprinkler systems are ideal for large landscapes—especially those in which uniform watering is necessary—large sections of lawns for example. A multicircuit sprinkler system is even applicable for flowerbeds and vegetable patches. Many gardeners find sprinklers attractive because the sprinkler heads remain hidden when not in use. Although traditionally sprinkler systems were known to waste water, today’s systems are more precise and water can be directed exactly where it needs to go. The main dilemma for sprinkler systems is that the landscape must be dug up in for the needed trenches to house the water system.
Other gardeners and landscapers have recently discovered that drip emitters are an excellent way to irrigate plants. These systems are very effective and also waste far less water than sprinkler systems. Drip emitters apply water slowly, which avoids runoff. This system is also ideal for landscapes that are well established because trench digging is not required for installation. Most gardeners still employ sprinklers for lawns, others are finding that the drip irrigation systems are excellent choices for vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, oddly shaped patches and slopes. The downside about this system is that the tubing is exposed and could be knocked out of place by yard tools, children or animals.
Some land situations may best be served by using both types of systems. Timers can be applied as well as control valves so gardeners can focus on the areas that need water attention when it best serves the garden. This option may be more costly, but it is a more tailored way to water the garden and landscape and will most likely offer the best results.
Keep in mind that both systems require the gardener to make many choices when it comes to tubing, sprinkler heads, pipes, fittings, risers, rotors, spray heads, mini-sprinklers, misters, electronic timers, mechanical timers, etc…Determining spray patterns and distance needed will depend on the individual landscape, but specific watering devices applicable to either system will need to be assessed in accordance with the property. Most systems, even after installation, will need to be fine-tuned to best suit the garden and weather conditions.
Of course, before you purchase and expensive water system or dig up your yard for trenches, carefully assess your garden and landscape. Before you even visit the garden or home improvement center, ask yourself how much water specific plants in your garden require, what kind of soil is on your property, what is the climate like, are there micro-climates on the property and how much water is available to the household. The more information you know will allow installation specialists to find you the best system and tools for your situation. Pressure and water flow are also important considerations that should be addressed before adopting a system.
Of course, there is always the hose option for small yards and gardeners who have time to perform watering chores. Garden centers also provide hose-based sprinklers that may be applied to different areas of the landscape by the gardener. However, a rightly chosen sprinkler system or irrigation system will be far easier to deliver water to the garden efficiently and accurately according to the gardener’s plan. Cost is a factor however as is seasonal maintenance—but then, having a beautiful garden and landscape is hard work as most homeowners are aware; but a good watering system can allow the gardener more free time as well as enhance the beauty and health of all plants concerned.
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