We all need to save water in order to ensure that there is sufficient water for all during the coming years and decades. Global warming and climate change is no myth, it is real and it is facing us all, not only developing countries.
Even if you are living in a developed country like the US or the UK, Germany, France or Australia, you too will be faced with water shortages one day if every one of us does not do something about saving water now.
Saving Water at Home with Drip Irrigation
One method of saving water is drip irrigation – a method to conserve water in your garden, and one that can be used in both small and large gardens to good effect.
Most of us use sprinkler systems, especially in larger gardens, and also because with the fast-paced lifestyle most of us are living these days, we do not have the time to spend watering. Unfortunately while sprinklers save us time and keep our gardens watered and lush, they also waste a lot of water owing to evaporation and wastage when water falls onto pathways instead of in the beds or on the lawn.
The concept of drip irrigation is a simple one; tiny holes are made at various points along a hose to allow small quantities of water to trickle slowly into the soil over long periods of time. They use less water because water is applied directly where the plants need it most, and drip irrigation systems can be used with equal success in both ornamental and food-producing gardens.
The benefits of using drip irrigation systems include:
- Adaptable: Drip irrigation systems can be easily modified to adjust to the changing needs of any garden or lawn.
- Fewer Weeds: Water is only delivered where it’s needed so the promulgation of weeds is less;
- Growth Improvement: Smaller amounts of water applied over a longer period of time make for ideal growing conditions. The continuous flow allows water to penetrate deeply into the soil, getting well down into the root zone, and because watering times are extended, soil erosion and nutrient runoff is prevented.
- Timesaving: Because there is no need to set and move sprinklers, and a timing system can be added for automatic watering, drip irrigation systems save you time;
- Water Saving: Drip irrigation systems use 30 – 50% less water than mainstream watering methods like sprinkler systems;
It is fairly easy to install a drip irrigation system, and you can either buy soaker hoses or sprinkler hoses or make your own using an old garden hose by piercing holes in it with a hot needle in a pattern to direct the flow where you want it.
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