Irrigating Gardens,
Hedges & Containers
Unlike lawn watering,
a broad variety of methods are available for watering
gardens.
Shrub sprays and shrub
rotors attempt to blanket
plantings with heavy watering from above (using the
same methods as lawn watering, but from atop tall
risers). The inherent wide spacing of these sprayheads,
unfortunately, tends to result in gaps (referred
to as 'rain shadows') in the coverage. The heavy
(or in the case of rotors - sharp) spray of these
heads is often damaging to delicate or flowering
plants.
Micro-irrigation is
a term used to describe a variety of low-flow irrigation
devices from misters and drip
emitters to micro-sprays.
These devices provide a more efficient means of watering
beds and containers (typically 40%-60% less water
consumed than conventional sprays) by supplying a
lower applied volume closer to the root zone. Benefits
include reduced water loss due to evaporation, reduced
soil impaction and leaching (washing out) of nutrients,
and decreased likelihood of fungal and other afflictions
caused by foliar drenching. Micro-irrigation systems
have more heads than conventional 'shrub spray' systems,
each servicing a smaller area or even an individual
plant. This allows for a more precise tailoring of
the irrigation system to individual plant water needs.
Because they are considered to be water conservation
devices, micro-irrigation systems continue to be
exempt from Stage 1, 2 & 3 CRD Water Restrictions.
Micro-sprays are
the method of choice for watering shrub, perennial,
and annual plantings. Hedges and row plantings such
as vegetables are often best served by drip
emitters or emitterline,
which is a flexible tubing with pressure-compensating
emitters built right in. Planters and hanging baskets,
because they have only a small water storage capacity,
will require the slow, controlled release of drip
emitters.
Micro-irrigation
is, by nature, flexible and adaptable, with some
types of micro-sprays and most emitters even being
movable. Older, conventional spray systems can most
often be easily upgraded to take advantage of the
benefits of a more precise micro-irrigation system.
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