Save Water, Use Drip Irrigation
Stop watering your sidewalk and get the most for your garden and lawn
Drive around any neighborhood in the summer time and you're bound to hear the unmistakable sound of a sprinkler spraying water chaotically all over lawns. Grass, trees, and flower beds all share the water raining haphazardly from the system . In drought-prone areas, not only could this be ineffective in maintaining your yards, it's a waste of a precious water resource that is hard to get back.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency , the total number of households in the US use 29 billion gallons of water daily. 30 percent of that total outdoor water use, which equates to nearly 9 billion gallons. In the summer months, that number can skyrocket to as high as 70 percent.
It's also important to note that a lot of this water is wasted when applied through a sprinkler system. At least half of the water used typically falls on the sidewalk or evaporates in the air . Lawns and gardens only receive about half is what is produced by the sprinkler.
Instead of wasting all that water, try a different approach that exists as a more powerful resource, saves water, and will help reduce your monthly bill.
Drip i rrigation systems applies small amounts of water directly to the crop root zone. Instead of spraying water aimlessly over the lawn, drip irrigation systems eliminate the possibility of run off, evaporation, or drift
Basic drip systems consist of a long plastic tube that sits on the ground or can be buried under a light layer of mulch . The drip system is low-pressure and low volume. Most important, the drip system can be hooked up to your hose spigot; homeowners don't need to reconfigure their water lines.
Using small fittings, drip irrigation systems release water at a much slower rate. Most drip irrigations can include a timer, which allows you to dictate how long you water plants and flower beds without overwatering. Timers can be crucial especially in periods of rains.
Best of all, most drip irrigation systems do not require professional installations. Simply attach the tubing to the valve and include as many emitters as you want. Depending on what kind of plants, trees or flower beds you are looking to water will dictate how many emitters that you will need for your lawn.
You can find drip irrigation systemsat most hardware stores in the area, including East Coast Lumberin Hampstead. Prices range from $30 to $200. Reach out to your local hardware stores to price out your equipment and start saving money and the environment today.
If you would like to learn more about drip irrigation, please watch this excellent video put together by Rain Bird
