Save Water With Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is 90% efficient at getting water where it needs to go.
-
By Josh Peterson
Los Angeles, CA, USA | Wed May 13 12:30:00 EDT 2009
There are dozens of ways to save water in the garden. You can water plants in the morning, remove weeds, utilize mulch and compost and water near the base of plants. Another way to save water in the garden is with drip irrigation. According to the University of Rhode Island, drip irrigation is 90% efficient at getting water where it needs to go. Sprinklers are only 65%-75% efficient.
How Drip Irrigation Works
Small hoses are run through the garden. The nozzles are small and placed on the ground near the plant. The water trickles out over time and is delivered directly to the base of the plant. How Stuff Works has a great diagram.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
- Drip irrigation prevents diseases that are spread with water movement.
- Drip irrigation reduces weed growth. Besides for those areas around the plant, the rest of the garden stays dry, giving no purchase for weeds.
- Drip irrigation saves water, therefore, drip irrigation also saves you money.
- Reduces runoff/erosion.
- Saves time and labor.
Cost and Installation
A drip irrigation system will run about $100-$200 dollars, and it is easy enough that you can install it yourself. You can also build your own drip irrigation system.
Videos
Sometimes Single Parenting
The Kristen Chase Show
When your spouse is gone for days or even weeks at a time for work, how do you manage everything you need to do for your kids, your house and yourself? How do you prepare for your spouse's return so that the transition is as easy as possible for the whole family? Kristen is joined by Tracie Montgomery, working mother of two, to discuss some ideas to survive sometimes single parenting.
Watch More Videos from CafeMom Studios ››
- Ronica218
on May. 16, 2009 at 3:35 PM