Types of Irrigation Systems

Irrigation is the the controlled application of supplying water when requirements are not met by rainfall. When choosing an irrigation system, there are several considerations:

• The ability of the system to meet landscaping needs.
• The water quantity that is available.
• The labor requirements of the system.
• The type of system best suited for your type of soil.
• The type of system you can financially afford.

The following are a couple of different irrigation methods used to meet these needs:

• Spray Irrigation – A modern way of irrigating but with the use of machinery. These systems contain a long tube attached at one end to the water source. Water flows through this tube and shoots out of the tube by sprayers. The center pivot is the most common type of spray irrigation system.
o Center Pivot – Applies water from a continuously moving lateral pipe. The center pivot is fixed at the pivot point and rotates to irrigate a large circle. The longer the pivot, the larger the area is that can be covered. The water enters at the pivot point. Most center pivot systems are used to irrigate only one location, but towers can be added to irrigate additional locations. Sprinklers can be mounted on top of the span or on drop tubes that allow them to be closer to the landscaping. The speed in which the water is rotated controls the amount of water applied. Center pivots are best for lighter soils. The electric driven pivots are the most popular because they are more flexible to operate. Center pivots have a variety of impact sprinklers, spray heads, and drop pipes.
• Drip Irrigation - Drip irrigation systems contain a series of tubes that have holes opened along them at set intervals. The location of the holes is set to the specific area in which they will be used. For example, if you have a flowerbed with flowers spaced two feet apart, the holes in the drip system will be set for the water to discharge at two-foot intervals. The dripping occurs only where it is needed. The water does not spray into the air before reaching the plants as it does with spraying sprinklers. Drip irrigation systems allow you to target plant roots more precisely than with sprinklers, giving you better water conservation and healthier plants. Studies show that drip irrigation uses 30 to 50 percent less water than the more conventional methods of watering, such as sprinkler systems. Another advantage of the drip system is that it can be easily modified to meet the changing needs of the landscaping.