Overall, the choice between drip irrigation and sprinkler systems depends on the specific needs of your plants and your property. Drip irrigation is a more efficient and targeted system for watering plants, while sprinkler systems are better suited for larger areas and can be more cost-effective in certain situations.
While drip irrigation is more water-efficient, it requires more maintenance and isn't best for large lawns or gardens. Sprinkler systems may lose more water to run off and evaporation, but they can be automated to save time and can water hard-to-reach areas.
One peculiar disadvantage to drip systems: gardeners often replace plants that have died at the end of a drip system tube by placing a new plant in the exact same place as the existing tube end – regardless of the type, needs, or eventual size of the new plant.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation
Some common challenges include: Clogged Emitters – It's common for drip emitters to become clogged from mineral/chemical deposits, or algae and bacterial buildup. Even plant roots can find their way into drip tubing.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
The emitters slowly drip water into the soil at the root zone. Because moisture levels are kept at an optimal range, plant productivity and quality improve. In addition, drip irrigation: Prevents disease by minimizing water contact with the leaves, stems, and fruit of plants.
Permanent or Built-In Irrigation Systems
Permanent irrigation systems are the most efficient and convenient method available for watering lawns. They're also the most expensive obviously. No bulky hoses to lug around. No mess.
Because lawns cover a large area, drip irrigation systems won't work anywhere near as well. Because grass has much thicker and dense root systems, they are less prone to waterlogging and overwatering compared to planted vegetables. As a result, pop up, and rotor sprinklers are much more efficient.
Disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation include: High initial capital costs (investment in equipment - sprinklers and pipes) and high operation costs due to energy requirements for pumping and labor costs.
Budget: Drip irrigation may have higher installation costs, but it can save money in the long run due to its efficiency. Sprinkler systems are more affordable upfront, but their ongoing maintenance costs may add up.
If the water is not properly filtered and the equipment not properly maintained, it can result in clogging. Drip irrigation might be unsatisfactory if herbicides or top dressed fertilizers need sprinkler irrigation for activation. Waste of water, time & harvest, if not installed properly.
The general answer is 7-10 years for the drip lines (laterals) 30-50 years for the Main and Submain pipes (buried in the soil at depths of 2 or 2.5 feet). The head control –Filters, Control and Safety Valves and Fertigation equipment will have a longer life than the drip laterals.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation Systems
Expensive – Drip irrigation systems are relatively expensive both in terms of the components and the labour required to install them correctly. They, therefore, tend to be used for irrigating more high-value crops. Require more maintenance due to clogging of emitters.
The Benefits of Drip Irrigation
As plants grow, they can block smaller plants from water access. Plus, when the water is falling on plants, a large portion of it is evaporated, with only 30% reaching the roots. Drip irrigation is much more efficient; 90% of water reaches the plant.
According to the EPA, during hot summer months, a household's outdoor water use can be as high as 70% of its total usage and single broken sprinkler head can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water over six months.
Improved Watering Efficiency
Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water your garden. By delivering water directly to the plant's root zone, you can ensure that each plant receives the right amount of water it needs leading to healthier and more robust plants.
Sprinklers are not suitable for soils that easily form a crust or in case of risk of salinization. Moreover, they can easily clog with the presence of sediments or debris. If sprinkler irrigation is the only method available, light fine sprays should be used.
Drip irrigation is the most water-efficient way to irrigate many different plantings. It is an ideal way to water in clay soils because the water is applied slowly, allowing the soil to absorb the water and avoid runoff. Drip devices use a fraction of the water that overhead spray devices use.
Uneven Water Distribution
Blocked, clogged, or leaky drippers or tubing can result in some plants receiving too much water while others don't receive enough. Here's how to address it: Check the water flow at the emitters and adjust the system to ensure even distribution.
Although there is a 30/30 rule (30 foot max length, 30 gph max flow rate), others recommend keeping runs of 1/4" tubing under 20 feet. Keeping these runs short should be fairly easy, since 1/4" tubing typically comes off the main 1/2" line only far enough to reach nearby plants or trees.
While drip irrigation may occur any day of the week, the number of days is limited by season. Plants need far less water than grass. We recommend you run drip irrigation systems: Twice a week in spring and fall.
Flood or Surface Irrigation. In terms of farming on the global stage, agriculture accounts for 70% of the Earth's freshwater resources. Of this 70%, 95% of farmers turn to flood or surface irrigation. Unfortunately, flood or surface irrigation is the least efficient method.
Water deeply.
Giving your lawn a big gulp of water is better than giving it a series of sips. Roots grow where the water is. If you water deeply, you will develop a deep root system. On the other hand, if you only sprinkle the surface of the soil, you will create a shallow root system.
Drip Irrigation
An irrigation system may use valves to separate fields into zones. This allows a limited water source to provide water to a large area by water- ing one part at a time. Drip irrigation systems can operate by gravity. This system is inexpensive but it can irrigate only a small plot of land 35' x 35'.