Why Drip Irrigation

Watering the garden is not just a luxury...it is an integral necessity. However, the way in which we water our gardens is purely the decision of its owner. For countless years the chosen methods of watering has been either flood or over-head watering. Each method will certainly accomplish and fulfill the need; however, I daresay that both methods can lead to a lot of extra work. Since the advent of water pumps, the American gardener has given up the process of flood irrigation, so for the sake of space; I will address the main source of watering for the modern day gardener.


Water is the sustainable element to any garden. Crops must have it to grow, but how the water is delivered to our gardens can be causing about as much harm as good. A fairly daring statement I know, but ask yourself a couple of questions.

What happens when water is put where it's not supposed to be?
What is the long-term result?
Of course we have to think about where water is not supposed to be. If you have a leak in your roof for an extended period of time, then you will end up with destroyed ceilings and structures and if water gets into walls it will rot your wall Joice's and cause some nasty molds.

Water works the same way in your garden when it gets to places in your garden where it's not supposed to be. When you use an over-head sprinkler system, then you are watering your entire garden site. My question is why would you want to do this? The water will sometimes stand in your plants for days on end. If you have a few days of lower temperatures, then you stand the risk of that water causing mold, bacteria and mildew which; of course, causes disease. And if you are watering your Tomato plants foliage..then be prepared for disease. Always water your tomato plants at the root.

Also understand, that bugs need water. Now grant you; they don't need much, but if you have water standing in the crevices of your corn and lettuce it only stands to reason that you will help draw them to your garden for a fresh drink. Now starts the bug infestation!

The next bad omen to over-head watering is the fact that when you water...you are watering everything. Again I will ask...Why? It's the corn, tomatoes, beans and lettuce that you care about...why water the weeds and give them the ability to take over? Weeds already have everything that they need to flourish in your garden. They have nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium. If you add water, then the weeds will flourish and you have to be out in the garden on your knees pulling weeds.

With a drip irrigation system; the drip line goes right down your garden rows alongside your fruits and veggies. You turn the water on and the drip emitters will drip at about 1GPM (gallons per minute) which means that your veggies is all that's getting watered. Your not watering in the isles of your garden, or around its edges...just the plants that you intend to water.

There is also other benefits to using a drip system. It will save you hundreds or maybe even thousands of gallons of water throughout your gardens growing season. And if you are watering with city water...that could cost you a lot of unnecessary money.

In using a drip system...the water goes directly to the root of your plants from where they drink from anyway. They do attain some water through their foliage, but let your plants get it from the early morning dew...not a sprinkler system. If your not watering over-head, then there will be no water sitting on your plants for an extended period of time; thus giving molds and disease no place to begin growing. You will have also done a great dis-service to the local bugs of your community which has relied on you in the past for a cool drink of water.

Another added benefit of drip irrigation is the fact that you can directly fertilize your garden plants through it. Now if you've fertilized your garden site according to my book Simple Gardens Exposed...then you won't have to fertilize through it, but it's good to know that that option is there.

Drip Irrigation systems can be expensive. However, in my book Drip Irrigation Made Simple...you can build one yourself with less than half the cost of conventional systems. The choice is up to you, but if you want to cut down on the weeding, the bugs and the disease in your garden and save lots of money in the process?...then install a drip irrigation system.

Save yourself a lot of time. With a drip system you can turn on one valve and water your entire garden in about an hour. You don't have to go out and move the sprinkers anymore or fuss with the hoses. A drip system just makes gardening more SIMPLE.

Wishing you gardening success!