Different water irrigation solutions have varying conservation abilities.
Plant watering systems free homeowners from needing to personally water their lawns and gardens. Some systems are designed specifically to use only a minimum amount of water, while other systems are simply meant to serve as a method of reducing the time spent on garden maintenance. Indoor watering systems allow gardeners to go on vacation without having to ask anyone to care for the plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Sprinkler Systems
Sprinkler systems spray water into the air with the hope that the water will land on the soil and soak toward the plant roots. They must be calibrated to release enough water to keep plants hydrated without waste. They should also have enough pressure that the water releases in a steady stream instead of coming out as a mist, which tends to evaporate before reaching the plants. The water should land on the plants and soil, not on walls and driveways. While some water may splash onto the side of the house, sprinklers should minimize this to avoid water waste.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation watering systems use hoses that have water emitters attached to their sides. Small amounts of water drip from the emitters near the plant roots. This minimizes water usage, since minimal water evaporates and plants can immediately soak up the water, making drip irrigation the most efficient watering system. Also, drip irrigation reduces many disease problems since water does not get onto plant leaves. Drip irrigation systems should have at least two emitters per plant, unless the plant is a drought-tolerant plant; in such cases, use one emitter per plant. The emitters must have backflow protection so that soil-borne diseases do not enter into the water supply.
Soaker Hoses
Soaker hoses are the easiest and cheapest watering system to install. The soaker hose wraps around the base of the plant, releasing water. These hoses attach to either a faucet or a rain barrel. A soaker hose is a good option for plants that are placed close together, but wastes water when it is used on plants that are placed in rows. To function effectively, soaker hoses must not exceed 100 feet long and must remain on level ground.
Automated Houseplant Watering
Indoor plant watering systems consist of a pump that guides water through a tube into a flowerpot. These watering systems keep houseplants watered when homeowners are away on vacation. Many systems have multiple tubes that allow the homeowners to water as many as seven plants for days. This watering device must be kept away from electronics, since it can release moisture that can cause damage. The watering system must sit on the same level as the plants for the system to function correctly.
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