Drip irrigation is the best way to water a gardenBy Joe Lamp'l
In my neck of the woods it's been about two months without any measurable rainfall. I decided several years ago that most plants in my garden were on their own for survival. As you can imagine, they're not looking so great right now.
Initially, I'd plant the right plant in the right place, nurse it along until it got established, and then it was on its own.
I've softened a bit since then. Now I provide occasional supplemental watering. But in an effort to save time and still water properly, I'm using some very efficient methods.
First, I water deeply but infrequently. This saturates the entire root zone and minimizes the total loss of water due to evaporation. By watering only about once a week, even as the surface area dries, moisture is still available more deeply, where roots will grow in search of available moisture.
By watering infrequently, roots are encouraged to grow down to find water. All of my methods of watering now incorporate this deep but infrequent watering regime, and drip irrigation is a great place to start the discussion.
Drip Irrigation
For beds and containers, the best way I've ever seen to keep plants hydrated right at the root zone is with drip irrigation. The water is delivered through a supply line that typically is flexible, plastic tubing. Along the supply line small holes are punctured into it where needed, allowing water to drip out at those points. Flexible tubing can also be tapped into the line, directing water precisely to the base of any plants or containers.
The rate at which water drips from the end of the tubing is controlled by a plastic tip called an emitter. They come in different sizes, depending on your desired flow rate. Drip irrigation kits and supplies can be purchased at garden centers and home-improvement stores. They're easy to install. Add an automatic timer and you'll have a worry-free way to water effectively.
Portable Drip Irrigation in a Bag
There comes a point where it becomes impractical to extend a drip irrigation line too far into your yard or to a remote setting of your landscape. That can create a problem, forcing you to consider ever more efficient ways to water trees and shrubs.
Treegator is a product that addresses that very issue. It's essentially a portable drip irrigation system in a bag. The 'bag' is a leakproof bladder that has tiny pinholes in the bottom. Wrap the Treegator around the trunk, fill it with water and, during the next six to 12 hours water is released slowly into the soil.
There are currently two models. One is a cone-shaped style that holds 20 gallons of water. The second has a lower profile and holds 14 gallons. They are an ideal solution for watering trees and shrubs in a way that allows the water to slowly soak the area around the roots. More information and ordering information is available through the website, www.treegator.com.
The most critical phase of a plant for tree survival is when it is becoming established. Getting sufficient water to the roots is critical. Having a way to deliver that water slowly enough to soak deeply into the soil is essential. Using the right drip irrigation method is a great way to assure that happens, no matter where your plants are located.
(Joe Lamp'l, a master gardener, hosts DIY's Fresh from the Garden as well as a gardening radio show. For more information, visit www.joegardener.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
