We are wrestling with a decision on appropriate irrigation for our suburban (Brisbane) backyard. Landscapers and irrigation companies have pointed us towards sprayers for both garden beds (and veggie beds). However everything I read from a gardening perspective suggest drip irrigation is a better option. We have a magnificent poinciana, dwarf fruit trees, colourful perennials and have recently added 3 veggie beds.
Our back garden has been landscaped with a dominant figure 8 shaped lawn that creates some odd bed shapes around it. A local irrigation supply company suggested it would be better and 'easier' to go the sprayers route. Wondering if their advice is predicated on ease of installation and maintenance rather then what's best for our plants.
Best way to irrigate?
Discussion
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It is a dilemma Bree. When we moved here this garden had a fully automated micro sprinkler system attached to the fences. I found I had too many dry spots caused by bigger plants blocking the spray pattern. Also had mildew problems on some that were getting too much water on the leaves. So we have converted most of the garden to in-line drip tube. Our climate is very hot and dry in summer so with drip tube and mulch there is less wastage of water from wind drift and evaporation. However that may not be such a problem in Brisbane with the higher humidity. It took a while for the plants to adjust but now they are doing well . The exception is the citrus which has low level sprinklers – and the reason for that is to get the requisite volume of water on a wide coverage area as citrus has lots of feeder rots – it may be that sprinklers would do the job better for your poinciana and fruit trees. We inherited a pretty fancy controller which gives us lots of options to water different sections for different lengths of time – it depends on how much you want to spend. That said I love watering the veggies with drip tube – no slimy lettuce leaves etc. When undecided we fall back on the tried and true- make a list of pros and cons – it often helps to clarify if there is a clear winner! Good luck – Irene
I would install a dripper system. Spray heads into garden beds are never completely efficient, as growing plants block the spray, windy weather blows spray away from where it’s meant to go. Not to mention wet foliage can mean more fungal problems for your plants.
Drippers get the water exactly where it’s need, are very water efficient and actually quite easy to install.
I went the dripper route, but as I have very sandy free-draining soil, I often worry about the water pasding right by most of the roots. I also have found that a few microjets on the line helps prevent drippers being popped right off due to pressure issues. I’ve chosen to use them on the plants that like a little more water. On the whole Ive found drip efficient, but when it gets very dry I will also water with a handheld multihead so that I can adjust thre nature of the spray. This is mainly again to ensure the soil is moist enough for water to spread sideeays and not just down from the drippers. Large sprayers such as are often professionally installed I find very wasteful and often unsatisfactory in their genetal efficiency.
Pardon the typos. Written ion my phone with fingers thay have been gardening for many years!
I’d also go the in-line drip tube. Cheap and easy to instal yourself, and then move around if necessary. I’ve always found that those micro sprays are forever getting blocked. It’s really worth accepting that no irrigation system is ‘set and forget’. They need to be constantly monitored and fine-tuned according to rainfall etc. Personally, I’d rather have the in-line drip pipe attached to a tap that I manually turn on (but which may have a timer so I don’t have to remember to manually turn off), so that I’m consciously in full control at all times.
V envious of your Poinciana!