5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Drip Irrigation Emitters

Drip irrigation is an incredibly efficient and effective way to water your garden. Using a system of pipes, tubes, and emitters, it delivers water directly to the roots of your plants, reducing water waste and promoting healthy growth. However, even experienced gardeners can make some common mistakes when it comes to drip irrigation. In this article, we'll take a closer look at five of the most common drip irrigation mistakes and how to avoid them.

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Overwatering Your Plants

One of the most challenging adjustments when switching to drip irrigation is overcoming the expectation to observe a large wet spot or puddle at the base of your plants, very similar to what occurs when hand-watering. Drip irrigation reduces water usage by directing water efficiently to the root zone of your plant, significantly reducing the amount of water required when compared to other watering methods. As a result, the only water visible should be a tiny spot of water on the surface (usually around 3" diameter) at the base of your drip irrigation dripper. This water reaches the plant's roots by moving vertically through the soil due to gravity and horizontally through capillary action in the soil. To determine the water flow rate and the exact location it permeates your soil, run your system for 30 minutes, turn it off, then wait for another 30 minutes to dig down below a dripper and around the plant to assess any dry patches or wet spots. If necessary, adjust the direction or placement of your dripper or install another one. It is advisable first to start with a lower volume of water, frequently monitor your plant's health, and adjust the watering time or volume accordingly. By following these steps, you can ensure your drip irrigation system functions correctly and provides efficient watering to your plants.

Poor Placement of  Drip Irrigation Emitters

Poor placement of emitters in a drip irrigation system is a common mistake that can lead to insufficient watering of plants, which in turn can damage the health and growth of your plants. As mentioned, emitters should be placed near the roots of the plants. This is because plants absorb water through their roots and rely on a balance of water and oxygen to thrive. If emitters are placed too close to the surface, the water may evaporate before it reaches the roots, leaving the plants under-watered and stressed. Moreover, there may be a risk of weeds and other plants absorbing the water, leaving less for your intended plants. On the other hand, if emitters are placed too deep, the water may not reach the root zone at all, leaving the plant dehydrated and potentially causing it to wilt. In determining the proper placement of emitters, you must consider the soil structure, the depth of the root system, and the type of plant you are watering. In general, shallow-rooted plants require emitters closer to the surface, while deep-rooted plants require emitters placed deeper in the soil. Additionally, plants with high water requirements, such as tomatoes and cucumbers, may require more emitters close to the surface compared to plants with lower water requirements, such as cacti. To ensure proper placement of your emitters, consider conducting a soil sample analysis or working with a professional landscaper, who can help you determine the best placement for your specific garden. By taking the time to properly place your emitters, you can ensure that your plants receive the appropriate amount of water, leading to healthy and thriving growth.

Exceeding the Tubing Capacity of Your Drip Irrigation  System      

It is common to make a mistake in drip irrigation systems if you are not well-versed with the system's capacity. Such an instance is often seen when dealing with 1/2-inch poly tubing with a maximum length of 200 feet per single run and a flow rate of 200 gallons per hour. When 1/2 tubing's single run length exceeds 200 feet, water flow issues may arise due to friction between the tubing walls and water flow, leading to inconsistent water distribution at your drip emitters. Moreover, drip emitters with flow rates over 200 gallons per hour used with 1/2-inch tubing can cause undesired incongruity. This concept is known as the 200/200 Rule for 1/2-inch tubing. For 3/4-inch tubing, use the 480/480 Rule, and for 1/4-inch tubing, use the 30/30 Rule. It is essential to note that there are exceptions to the rules. For example, a 300 feet single run of 1/2-inch tubing with drippers requiring a total flow rate of only 50 gallons per hour typically offsets any friction loss resulting from the longer run length. As a result, it is crucial to consult your irrigation system manufacturer for guidelines to avoid such mistakes and guarantee efficient water distribution.

Incorrect Spacing of Drip Irrigation Emitters

Spacing of emitters is important to ensure that water is delivered evenly across your garden. If emitters are spaced too far apart, some areas may not receive sufficient water, leading to dry spots and stunted growth. Conversely, if emitters are spaced too closely, you may be overwatering certain areas. It's important to carefully plan and measure your system to ensure proper spacing.

Lack of Drip Irrigation Emitters Maintenance

Finally, failing to properly maintain your drip irrigation system is a common mistake that can lead to costly repairs and replacements. Regular cleaning and maintenance of emitters and filters is essential to prevent clogging and maintain optimal water flow. Additionally, regular monitoring of soil moisture levels and adjustments to your watering schedule can help you avoid overwatering and other problems.

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In conclusion, drip irrigation is a highly effective way to water your garden, but it's important to avoid these common mistakes. By following these tips and taking a careful, proactive approach to your system, you can ensure optimal water delivery and healthy plant growth.

When plants are small, aim for the lower end, and when they are large, aim for the upper end. Additionally, when it is excessively hot and/or windy, plants may need more than 1.5 inches of water in a week. When using a plastic mulch, the entire 1&#;1.5 inches will need to be applied weekly regardless of rain events. With bare ground or when using water-permeable mulches (for example, straw or paper mulch), the amount of water applied by irrigation should be reduced by the amount of rainfall the field receives. For example, if it rains ¼ inch, reduce the amount of irrigation water applied by ¼ inch for that week.

The time it takes a drip system to apply 1 inch of water to the soil depends on the drip tube flow rate and width the roots extend which is generally the same as the width of most beds: about 30 inches. The table below shows how long, in hours, to run a drip system to apply 1 inch of water to the 30 inch width based on the drip tube flow rate.

If you have a drip tape with a flow rate of 0.45 gpm per 100 ft it would take 5.8 hours to apply 1 inch of water to the 30 inch beds. Typically this is applied through several weekly applications.

How the Values in the Table Were Determined

Visualize an acre with beds on 6 ft centers.

The values needed are the:

1. width of the bed, which is generally 30 inches or 2.5 feet;
2. number of gallons in an acre inch of water: 27,154;
3. number of square feet in an acre: 43,560; and,
4. drip tube flow rate: this varies, for the example we'll use 0.45 gpm/100 ft.
   -- First, determine how much drip tape is needed by dividing the area in an acre by the row spacing. 43,560 ft2 ÷ 6 ft = 7,260 ft of drip tape needed.
   -- Next, determine the area of the acre to which the water will be applied. 7,260 ft drip tape x 2.5 ft wide beds = 18,150 ft2. (0.42 acre.)
   -- Determine the number of gallons of water needed to apply. 27,154 gal/acre-in x 0.42 acre = 11,405 gal.
   -- Determine the number of 100 feet units of drip tape used. 7,260 ft ÷ 100 ft = 72.6 units.
   -- Determine the number of gallons per minute needed using the drip tube flow rate. 72.6 units x 0.45 gpm = 32.67 gpm. If your well does not have this capacity, you will need to water in zones.
   -- Lastly, determine the amount of time to run the system. 11,405 gal needed/32.67 gpm = 349 minutes or 5.8 hours.

Soil texture and available water holding capacity determine the rate at which water moves through the soil and therefore how long to run the drip system per application. To determine how long to run the drip system at one time, first find the available water holding capacity of the soil using a table such as the one below.

For example, if you have a sandy loam, available water holding capacity is 0.11 to 0.15 inch of water/inch depth of soil. Pick a number within the range, say 0.12.

Then, using the table below and the drip tube flow rate, find the maximum time in minutes to run the drip system at one time.

For our example, the available water holding capacity is 0.12 inch of water/inch depth of soil, and the drip tube flow rate is 0.45 gpm per 100 ft. Using the table below, the drip system would be run 110 minutes for each irrigation event, typically in a 24-hour period, to avoid leaching and runoff. Repeat events until the system is run for 5.8 hours in a week to apply 1 inch of water.

As a general rule, vegetable crops require 1&#;1.5 acre-inches of water per week. With some basic information -- the flow rate of your drip tube, the width of your crops' rooting system, and your soil's texture and available water holding capacity -- you can calculate the length of time you need to operate your irrigation system in order to meet your crops' water needs.

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