Sprinkler Irrigation Idea

Rigid PVC

• Landscapers use polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, water supply pipes to create permanent irrigation solutions. Suitable for both above- and below-ground applications, PVC pipes and fittings connect via a glue-like, chemical solvent. For buried applications, a small portion of PVC pipe extends to the ground's surface and connects to a sprinkler head. Although relatively inexpensive and easy to master, installing PVC pipe requires substantial labor, particularly when buried in trenches.

Drip Tubing

• Drip tubing is a flexible plastic water-supply line that attaches to both water-supply valves and standard-hose faucets. Like PVC, drip tubing is suitable for both above- and below-ground applications. However, whereas PVC connects to conventional sprinkler heads, drip tubing connects to special-irrigation hardware called emitters. Strategically placed near a plant's root zone, standard drip emitters release controlled quantities of water to reduce water consumption. In addition to drip emitters, drip tubing accepts misting emitters and spray or sprinkler emitters. While easy to install, conventional drip tubing is often more expensive and deteriorates faster than rigid PVC.

Portable Sprinklers

• Inexpensive and easy to use, portable sprinklers attach to a standard garden hose and sprinkler, or spray water across the surrounding landscape. Although irrigation hardware manufacturers continually reinvent the portable sprinkler's design, most models consist of a twisting, rotating or spinning sprinkler. Subjected to water flow from an attached hose, the portable sprinkler's spraying attachment oscillates, twists or spins while spraying water. Portable sprinklers are lightweight and easy to move between distant portions of a landscape. However, left unattended, portable sprinklers quickly waste a substantial amount water.

Alternative Irrigation Ideas

• Common alternatives to sprinkler systems include soaking systems, such as soaker hoses and "drip strips." Both soaker hoses and drip strips consist of perforated tubing that distributes water by "weeping." Whereas soaker hoses connect to a hose faucet, drip strips connect to both hose faucets and drip-system supply valves. Both types of soaking systems distribute water beneath and surrounding the hose or strip. To effectively use soaking systems, the hose or strip must weave through the landscape and pass near the root zones of plants or grass. Soaker hoses and drip strips are highly portable and suitable for both permanent and temporary above-ground installation.