Top Factors That Determine the Choice of Drip Irrigation Lines

Drip irrigation is arguably the most common type of watering solution for newbie farmers. It is easy to install and manage, and the best part is that the system consumes less water. However, farmers must choose the right drip line to enjoy the benefits fully. Unfortunately, most people fail at this point and only realise their mistake once they have set up and used the system for some time. This article highlights factors that affect the type of drip line to choose for your garden. 

Single or Multi-Season Crops

Typically, drip lines are differentiated by their application throughout a planting season. If you intend to plant crops for a single season, then you need drip lines for that particular period. Generally, the pipes have thin walls, strong enough to withstand usage over a single season. Additionally, thin-walled drip lines are cost-effective for seasonal crops. However, if you want to plant perennial crops or implement sub-surface drip irrigation, you require drip lines with relatively thick walls. The thick walls are designed for long-term use over several planting seasons. 

Crop Density

How close do you intend to plant your crops? This is a crucial factor that determines the spacing of drip lines on a garden. The reason is that you want the water to move laterally from a drip line rather than sink deep into the soil. If crops are densely packed, you need drip lines with closely spaced holes. The system ensures that water moves freely on the surface, making it easy for plants to absorb sufficient water. Some crops will not receive enough water if you install drip lines with widely-spaced holes in a densely populated garden. However, if you want to plant a few crops far apart, you need drip lines with fewer holes. The perforations save water while still ensuring that every plant is watered adequately. Notably, drip lines with closely spaced holes cost more than pipes with fewer outlets. 

Outlet

Drip lines need protection against clogging because they are installed on the soil. The level of susceptibility to clogging depends on the application. For instance, drip lines used in small farms experience limited soil ingestion and, consequently, they are less susceptible to clogging. In such cases, a drip line with a single outlet is enough. On the other hand, drip lines designed for larger farms are likely to ingest more soil and experience significant clogging. Therefore, the drip lines need more outlets to eliminate soil clogs. 

For more information, reach out to a local irrigation supplies store.

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