What different types of garden irrigation are often used?

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An irrigation system for your garden can be a difficult choice.
Once you start looking for an irrigation system, you will find that there are many different options available.

Depending on the type of plants and the size of your garden, you will look for the system that best suits you and your garden. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of irrigation systems available and commonly used. Each of these systems has its own advantages and disadvantages. Keep in mind that these are general classifications and it is quite possible to adapt them to any garden. So if you can’t find the perfect solution, you could make combinations of different systems – we’ll talk about that at the end of the article.

Surface irrigation

Even if you’ve never heard of the name, this is probably what you’re doing in your yard right now. This method of irrigation water the soil surface and allows the water to penetrate into the soil. Basically what you do with a garden hose. This is the most common type of irrigation worldwide but also the most inefficient.

We will explain it to you

First of all, it costs you a lot of time and energy. In that sense alone, surface irrigation is already lavish. In addition, it is simply not easy to manually water the entire garden every day. You could also spend the time you spend on other things, such as a day at the beach.  

Second, you want your plants to have long roots. For this, the water has to penetrate into the ground. This is not done optimally with surface irrigation. The plants are therefore less resistant to drought and are highly dependent on watering.

And finally. Surface sprinkling is not very good at evenly distributing the water. Plants can receive too much water or even be submerged. Some other areas may not even get water. Getting the right amount of water is essential for your plants to thrive.

Sprinkler irrigation

An irrigation system with sprinklers is great for saving a lot of time and money. You can run it fully automatically with a timer and the system will start every day just in time to water your garden. You can even add rain and moisture sensors so you don’t water unnecessarily.

Basically, the garden is divided into different areas based on watering requirements and the correct type of sprinkler set for each area. When the controller is set up and calibrated, you don’t have to worry about watering your garden anymore.

There are sprinklers (pop-up sprinklers) that are hidden underground and only appear at the time of watering. These systems prevent tripping over the sprinklers in your garden. (pop-up) Sprinklers are ideal for areas such as lawns, where large areas need uniform water distribution.

But these systems also have some drawbacks. They will waste some water especially in strong sunlight or high temperatures where the water can evaporate before even touching the ground, and in windy conditions the water pattern will be affected. In sloping areas, watering may not be uniform throughout. They are also not suitable for sandy or clay soils. But they are definitely a significant improvement over surface irrigation.

Drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is amazingly good at saving water. Many studies have proven its role in sustainable agriculture. If your garden has different types of plants that require different amounts of water, this may be a really good option for you.

Drip irrigation allows you to adjust the exact amount of water going to each plant. So whether you have shrubs, trees, flowers and / or grass, with drip irrigation they can all get just the right amount of water they need.

Like all other systems, drip irrigation systems also have their drawbacks. They need to be flushed regularly to avoid blockages and if not installed properly it can affect root development. The whole is also susceptible to damage. If you are not careful, garden tools or stray animals can damage the system.

Mixed irrigation

As mentioned before, the garden irrigation systems are not suitable for everyone. Nowadays you can combine multiple garden irrigation systems to get customisation for your garden. This way you benefit from all the advantages of the different irrigation systems. In short, the best of all worlds.

For example, you have an expansive flat space and a planter full of different plants and trees. A rotary sprinkler system could deliver water efficiently over the large area, while low-flow drip irrigation could deliver the measured amounts of water each plant and tree needs.

Today’s systems also include advanced, programmable controllers to manage multiple areas and start times, AND they keep an eye on the weather. Regulators and valves control the water pressure to provide an even flow despite the fluctuations in your site. A single controller can control watering via sprinklers or drip irrigation systems. Smart irrigation systems can adjust watering schedules using rain, moisture sensors and weather forecast data for the day.