Rain Bird Drip Irrigation: Easing Farmers' Worries of Water Quality Fees

The Record recently reported that several amendments to water quality regulations in the Central Valley could become official by next Spring. Some of the proposed changes include monitoring of groundwater beneath crops, requiring farmers to attend educational meetings and draft plans in protecting water quality and managing soil erosion – all of which are expected to double or triple the costs of water quality improvement. Farmers who use Rain Bird drip irrigation systems on their land don't have much cause for worry though, as the particular system waters the roots of crops directly instead of letting water flow through the entire farm. It's with this kind of system that farmers can both save on resources and energy and minimize soil erosion, which can help them adhere to the new water quality standards.

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Growing Plants One Drop at a Time

Traditional irrigation systems drench entire fields of vegetation in water to sustain growth. Most people encounter irrigation in front lawns and golf courses, which are often drenched by sprinkler systems at preset intervals. However, water is a precious resource that is rapidly becoming a rare commodity.

Irrigation systems are deemed inefficient if they fail to water vegetation at the right times of the day, or waste large amounts of water without nourishing plants and crops. Drip irrigation is the answer to some water woes, if not all. Using drip spouts instead of rotating spray heads, drip irrigation is a more controlled watering system that is being adopted by growers all over the world.

In areas where water is available in limited supplies, drip irrigation systems conserve water by controlling the amount of water that goes into vegetation. Drip irrigation provides water closer to the base of the plants, enabling plant roots to absorb the moisture along with the soil's nutrients.

The drip pipes are installed close to the base of the plants, since the drops of water need to reach the roots as quickly as possible. If the drops will be coming from a certain height, the heat of the sun may evaporate the drops before it can permeate underground. Drip irrigation is a hit with growers in arid places. 

Drip Irrigation Keeps Flowers Blooming

Gardening can be a rewarding experience, but it does entail certain challenges. Without the proper knowledge and practices, you'll have a rather sad and desolate garden with not a single blossom in it. As no self-respecting gardener would ever put up with such an outcome, it is thus important to consider how best to improve the overall conditions for every shrub, herb, or flowering plant in your garden.

Proper irrigation is, of course, necessary, but this is hard to accomplish if one has to juggle job responsibilities with household duties. In areas with warm climates, the repeated watering of foliage is made even more difficult as the water tends to quickly evaporate. In such a scenario, installing a drip irrigation system can help ensure that flowers and plants receive adequate water where they need it the most—i.e., the roots—so they remain healthy and landscape-worthy. In addition, the device can help reduce the rate of evaporation.

Drip irrigation systems come in different varieties, although they're typically available as complete kits that eliminate the need to go from vendor to vendor. When installing a drip irrigation system, one must first identify the main water source, such an outdoor faucet closest to the garden, to ensure sufficient coverage. It is also important to get the exact measurements of each plant that needs to be watered constantly so the emitters (tiny sprinklers) are set correctly.

Irrigation Systems: Conserving Water Supplies

Many people wish to conserve our Earth's limited natural resources—most especially water. As the world is experiencing many environmental issues and many precious resources are being consumed at a fast rate, many initiatives have been undertaken to conserve water. Farmers now resort to wiser means of irrigating their fields and crops, and many have chosen to install drip irrigation systems.

Also known as trickle irrigation, drip irrigation is an effective means of saving water and fertilizer, as the system lets water flow slowly to the base area of the plants. Instead of sprinkling water all over the fields, which wastes gallons of water, drip irrigation targets the root area of the plants directly by dripping water slowly to the root zone. Less water is consumed, and water supplies are conserved in areas that have a limited supply.

Drip irrigation systems are made possible by small pipes, valves, and emitters that are designed to deliver water directly to the roots. Due to the growing use of this technology, farmers are not just able to contribute to water conservation efforts, they also benefit from cheaper water supplies and less intensive farming. Farmers that choose this irrigation system now enjoy lower water, fertilizer, labor, and energy costs, among others.