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View Full Version : Which method of watering is more appropriate?


Want Them All
09-03-2010, 01:36 PM
Clay soil. In-ground fruit trees. Dripper (rated at 1 GPH) is about $0.30 each, the sprayer is $0.97, water flow is adjustable by turning the knob on top.
I intend to place 3 to 4 around each tree. To deep-water, I would guess that I need to leave them on for about 2 hours (maybe more?). Thanks,

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/2010-09-03112458.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a67/delldude/2010-09-03112410.jpg

sunfish
09-03-2010, 01:59 PM
To me a sprayer is better. With a dripper sometimes the water has a tendency to go straight down and not spread out in the root zone.

Try these Spitters
Drip Irrigation Drip Emitters and Pot Spitters from Home Harvest Garden Supply (http://homeharvest.com/dripirrigationemitters.htm)

Want Them All
09-03-2010, 02:13 PM
To me a sprayer is better. With a dripper sometimes the water has a tendency to go straight down and not spread out in the root zone.

Try these Spitters
Drip Irrigation Drip Emitters and Pot Spitters from Home Harvest Garden Supply (http://homeharvest.com/dripirrigationemitters.htm)

That's my concern as well. With 3 to 4 sprayers around each tree, the entire rootzone is covered. Might have to bite the bullet and buy all them $0.97 sprayers. See you in a couple days,

tucsonplumeriaz
09-03-2010, 03:34 PM
i like the spray for better coverage. i never understood "drip" irrigation.

Richard
09-03-2010, 09:23 PM
Here's a short article I wrote on the subject
Get Control Of Your Irrigation (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/column/PTP_2009_12_Irrigation.htm)
Notice the bottom photo with the 'naners.

sandy0225
10-29-2010, 06:54 AM
I know that the sprayers give a more uniform watering, but for my application, I have hanging basket drippers installed underneath my mulch. A totally hidden system. So the drippers work better for me because the plants learn where the water is coming from and grow roots over there. That way I don't have to waste water spraying it over the top of my mulch, causing my mulch to break down quicker.
I use one dripper for each smaller perennial plant and 2-3 for each banana plant, so that the bananas get the amount of increased water they need. Also I can periodically run fertilizer through the drippers to increase growth of my beds.