The standard rotating or oscillating sprinkler has been a staple of St. Louis homeowners for decades. More recently, they may have either seen or purchased an in-ground lawn irrigation system with "pop-up" sprinkler heads which rise up at pre-determined times, perform their function, then descend again underground.
Drip irrigation, however, is installed, and remains, completely underground. For some applications, it is clearly superior to both completely above-ground and standard underground "pop-up" sprinkler systems. Simply put, drip irrigation is a network of underground emitter lines which water your lawn, drip-by-drip. This type of underground sprinkler system is a solid option wherever you live.
Drip irrigation, however, is installed, and remains, completely underground. For some applications, it is clearly superior to both completely above-ground and standard underground "pop-up" sprinkler systems. Simply put, drip irrigation is a network of underground emitter lines which water your lawn, drip-by-drip. This type of underground sprinkler system is a solid option wherever you live.
Emitter lines consist of polyethylene tubing with drip emitters installed at specific intervals. Subsurface emitter lines do best when buried 4-6" below the surface and installed with air vents and automatic flushing ends. Emitter lines are placed under the soil in one of three ways. The first is hand trenching, the second is a mechanical trencher that cuts a narrow slot, and the third is with a pipe pulling vibratory plow. There is no best method, but usually site conditions suggest the most economical approach.
These are the advantages of drip irrigation systems in St. Louis over standard irrigation methods:
* No evaporation issues
* No overspray even in small or irregular areas or on nearby windows
* The system is not subject to damage from foot and vehicle traffic or vandalism
* No runoff on slopes-and no water on sidewalks or fences
* A reduced number of water supply valves, which means you need less water flow
* Emitter line spacing, and thus precipitation rate, can be adjusted to account for berms, slopes and flat areas
* Turf roots grow downward further, in order to reach the water, making your lawn tougher and reducing thatch
In heavy clay soils, maximum spacing is 18", with emitter holes a foot and a half apart. In lighter soils, the water doesn't travel as far, and tighter spacing is required. However, the tightest spacing necessary are lines a foot apart, with emitter holes a foot apart from each other. In St. Louis, be careful not to bury your drip irrigation lines in areas where they might be damaged by fut
These are the advantages of drip irrigation systems in St. Louis over standard irrigation methods:
* No evaporation issues
* No overspray even in small or irregular areas or on nearby windows
* The system is not subject to damage from foot and vehicle traffic or vandalism
* No runoff on slopes-and no water on sidewalks or fences
* A reduced number of water supply valves, which means you need less water flow
* Emitter line spacing, and thus precipitation rate, can be adjusted to account for berms, slopes and flat areas
* Turf roots grow downward further, in order to reach the water, making your lawn tougher and reducing thatch
In heavy clay soils, maximum spacing is 18", with emitter holes a foot and a half apart. In lighter soils, the water doesn't travel as far, and tighter spacing is required. However, the tightest spacing necessary are lines a foot apart, with emitter holes a foot apart from each other. In St. Louis, be careful not to bury your drip irrigation lines in areas where they might be damaged by fut
* The system is not subject to damage from foot and vehicle traffic or vandalism
* No runoff on slopes-and no water on sidewalks or fences
* A reduced number of water supply valves, which means you need less water flow
* Emitter line spacing, and thus precipitation rate, can be adjusted to account for berms, slopes and flat areas
* Turf roots grow downward further, in order to reach the water, making your lawn tougher and reducing thatch
In heavy clay soils, maximum spacing is 18", with emitter holes a foot and a half apart. In lighter soils, the water doesn't travel as far, and tighter spacing is required. However, the tightest spacing necessary are lines a foot apart, with emitter holes a foot apart from each other. In St. Louis, be careful not to bury your drip irrigation lines in areas where they might be damaged by future planting efforts.
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* No runoff on slopes-and no water on sidewalks or fences
* A reduced number of water supply valves, which means you need less water flow
* Emitter line spacing, and thus precipitation rate, can be adjusted to account for berms, slopes and flat areas
* Turf roots grow downward further, in order to reach the water, making your lawn tougher and reducing thatch
In heavy clay soils, maximum spacing is 18", with emitter holes a foot and a half apart. In lighter soils, the water doesn't travel as far, and tighter spacing is required. However, the tightest spacing necessary are lines a foot apart, with emitter holes a foot apart from each other. In St. Louis, be careful not to bury your drip irrigation lines in areas where they might be damaged by future planting efforts.
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Learn more about drip irrigation in the St. Louis area . Stop by MPR Supply's site where you can find out all about underground sprinkler systems #2 and what they can do for you.