Property Weekly

Watering systems for your garden

October 7 - 13, 2009
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If you are thinking of buying or installing an irrigation system for your lawn or garden plants, this article is just right for you.

Is irrigation practical for your lawn or garden? There are a number of factors to consider before this question can be answered.

The idea of irrigation brings to mind many different methods. While one person may think of simple lawn sprinklers and garden hoses, someone else may think of pop-up lawn sprinklers. Irrigation methods and sources vary vastly, so deciding if a particular system suits your purpose requires a personal look at individual circumstances.

Lawns and smaller gardens can be watered in various ways. At times, all that you need is a sprinkler and garden hose. Other jobs demand more sophisticated equipment such as an overhead irrigation system, underground irrigation system or more complex surface system. Each type has its own place and benefits. The type of watering system that will work best for you depends on your individual garden design requirements and water resources.

Overhead irrigation systems

Overhead irrigation systems are generally not practical for lawns but they work well for gardens. Since an overhead system needs to remains set up almost throughout the year in Bahrain's climate, it must be sturdy and dependable.

This type of irrigation system is aesthetically unpleasant, yet it is a cost-effective and practical way to solve your watering problems.

Underground irrigation systems

Underground irrigation systems are ideal for lawns. Pop up sprinkler heads and automatic timers make these systems one of the best available for keeping a garden lush and moist.

Mobile irrigation equipment

Mobile irrigation equipment could be the least expensive alternative for watering your lawns and gardens. For smaller plots, standard garden hoses and consumer-grade sprinklers can be used very effectively. One problem with mobile irrigation equipment is the need to move and reconstruct them periodically, which takes time. For time-conscious people, a more permanent system would be desirable.

Drip systems

The drip locations can be pinpointed near the root zone of individual plants.

Since water drips out slowly and finds its target simply, less water is used to maintain constant irrigation. While a drip system is not practical for watering lawns, it could be an ideal option for watering of specific plants, shrubs and trees.

Factors to consider:

Rate of precipitation.

Quality of soil being irrigated.

Absorption rate of soil.

Topography of area being irrigated.

Water pressure needs of the irrigation system.

Cost of installation.

Monitoring your garden irrigation

To ensure the anticipated irrigation results, you must monitor your garden irrigation system. Make sure that you are receiving uniform coverage with no dry and wet spots. This type of inspection may be required once or twice with the stationary irrigation systems while mobile irrigation systems need more frequent monitoring as they are never set up in exactly the same manner twice. For advice on the most suitable irrigation system, seek professional assistance.







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