Use a Drip System to Water the Plants in Your Landscape

June 11, 2024

A drip irrigation system gives your plants the perfect amount of water right where they need it, without any waste. No daily hassle. No guessing. Here’s a breakdown from the irrigation system experts at Lindgren Landscape on how to make your landscape thrive while saving time, water, and money.

What is a Drip Irrigation System?

A drip irrigation system works by slowly releasing water directly to the base of your plants through a network of tubing and emitters. This method targets the root zone, delivering water drop by drop, unlike traditional sprinkler systems that spray water everywhere, often wasting it on sidewalks or driveways, and through evaporation.

The Benefits of a Drip System 

A drip irrigation system truly is everything it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why: 

• Water Efficiency: Drip systems target the roots directly, which means no more water running off into the street or over-saturating the soil. Your plants get exactly what they need—no more, no less.
• Healthier Plants: By keeping the water at the roots where it belongs, you avoid soggy leaves, which can be a breeding ground for fungal diseases. Additionally, water droplets on leaves can actually cause heat damage by magnifying sunlight at the hotter parts of the day. Healthy roots and leaves = happy plants.
• Cost Savings: Watering precisely where it’s needed means less waste, and that translates to lower water bills. 
• Time-Saving: Once it’s set up, you can sit back and relax while the system takes care of the watering. No more dragging hoses around, spending hours hand-watering, or forgetting to turn off the sprinkler!
• Environmental Impact: Using less water means a smaller environmental footprint. As water becomes an increasingly precious resource, especially here in Colorado, drip irrigation helps you do your part in conserving it.

Types of Plants That Benefit Most from Drip Systems

Colorado doesn’t get much rain, and water restrictions are common—as such, every drop counts. Native and drought-tolerant plants thrive with slow, deep watering. So do xeriscapes and modern water-wise designs. In this climate, using less water while keeping your landscape healthy isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary.

Drip systems work best for focused watering, and shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses love it. Native plants settle in faster when roots stay moist but not soaked. Similarly, newly planted trees need deep, steady watering—fortunately, drip systems get that right. Raised beds and edible gardens also benefit from consistent moisture (especially thirsty vegetable crops like corn and tomatoes!). In essence, drip systems excel where precision matters, while sprinklers can still get the job done for turf grass or large lawn areas where little is wasted.

Design Considerations for Installing a Drip System

A well-designed drip system starts with smart zoning. Group plants by their water needs and how much sun they get. For example, full-sun perennials need different flow rates than shaded shrubs. From there, select the right emitters—slow-drip for trees and deep-rooted plants, faster emitters for thirsty beds. Tubing size plays a role too; larger lines work better for long runs, while smaller tubing fits tight or detailed areas.

Filtration and pressure regulation are must-haves as well. They keep the system running smoothly and prevent clogs or bursts. To make the setup even more efficient, consider a smart controller. It can adjust watering based on the season or weather, saving water without extra effort—and some you can control from an app on your phone! 

Finally, decide between an above-ground or buried layout. Above-ground systems are easy to monitor, adjust, and maintain, while underground setups keep things looking clean and uncluttered but are harder to move or repair. Either way, planning makes all the difference.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips

Spring

Start the season by flushing your drip lines. Clear out debris, sediment, or insects that may have built up over winter. Once flushed, walk the system and check every emitter. Replace any that are cracked, clogged, or leaking. This is also a good time to clean filters and inspect tubing for damage from cold snaps or critters.

Summer

Keep an eye out for blocked emitters. Roots from nearby plants can grow into the lines or wrap around emitters, cutting off flow. Trim back any overgrowth and check that water is reaching each plant as intended. Hot weather also means higher demand—make adjustments if things are drying out too fast.

Fall

Before the first hard freeze, shut down the system. Drain all lines and disconnect hoses to prevent cracking. If you have a backflow preventer, make sure it’s winterized properly. A little prep in fall saves expensive repairs later.

Winter

There’s not much to do, but it’s a good time to plan upgrades or layout changes for next year. The system rests—so you can get ahead.

Build and Maintain Your Drip System with Lindgren Landscape

Drip irrigation makes sense in Colorado. It conserves water, targets roots, and keeps your landscape healthy with minimal waste. When designed well and maintained seasonally, it runs quietly in the background while your plants thrive.

There is quite a bit of maintenance involved, however, and for best results, leave the initial installation to the pros. If you’re ready to switch to drip—or need help managing your current irrigation setup—Lindgren Landscape is here to help. Reach out today to get started!