Drip irrigation is a method used to water plants and it conserves a considerable amount of water, as compared to the typical sprinkler-like system. Drip irrigation allows water to slowly drip to the roots of plants or to the surface of soil. The main concepts behind the efficiency of drip irrigation are that the water soaks into the soil before it can evaporate or run off and the water is only applied where it is needed, as compared to sprinklers that spray water everywhere. The tools required for drip irrigation are cheap and there is even a “Drip Irrigation Kit for Dummies” available at Sears for $39.99. Some of the disadvantages to drip irrigation include a short longevity, clogging of equipment, and drip irrigation might be unsatisfactory if herbicides or top dressed fertilizers need sprinkler irrigation for activation. Comparing the two irrigation systems (sprinkler vs. drip), sprinklers are ~ 75-85% efficient while drip irrigation systems are ~90% efficient or higher.
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