Drip Irrigation System FAQs

 

Why Install a Drip Irrigation System? 
In 2020, Canadian agricultural producers required nearly 2 billion cubic metres of water to irrigate crops. 

Finding the most efficient way to irrigate weighs on the minds of those in industries heavily dependent on irrigation, including golf courses, agricultural operations, and landscaping. While there are three types of irrigation — surface, sprinkler, and drip — drip irrigation stands out for its ability to conserve water and deliver it directly to the root system.

 

Correctly installed drip irrigation systems minimize runoff and evaporation, which waste water. As a result, you can save up to 50% of the water required by other irrigation systems. Further, these systems emit water directly where the plant needs it the most, at its thirsty root zone. As a point of comparison, sprinklers distribute water randomly, so, much of it is lost to evaporation. By sending water directly to the root system, you reduce the risk of fungal diseases caused by soaked leaves. You'll also save your customers money on their water bills if they use city water.

 

At Vanden Bussche Irrigation in Ontario, we connect landscaping designers, farmers, golf course managers, and commercial property managers with the systems and equipment needed for lush, water-saving irrigation solutions. Since 1954, we have helped industry professionals find efficient ways to save customers time and money without sacrificing function. In this guide, you'll learn all the information needed to understand the benefits and mechanics of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems.

 

What Is a Drip Irrigation System?

In drip irrigation, the system delivers water and fertilizer consistently across a specified area. This nourishment reaches the root zone directly so there is no drift, evaporation, or runoff. When designed correctly, drip irrigation provides efficient, low-maintenance water delivery that maximizes yields.

 

The two types of drip irrigation are surface and subsurface:

 

• Surface drip irrigation system: Runs along the surface of the ground, sometimes covered with mulch for protection. For best performance, we recommend an emitter spacing of 12 - 16 inches for most crops. Crops such as ginseng may have a spacing of up to 18 inches. This system injects water below the surface and typically services high-value crops. Often, these systems are temporary, with the drip line recycled each year.
   
• Subsurface drip irrigation: We recommend an emitter spacing of 24 inches for most crops. They use a thicker wall for the tubing. The dripline, buried 14-16 inches down, injects water below the ground. These are permanent systems, saving time and money on labour and tubing replacement. They are mainly used for row crops, but also have specialized applications that serve the needs of golf courses and commercial or municipal landscapes. 

 

Is A Drip Irrigation System a Good Choice?

Drip irrigation is good for applications where you or your customer have prioritized water savings. These systems deliver water slowly and evenly, giving the plant time to absorb and use it more effectively.

 

What Are Some Benefits of a Drip Irrigation System?

With drip irrigation, you install tubing with emitters on or under the ground beside plants. Water drips from various types of emitters into the soil surrounding the root zone. This direct method delivers just enough water for maximum productivity.

 

Some of the benefits of drip irrigation systems include:

 

• Minimizes water on stems and leaves, helping to prevent diseases
• Keeps plant rows dry, reducing weed growth.
• Saves water and time due to increased efficiency.
• Decreases labour
• Reduces runoff of nutrients and water

 

What Industries Use Drip Irrigation Systems?

From greenhouses to farms, orchards, golf courses and commercial/municipal landscapes, there are many industries that benefit from water-saving drip irrigation systems.

• Subsurface drip systems can greatly increase the efficiency of water delivery to key crops in agriculture.
• Drip irrigation systems remain safely out of sight, nourishing turf to keep golf courses lush and healthy.
• Landscaping applications include ensuring hydration of high-value plants, shrubs, and trees. 

 

Do Farmers Prefer Drip Irrigation?

Over the years, drip irrigation continues to grow as a common method for crop irrigation, offering many benefits for those in the agricultural industry. It delivers a great return on investment when compared to other irrigation systems. It also increases yield and requires little maintenance. 

 

Which Crops Are Suitable for Drip Irrigation?

Drip irrigation works well with almost any kind of row crops and is commonly used for many vegetable crops. Additionally, your customers can use it to support vine crops and fruit when you install emitters for each plant. However, it is mainly recommended for high-value crops that justify the cost of installing and maintaining the system.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Drip System?

If you're wondering just how much it will cost your customers to install drip irrigation systems, here's a rough estimate. The dollar value is a little tougher to pinpoint because it varies depending on the type of drip system (agriculture field, landscape project, bunkers, or golf greens). Surface drip irrigation systems typically run between $1.50 to $4.50 per square foot ($300-$1,200 per zone). Subsurface systems will run between $1,000 and $4,000 per acre. 

 

Of course, these are ballpark figures. Here are some of the main factors that will influence how much drip irrigation systems cost:

 

• Area size: Larger areas require more parts, labour, and maintenance. Providing us with a map or layout of your field or crop is a good starting point to help indicate the size of the system required.
• Landscape condition: Rocky soil, excessive tree roots, uneven terrain, and other complexities increase the cost of surface and subsurface systems.
• Soil type: It takes longer to install these systems on sandy or rocky soil, increasing the cost of labour.
• Type of plants: You'll have to create different zones for plants that have unique watering needs.
• Material quality: Automation tools such as smart timers, rain sensors, and other bells and whistles increase the efficiency and lifespan of your drip irrigation system. However, they also increase the initial cost.
• New vs. existing landscape: In landscaping applications, it might cost twice as much to install a new drip irrigation system as to fix or replace the old one.
• Tax incentives: Look out for rebates and tax incentives from your city that may offset the cost of installation. 
• Water source: Depending on the source (city, pond, or well water), you'll have different water qualities. The less filtration you need, the cheaper it is to operate a drip irrigation system. 

Why Is Drip Irrigation Expensive?

It takes energy to maintain the pressure requirement for drip irrigation systems. You need at least one bar of pressure to run the system effectively. Often, power requirements make these systems expensive, particularly in off-grid locations.
 

How Much Money Does Drip Irrigation Save?

Drip irrigation systems save money by increasing water efficiency between 40 to 70%.  These low-pressure systems require around half the energy of high-pressure irrigation alternatives. 
 

How Much Water Does a Drip Irrigation System Use? 

Are you planning to source water from a well for your drip irrigation system? If so, it's important to calculate the throughput prior to investing in drip irrigation. You can do this quickly by putting a 5-gallon bucket under the nearest tap. Time how long it takes to fill up the bucket with water. For example, if it takes one minute to produce 30 gallons of water (six 5-gallon buckets), the well can produce 30 gallons per minute. 

 

If you have city water, you are likely to have enough pressure for a drip irrigation system. However, it will also cost money to source the water you can get from a well for free. If you have a pond you plan to use for drip irrigation, run the same test with the 5-gallon bucket to calculate the gallons per minute. 

 

Because irrigation systems are sold according to the gallons per hour (GPH) requirement, you’ll need an accurate calculation. Reach out to the team at Vanden Bussche Irrigation for tips and tricks on how to get accurate measurements for your farming operation or your client’s property.
 

How Deep Should You Bury a Drip Irrigation Line?

General wisdom indicates that you'll need to place your PVC pipes about 12 inches deep for traditional irrigation. Conversely, drip irrigation tubing only requires 6 inches of depth. Keep in mind that landscaping and farming drip irrigation systems typically require a 12-inch trench, while golf courses require just 6 inches of depth. 

 

How Many Emitters Can You Have on a Single Drip Line?

Typically, you want to install one or two emitters for each plant, more for particularly large trees and shrubs. Using two emitters gives you a backup in case of clogs. You can install or advise your customers to install drippers about one metre apart. However, row crops do well with more closely spaced emitters.

 

In order to operate, drip irrigation emitters require other components, such as a pump that brings water from the source through the tubing to the emitters. You may need a pressure regulator, depending on the length and requirements of your irrigation. The control head contains valves that regulate water volume and pressure throughout the system. Additionally, mainlines and laterals bring water from the source to control heads through buried tubes made of PVC.
 

Where Do You Put Drip Emitters?

Proper emitter placement can determine the effectiveness of the entire system. Typically, you want to place them evenly within 6 inches of the plant base. 
 

What Size Pump Do You Need for Drip Irrigation?

Irrigation systems need both a water source and distribution system. Some drip lines have automation controls that make them more efficient but also more complicated to operate. Along with tubing, drippers, connectors, and a control system, you'll need a pump to keep the water flowing.

 

Here's how to calculate how much flow rate you'll need. Count the number of emitters and multiply it by the flow rate. For example, 100 drippers x 2 GPH = 200 GPH. Divide by 60 to calculate the Gallons Per Minute (GPM). This calculation will determine the pump size you require for your system. Contact one of our sales representatives for more information on purchasing the right pump.

 

How Often Should You Water Plants with Drip Irrigation?

Usually, you'll need to irrigate once or twice a week. However, drip irrigation takes hours to complete. You want the water to penetrate the soil at least 8 inches. The depth and frequency of watering depends on the application.  Depending on the crop, we would typically recommend watering your crop for approximately 1 1/2 hours at a time.

For landscaping, ensure you gather enough information from your client to select the right drip irrigation system to meet their needs. 

H2>What Is the Best Drip Irrigation Tubing?

Drip tubing carries life-giving water to plant roots. Polyethylene tubes have emitters along the tube. Design a system with strategically placed emitters to ensure the hydration of each plant. Standard pipes are 0.5 inches thick. 

 

For agricultural uses, consider Netafim. For landscaping, you can find many great models from major manufacturers such as Netafim, Rain Bird, or Hunter.

 

Drip irrigation systems conserve water and save time, money, and energy. Visit a Vanden Bussche location in person or reach us online to discuss whether drip irrigation would work for you or your customers in farming, fruit growing operations, vineyards, landscaping, and for golf courses.