A healthy and attractive lawn is the best investment you could make for your property. A well-kept lawn can increase the value of your home if you are planning to sell it in the future. Most buyers like to see lush and green lawns because they associate them with a cool environment. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home, having a healthy lawn will improve its curb appeal.
To improve the look of your home, you have to plant trees, flowers, shrubs, etc. You can also have a garden in your yard to provide you with fruits and vegetables. These plants need water to sustain them. If there isn’t enough rain to water the plants, irrigation will do the trick.
There are different types of irrigation systems to choose from. The system you choose will depend on your terrain and the availability of water. Some irrigation systems consume more water than others. Another factor affecting the choice of an irrigation system is the type of plants you have. An irrigation system that works for a particular plant may not be efficient for another.
Here are the top five irrigation systems of 2021.
1. Sprinkler Irrigation System
Just as the name implies, a sprinkler irrigation system sprays water to the plants. It also uses a system of pipes but has nozzles that spray water like rainfall. The sprinkler irrigation system is great for grassy areas or shrubs.
This system uses less water and is simple to run. The greatest advantage of this system is that it is affordable and easy to set up. If your system is working efficiently, it will deliver water uniformly. For this reason, it works the best with plants that have the same water requirements.
The sprinkler irrigation system is popular because it can cover large areas. When you choose your irrigation time well, you can minimize water evaporation while using sprinkler irrigation.
Today, there are smart sprinklers that you can program to irrigate only when necessary. Wi-Fi controls the smart sprinklers, and you can integrate them with many smart home gadgets.
The greatest advantage of these smart sprinklers is that they can monitor the weather. When there’s no rain, the system will activate. When it rains, the system won’t turn on. This system can help you save on water bills.
2. Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation has been in use for many years, but it’s still a popular irrigation system. Drip irrigation is great if you have a garden. You see it used with high-value crops, including vineyards and orchards.
In this system, you lay a network of pipes in the area that you want to irrigate. The pipes have emitters or holes at intervals that help deliver water to the roots of the plants.
You can place the pipes underground or above the ground. Drip irrigation is still trending because it uses 30 percent to 50 percent less water than other irrigation systems. The water drips slowly and only targets the roots of the plants. This reduces water wastage by a great deal. Another advantage of drip irrigation is that it preserves nutrients in the soil. This is because it does not cause soil erosion.
You will also like drip irrigation because it will penetrate the soil as the water drips slowly. This allows it to reach the plants’ roots. This helps in controlling fungal growth. Additionally, the drip irrigation system is easy to modify, especially if you lay the pipes above the ground.
3. Center Pivot Irrigation
This system is similar to a sprinkler irrigation system. The difference is that it has a central tube with rotating outlets that sprinkle water. This irrigation system is bigger than sprinkler irrigation, and strong aluminum or steel towers support it. This makes it a very sustainable irrigation system.
Like sprinkler irrigation, center pivot irrigation distributes water evenly, making it suitable for plants with the same water requirements. With this system, you can irrigate a large area in a very short time. When done well, it will save energy because it runs at low pressure. It also prevents runoff.
4. Terraced Irrigation
A terraced irrigation system will work best for you if you are living on sloped terrain. With this type of terrain, other types of irrigation may lead to high erosion rates. In this system, there is a series of steps made on the sloppy terrain to retain water.
Water will flow from the top downward. It is a good irrigation system because it can allow you to grow crops on a sloped surface. It improves both land productivity and soil fertility.
5. Furrow Irrigation System
A furrow irrigation system is a surface irrigation method that is good for gardens. In this system, there are small channels dug parallel to one another and then filled with water.
The water irrigates crops grown between these channels on raised ridges. Furrow irrigation systems work with crops, such as beans, tomatoes, soybeans, sugarcane, sunflowers, and corn.
This irrigation system is trending because it retains nutrients, hence leading to higher yields. It’s quite affordable and easy to put together. All you need to do is dig the channels and fill them with water. This method saves a lot on water costs.
Conclusion
The above irrigation systems have improved over the years to make them more economical and efficient. With the current level of technology, automated irrigation systems conserve energy and water. You can choose the best irrigation system for your needs. For example, if you have a large lawn or garden, you can choose a sprinkler irrigation system. If you are living on a hill, terrace irrigation will be a perfect choice.
If you have plants with different water needs, you can use a combination of irrigation systems. If you find it difficult to choose the most suitable irrigation system for your needs, contact an expert. An irrigation expert will evaluate your needs and help you choose the right system to install.