Key takeaways
- Drip puts water at the roots and wastes much less.
- Sprays are better for lawn than for beds.
- Drip needs a filter and a pressure regulator.
- Beds and lawn should be on separate zones.
Why drip wins in beds
Spray heads lose water to evaporation and drift, and wet leaves stay damp, which invites disease on many perennials and roses. Drip releases water slowly at the roots, where plants use it, with far less loss.
Drip also keeps water off walls, siding and walks.
What drip needs
Drip runs at low pressure, around 25 PSI, so the zone needs a pressure regulator, and a filter keeps tiny emitters from clogging. Tubing is laid under mulch with emitters at each plant or along rows.
It is not a set-it-and-forget-it product: check lines in spring and after any digging.
When sprays still make sense
Dense groundcover and annual beds can work with micro-sprays. Lawn belongs on sprays or rotors. The key is to keep different plant types on different zones so each gets the right schedule.
Converting existing bed sprays to drip is often a half-day job.
Related services
Quick answers
Does drip save money?
Usually, through less wasted water. The amount depends on how the beds were watered before.
Will drip lines get damaged?
They can be nicked by tools, so we bury or cover them and mark them on your zone map.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.