Drip irrigation systems were developed to effectively water plants slowly and near the roots. This type of a system is supposed to reduce water waste and allow you to have more control over how much water your plants are getting – ideal for our desert environment!

Different plants have different watering needs. Drip emitters allow for customized watering between different plants. Emitters are typically placed around trees or shrubs and their output is measured in gallons or liters per hour.

Try to set up emitters so each plant gets the water it needs in 2-6 hours. It is best to water deeply but infrequently. This results in deeper roots, healthier plants, and better water efficiency.

• Calculate emitter output:
  • Multiply the output of one emitter by the # of emitters on one plant.
  • Example: 3 emitters, each emitter’s output is 2gal/hour = 6 gal/hour
• Factors to consider
  • When determining how many emitters to place, think about the plant type, age, size and the type of soil. All these factors will influence the amount of water needed and the output rate.

  • Place emitters around the canopy drip line to allow for more efficient watering of the roots. Watering at the canopy drip line allows roots to spread farther and better stabilizes the plant in the soil.

  • Finding the right flow for your drip irrigation system will require some fine tuning and regular maintenance. As the seasons change, the frequency of the run time will change but not the run time itself.

Here is an interactive watering guide you can use: https://wateruseitwisely.com/saving-water-outdoors/interactive-watering-guides/landscape-watering-by-the-numbers/