Micro-irrigate to Save Water and Improve Landscape

This is another in a series of articles written about the new area program called Florida Yards & Neighborhoods.

A properly designed micro-irrigation system will decrease water loss from evaporation, wind and runoff. It can also minimize disease problems by applying water to the root zone of plants instead of the foliage.

Micro-irrigation or low volume irrigation is recommended for shrub and flower beds and potted plants. Usually micro-irrigation emitters have a maximum flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute while traditional lawn sprinkler heads put out 3 gallons per minute or more.

If you have an existing irrigation system you can increase watering efficiency by retrofitting a micro-irrigation system; or you can just connect the system to your outdoor spigot. A stand alone micro-irrigation system can provide flexibility in meeting variable water needs of new, maturing and established plants.

One of the first common components you will need if hooking into public drinking water system, is a backflow prevention devise. This devise protects public health by preventing water system contamination and pollution. The backflow prevention devise should be attached between the spigot and other components of your system. If hooking into an existing irrigation system, start with an isolation valve.

The next component needed for both systems is a filter which removes particles from water to minimize clogging of the emitters. After the filter it is a good idea to install a pressure-regulation devise which helps prevent rupturing of plastic tubing and connections. A system hooked onto your hose spigot will probably need an irrigation controller to control the duration and frequency of the zone operation. If you are hooking into an existing irrigation system it is best to have the micro-irrigation section as a stand alone zone to control it separate from your lawn system.

If you have an up to date digital controller on your irrigation system I recommend adding a soil moisture sensor that will shut off the irrigation pump when soil moisture is adequate. Another, but less efficient, way to shut down the system is a rain sensor device which senses when adequate rainfall has occurred.

Polyethylene tubing is commonly used for distribution pipe. Emitter selection depends on plant arrangement and owner preference. In-line drip tubing is recommended for groups of plants with similar water needs in a grid pattern or rows. Drip tubing is easy to install and water goes into the soil with least evaporation. Drip emitters can be used for potted plants or hanging baskets. Micro-sprays emitters are used for large groups of plants with similar water needs and they are available in a large variety of spray patterns. Their main disadvantage is that water is sprayed into the air and is subject to some wind drift and evaporation.

If all of this sounds too complicated come by the Highlands County Extension Office and I will give you a booklet on the subject.

If you are interested in having a Florida Friendly Yard please contact Ed Ayen at the Highlands County Extension Service office. Phone: (863) 402-6540 or email: edayen@ufl.edu . His office location is 4509 George Blvd. in Sebring, FL 33875-5837.

The Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program is being implemented through your local county extension service in Highlands, Okeechobee and Glades County and is partially funded from Clean Water Act Section 319 funding from the U. S. EPA through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

More information is available on the Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu. If you need additional information on Florida Friendly Yards, please email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop by our office at 458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee County Master Gardeners from 1 to 5 PM on Tuesday afternoons.

-30-

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS / University of Florida. Larry A. Arrington, Dean Last update: 08/02/2006 . This page is maintained by Dan Culbert