A drip hose is the primary conduit in a micro-irrigation system, delivering water directly to the base of plants. This method is often called trickle irrigation because it provides water in slow, measured droplets rather than a wide spray. The hose is typically a flexible polyethylene tube that focuses water application at the soil level near a plant’s root zone, forming the core of an efficient watering strategy.
Essential Components of a Drip System
The drip hose requires several integrated parts to function effectively. Water flow must first pass through a filter to remove sediment and organic matter that could clog the exit points. A pressure regulator is then installed to ensure the system operates within its low-pressure design range, usually between 10 and 30 pounds per square inch (PSI). High pressure can cause fittings to leak or damage the tubing.
The main polyethylene tubing acts as the supply line, carrying water from the source to the planting area. From this main line, smaller feeder lines or the drip hose branch out to individual plants or rows. The most specialized components are the emitters, or drippers, which control the release of water from the hose. Emitters restrict the flow to a slow, measured rate, commonly rated in gallons per hour, ensuring precise and consistent moisture application.
How Drip Irrigation Saves Water
This method achieves high efficiency by targeting the plant’s root zone with precision. Unlike overhead sprinklers, drip irrigation minimizes evaporative loss because the water is delivered directly to the soil surface or slightly below it. This localized application reduces water lost to wind drift or sun exposure.
Water application rates are calibrated to match the soil’s infiltration capacity, preventing two major forms of water waste. Runoff is avoided because the slow delivery rate allows the soil to absorb the moisture without pooling. The targeted volume minimizes deep percolation, which occurs when water moves past the root zone and becomes unavailable to the plant. Since only the immediate area around the plant is watered, this system also suppresses weed growth by leaving the surrounding soil dry. Compared to traditional irrigation, a properly designed drip system can reduce water use by 30% to 70%.
Comparing Different Drip Hose Styles
Consumers can choose from several styles of drip hose, each suited to different applications and lifespans. Drip tape is a thin-walled, collapsible polyethylene tube with pre-installed emitters, often used for annual vegetable crops. It is an inexpensive option, usually intended for a single season of use in long, straight rows due to its lower durability and operating pressure.
For permanent installations, heavy gauge poly tubing is the standard material, serving as a durable mainline that can be reused for many years. This solid, thick-walled tubing does not have built-in emitters, allowing users to customize the system by punching in individual drippers where needed.
A third common option is integrated emitter tubing, often called dripline. This is a thicker, more robust hose with emitters factory-welded into the tubing wall at fixed spacings. Dripline is more durable than drip tape, handles higher pressures, and is excellent for landscape beds or perennial plantings. Some versions feature pressure-compensating emitters for use on sloped terrain. These should be distinguished from soaker hoses, which are porous along their entire length and sweat water out, offering less control and precision than a true drip hose system.