‘If you start off well, you’ve won half the battle already.’ This is how Gerhard Cronjé of Eikestad Besproeiing approaches an irrigation system installation. He says the secret of a new irrigation system is planning. Before you head to the shops, ask yourself whether you want drip irrigation or spray irrigation.

Consider the following factors if you opt for a drip irrigation system:

Pros

• These save water because it delivers water straight to the plants’ roots, and no water is lost due to evaporation or because of the wind.
• Drip irrigation is ideal for large trees, in cramped areas where there’s a lot of paving or along a driveway.

Cons

• The pipes used for drip irrigation can be unsightly as they mostly lie above the soil. If you bury the pipes, they must be very shallow, otherwise the system won’t work. However, the chance of puncturing the pipes with a garden fork is increased.
• This system works better in a more natural garden where plants can overgrow the pipes, rather than in a neat, formal garden.

Bear in mind it takes longer to irrigate a garden with a drip system than with overhead sprayers. It’s also more expensive to install because you need more pipes for a big flowerbed. Drip irrigation works best if the pipes are about 40cm apart; calculate how much you’ll need, depending on the size of the beds you want to irrigate.

Contact Eikestad Besproeiing at or .

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