Why Drip?

What is Drip Watering?

Drip watering (sometimes known as trickle) is the application of carefully controlled quantities of water directly to the plants. It was developed during since the Second World War originally in America, but now countries like Israel are leading the way to make the most of restricted water resources. As the years have gone by this has become increasingly more important and in 2010 no doubt attention will be drawn to all off us to use water as efficiently as we can.

Water is targeted exactly where it is required either with individual emitters

or drippers that are inserted into pipes or pre-inserted drippers that are extruded into the pipe during manufacture.

Leaky Pipe relies on the natural properties of the crumbs of rubber to restrict the water flowing through the wall that makes this excellent for burial as the water can leave but roots and soil cannot enter the pipe.

When water enters the soil it relies on the natural ability soil has to move moisture sideways as well as down.

Spread of drip irrigation in different soil

This movement is known as capillary action and the speed and ability the soil has to move the water is a factor of the soils texture; the quantity and ratio of sand, silt and clay. The more clay ratio the slower the capillary action, but the further sideways it will reach.

Clay Silt Sand

We feel it is important that gardeners should have the flexibility to grow what they want where they want in their own gardens but we must all be responsible. Drip irrigation enables desert to bloom economically so this technology can and should help gardeners in the UK to have the gardens they want without restrictions.

20 years ago we were the original people to offer drip watering to gardeners with Leaky Pipe and drip watering is our preferred way of watering plants. Watering pots and patios is far easier with no lifting of heavy watering cans and very little run through, as well as reaching inaccessible containers.