Drip irrigation basics for small farms
Save up to half your water and improve yield with a simple drip layout.
5 min read
Why drip
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, reducing evaporation and weed growth. Most vegetable and fruit crops show better yield and uniformity under drip, and fertiliser can be applied through the same system (fertigation).
Parts of a drip system
A typical system has a water source and pump, a screen or disc filter, a main line, sub-main pipes, lateral lines along each crop row and drippers. A venturi or fertiliser tank is added for fertigation.
Layout tips
Run laterals along the slope, not across it. Keep lateral length under 60–70 m for 16 mm pipes to maintain even pressure. Use 2–4 litres per hour drippers for vegetables.
Maintenance
Clean the filter every week and flush the laterals by opening the end caps once a month. If drippers clog from salts, an acid treatment recommended by your supplier can clear them.
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