Drip irrigation system is an automatic water-wise way to ensure that each of your garden plants gets the required amount of water via a stream, drip or spray system.
It can help keep the roots of the plants moist and not soaked. This means it uses very little water compared to other irrigation techniques.
Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit
Our Top Recommendation for Drip Irrigation System!
The Raindrip R560DP is the ultimate water kit for containers and hanging baskets. This kit has everything you need to get started with drip irrigation, and you don’t need to water your plants by hand. The installation is simple, and the timer and supplying tubing are threaded just like a hose.
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Moreover, it is a quick DIY installation system. You just have to remember to keep the water emission part on top of the soil or mulch you are using to hide some of its parts. This way you do not clog it.
In the end, you save money and water while keeping your plants healthy.
5 Best Drip Irrigation System Review
There is no better way to automate your watering than with a drip irrigation system. This way you get to have a plush evergreen and healthy garden or lawn, all the time.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Raindrip R560DP Automatic Container and Hanging Baskets Kit | • It is Very economical and time-saving • Durable material construction • It Can water up to 20 plants | |
 | Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler Complete Drip Irrigation Watering Kit | • Flexible distribution tubing • The easy and quick installation process • Features micro bubblers | |
 | Rain Bird GRDNERKIT Drip Irrigation Gardener's Drip Kit | • Easy installation, no special tools required • Covers 75 square feet of garden • Extends very easily | |
 | KBD Drip Irrigation | • Easy to DIY • Watering Customization • Wide Application | |
 | Flantor Garden Irrigation System, ¼-Inch Blank Distribution Tubing Watering Drip Kit | • The user manual is very elaborate with pictures • Very easy to customize for effective watering • Features a long 50-foot tubing |
#1. Raindrip R560DP Automatic Watering Kit
There are different kinds of irrigation kits but nothing beats an automatic watering system, which is both efficient and economical. For instance, this Raindrip R560DP is the perfect fit for those with container plants and hanging baskets, as you can customize it to fit your plant design.
This drip irrigation kit can save up to 70% of water while keeping your plants healthier day in day out. It will not waste your water through run-offs or excess evaporation, as it directs water to the roots of the plant. Besides, its water saving capabilities are what makes it ideal for drought-prone areas.
Customization
You can now customize and expand this system via some additional tubing, fittings as well as feeder lines to enable you to fit it right in within your plant or garden design. Besides, this process is as easy as attaching a water garden hose.
Superior Make
This garden irrigation system is made from linear, low-density polyethylene and added UV inhibitors to make it weather resistant. Therefore, you can opt to bury it on the surface or leave it out in any weather.
Efficient
Its level of efficacy lies in its ability to deliver water where it is needed, at the roots of the plant without affecting the whole plant.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- 5-year limited warranty
- Comes with a user guide
- An automated system
- Tool-free
What We Didn’t Like
- Needs a pressure regulator
- Not recommended for watering lawns or big garden
#2. Orbit 69525 Micro Bubbler Complete Drip Irrigation Watering Kit
There is no better way to keep your garden plants healthy than with a drip irrigation kit. It can help keep your plants alive while preventing the growth of weeds and other unwanted wild plants.
Besides, you can save loads of water with it, especially if you live in drought-prone areas.
A good example of this kind of drip irrigation system is this Orbit 69525. It comes with a complete user guide for easy use and installation. You can install it in under 15 minutes for a quick and immediate watering.
Moreover, its stake and micro bubbles will allow for direct plant watering and not water the weeds or landscape.
Water Conservation
This drip irrigation system can save up to 70% of water unlike other irrigation systems like spray heads. This makes it great equipment for saving water in drought areas.
Easy to Use
Its ½-inch and ¼-inch water distribution tubing is highly flexible thus allowing you to run the drip lines as you deem fit, for better coverage.
Features Micro Bubbles
The drip micro bubbles can make a big difference when it comes to the health of your plants, as they prevent any damages to the plants, by supplying the water where it is needed.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Highly convenient and efficient
- Customizable
- Affordable given its functions
What We Didn’t Like
- The hose can burst under high water pressure
#3. Rain Bird GRDNERKIT Drip Irrigation Gardener’s Drip Kit
Buying a drip irrigation kit can be complex for newbie gardeners, but with the right buying tips as well as product, anyone can easily hack its use as well as maintenance.
For instance, this Rain Bird drip kit comes with everything you need to set it up as well as a convenient user manual.
All you have to do is follow the instructions and you are good to go.
It includes fittings and stakes, ¼-inch distribution tubing, ½-inch emitter, and distribution tubing, spot watering emitters, a regulator as well as a faucet connection kit.
Energy Saving
You can now save some energy via this water system by just setting it up and leaving it to water your plants. This eliminates hand watering, which can be so tiresome.
Conserves Water
This type of irrigation is known to conserve up to 50% of water compared to another irrigation system like overhead spray. This translates to less water bill.
Efficient
This drip irrigation kit waters precisely where the water is needed, and that is at the roots of the plant. This makes it ideal for farming without aiding weed growth.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Reliable water flow in any planted area
- Has a clog-resistant design flow
- Comes with a convenient user manual
- Provides precise watering
What We Didn’t Like
- Not highly efficient for plants that are 15-inches apart
- Hose attachment may leak
#4. KBD Drip Irrigation
A perfectly balanced drip irrigation kit brought to you by KBD. It is a very simple and elegant system that does its job perfectly. The kit consists of different parts, all of which are easy to install. You don’t have to have digging or plumbing skills – insert the drippers and fittings, and start watering your plants instantly.
The irrigation tubing system is durable, thanks to the UV-resistant materials and ABS plastic with which the system is made of. In addition, you can adjust each nozzle and dripper individually to customize the water flow for each plant. Overall, the water sprinkler system is designed to deliver the right amount of water precisely and slowly, thereby meeting the water demand of different plants at one time.
Furthermore, this automatic drip irrigation kit also renders efficient external cooling and a genuine atomizing effect. This makes it ideal for trampoline use during summer.
Durable
The irrigation tubing system is built of UV-resistant materials. In addition, you will find all the fittings made of ABS plastic, ensuring lifelong use.
Customizable
You can adjust each dripper and nozzle individually as per your needs. It allows you to customize watering for each plant type accurately.
Automatic
This drip irrigation kit is automatic. It enables you to carry out irrigation as per your setting while turning on the faucet. As a result, you can save up to 70% of water compared to manual watering.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Made of its UV resistant materials and durable plastic
- Adjustable
- Provides slow, steady moisture
- Effective external cooling and real atomizing effect
- It comes with a Y-type water separator
- Perfect for lawn, garden, swimming pool, greenhouse & more.
What We Didn’t Like
- The Y-fitting is of non-standard size and entirely useless
- The hose is too small to carry the water needed to use all the fittings.
#5. Flantor Garden Irrigation System, ¼-Inch Blank Distribution Tubing Watering Drip Kit
If you are looking for an affordable piece of plant watering system, then here is an ideal choice from Flantor. It is the ideal fit for watering your garden greenhouse, lawn, patio, and flowerbed.
It will not take you loads of time to set up but will save you loads of watering time as well as energy.
Moreover, it comes with every piece of item you need for the installation, plus a user manual that will ease the whole process. The rest is easy, as you will only need to turn ON the tap when you want to water.
Automation
Even though this drip irrigation kit does not come with a timer, you can always buy one separately in order to automate it to water your plants while you are away for work or leisure.
Simple Installation
This kit comes with a convenient user manual that you can use for installation. Nonetheless, the whole process is very easy, as it does not require you to have plumbing or digging skills.
Eco-Friendly
As much as this watering system will help keep your plants well hydrated. It is also friendly on the pocket. It does not cost much, even though it will help save your water, its bill as well as time and energy.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Saves time and money
- Waters plants at once
- Affordable
What We Didn’t Like
- It will not be that powerful when you install more than 10 heads
Selecting the Best Drip Irrigation Components
Before you buy a drip irrigation kit for your gardening and landscape you, should consider its components and buy the one with some of the best.
Here are some of the important components of a drip kit you should always pay attention to, while you are out shopping.
- Self-Flushing Feature-As much as all drip irrigation system has filters for protecting them against dust and different kinds of debris. You should still pick an emitter system with a self-flushing feature.
This way it can flush out any kind of accumulated debris that the filter might have missed. In the end, you get to have a clean system all the time, for better longevity.
- Pressure Compensating Irrigation Emitters-Irrigation emitters are very important when it comes to the proper functioning of the drip system.
- Therefore, when you are choosing them, make sure you go for the pressure compensating ones. This is because such an emitter is designed in a manner that it will deliver the same rate or amount of water flow through the whole system. It does not matter if it is the first or last emitter within the hose.
- As a result, you get to water your plants better, by ensuring that they all receive the precise and required amount of water no matter their location in your garden.
- Micro-Sprayers-These are highly convenient due to their small size. After all, who wants tubing running all over their garden space or landscape.
However, when you opt for micro-sprayers then you will have to install the main water supply against your house and put the micro-sprayers in the garden. You can cover the tubes with mulch for invisibility.
- Built-In Check Valves-You should know that some drip emitters often come with built-in check valves. This feature is what helps the system to come ON and shut OFF at the same time. This makes it very important when choosing an emitter, as it can prevent back siphoning.
- Bubblers-Bubblers can ease your drip irrigation gardening, as they will allow for versatility when it comes to watering. I hope by now you know that patios and decks can also make use of this water-wise watering system.
In which case, you just place the main drip line under the deck or on the patio. The plant pots will each have a very small tube with an installed bubbler for efficient watering.
Benefits of a Drip Irrigation System
If you are still not convinced that a drip irrigation system is among the best kinds of irrigation systems next to soaker hose, then here are some top benefits.
- It provides a direct connection to hose spigot without cutting into the home water line
- This system ensures that evaporation and over-spray of water are minimal, by directing water to the root-zone of the plants. This way you save on water costs or irrigate for lower costs
- Very flexible in terms of set-up, this means that it will not bother you even as your plants grow and spread
- You can customize this system to fit your flowerbeds, shrubs, vegetable rows and even containers and baskets with plants
- It is so gentle and precise when it comes to watering, as it slowly emits water into your plants thus preventing any soil erosion or run-offs
- Prevents waterlogged environments that often provides room for fungal diseases
- By distributing water where it is needed, drip irrigation system does not in any way encourage weed growth
- Its water supply lines can be left lying on the ground or under mulches thus eradicating the need for trenches that most underground systems require
How to Install a Drip Irrigation System?
As by now, you are familiar with drip irrigation system and its benefits. The question is how do you install it? Do you need some level of expertise or professional help? Well here is how you can manage to do the installation solo.
Supplies
- Tape measure
- A hose bob or a Y-shaped hose connector (for the faucet)
- A pressure regulator or a backflow valve
- Hose thread adapters
- A water garden hose, one that is 15-25 or 50-foot
- A battery operated timer for your drip system
- Emitter lines, 1/8-inch plastic tubing for running from the main line to the emitters
- Emitters, you can get 1-2 per plant or space them 10-18-inches apart
- Assorted connectors, Tees or T-shaped and elbows or right angles
- The main drip lines for irrigation can be a ¼-inch plastic tube that you can cut with some scissors
The Installation Process of a Drip Irrigation System
- If you are a beginner in gardening or using drip irrigation system then a flowerbed on a terrace or a vegetable garden that is laid out in rows would be perfect. You can also use this watering system for the shrubs surrounding your house.
- You can then proceed to determine your choice of water source for the drip system. An outdoor faucet can do, provided you have a Y-shaped valve hose connector. This way, you get to attach one arm to a garden hose that will supply water to your drip watering system and the other can be left for other watering needs. Take note that the Y bottom is the one that attaches to the faucet.
- The next step requires precise and accurate measurements of your garden, the plants you plan to water as well as how far they are planted. This is because each plant will have to get its own emitter. This is a tiny sprinkler most often a slow drip or a bubbler. Each of these emitters will be attached to the water source via drip irrigation lines. You can opt to put two water emitters for plants that often require loads of water to thrive.
- You should gather some of your tools for preparation before you start installing your system. You will likely need a battery-operated timer, to set and automate your watering whenever. A pressure regulator or a backflow valve is also needed to prevent any water from backing up, as this can ruin your home plumbing system. Hose adapters and fertilizer injectors can also come in handy. There are also optional items like filters to keep the debris and rust out of your system drip line.
- After gathering your items close-by, you can proceed to assemble the drip lines by laying the tubing in the sun to soften it, for easier maneuverability and set-up. Use your scissors to cut the ¼-inch tubing and push its ends into the connectors, this way you extend the lines to the plants. You can then use the 1/8-inch water embitters lines to connect the main lines to the emitters.
- By here, you have done quite a good job. You can now connect the water flow from the faucet to your drip watering system in this order. The Y-connector, the timer, the pressure regulator, hose thread-adapter, garden hose and then another hose thread adapter and lastly the drip irrigation line. In the end, your water supply system is linked to your drip system main line, the ¼-inch line.
- Proceed to test after the connection, by toggling the Y-shaped connector switch. This way water runs from the faucet to your system. Set timer to manual then turn it ON. Turn ON the tap. If everything is per the book, you will see the emitters spouting like tiny fountains. You can adjust water emission by adjusting flow from the tap. Keep an eye on the water emitters, they should not look as though they are straining, bursting or just flat in terms of water flow.
- Check for leaks by turning OFF the timer and keeping the faucet ON. The water will stop running. This way you can ensure that there is no leakage between the faucet and the other connected equipment. Any sign of leakage means that you are using a wrong adapter. You should always have a hose type threading and not a pipe type threading. Nonetheless, any leaks that occur around connectors or emitters can be easily fixed with tape.
- After you are done with checking for any leakage and making the repair if needed, you can set your timer for at least 20-minutes on a daily basis. You can experiment with different amounts of timing when it comes to watering, for a while until you find the best amount of timing that can keep your plants well hydrated.
Some Tips for Beginners
- If you find it hard or boring to pierce a bunch of tubes, plastic for that matter then you can buy a complete drip irrigation system for your garden, hanging baskets or potted plants. You can do research on some best companies that sell the complete set, before making your purchase.
- You can also look for alternatives to drip irrigation like a soaker hose with an impact sprinkler system. It is available in 25 or 50 feet. This porous hose can be snaked around flower borders, shrubs, and roses. You can hide it with mulch. Besides, its far end is always capped and the watering is great and very deep, in terms of keeping the plants hydrated.
- However, you will still need to buy a pressure regulator or a back-flow valve to prevent water from backing up into your house. An added timer can also help keep everything simplified.
How to Maintain Your Drip Irrigation System?
Once you are done with the installation process, you can familiarize yourself with its maintenance.
Just like your garden or potted plants, the drip irrigation system needs to be checked regularly for optimal performance and longevity in use.
Here are some top maintenance tips to get you started:
- Always clean or replace its filters on a regular basis for better water flow
- You can check soil wetness at the plant root depth, this way you make water adjustments as required in terms of schedule and pressure
- Check its battery-powered timer and make the replacement as required
- You should also inspect the emitters for any blockage or leaks
- Occasionally, you should drain the water lines, especially if you live in a cold place as freezing temperatures can cause some serious damage to the lines. You can use a compressor for the draining. Just open the lowest part of it and let gravity work its magic.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an economical and time-saving plant watering system, pick drip irrigation.
It is simple to install, use and even maintain, but you have to prepare for it. Otherwise, everything is likely to flop.
Therefore, if you are in the shop for a better watering system, the above information is likely to help you on your way to better gardening.
You can always opt for any of the above five drip kits, they are from reputable brands in the gardening world, and some are a great fit for newbie gardeners.