Living in the Desert of the Southwest poses unique challenges for home landscaping. While residents of the Valley want to point fingers at the fountains and pools along the Strip for the overuse of water in Southern Nevada, the majority of our water supply is used by residents. In fact, the casinos and hotel properties on the Strip use only 3% of the region’s water, even while supplying 70% of its economy by hosting tens of millions of yearly visitors. But the good news is there are ways to lower your water consumption and still maintain a yard you can enjoy and take pride in. It is all about efficiency. Cacti Landscapes has been saving clients’ money and improving the look and value of their homes for over a decade by applying our expertise to the weather conditions of our Valley.
Whether you have a green thumb the Hulk would be proud of, or are a gardening novice, a drip irrigation system is perfectly suited to the needs of your Las Vegas Valley landscape. First and foremost, drip irrigation saves water. According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, 70 percent of a household’s water is used outdoors—with 20-30 percent of that wasted due to irrigation leaks and runoff! If we look at the Valley as a whole, that’s close to 30 billion gallons of water squandered every single year. There is a solution; properly installed and maintained drip irrigation can lower water usage by 30 to 60 percent over conventional irrigation systems, and reduce water loss from evaporation and runoff.
What is Drip Irrigation?
“Drip irrigation is the slow application of water directly to the root zones of plants and trees.” In other words, the system is strategically designed with a series of emitters that deliver measured amounts of water tailored to meet the individual needs of each plant in your landscape. This ensures the flexibility to apply different amounts of water for varying amounts of time for maximum benefit to each plant and tree at minimum water waste. The concept of drip is simple; but the design, installation and management of an efficient system requires planning, upkeep and attention to detail. Remember, just because you install a drip irrigation system you can’t ignore it completely and expect the quality results to continue; maintenance is vital to retaining your system in tip top shape and your yard the envy of the block.
What are the Advantages of Drip Irrigation in a Desert Climate?
When water is supplied in precise quantities directly to a plant’s roots, it is the easiest and healthiest way for the plant to absorb the water it needs to grow. In fact, it is just as easy to kill a plant with too much water as it is with too little. A correctly designed, installed and maintained drip system improves the quality of your landscape while increasing water efficiency. That is a win-win for the health of your landscape and the value of your home. With efficient design, drip irrigation is a proven water saver because it conserves every drop of this precious natural resource in a climate where every drop matters.
What are the Main Benefits to Drip Irrigation?
- Efficiency: Drip irrigation delivers the exact amount of water to a plant’s roots while eliminating evaporation and overspray. This often results in up to 60 percent less water than alternative irrigation systems.
- Improves Health: The steady and even application of water promotes consistent growth and decreases the wet/dry fluctuation that stresses plants. Fruits and vegetables generally yield more food with drip irrigation.
- Naturally Decreases Weeds and Pests: Drip irrigation targets the water to the root zone and keeps the outer areas dry. This helps starve out weeds that compete with plants for water and nutrients. By keeping the plant’s leaves dry, water-born pests (especially fungal diseases) are also reduced.
- Versatility: The specific watering needs of different plants within a landscape can accurately be met with a well-designed drip irrigation system. Also, your system can be easily adjusted when you make changes in your landscaping.
When can Cacti Landscapes Install a Drip System and Improve my Yard while Saving me Money?
You can invest today in installing drip irrigation to begin saving money by watering your landscape more efficiently. If you have a new landscape, you can start with drip irrigation right off and begin your new yard in the smartest way possible.
Cacti Landscapes will not only design and properly install and maintain your drip irrigation system for maximum health, beauty and water efficiency, but we will conduct regular checks for clogged emitters, leaks, damage and flow. We will adjust, clean, and replace emitters as needed. We know your home is your most treasured asset and look forward to helping you create and maintain the yard of your dreams.
