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A drip irrigation sprinkler system in your yard is a great way to provide water to all your landscape plants without spending hours outside managing the water flow. You will also reduce water loss from evaporation and runoff, and reduce the amount of water any weeds get. To get you started, here are some recommendations to help you install and use a drip sprinkler system for your landscaping.

Assemble All the Necessary Components

When you first get started with a new drip irrigation system installation, you will need to make sure you get all the essential components that are going to make the system most effective. First, you will need a Y-connection to install on your outside faucet so you can run one connection to your drip system and the other side can be for regular hose use.

You should also consider adding a filter onto your irrigation line to collect and filter out any debris that might be in the line. Debris in the line can clog the tiny emitters and holes that feed your irrigation line, which can completely stop the flow of water to an area or one plant. You will also want to add a back-flow regulator, which will prevent water in your line from going back into your main water line. This is recommended, especially if you plan to put a fertilizer feeder onto the drip line. You don't want fertilizer getting back into your home's water supply.

It is also a good idea to install a programmable timer to your water connection. You can use this to control the watering of your landscaping even when you are not at home. Program your timer to water every other day or every three days for a specific duration, such as 20 to 30 minutes, for example.

Make a Plan Layout

You should also make a plan layout of your yard and its landscaping plants. By drawing out the entire landscaping area you can set up a plan for the main line to run and indicate where the secondary lines will be placed for you to provide water to each plant. 

A plan is also going to be important because it will help you decide how many zones you will need to divide the irrigation system into. The reason for this is because your home's water only has a specific amount of water pressure, and if you put too many emitters on one zone, the water won't flow to each of them. Consult your irrigation kit recommendations for the number of emitters, such as drippers, bubblers, sprayers, or sprinklers, on each zone based on your property's water pressure.