Irrigation

Irrigation Systems and Irrigation Supplies

Keep Your Garden Green

Purchasing the correct garden supplies is important for creating a healthy garden. But it’s also important to ensure your plants and vegetables get the correct amount of water, too. Water is vital to the health of your plants, but watering by hand can be tiresome and ineffective. Lowe’s offers a variety of irrigation options, making it easy to create an effective watering system for your home garden and landscaping needs.

Why Irrigate? 

To irrigate is to supply water to land by artificial means rather than relying on rainwater. When using an irrigation system, you supply water to grass, vegetation and other foliage around your yard, where and when you need it.  

Drip Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation is a great choice for watering because of its effective water control. Drips of water are placed at the root of the plants, preventing both water waste and root damage, which can occur when an area is overwatered. Drip irrigation systems are easy to disguise in landscaping by either covering them with mulch or camouflaging them with mature foliage, so the equipment won’t detract from your landscape. You’ll need some basic supplies to get started, including drip irrigation tubing, fittings, emitters and micro sprays. Or purchase everything you need in a handy drip irrigation kit that connects right to your home’s spigot. New to drip irrigation and want some help getting started? Check out How Do I Install Drip Irrigation for tips and ideas.  

Above-Ground Lawn Sprinkler and Underground Sprinkler Systems

Both of these irrigation methods apply a controlled amount of water to your landscape in a way that mimics rainfall and are most effective on large, flat landscapes. Above-ground sprinkler systems can be moved so you can deliver water to places you need it most, like areas of lawn you’ve recently seeded. These sprinkler systems offer a variety of spray patterns, including adjustable, full circle, half-circle, quarter circle and center strip. Underground sprinkler systems are permanent installations with buried pipes that transport water. Shop for sprinkler systems with smart controls or Wi-Fi compatibility for even greater control over water usage.

Recycling Water

Water is a finite resource, and Lowe’s carries several products that can help us conserve the water we receive naturally. Rain chains are an attractive alternative to traditional downspouts, available in different decorative finishes like copper and silver. Their cup style holds water so that, during heavy rains, the ground has a chance to absorb water slowly over a longer period of time. Plastic rain barrels catch rainwater, providing a source of fresh water for the lawn and garden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s an irrigation pump?

A: An irrigation pump is a device that uses an electric motor to move water through pipes or tubing to different areas of your landscape, such as a lawn or flower bed. Horsepower, flow rate and maximum water pressure are among the factors that can help determine the amount of water a pump can deliver in a given time period and how far it can effectively move the water.

Q: Which type of irrigation system is best for sandy soil?

A: Drip irrigation is the best choice for sandy soil. Since sandy soil drains quickly, it’s helpful to water with a higher flow rate than you’d need for other types of soil. You can configure a drip irrigation system with drip, spray and bubbler emitters that deliver the right amount of water directly to the plants that need it.

Q: What are the main types of water pumps for irrigation?

A: There are three main types of water pumps you’d use for irrigation. One is a surface centrifugal pump, which isn’t designed to be submerged. A second type is a submersible water pump, which can operate very efficiently under water. The third type is a jet pump, which can pull water from a deeper source than other pump types but typically has a lower flow capacity.