When you invest in a drip irrigation system for your garden you know that you are going to be saving a lot of water and a great deal of time, but making sure that your system has been properly adjusted to your garden requirements will ensure that it runs smoothly and works at the optimum level saving you even more.

While most drip irrigation systems are run on a water timer which will start and stop the water drip system on a pre-arranged time lapse, it is important to check that your garden is getting the right amount of water and at the right times of day.  Depending on where your garden is located and how much direct sunlight you receive you can adjust it to ensure that the top inch of soil dries, but does not dry out.

After installing your drip irrigation system, you will want to run your first cycle to see how quickly the soil becomes saturated and how quickly the water drains through your containers or garden bed.  Once you notice water draining, you will know that the ground is saturated and that no more water is required and this will be the ideal length of time for your system to be watering.  There will of course be different intervals before the next watering session will occur and this will depend on time of year and climate in your location.

If you experience your rainy season during the hot summer months, then you won´t have to water as often, but in hot dry areas, watering may be required twice or even three times a day.  Most people only require to water their plants every second or third day during spring and fall and may not even choose to water during winter.

It is important to maintain your drip system by checking the pipes and fitting regularly to ensure that it continues to work for years to come.