Drip Trays vs Drip Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation represent the greenest way to water your plants, as a lot of water is not wasted in the process. There are many benefits other than being able to consume water responsibly. Drip irrigation systems are much better than drip trays. Let’s take a look at the main difference between the two systems of watering your plants.

Only Plants are Watered, Not Weeds

A drip irrigation system is designed so that only the roots of the plants receive the much-needed water. Weeds cannot thrive easily without water, a drip irrigation system cleverly leave the soil between plants drier, so that other, unwanted plants cannot grow in your container garden.

Drip trays on the other hand, simply create the best environment for weeds to grow. This means you will have to invest more time and effort into plucking them regularly, and they will surely affect some aspect of your garden.

Not One Drop of Water is Wasted

Drip irrigation systems draw their name from the way they are designed. Through little holes in a hose, water drips slowly, nurturing the roots of each plant. Not one drop of water is wasted through evaporation or surface runoff, something that cannot be said about using drip trays.

An efficient drip irrigation system can save up to 50% of the water used by any other watering system, including sprinkling. As for drip trays, they are highly inefficient, and most of the water used does not even come close to nurturing the plants placed in pots.

Better Moisture Levels

Through dripping, water seeps slowly into the soil. This system allows soil particles to absorb water and keeps it there for a longer time. Also, the soil is not washed off of its nutrients, as the speed of water going through it is barely noticeable.

Drip trays, however, do not offer the same benefits. As water goes through the soil, taking away its valuable nutrients, it also pools down into the drip tray, far away from the plant roots. While the soil on the surface remains dry, there is an excess of water at the bottom that is never used.

Plants Thrive

Probably the best argument in favour of drip irrigation systems when compared to drip trays (and pretty much anything else) is that plants thrive best when such systems are used. The reason? They get all the water they need for growing, without ever getting too little or too much. Without experiencing water stress (which occurs when plants are overwatered or the opposite, underwatered), plants reach their growth potential very quickly, creating a beautiful garden to compensate your hard work.

Saving Time and Effort

Drip irrigation designs are increasingly popular because they are very convenient and efficient. After being installed, they function based on a timer, so gardeners only have to turn them on and off, as they need them.

Unlike other watering systems, these require very little time and effort once they are employed. There is no need for carrying hoses around, or cleaning drip trays that get messy and overflow.

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