The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 15 Summer 2015/2016 Low res | Page 11

Advertorial

Garden irrigation
The three main areas that need to be
watered in a garden are the lawn, the
flowerbeds and the veggie garden. The three
types of irrigation systems used to water
these three areas are overhead sprinklers,
microjet sprinklers and drip irrigation.
The lawn

Lawn irrigation requires water to be spread over a large area
with relative ease; therefore, an overhead sprinkler setup is
the best option. It can be done either with automated pop-up
sprinklers, clip-in hydrants or with a simple sprinkler stand.
Pop up sprinklers
The more permanent and automated the sprinklers are, the
less water will be wasted. Pop-up sprinklers can water at
night when the rate of evaporation is lower and the chances
of having ZESA are higher. An automated system can also
be permanently adjusted so that water is not wasted on
driveways, walkways or verandas. Although an automated
system will be more expensive to install, the cost of watering
will be less.
Clip-in hydrant system
The clip-in hydrant system, which is buried in the lawn,
has the advantage of permanent water points and is less
expensive than an automated system. However, it does not
have the option of pre-set watering times. Because these
sprinklers have to be inserted manually each and every
time, watering at night or very early in the morning can be
somewhat challenging.
Moveable sprinkler stand
The moveable sprinkler stand has none of the benefits of the
automated or clip-in sprinkler systems, but is a cheaper and
versatile option, as it can be moved around by hand. The biggest
problem with the non-automated systems is the water wastage
by watering areas unnecessarily, watering in the hottest times of
the day, or leaving the sprinkler on too long.

Flowerbeds

Flowerbeds need a fair amount of water depending on the
types of plants and the amount of shade. The most effective
way to irrigate a flowerbed is to use microjets, which are
simple and easy to install and customise. The flexible Low
Density Polyethylene (LDPE) pipe will conform to the shape
of your bed, allowing you to lay the pipe around your shrubs.
It can easily be connected to a tap with very few fittings and
it can also be automated. The microjets are sold as complete
sets, so all you need to do is plug them into the LDPE pipe
and turn on the water. Microjets can be customised by

VISIT OUR
DRIPTECH
BRANCHES

GLENARA
308 Samora Machel
Eastlea, Harare
0772 187 421-2

Second Street
Belgravia Shopping
Centre, Harare
0772 158 310 -1

Dripline

Microjet

Pop-up

adjusting the nozzles to vary the amount of water applied.
The swivel can also be adjusted to change the distance and
the angle of the microjet. These features allow them to water
any shape or size of flowerbed.

Veggie gardens

Veggie gardens need drip irrigation. It is not only the best way
to water, but it can be ‘powered’ from an overhead tank and
is therefore independent from ZESA. Because drip irrigation
applies the water slowly and only around the plants, the
amount of weeds in the veggie garden will be greatly reduced.
The risk of mould is also reduced, as the leaves will not get
wet. Because there is very little water sitting on the surface,
evaporation rates are low and water is saved.
All of these systems can be mixed and matched and, of
course, a veggie patch can be watered with either a sprinkler
or microjets. In order to reap the benefits of all the hard work
you have put into your garden, watering it correctly will let you
enjoy the green grass, healthy flowers and thriving veggies
while saving ZESA, water and worries.

www.driptech.co.zw
Southerton
18 Charing Cross
Workington, Harare
0772 143 996-8

Borrowdale
Pomona Shopping
Centre, Pomona
04 882 419/885 387

Pipe Shop
NEW
7 Douglas Road
Workington, Harare
0782 740 916
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