Drip irrigation systems work by spraying water out of several small nozzles called emitters, which are designed to provide different levels of pressure, coverage, and spray compared to one another. Because there are so many different variables to planning and creating a landscaping project, there are likewise a wide range of different drip irrigation emitters on the market that are designed to meet those needs. Understanding what the different variants of drip emitters have to offer can help you choose the ones that best fit your landscaping project's requirements.

Long Path Emitters

Long path emitters are designed with a coil within the emitter that creates a long passage for water to pass through. This allows for an even water pressure to be maintained, and also ensures that water distribution is uniform across the entire drip irrigation system. This makes long path emitters ideal for most general landscaping projects, as they can provide the same amount of water across the entire area that they are installed in. However, long path emitters are fairly large when compared to other types of emitters, which is an aesthetic consideration that needs to be taken into account.

Short Path Emitters

Short path emitters have a much shorter length within them for water to pass through, which makes them work extremely well with low pressure water systems (especially systems that are powered by gravity, such as rain barrels). However, this also means that they have trouble maintaining a uniform level of water distribution, which can be an issue for larger areas.

Vortex Emitters

Vortex emitters have a whirlpool pattern within them, which allows them to dribble out water at extremely low pressures. This also means that they tend to be smaller than long path emitters, allowing you to more easily hide them within your plant growth. However, the downside of vortex emitters is that they have very small openings for water to pass through, which means that they can become easily clogged by dirt and other particles.

Adjustable Flow Emitters

Adjustable flow emitters work exactly as their name would suggest: you can change the flow rate by turning a small knob on the emitter, allowing for specific water needs of your landscape project to be met. This makes them ideal for use in garden beds or flower pots where several different types of plants with different water needs are growing, as you can easily customize the water supply for each of them.

Contact a company, like Wagner SOD Company, for more help.