Emitters

An emitter is any device that meters water from inside the tubing to the garden; these can be individual drip emitters, drip tapes or tubing with molded in emitters, soaker hoses or a variety of mini-spray heads. Here is where it gets fun. There are hundreds of different emitters, from spinning micro sprinklers, full and part circle sprays heads, drippers, and drip tape. You can mix and match any of these, but mixing parts makes balancing the system very difficult. To make sure you have the right parts, contact a Charlotte irrigation specialist.

To make water delivery easier, choose to standardize your equipment. Standardization also means repairs are easier to perform since all your spares fit. Drip and spray emitters come in everything from fractions of a gallon to multiple gallons per hour flow rates (1/2 gallon per hour, 1 gallon per hour, etc.) Sprays can be confusing since, besides the different flow rate, they also have different areas they cover. Since sprays can  spread disease, it is recommended to use drip tapes or 1/2, 1 and 2 GPH drippers for almost all garden and orchard needs. To find the system that is right for your needs, contact a Charlotte irrigation company to review your property.

Drippers deliver water to one spot; you can use multiples to deliver water around the root zone. They do tend to form a densely wet area where they sit. Use these under trees and areas covered with mulch, for instance,  to irrigate outlying orchards trees.

When it comes to sprays, there are many choices. Micro sprays may be rotating or fan types, supplied as a simple plug in item or they may come with a mounting stake attached. You should be aware that sprays, while a great way to spread water over a large area, have the issue of leaving the plants wet, which is conductive to disease formation and may spread fungal diseases from one plant to another. Also, evaporation in the air means 50% may not hit the ground during normal days, and on windy when you really need the water, 90% may be lost. A Charlotte irrigation expert can give you a full analysis, and recommend the system that is right for you.

source: Gardening Coaches