A. The three most popular watering systems in our area are the common garden sprinkler, soaker hoses, and the more elaborate underground sprinkler system. All of these systems are beneficial.
A garden sprinkler automatically delivers a fine spray of water over a specific area. There are various types of sprinklers to suit a range of needs: some are best for lawns, while others are preferable for irrigating a flower bed or vegetable patch. These types of sprinklers are as follows: the standing sprinkler, the rotating sprinkler, the pulse-jet sprinkler and the oscillating sprinkler.
Soaker hoses are also useful for irrigating lawns or rows of plants. These are hoses with small perforations along their length. With the holes facing upward, a soaker hose produces a fine spray over a rectangular area and can be used to water lawns. With the holes placed toward the ground, water is directed to the base of the plants--an excellent way to irrigate vegetables and other plants grown in rows. A soaker hose is also an asset when placed near the foundation of our homes with a slow, constant release of water during our dry months to prevent floor slabs from cracking.
The underground sprinkler system is a permanent watering system. PVC pipes and connecting joints are laid out in the form of a grid so that they supply various watering heads to which hoses or sprinklers are attached. The sprinkler from each head delivers an even supply of water to a given area.
All of these systems require regular, consistent usage on a regular basis for a specific amount of time for full coverage during the dry seasons. However, because of minimal water evaporation and easy installation, most gardeners give the nod to soaker hoses.