Denver Water’s DIY ColoradoScapes video series: Drip irrigation systems 101

Water-wise plants don’t need a lot of water. (It’s right there in their name!)

But a new plant’s first three years are critical as they take root and begin to grow. And drip systems can make your life easier — while ensuring your plants get the water they need.

Denver Water can help guide customers in remodeling turfgrass-heavy landscapes into more natural ColoradoScapes that include water-wise plants and cooling shade trees that offer more benefits for our climate, pollinators, wildlife and the environment.

Questions you might ask about drip irrigation systems include: How should I set up a drip system? What size of emitters should I get? How long should they run? What if there’s a leak?

You can find answers in Denver Water’s new DIY Remodel Your Yard video series on YouTube, which includes some tips from our partners at Resource Central. You also can download the new DIY Landscape Transformation Guide.

How to set up a drip system: Drip systems are the best and most efficient way to water your plants. In this first video, learn how to set up a drip irrigation system for your water-wise ColoradoScaped garden.

Choosing the right size water emitter: Watering new plants by hand is recommended for the first two weeks (at least) after planting. After that initial period, you can start using a drip system.

In our second video, we look at choosing the right size emitter for your water-wise plants.

Running your drip system: Once you’ve selected your emitters and have the drip system installed, watch this video with guidelines on how long to run the drip zone during the first, second and third year after planting.

Finding and fixing leaks: While drip systems work great, just like anything, there are times when they can spring a leak. In this video, we offer some advice on spotting leaks and fixing them.

Remember that even with a drip system, the best way to make sure your plants are healthy is to check them frequently to see if they are getting too much or too little water.

You can learn more about Do It Yourself landscaping at denverwater.org/Conserve and in our video series.