In dry and hot parts of the world, micro irrigation is the answer to landscaping a lush garden. Micro irrigation, or drip irrigation is a process in which water is carried to the actual root of the plant and not just to the surrounding dirt. It uses pipes, tubes, and a dripper to slowly deliver the water. This method uses less water than normal irrigation and is more efficient and ecological.

In ancient times, a clay pot with holes were filled with water and buried in the ground. Then, a clay pipe was used, which eventually changed into the more common perforated plastic tubing. Even newer developments include a plastic water emitter located where the root sits in which the water drips out. Newer and newer methods make this a valuable contribution to the agriculture world, especially those areas lacking rain and water. Other types of micro irrigation include the bubbler, where the drip is more spread out, and the micro sprinkler, which is used overhead where the water is emitted in micro-sprays. This is usually in a closed setting such as a greenhouse.

Ideally, the irrigation tube is buried in the dirt, close to the surface. At each plant, the emitter is placed into the tubing (which is perforated). A pump pressurizes the water slowly thru the emitters. If drip irrigation is combined with mulching, this form of watering would actually reduce surface evaporation and be quite effective in conservation methods. Drip irrigation can also help reduce foliage diseases that come about with wet and moldy leaves because the water goes directly down to the main root.

Micro irrigation is not necessarily used just for the private garden. It is used in farms as well as commercial greenhouses. It has proven successful in a commercial sense due to automation. Also, with piping and pressurized pumps, fertilizer can be added to the water. This automates the watering and feeding of plants and is less labor intensive. On land that is hilly or sloped, micro irrigation can be the answer in avoiding run-off. The cost of micro irrigation would cost less than leveling the land for any type of farming and can help control erosion. On farms growing crops spaced closely together, such as strawberries, micro irrigation can help in more direct watering methods. For crops grown under cover, requiring more water, micro irrigation can help control the flow.

The disadvantage of micro irrigation is the start-up costs of purchasing tubing, emitters, and pumps, especially for a large scale operation. The costs of maintaining a system may be high in the form of clogging or animal damage. Replacement of parts may potentially be costly. Take into account that after the harvest, the cleanup of the tubes and emitters will also be a cost factor. Fertilizing will have to be researched as some applications require top dressed water to activate. The sun may shorten the lifespan of the tubing if it is laid on top of the soil, requiring additional replacement purchase.