Smart Irrigation Month highlights the importance of improving watering strategies throughout the landscape, including smaller but vital areas such as trees, shrubs, and container plants. Though compact in size, these areas require careful attention to maintain plant health and conserve water. 

Bubblers and point-source emitters, as they provide precise and efficient irrigation by delivering consistent moisture directly to the root zone. This targeted approach helps conserve water, encourages healthy plant development, and minimizes maintenance needs. 

These tools are especially useful in landscapes with varied plant types or challenging soil conditions and support a smarter, more sustainable approach to irrigation.

Optimizing Water Delivery with Bubblers 

For trees and larger shrubs, bubblers offer a reliable solution for deep, efficient watering that supports healthy root development. Deep watering keeps plants healthier and more resilient without the need for frequent adjustments or system changes. 

Unlike spray heads that can waste water through overspray or evapotranspiration, bubblers deliver water exactly where it’s needed. That means more efficient watering and fewer issues with runoff or dry spots. 

“Bubblers give you flexibility in a lot of planting scenarios,” says Kelly Keicher, Regional Manager at Landscape Products. “Being able to adjust flow rates and filter debris helps them perform reliably, even in challenging site conditions or mixed soil types.” 

Pro Tip: When installing bubblers for trees, place them near the edge of the root ball, not directly at the trunk. This encourages outward root growth and better water absorption. 

Precision Control with Point-Source Emitters 

Working with containers, tight beds, or clusters of small shrubs? Point-source emitters are the go-to. They’re compact, clean, and deliver low-volume water directly to the plant with no overspray, no waste, and no guesswork. 

“Point-source makes sense in wider spaced plantings and containers,” Keicher explains. “It allows for watering very specific, defined areas. For large-scale, denser plantings, inline drip is a better fit as it waters more efficiently and reduces maintenance.” 

Emitters are especially useful for root-sensitive plants and landscapes with mixed species. They perform consistently across varied pressure conditions and are quick to install in both new and existing systems. 

Pro Tip: Use pressure-compensating emitters when working on sloped terrain or areas with variable pressure. They help ensure consistent flow across the entire system. 

Labor and Maintenance Savings 

The less time your crew spends adjusting or re-watering, the more productive they can be. Bubblers and emitters help you cut back on labor without sacrificing plant health or performance. 

Once installed, these systems don’t require constant tuning or troubleshooting. That means fewer callbacks and fewer back-and-forth with clients over watering concerns. 

“Drip irrigation offers a lot of options that fit different applications while keeping installation simple and effective,” says Keicher. “Inline drip lines, for example, eliminate the need for trenching in beds. That makes installs faster and reduces disruption to underground utilities and existing plant roots. Whether it’s a retrofit or a new build, these systems help crews stay on schedule and cut down on maintenance.” 

Pro Tip: Combine emitters and bubblers with simple pressure regulators and filters to extend system life and reduce future repairs. 

Durable, Flexible, and Easy to Install 

When choosing bubblers and emitters for drip systems, look for UV-resistant materials that can withstand tough jobsite conditions. Standard fitting compatibility helps ensure fast and simple installation and easy integration into existing setups. 

A compact design is also useful for fitting into tight or irregular spaces without compromising system layout. The goal is precision and reliability without added complexity, which is exactly what contractors need in the field. 

Next Steps for Your Crew 

Take stock of the areas you’re irrigating, especially around trees, shrubs, and containers. If you're dealing with overspray, runoff, or high labor time due to system tweaking, switching to bubblers or point-source emitters could make a big difference. 

Visit your local Ewing branch to explore your options and get expert guidance on product selection, installation tips, and system upgrades that will save you time and water on your next project.