Because South London clay soils are dense and drain slowly, it’s usually best to run drip irrigation (https://www.savageldn.co.uk/irrigation-solutions)for longer, less frequent sessions rather than short daily bursts. As a general guide, we recommend running your system for 1–2 hours per session, 2–3 times a week during the main growing season. This allows water to move slowly down into the root zone, encouraging deeper root growth and reducing wasteful surface run‑off. For newly planted borders, it can be helpful to start at the higher end of this range and adjust as the soil dries out. As a rule of thumb, the soil should feel moist but not waterlogged when you dig down a few centimetres the following day. During very hot, dry spells, you may need to increase the number of weekly sessions, while in cooler, wetter periods, you can reduce them. Drip irrigation is designed to apply water slowly and efficiently, making it especially suitable for London clay soils when correctly timed. Combining the right run times with a well‑planned layout and appropriate emitters helps protect your planting investment and supports healthier, more resilient plants.

The ideal water pressure for a professional g(https://www.savageldn.co.uk/irrigation-solutions)arden drip irrigation system (https://www.savageldn.co.uk/irrigation-solutions)t(https://www.savageldn.co.uk/irrigation-solutions)ypically ranges between 10 and 30 PSI, with many premium systems performing best at around 15–20 PSI. Operating within this range helps ensure that each dripper or emitter delivers a consistent flow rate, giving even coverage across beds and borders. Too much pressure can cause uneven watering, leaks, or damaged fittings, while too little pressure may mean the emitters at the far end of the line receive significantly less water. To avoid this, a properly specified pressure regulator and filter are usually installed at the start of the system. This protects the pipework, reduces maintenance issues, and ensures that every part of the garden receives the intended amount of water. For more complex layouts or larger gardens, we may recommend zoned irrigation circuits with their own pressure and flow settings. This allows us to fine‑tune watering for different areas – such as sunny borders,(https://www.savageldn.co.uk/planting-plans) shady beds, or newly planted trees – while maintaining efficient, reliable performance across the entire landscape.