As a homeowner, you can use drip irrigation in your vegetable and perennial gardens, and to water trees and shrubs. Drip irrigation is an efficient and economical method of watering. Drip irrigation is typically more than 90% efficient at allowing plants to use the water applied. Unlike other forms of irrigation, such as sprinklers that are only 65-75% efficient, drip irrigation reduces runoff and evaporation. Drip irrigation applies the water slowly at the plant root zone where it is needed.