Irrigation is the process of artificially and automatically watering plants to help them grow faster and larger.
Origins
The earliest irrigation systems were developed around 6000 BCE. At that time, people in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia began digging ditches and canals to direct river water to their fields and irrigate their crops.
Help for Farmers
As water flowed into the fields, farmers no longer had to struggle with constantly watering their plants. In addition, people living farther from rivers were now able to farm as well. More food became available, and towns and cities began to thrive.
Types of Irrigation
Over time, different ways of using irrigation were developed. One of them is sprinkler systems, which create artificial rain to water the plants by spraying. Another method is drip irrigation, which waters plants drop by drop—this is the method you’ll see in action when you build your mini oasis!