Thank for the list, but I always heard it was the other way around the drip promotes deeper watering then just holding the holes on the plant, which promotes shadow roots. I am still considering, if I went on vacation, of course I would still sometimes hand water things. Many of the problem listed would be fixed if the gardener did some hands on watering, and I have a handy man who would help with the maintenance, as he does other small repairs and he would do the install as well. One consideration is the time, I am working now, and it takes an hour to deep water the back and 20 minutes to deep water in front. So, I am looking to save time. I won't benefit until the dry season, so I have a long time to think it over. I know that a drip is not just like you never have to water again. It also depends on how much one cares about their garden. Some people want zero maintenance gardens, and that is very hard to achieve.