I have our whole front on drip, with the exception of a Redbud and Loquat tree which get intermittent deep watering. It really is a good way to go.

On a very small scale. I got a nice clean 55 gallon drum, cut off the top and then attached a two headed spigot to it. Next up grabbed my old beat up hoses, use utility knife to piece holes along the hoses, attach to the spigot on the drum. Dig trench between vegetables in my garden, lay down hose, cover with dirt. This would never work for a whole yard, but it was great for a small garden. I filled up the drum about half way to start and then let the rain collect for the rest. When my veggies looked thirsty I would open the spigot, when we received enough rain just kept it closed. I live in the midwest so we do get rain, but we also have extreme heat in the summer, enough that most gardeners are out every AM watering the plants.

I'm in California. I save all my water and put it in a container outside-- all the water I use to wash vegetables or the cold water I have to run until I get water warm enough to wash my hair or the dishes. Thanks for the ideas.

I'd also recommend putting down a ground cover to cut down on evaporation. Straw works great, is biodegradable, insulates the ground in the winter, and cuts down on weeds.

This looks interesting on permaculture in place of irrigation (haven't yet listened but probably will this morning.)

Hope that helps some