An irrigation column (20) for a drip irrigation system has a fluid conducting line (32) for receiving fluid from a fluid source (30) upstream. The irrigation column further includes a plurality of drip segments (38) extending alongside the fluid conducting line, a plurality of zone valves (26) located along the fluid conducting line, and a plurality of control tubes (341, 342, 343) extending alongside the fluid conducting line. And each control tube is in fluid communication with a respective one of the zone valves for actuating the zone valve.
