Irrigation, Landscape, Waterfalls, Fountains

    There is more to a sprinkler system than just sprinklers!

Conservation and water waste

When to water:

The amount of irrigation water needed depends on the kind of plant materials, the weather, the type of soil and the size and condition of the vegetation.

Grass types are best watered just as wilt begins to show. Generally this would be indicated by a slight folding or rolling of the blades or a change in the color, although changes in color can also relate to nutrition the plant is lacking. Most turf type grasses require only about 1 inch per week deviating slightly depending on the soil type, location and weather.

Flowers are basically two types, annual and perineal. Annual flowers will have shallow root systems generally and will require more frequent watering and not as deep. Because of their need for more water and shallow root system, they should be watered more frequently than any other plants in the landscape. Perennial flowers usually have deeper root systems, and can usually be watered similar to small shrubs. There are varieties that are drought tolerant and these varieties will require much less watering than annual flowers.While these can be mixed in bedded or landscape areas, there is a happy median that must be met when setting a sprinkler up for automatic watering since generally they are small areas for annuals that are mixed with other types foliage due to size limitations, especially with residences.

Trees and Shrubs and trees have much deeper and quite extensive root systems after they are established. They need watering to deep levels and can also take advantage of water staying there longer because surface water will evaporate and dry up quicker than moisture deep in the ground. Water for them should be much less frequent and allowing for much deeper watering than the more shallow rooted vegetation. Well established large plants can sometimes survive well with nothing more than rainfall although they too may need fertilizers and some additional watering when the applications are done.

Irrigation systems are best to be set for watering early in the morning just before or just after sunrise. It is commonly felt that dampness through the night period can establish disease of the vegetation because of the cool and damp prolonged enviroment. It is best to have water on the foliage when the sun comes up and allow for it dry during the day. Early morining also has other advantages which include less wind during that time of day. Wind can affect the spraying patterns of a sprinkler system and although wind is and should be considered when designing a system, it is still better to take advantage of the no to less windy time of the day. This will provide for more even coverage of water and less runoff or spray to areas that do not require water.

Rainfall can provide about 40 to 60% of the water needed for foliage with deep root systems and about 30% of what is needed for turf areas. Utilize this natural resource and don't water during or after a rain until it is necessary for your foliage. There are rain sensor devices that can be installed in your sprinkler system that will help make the system watering more efficient and less wasteful. They are enexpensive and certainly should be included in every system and are often required by municipalities along with a freeze sensor to prevent ice along roadways during inclimate weather and causing accidents along with wasting water.

Be sure to adjust your watering schedule to the season as well as the weather. Plants need much less water during the fall and winter and often no additional water beyond nature during the winter. So it is important to consider these factors and reduce water applied to them.

How Often to Water?

While there can be no set frequency that is right for everyone in every geographic area, remember it is usually better to irrigate once to the lower depth of the root system than numerous times that do not get to that level. There are few exceptions to this one being when establishing new turf, but other than that, deep watering is better for the plants if for no other reason because it establishes a deep, full root system for the plant which makes them healthier and more tollerant to adverse conditions that may come.

Check for any local watering restrictions for your area and conform to them. Violating these restrictions could become costly and savings that you made by installing your sprinkler system can easily be taken in fines for these violations. Resist the urge water every day, even though restrictions may be in place, the plants don't need it!

Evaporation Loss

Evaporative losses curing the summer months can be quite severe. A sprinkler system which is run at noon or early afternoon on a windy and dry, hot day can result in a loss of 40 to 50% of the water applied to evaporation. THAT'S A LOT OF WASTE AND COSTS!The same system operated in the early morning hours when there is virtually no wind, dampness from the night still in the air may result in that figure being below 10%.

Runoff Waste

Runoff occurs when water is applied more quickly than the soil can absorb it or the spraying of unentended hard surface areas such as driveway and roadway areas. Design to stay off concrete and hard surface areas as much as possible. Sandy soil allows water to penetrate more quickly than clay consistant soil and dry soils accept water more readily than wet or moist soil. Appling water quicker than the soil will allow it to penetrate causes runoff and runoff is wasted water. Keep this runoff at the minimum amount to recieve the most benefit from your irrigation system and watering habits.

Message - Conserve that waste and save the cost associated, including future costs.