Sprinkler Systems: A Better Way to Irrigate Lawns

While some homeowners and property owners might consider the task to be tedious, watering the plants is one of the most important aspects of lawn care. Grass, shrubs, crops, and flowers all need water to survive because it is essential for photosynthesis. While “green thumbs” may find pleasure in using their own hands, there are many benefits to using technology for the simple job of watering lawns and gardens.

Sprinkler systems are considered to be a better alternative to garden hoses, as hand watering using garden hoses leads to water wastage. Aside from enhancing water conservation efforts, sprinklers can also provide greater watering coverage and range, making it a more efficient means of irrigating lawns. By using lawn sprinklers, homeowners and property owners no longer have to deal with cumbersome hoses, which are difficult to move about and store.

On the downside, sprinklers are quite difficult to install since this involves excavating the ground and laying down pipework throughout the lawn. Not only that, sprinkler systems have to be laid-out properly to provide sufficient coverage and maximum effectivity. Thankfully, there are professionals who can be hired to install and repair sprinklers. These professionals can also winterize sprinkler systems so that they can cope with freezing temperatures. 

Conserve Water and Win a Vacation with a Rain Bird Sprinkler

Rain Bird is currently running a contest that will send 3 winners to Texas if they prove to have used the company's pressure-regulating machines to conserve water. The contest is part of Project PRS Challenge that aims to educate irrigation professionals and homeowners about the benefits of using such systems. One example of how beneficial Rain Bird sprinkler systems are is University of Texas-Austin's drip irrigation technology that installed water in its 125-acre landscape. While the project cost the school a staggering $2 million, the $800,000 worth of savings in utilities and conservation of 10 million gallons of water every year makes the investment well worth it. As of August, Project PRS has already logged water savings of up to over 57 million gallons. Rain Bird and other irrigation professionals will continue to promote the conservation of water by using irrigation systems even after the contest has concluded.

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How to Water Your Lawn Effectively

Lawns need watering to replenish the moisture in the soil soaked up by the grass. Rain is the best way to water lawns, but on rainless days, hoses, sprinklers, and sprays can do the job. To maintain a beautiful lawn, watering has to be done with care and at the right intervals.

Water your lawn only if the soil is dry up to about six inches from the ground. Grass is very resilient and can be very tolerant to drought, so frequent watering is not necessary. Over-moisturizing the soil can in fact harm grass. The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, and in the evening, when evaporation is slower.

Meanwhile, take note that sprinklers reach a wider area and are therefore more effective for watering lawns than hoses. When sprinkling, you'll need to adjust the water pressure to make sure the water penetrates the soil and does not run off or create puddles. When the weather's very dry and the soil is parched, prick holes on the ground with a garden fork to allow the water to go deeper into the soil. During this time, grass may benefit more from thorough watering about once or twice a week compared to daily sprinkling.

Finally, always check the level of the water's penetration after 30 to 60 minutes. If it has reached six to twelve inches deep, then it's time to stop watering your lawn.

Using Water Sprinklers: Pointers to Remember

Gone are the days when gardeners had to patiently water each section of their land. Watering plants manually is a laborious task, especially for those who have massive gardens and a variety of plants to attend to. Instead of waiting for rain to come pouring down from the sky, people can now rely on water sprinklers to save time and effort when supplying their beloved plants with water.

There are several pointers you should keep in mind when using water sprinklers. For instance, you must know the ideal time to run your water sprinklers. Instead of watering when the sun is rising, you should do so at the crack of dawn. This is because the water you'll lose due to evaporation will be greater during daylight hours. Also, be conscious of the alignment of your water sprinklers. You have to be certain that the water is hitting the plants, and not the street and other areas that do not need to be dampened.

The proper alignment of water sprinklers will conserve water and protect your property from unnecessary messes. Regularly check sprinkler heads for any damage to avoid problems with the sprinkling system. Technology has indeed made plant cultivation a lot easier, but you should not rest assured that everything will be flawless all the time. Do your part by assessing your water sprinkler systems from time to time to guarantee the safety of your plants.