Hand Garden Tool

Irrigation systems are a major consumer of water and anything that you can do to reduce the volume of water used is a benefit both to the environment and to your pocket .

Schedule for efficiency

The best time of day to run your sprinkler or irrigation system isearly in the morning. Not only are the plants more receptive to wetness at these times it also saves you water because the soil will retain the moisture for longer . This give your plants or lawn time to soak up the water before the heat of the sun boils it off or the wind takes it away as vaporization. Irrigation in the evening is also a good time to save water. However, in cooler, humid, climates this can cause other problems because the moisture sits on the plants all night opening the way for rot and other diseases .

Keep your sprinklers clear and efficient

Keep your sprinkler systems clear from any blockages . Tall grass and shrubs can block or interfere with the spread of the sprinkler spray reducing their performance . Most sprinklers heads are no higher than 3 inches from the ground and can easily be blocked by nearby vegetation. Also, don’t rely on the water pressure to push aside tall grass or other obstructions; although it may seem as though the spray is forcing its way through, you will still lose sizeable amounts that are blocked by the plants and instead create local pools of water that can cause rot, diseases, or local flooding. An even lawn requires an even watering pattern and any obstructions to the sprinklers will disrupt this process giving you an uneven lawn. Don’t forget, shrubs and other vegetation can grow up around sprinklers that were clear when installed. Make habitual inspections and cut back any plants that are causing problems. If this is a persistent problem then consider raising the sprinkler heads, although this can be expensive. Another option is to use a drip irrigation system for shrubs. Drip systems avoid the problem of blocking the sprays and can be very water efficient .

Keep up with the seasons

Many people don’t bother adjusting their sprinkler systems more than twice a year to match the seasons, summer and winter . However, there can be significant differences in the weather even from one month to the next. Keep an eye on the weather and take the time once a month to adjust your sprinkler settings to use only the water you actually need to keep your plants healthy.

Short bursts are preferable to a long soak

Most lawn sprinkler units supply water at a much quicker rate than it can be absorbed by the lawn . Rather than running your sprinklers for one long session, divide the time up into shorter units with delays in between . This give the water time to sink into the ground rather than gather in pools or run off to the sides. For every minute that you run the sprinklers wait ten minutes for the earth to absorb the water. Using this method you can easily reduce your total irrigation time and bill by 25% or more. And your lawn will look better .

By taking the time to maintain your sprinkler system in peak condition, and using it efficiently, you will save both time and money in the long run, as well as improving your garden.