Investing in landscaping enriches your enjoyment and adds to your property value. Once you've invested in landscaping for your home you do not want to watch it die or have to continually replace dead grass or plants. An automatic irrigation system protects your landscape investment. It is a smart decision. Not only does a sprinkler system make lawn care easier, but it conserves water and saves you money in the long run. |
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Water Conservation |
| Hand watering is not only time consuming but it also wastes a lot of water before plants receive a good drink. A lawn sprinkler system supplies a precise amount of water to very targeted areas - aimed right at the roots. This is programmed into your sprinkler system to come on automatically as needed or at specific times of the day. This systematic, purposeful approach to water use actually conserves water. Your lawns and gardens thereby remain lush and green on less water. |
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Sprinkler System Parts |
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There are four basic parts to a programmed lawn sprinkler and irrigation system. The four components are:
- 1) the controller or timer
- 2) the irrigation valves
- 3) the underground pipes
- 4) the sprinkler heads
There is a lot to be considered when planning the layout for your underground irrigation system. For instance, not every element of your yard requires the same amount of water. Having your yard divided into zones with like watering needs affords precision water distribution. Water waste is thus reduced and money is saved. |
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Irrigation Zones |
A professional irrigation contractor should evaluate your lawn and gardens. He will assess which areas need X amount of water and which areas need Y or Z amounts of water. Then each zone is mapped out for underground piping and programmed according to its specific watering requirements. Water distribution is thus purposeful and targeted. The true beauty of an automatic sprinkler system. |
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When landscape design is planned according to how much water various plants will need the result harmonizes with an irrigation system. Many residential landscape designers plan their projects in terms of irrigation zones to ensure optimal plant preservation and water conservation.
Xeriscaping: [Pronounced: zeer-i-skey-ping] Xeriscaping employs environmental landscaping methods to minimize water consumption, including the use of drought-resistant plant species. |
Drought-intolerant plant species are planted in separate zones than drought-tolerant shrubs. This planting strategy extends plant life because a shrub or plant is not being over-watered to accommodate a neighboring plant that requires more water.
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Each section of lawn also becomes a irrigation zone of its own. A north-facing lawn, for example, will not require as much watering as a south-facing lawn. |
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Lawn Sprinkler Heads |
The two most common kinds of lawn sprinkler heads are rotor heads and spry heads.
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Rotor Heads: |
Rotor heads have a low application rate and are used on sloped lawn surfaces. When too much water is sprayed too quickly on a grade much of the water gets wasted as run-off. Rotor heads provide more uniform coverage than spray heads making them ideal for large areas. |
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Spray Heads:
Spray heads have a high application rate. In other words, they release a large amount of water in a short period of time. Spray heads are best suited for flat or level lawn surfaces.
When irrigating your lawn the sprinkler heads should be kept the same within a circuit or zone. This is because each kind of of sprinkler discharges water at a different rate. |
Keeping the heads consistent within a specific area will prevent over-watering parts of your yard while trying to get sufficient water to other parts. A properly planned and installed lawn irrigation system will target water distribution with precision, efficiency and accuracy. |
Professional lawn sprinkler contractors can design a sprinkler system that is tailored to your property and its specific landscape requirements. Their knowledge and expertise will be invaluable in planning and installing your sprinkler system. |
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