(StatePoint) The only thing better than a healthy lawn and garden? A healthy lawn and garden that’s given just the right amount of water at just the right time, all without having to lift a finger. Enter: smart lawn irrigation systems.
In a recent episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects from Exmark, irrigation expert Tom Tootle from Toro Irrigation shared these insights, so you can keep your lawn green, and garden pristine, all season long.
Why Lawn Irrigation Matters
Forgetting a few days of watering or experiencing a drought can put the hours and dollars you’ve spent perfecting your outdoor spaces at risk. An irrigation system however is like insurance for your landscape.
“You protect every room in your home with an insurance policy. So why not protect the biggest ‘room’ of your home: your yard?” says Tootle.
Irrigation System Breakdown
When people think “irrigation system,” they tend to think of underground pipes and sprinkler heads—which is half the truth. In fact, it all starts with a controller that uses low voltage wiring to direct a series of electrical valves and zones throughout your yard. This enables you to tailor your watering schedules based on the specific needs of different areas, such as wide-open patches of lawn or garden beds in ample shade.
Patches of lawn are typically kept watered by rotors that rotate to cover large areas, allowing you to cover your lawn with a minimal number of heads. Then, for smaller areas (like your gardens), sprinklers are used. You can adjust them to spray from 1-8 feet—meaning you never waste water.
For gardens that need a gentler touch, drip irrigation (or similar low-volume systems) delivers slow, steady water at the base of plants, reducing evaporation and keeping foliage dry—a must for disease prevention.
Irrigation systems aren’t all about convenience, they’re also eco- and wallet-friendly. Some of today’s smart systems feature high-efficiency nozzles that can save up to 30% of your water over a conventional system. They also utilize sensors that detect rainfall, optimizing schedules and water usage for each zone.
“If Mother Nature does the work, your irrigation system takes the day off,” says Tootle. “A smart system waters only when it needs to, saving water, slashing utility bills, and helping your lawn and garden thrive.”
Already have an older irrigation system? Many systems can be upgraded without having to rip everything out and start over. Tootle advises having a professional service your system at least annually to check for leaks, re-calibrate rotors, and in colder climates, winterize it to avoid frozen pipes and cracked valves.
It’s also important to consider growth. If your system hasn’t been updated in a few years, plants and trees may have grown to the point where zones need to be reprogrammed for optimal coverage.
When it comes to a brand-new installation, professionals can help ensure the process won’t make a big mess of your lawn. Just be sure to schedule your install during your lawn’s peak growing phase. For warm-season grasses, that’s May through August. For cool-season grasses, that’s early spring or fall.
For more insights, watch “Lawn Irrigation 101,” a new episode of “Done-In-A-Weekend Projects,” an original series from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Exmark’s Backyard Life, a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.
“A modern irrigation system is one of the best ways protect the time and energy you’ve poured into your landscape, and promote a healthy, beautiful lawn,” says Tootle.
