The Advantages of Timed Irrigation Systems

By Teresa Opdycke

Convenience, conservation, and saving money are three smart reasons to take a look at timed lawn sprinkling systems. Besides these three advantages to you, add the benefits to your lawn for a sure fire solution to keeping your lawn a lush green throughout the growing season.

The inconvenience of standing around on a Saturday morning with hose in hand watering your lawn is obvious. Using a timed irrigation system for your lawn frees you from the previous scenario. The lawn will be watered whether you're on vacation, on a business trip, or at work.

Using a timed sprinkling or irrigation system conserves water by directing water to the areas needed. Watering lawns with hoses or oscillating sprinklers disperses the water into the air first, where the water is evaporated and hits areas where moisture is not needed.

Knowing the type of soil that your grass grows in will help determine the timing of the watering system. If you're not sure, use this quick test: Take soil in your hand and with your fingers roll a ball. If the soil stays in a tight ball, the soil is clay. Sandy soil will not form a ball. Loamy soil, the most desirable, can be rolled in a ball falling apart when released. Knowing the soil type aids in knowing how to water. Clay soil retains water longer, but if watered too hard and fast, the water doesn't have time to be absorbed and will run off. Sandy soil acts like a fine filter allowing water to quickly leech through, not giving roots the chance to drink if watered too fast and hard. Both soil types need to be watered in short spurts at timed intervals allowing time for moisture to soak in.

Watering less in the fall and spring and only in the mornings is pennywise and conservation friendly. Watering a lawn in the rain just looks ridiculous. A rain sensor can be installed to work in conjunction with the irrigation system or simply override the controller manually.

The size and complexity of your lawn decides the cost of a timed irrigation or sprinkling system. Seek a professional to install the needed equipment: timer or controller, irrigation valves, underground piping, and sprinkler heads. The company will recommend what kind of sprinkler head best suits your needs. By conserving water and targeting the areas that need water such as the grass roots, you save money. A properly installed system allows you to reap the benefits of convenience, conservation, and money saved.

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