The secret to maintaining a thriving lawn is thorough watering. On average most lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to stay lush and green.
But over-watering not only wastes water but makes it more susceptible to insect damage. Reducing water waste is one of the major reasons to consider perfecting your watering techniques.
But how? A garden irrigation system helps you water your lawn efficiently and is a much better solution than toiling away in the sun. Its added benefits include preserving soil nutrients, preventing uneven watering, and its economical and environmental sustainability.
10 Useful Tips to Water Your Lawn Effectively
Introducing a garden irrigation system will help you practice environmental sustainability. We are here to help you fine-tune your watering skills with these easy irrigation tips.
1. Determine the Kind of Lawn You Have
The type of lawn you have determines the duration of irrigation which helps conserve water. So, determining its size and type will help you create your irrigation plan.
For instance, grass that grows in shade requires less water than grass exposed to sunlight. Note: this does not refer to grass growing within the shade of a tree. It requires frequent watering as the grass is competing with tree roots for moisture.
On the other hand, if your lawn has a slope or is located on a hillside then a short watering cycle over a spaced-out time is most effective.
2. Determine the Type of Soil
Exploring your yard’s soil type can help determine the best irrigation solution.
For instance, if you notice puddling each time you water your lawn, this indicates that the soil contains clay. Clay soil absorbs water at a lower rate than other soil types and requires repeated, shorter water cycles. On the plus side, this type of soil retains more water than sandy soil so requires less frequent watering.
We suggest taking a soil test to understand the nature of your soil and adjust irrigation cycles accordingly.
3. Use a Rotary Nozzle
Rotary nozzles are also known as stream sprays or rotators. The chief feature of this type of irrigation head is to water slopes or anywhere that requires slow deliberate water delivery.
If your area has a low water pressure (20 to 25 psi) then these rotators will work perfectly in that setting. They are adaptable to variable pressures and do not revert to mist or fog in high water pressure.
4. Employ a Hose-End Sprinkler
If your lawn is small or medium-sized, this type of sprinkler is perfect. Check out different types of sprinklers to discover which suits your lawn best. A hose-end sprinkler is operated manually, so don’t forget to set a timer to remind you to turn it off in order to conserve water.
The secret to growing a healthy, low-maintenance lawn is less frequent irrigation. This encourages grass to grow deeper roots and helps to sustain a better garden.
5. Install an Irrigation Timer
Check out new advances in irrigation technology by exploring the world of smart timers. Including a programmable timer in your lawn setup can help you determine irrigation schedules based on local rainfall, average temperature, and the rate at which your grass uses water.
Practice a green approach by setting your timer to low water-use hours. Pre-dawn is considered the ideal time for irrigation, although it’s best to avoid watering at night as it makes your lawn susceptible to disease.
6. Use Sod Judiciously
Sod can transform the look and feel of your landscaping instantly. Sod or turf are pre-grown sections of grass bound together by a root system or thin layer of other biodegradable material. Newly sodded lawns need more irrigation than established turf.
Correct watering is the key to the healthy growth and root development of sod. During the initial six weeks after planting it, water sod at least once daily; twice in hot and humid weather. If you want to know more about successful sod growth, go here.
Have questions? Ask garden professionals about their sodding services.
7. Install In-Ground Sprinklers
In-ground sprinklers deliver water efficiently. Their low-angle head design enables them to sprinkle effectively when the volume of available water is low. Simple adjustment of the angle irrigation heads can deliver water as close to the turf as possible.
This sprinkler also minimizes water lost to evaporation. Observe your system in action. If you notice a mist or even a fog coming from the heads, it means the system pressure is too high. Restore proper irrigation by adjusting accordingly.
8. Measure Your Sprinkler Output
Measure your sprinkler output to understand how much water your irrigation is delivering to your lawn.
You can do this by placing six or more straight-sided containers on the lawn to hold water. Then turn off the watering system for 20 minutes and measure the amount of water collected. Add the amounts and divide by the number of containers to get an average. Now, multiply your average by three and you have the hourly water output. Set your watering times accordingly for optimum use of your system.
9. Conserve Water
It is necessary to save water to reduce a negative impact on the environment. Homeowners spend considerable time and resources in the upkeep of their lawns. So take time to observe your irrigation system. Adjust your nozzles and the duration of irrigation if you find too much water on hard surfaces like your driveway or other areas where puddles are common. Try to make sure that every drop of water is being used well.
10. Check Seasonal Settings
Reset your irrigation monthly to ensure your system isn’t running on a hot July setting during rainier April. In some areas, local water management authorities post timer setting recommendations based on online weather data. Checking this will help you save money and water.
Watering is a deceptively simple task that has a massive impact on your beloved lawn. Too little water and your grass will shrivel and die; too much means oversaturating the soil and imminent death yet again. Installing the right watering system is the key to maintaining a healthy lawn. If you’re unsure about how to get started, contact a reputable lawn irrigation sprinkler provider near you.