Why Your Lawn Needs an Irrigation System (6 Simple Reasons)

lawn-irrigation-systems

No longer are professionally-installed irrigation systems only to be found on golf courses and the grounds of upscale mansions. With advances in technology, they’ve become affordable, convenient and energy efficient options for every homeowner. 

Modern irrigation systems are designed to deliver just the right amount of water and reduce any waste that occurs when you water by hose. It’s a great way to save money and time while keeping your lawn or garden healthy and green with minimal effort. When properly installed, maintained and repaired, an irrigation system can be a great benefit to homeowners. 

Still not convinced? Let’s look at some of the advantages of irrigation installation. 

6 Benefits of Installing an Irrigation System on Your Property

Installing an irrigation system may seem costly, but it offers many advantages worth considering. 

  1. 1. It Frees You from Manual Labour

One of the primary benefits of an automated lawn irrigation system is that it does the watering for you, saving you considerable time. Being automated, you won’t have to worry about your lawn being under- or overwatered. Signs of overwatering include wilted grass, thick hatch growth requiring increased mowing, and your lawn remaining soggy for a long time. When underwatered, grass will wilt and grow slower, while the soil will feel dry. 

An irrigation system conserves water by only giving your lawn as much of it as it needs to ensure it looks amazing. Along with reducing physical labour and maintaining your yard’s appearance, you will also enjoy reduced utility bills. You also don’t need to be present when your lawn is watered, meaning if you’re on a business trip or vacation, you will come back to your lawn looking lush and green. 

  1. 2. It Reduces Your Costs

Automated irrigation systems are calibrated to use only as much water as is needed. This cuts down on waste when you water by hand and lowers your water bill. This is especially beneficial in summer when lawns need to be watered more frequently. 

Also, there’s no need to adjust the system’s schedule based on the time of year or season. For instance, once installed, you can set it to water your lawn every day in the summer and reduce it to once per week in cooler, wetter months. This greatly reduces over watering during spring and fall. 

  1. 3. It Prevents Uneven Watering

Before your irrigation system is installed, a layout needs to be prepared to ensure the entire lawn receives adequate water. The nozzles are placed in such a way that they distribute water evenly across the landscape while ensuring that even hard-to-reach areas are covered. Slopes and other factors such as large structures and boulders also need to be taken into consideration while preparing the irrigation plan. Failing to do so may result in water not flowing properly or getting absorbed by the soil. This is all possible via manual watering hose but requires much more time and is nowhere as reliable as a preprogrammed sprinkler. 

  1. 4. It Prevents Weeds and Disease

Drip irrigation systems direct water to the plant’s roots instead of watering the entire garden. This means surrounding weeds don’t receive the water they need to thrive, so you’ll spend less time weeding. Additionally, water directed towards the roots will help thwart leaf disease usually instigated by too much standing water. If water doesn’t accumulate on flowers or leaves, it greatly reduces the chances of  too. 

  1. 5. It Preserves Nutrients and Soil Structure

Watering a lawn or garden with a hose allows too much water to seep into the soil which results in nutrients leaching out with the water that runs off your property. This can leave greenery with fewer nutrients which can affect its life cycle. An excess of water can make the soil too compacted, which causes plants and grass to receive less air, show signs of root disease and wither. To combat this, your best bet is to use a sprinkler or drip irrigation system which offers water in small droplets, helping preserve nutrients and also reducing compaction of the soil. 

  1. 6. It’s Better for the Environment

Even though water is one of our most invaluable resources, we too often take it for granted. This makes water conservation a responsible and necessary practice, even at the local level. 

With a smart irrigation system, you conserve water by using the precise quantity needed for the task. It also reduces soil erosion and water runoff. When your yard or garden is saturated, excess water needs to go somewhere, generally running off into neighbouring properties, streams, rivers and roadway sewers. However, this runoff can carry pesticides and fertilizers you may have used to keep your yard healthy. Along with water conservation, smart irrigation systems aid in retaining soil stability. This ensures cleaner water for local wildlife as soil won’t pollute rivers and streams with harmful chemicals. 

Installing an irrigation system on your property has many benefits. It not only leads to a greener and healthier lawn but will save you time and money. Get in touch with a reputable lawn irrigation contractor near you who can evaluate your landscape properly. They will recommend suitable products after considering factors like sun exposure, slopes and climate. They will then prepare a plan to ensure your lawn is watered properly and install the system flawlessly to ensure your garden remains healthy and green for years.