When you have an automatic sprinkler system, it’s possible to keep your lawn and landscape healthy and beautiful while doing your part to conserve water.
Over the years, automatic irrigation systems have proven to be a game changer in the battle to conserve our most precious resource. Thanks to high tech sensors being included on new sprinkler systems and retrofitted to older ones, keeping grass and plants properly irrigated is no longer a wasteful process. However, this is only possible when homeowners understand how to manipulate their system’s electronic and mechanical components, so they’re working in tandem with seasonal weather conditions.
Surround Your Home with a Thick Carpet of Green by Being “Green”!
Maintaining a gorgeous green lawn is all about water conservation. After all, proper irrigation means not overwatering or underwatering. Giving your landscape just enough water to quench its thirst is the secret to preventing shallow grass roots, brown patches, and insect infestations. This is the reason why automatic sprinkler systems are the key to helping Central Floridians practice “green” irrigation habits.
Check out the following suggestions to ensure your sprinkler system is optimized for water conservation, so you’ll have an emerald green lawn while keeping more green in your wallet!
Set it and forget it. It’s best to irrigate your lawn during the early morning hours between 4am and 8am. This is the ideal time of day to water because the grass can absorb the moisture it needs to get through the day before the hot rays of the sun have a chance to evaporate the water.
Automatic sprinkler systems make irrigating before sunrise an easy task because you can set the timer to turn the system on according to the day, hour, and run time of your choosing, so you aren’t wasting water. Also, depending on the season, you may not need to water every day.
Uniform coverage is achieved with less waste. Automatic sprinkler systems assist with water conservation by irrigating the entirety of the lawn’s surface and delivering a deep soak with less frequency, which prevents a shallow root system and inhibits weed growth.
Strategically planning the location of the sprinkler heads throughout the property will accomplish this goal. However, this can be a complicated endeavor, so it’s best to consult an expert to make sure this is done correctly.
Rain gauges and sensors save water. When Mother Nature is watering your landscape, the sprinkler system’s rain gauges and sensors will shut off the system or prevent it from engaging.
In fact, having a rain shutoff device on your sprinkler system is the law in Florida, which states, “Any person who operates an automatic landscape irrigation system shall properly install, maintain, and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture” (Florida Statute 373.62).
Perform regular maintenance checks. Maintaining your automatic sprinkler system will ensure it’s working properly and conserving water like it’s designed to do. Part of the maintenance process is checking for damaged or clogged sprinkler heads and identifying hidden leaks.
If you’re not sure your system is running like it should, call us or complete our request service form and we’ll be happy to take a look.
Fine tune the system for optimum water conservation. Manual adjustments are necessary to keep the automatic irrigation system working at peak performance. If you have a smart sprinkler system, you can adjust the sprinkler speeds to control the flow of water. If you have an older model, you can install pressure regulators to enjoy supreme flexibility in the water pressure and keep the water flow in check. The end result saves water through the reduction of water pressure.
Technology is Improving Water Conservation Efforts
In addition to having the most up-to-date automatic sprinkler system, taking the time to download a water conservation app can help save even more water!
The University of Florida, the University of Georgia, and the US National Institute of Food and Agriculture have partnered to create Smart Irrigation Apps such as Turf, which can schedule and regulate lawn irrigation in combination with weather monitoring.
Conserving Water During Regular Lawn Irrigation Has Never Been Easier!
Not too long ago, watering one’s lawn was considered wasteful and selfish. This is no longer the case thanks to mechanical and technological advancements in the irrigation and environmental industries as it’s now possible to enjoy a healthy green lawn while conserving water.
However, as much as we depend on technology and apps to keep things running, your automatic irrigation system still requires your attention if it’s going to continue nourishing your lawn and saving water. Season after season, you must remain diligent while utilizing all the tools at your disposal when striving to conserve the precious resource that keeps your grass green and brings life to your landscape!
Remember, if you ever need assistance with sprinkler repair or irrigation in the Orlando area, make sure and give us a ring!