Now that the summer heat is here it is important to keep your grass looking top notch! Constantly watering your lawn can become time consuming and expensive. However, automatic sprinkler systems help this problem by using water in the most effective way. Here are a few ways you can save water and money with your sprinkler system.
1. Align Sprinkler Heads
Only apply water where it is needed. Steer clear from watering sidewalks and driveways when it is not necessary. Align your sprinkler heads for proper spray patterns and coverage. This will ensure minimal water runoff and result in your grass getting the water it needs in the least amount of time possible.
2. Adjust the sprinkler clock settings.
The biggest way homeowners waste water is by not setting their sprinkler clocks properly. Most homeowners only set the sprinkler clock once in the spring and do not adjust it in the later months. However, grass needs much less water during the spring and fall than the heat of the summer. This results in your grass getting over watered when it does not need it. By adjusting watering cycles based on the time of the year and different weather patterns you can save a great amount over the course of the year.
3. Install a rain sensor.
We have all seen sprinkler systems come on even while it is raining. This doesn’t make a lot of sense does it? An inexpensive solution is to install a rain/freeze sensor. The sensor shuts down or prevents the system from coming on when it rains.
4. Use low volume sprinkler heads.
It is beneficial to replace old and install new efficient heads and nozzles. Low volume, water saving heads allow water to soak in slower, reducing runoff water. This will also minimize misting, which is the tendency for water to spray the air in a mist where it evaporates or blows away before it can even be used by the grass.
5. Not all sprinkler heads are alike.
The amount of water a sprinkler head provides varies from sprinkler head to sprinkler head. Spray heads, for example, put out more water faster than rotors. Some heads have interchangeable nozzles that will use more or less water depending on the type of nozzle used. Make sure you do not keep every sprinkler zone the same. Each zone in your yard requires different watering times depending on the type of sprinkler head used. Set run times for each zone based off how much water is applied by each sprinkler head type. This will help prevent over watering some areas while under watering others.
6. Water early.
Water your lawn early in the morning. The winds are calmer and the air is cooler, so there will be less evaporation. The grass will also be able to dry out before the sun really starts beaming down.
7. Water Slowly and Evenly
Only water as much as your lawn can absorb. Make sure you are getting coverage over your entire lawn. It is important to test your sprinkler system at least in the spring, to make sure it is hitting the proper places in your yard.
Making sure your lawn is health does not need to be expensive. By using these tips, you can keep your lawn looking beautiful while also saving money! Contact Sprinkalawn for a system checkup. We can check the sprinkler heads for correct coverage and make sure your timer/clock is set correctly.