Efficient irrigation

Of the tremendous amounts of water applied to lawns and gardens much is never absorbed and put to use by the plants. Some water is lost to runoff because the water is applied too rapidly. Some water evaporates from the exposed and un-mulched soil. But the greatest waste of water is the water that is applied too often.

In addition to over watering, excess irrigation can leach nutrients deep into the soil and away from plant roots and increasing the chances of polluting groundwater. Similarly, runoff caused by excess irrigation can carry polluting fertilizers and pesticides to places those should not go. Inefficient irrigation practices can be eliminated through proper watering techniques.

The goal of every irrigation system is to give plants a sufficient amount of water without waste. When zoning an irrigation system grass areas can be watered separately and perhaps more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Incorporate both sprinkler and drip irrigation to achieve water conservation in the landscape.

Sprinkler irrigation is the most commonly used method of landscape watering. The two most common types of sprinkler irrigation are the hose-end sprinkler and the permanent underground system. While the permanent underground system can be more water efficient when compared to the hose-end sprinkler, both require little maintenance and are able to apply large volumes of water in a short amount of time.

Owners of permanent underground systems need to make sure that sprinkler heads are properly adjusted to avoid watering sidewalks and/or driveways. Also, a properly adjusted sprinkler heads sprays large water droplets instead of a fog of fine mist which is more susceptible to evaporation and the effects of the wind.

With either permanent underground systems or hose-end sprinklers be sure to water between late evening and mid-morning to avoid excessive waste through evaporation.