Lawn Care » Lawn Sprinklers

Save money and water with smart lawn and garden tips

Jennifer — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:24:56 +0000

Micro sprinklers apply water only when and where it is needed, conserving water and lowering your utility bills.

(ARA) – Even if your region is one of the few areas of the country not experiencing repeated drought seasons, it still makes sense environmentally and economically to conserve water as much as possible in your gardening and landscaping efforts.

“Nothing shouts ‘green’ quite like a thriving garden or a lush landscape,” says Susan Thayer, an irrigation and water conservation expert, “. . . except, perhaps, a beautiful yard or garden that’s been nurtured with green practices that conserve precious water.”

While drought in some mid-northern areas is expected to improve, dry conditions will likely persist in areas such as California, Texas, Florida and North Carolina, according the Seasonal Drought Outlook map. One thing that isn’t likely to change anytime soon, however, is the need to cut costs and conserve resources during an economic recession.

On average, micro sprinklers and drip irrigation use 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation.

Conserving water makes sense environmentally, and can also help your family reduce your water utility bill this summer.

It is possible to grow a thriving garden and nurture a lovely landscape while minimizing water consumption and saving money on your water bill. A combination of native-friendly plants, smart agricultural practices, alternative water sources and efficient irrigation can help keep gardens and lawns growing healthy throughout dry spells.

Here are some tips for conserving water and saving money by reducing your water bill in your corner of the planet.

* Choose drought-resistant native plants for your landscaping needs. Your options won’t be limited to cactus, either. From ornamental grasses to shrub roses, many drought-tolerant native species also offer bright color and visual appeal. Look for plants that do well in the driest conditions found in your geographic region. Your local Cooperative Extension office can help you identify plants that are right for your area. You’ll also find plenty of ideas online at sites like www.gardeners.com.

* Groom soil for optimum water absorption and retention. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recommends adding water-retaining organic material to your soil. You can also reduce evaporation by using mulch in landscaping beds.

* Look for alternative water sources other than the outdoor tap – such as collecting the water that drains from your air conditioner. Consider collecting roof runoff in a rain barrel for use in flower beds and vegetable gardens.

* Irrigate efficiently with low-volume irrigation systems and smart watering practices. Many communities now require all newly built homes to use low-volume irrigation in their landscapes. On average, micro sprinklers and drip irrigation uses 80 to 90 percent less water than traditional irrigation systems.

Irrigation manufacturers like Mister Landscaper are responding to increased consumer demand for low-volume systems by offering micro sprinkler and drip products that homeowners can easily install on their own. Mister Landscaper’s Micro Sprinkler Starter Kits efficiently and slowly irrigate flower and vegetable gardens, as well as areas where trees and shrubs grow. They are available in the plumbing department at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores or online at www.misterlandscaper.com. The system also offers a variety of retrofit products that allow you to replace or add on to an existing underground pvc sprinkler system so you can convert 120 gallons per hour (gph) heads to a 10 gph micro spray or 1-2gph dripper.

“The key is to apply water only exactly when and where it is needed,” Thayer says. Drip and micro spray irrigation provide optimum efficiency with minimum waste and over spray.

* Design your landscaping to minimize evaporation. Windbreaks and fences slow the movement of the wind over the ground and the evaporation it causes, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

To learn more about low-volume irrigation, visit www.misterlandscaper.com. For more information on water conservation, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The Disadvantages Of Underground Lawn Irrigation

Author — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:55:52 +0000

Before we look at the disadvantages of underground lawn irrigation systems, let’s look at their big advantage – they usually work in getting you a lovely lawn. If you live in the more northern climates that get a significant amount of rainfall and a winter, then this might be the only feasible irrigation system if you crave a lush green lawn. Now, let’s look at the disadvantages.

Cost

Installing and maintaining an underground lawn irrigation system costs a small fortune in not only the equipment, but in the cost of the water you need for your lawn. Since lawns have shallow roots, they cannot store water like other plants or trees do. This is why they need watering so frequently, unless you get a lot of rain naturally (which doesn’t happen anymore in most areas of the world).

You Can’t Do It Yourself

Unless you have extensive gardening or plumbing experience, you need to hire a professional to install an underground lawn irrigation system. According to Bob Villa’s website, the biggest problem with underground lawn irrigation systems (besides the cost) is that people try to install it themselves. This usually winds up with the underground lawn irrigation system not being deep enough to help your lawn out any.

When frost comes, the ground thickens up. If your underground lawn irrigation system hasn’t been installed deep enough into the ground, soon you will trip over the pipes come the end of winter. The ice literally pushes the pipes to the surface. The pipes need to be at least eight inches deep for a home and ten inches deep for a business or huge piece of property like a college campus or golf course.

It Needs Constant Fiddling With

An underground lawn irrigation system can be automatic or controlled with a complicated piece of equipment called a controller board. Just that piece of equipment alone will set you back nearly $1000 (US). You just can’t set it and forget it. You need someone to check to see that the settings are the right settings. If you suddenly get a monsoon, the settings need to turn the whole system off.

Many states and towns have laws that require underground lawn irrigation systems (or even sprinkler systems) to be inspected once a year. The main concern is with backflow, where the water in your pipes goes backwards into the public water supply. This might not sound so bad, but the water takes chemicals you don’t want to drink with it.

Use Toro Lawn Irrigation for Professional Results

Author — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:54:22 +0000

Maintaining a lawn can be hard; the key to keeping that lawn looking perfectly green is to have the right irrigation system. Once you have a good irrigation system in place half the battle is won. With Toro lawn irrigation you can be guaranteed professional systems that are easy to use.

There are a range of products to suit your lawn and your needs. Toro considers your budget as well and you don’t have to go broke while making sure you have the perfect lawn. Whether you have an average sized lawn or large grounds there is sure to be something you can use.

Hardy Products

When you buy Toro lawn irrigation products you can be assured of quality. This is because besides ensuring that your lawn is properly irrigated the systems are built to last. Special features such as the Debris Bypass System built into Toro lawn irrigation valves will ensure that dirty water does not clog up and destroy your irrigation system.

This self-flushing valve will be able to bypass silt and sand that is often a problem with lawn irrigation. Valves are also able to withstand and perform well with water that has a high salt content. You also won’t have to worry about valves malfunctioning with ozone treated water. These valves are really hardy and will really make sure that your lawn stays healthy.

Innovation

Toro lawn irrigation is always looking to serve you better. Now you can fine-tune your irrigation system to perfectly suit your lawn conditions. If you have tall grass or trees that block the path of sprinkler heads then you can purchase Toro lawn irrigation products meant for lawns like this. There are valves that will pop up high enough to properly irrigate your lawn even with tall grass and from under trees.

Smart Irrigation

If you are concerned about reducing your water usage both for economical and environmental reasons then Toro lawn irrigation has lawn care solutions just for you. Toro has smart tips to help you conserve water to avoid wasting water, a sin in these times of climate change.

Simply switching to native plants rather than exotic imports can help you to save water. Toro advocates using grass and plants found locally to better facilitate water conservation. Using Toro lawn irrigation products alongside smart lawn care can help you to save money on your water bill and do your bit for the environment as well.

Understanding Subsurface Lawn Irrigation

Author — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:52:25 +0000

If you are an irrigation technician then you are surely already aware of subsurface lawn irrigation – what it is and what is involved. There are many components involved in a subsurface lawn irrigation system, which will be discussed in more detail here.

What it is

Subsurface lawn irrigation works by delivering water directly to your plants root system resulting in many benefits. It differs from the regular irrigation system because in these the sprinklers come out the top of the ground and water the grass above ground.

There are many advantages that are offered by subsurface lawn irrigation, including that there is practically no wasteful evaporation losses because the sprinklers are covered with a layer of soil or mulch and so the moisture is protected.

There is also the fact that the water is delivered efficiently exactly where it is needed, rather than having it go all over the entire lawn evenly. After all, some areas of your lawn are going to get more sun than others, and will therefore require more water.

Other benefits of subsurface lawn irrigation include bypass water repellency because you can deliver water directly to the root system and bypass the need to try to get irrigation water into water repellant soils, no more damaged sprinklers because they are tucked away underground, the look of your yard will also be better because you and others will not be able to see the sprinklers sticking out of the ground and yet your entire lawn will be watered as needed.

There is also the advantage that no trenches need to be dug for this type of irrigation system, which saves a lot of time, hassle and money. Fertilizing your lawn will also never be easier than with one of these subsurface systems.

The garden mulch will also last longer with fewer weeds, with the water being delivered below your layer of mulch on your garden beds. This means that it will not rot down as fast and it will keep that nice dark color that looks so nice and which you most likely prefer.

The subsurface lawn irrigation systems are usually a bit more expensive because they are more work to do, but they are definitely worth the initial extra bit of money because they are so much more convenient and aesthetically appealing.

If you already have a surface or standard lawn irrigation system you may be able to get a deal to get it put below the surface.

Residential Lawn Irrigation Services

Author — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:48:07 +0000

Summer is fast approaching, and every homeowner wants their lawn to look green and gorgeous. For this you will need to call in an appropriate company, find residential lawn irrigation services. There are some terrific residential lawn irrigation companies out there today and so this certainly does not have to be a difficult process.

To help get you started, if you are looking for a residential lawn irrigation company, here are a few in particular that you may want to consider.

Leisure Lawn Sprinklers

One of the best known lawn irrigation companies in all the United States is the Leisure Lawn Sprinklers Company. They have years of experience and knowledge behind them, so you can rest assured knowing that they will come in and get the job done right the first time for you.

Their experienced technicians have a combined experience of over 40 years serving the needs of both residential and commercial properties, and they have a fleet of 6 service/installation vehicles and four vibratory plows to service all types of irrigation projects.

They are definitely a top notch residential lawn irrigation company, and with over 1,000 irrigation systems already installed they can assure you without any doubt that entrusting your next irrigation project to them will leave you with the best possible results.

National Capital Irrigation Systems

If you want the best of the best from your irrigation company, this is one that should be right at the top of your list. Every single sprinkler system they install is custom designed for the specific property and customer’s needs, to ensure perfection each and every time.

Their prices are also very competitive, with upgrades and options readily available on all systems. They will not quote you for what you do not need, and make sure that if you give them a budget they will work with this and let you know what they can offer you.

These are just two of the many different residential lawn irrigation companies out there today, so make sure you check out and see what is available in your local area, and then make your decision from here.

Remember that no quality company is going to get mad at you for asking questions, so inquire about their experience and the types of equipment that they use, for instance. Asking questions will allow you to feel more assured that you are choosing the right irrigation company and that your money is going to be well spent.

Advantages Of Having A Lawn Water System

Author — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:46:46 +0000

Most people don’t have the time to take care of their plant life or the front lawn or their backyard. They frequently require the use of an automatic lawn water system. This type of lawn water system is very capable for those who are mostly out and those with very busy schedules.

Making Life Easier

There are many varieties of sprinkler heads for your lawn water system so that you can entirely water out the area needed without wasting much water. Automatic lawn irrigation systems are very helpful if you are always taking trips or away from your house usually, the lawn water system can be programmed with the amount of water that is needed. This will keep your lawn and other vegetation healthy and keep it from becoming brown and dry.

The system also conserves water better than aimlessly using a hose. Lawn water system components are the underground piping, controller, irrigation valves and sensors. The drip lawn irrigation system has a device equipped that spreads water in a different way and covers the area separately.

Among the lawn water systems, there are many different types of sprinkler heads to decide on. The most commonly found and used is the “rotor” head and the “spray” head”. A spray type often emerges from the ground when the lawn water system is turned on. This type of head emits a large quantity of water and is named as having a high application rate. The spray type is more effective on an even surface.

The rotor type shoots out more water in a uniform manner than in the spray type. They are better used on angled or big areas. It is not recommended to put two or more types of heads in the same area because it will result in over irrigation.

The purpose of the lawn water system is to equally dispense the water in a practical way. Putting in a lawn water system can often become expensive, but choosing the location and type of sprinkler head will save money and work for the pipes.

A lot of houses in the suburbs had this system placed to even out their water circulation and some often lie in an inflatable pool and let the sprinklers hit them to have a cool feeling on a hot day. While inside the house, there is a different sprinkler system used. These types of sprinklers are used to cease or prevent fires from starting. They are conveniently placed on the ceiling so as to quench the fire immediately.

Should You Get A Timed Lawn Sprinkler System?

Author — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:44:07 +0000

There are many advantages to getting a timed lawn sprinkler system if you have a big lawn over watering your lawn yourself with a garden hose. First off, grass lawns have very shallow root systems that can’t hold a lot of water. When you water with a garden hose, most of the water just runs away into the street, down the drain and into the municipal water supply. For this reason, please don’t use a lot of chemicals on your lawn today, as you could wind up drinking it tomorrow.

Convenience

Watering your lawn is one of the worst wastes of your time – if you are not into watering your lawn. You’ll also get a lot of strange looks from people, especially if they’ve been woken up early on a weekend morning by you mowing your lawn. A timed lawn sprinkler system is one of the quietest and convenient ways of getting two things done at one – watering the lawn and doing whatever you need to do besides watering the stupid lawn.

Rain Sensor

Common sense should tell you that you need to water your lawn less when it’s raining. There are timed lawn sprinkler systems that have rain detectors and then don’t automatically come on during a rainy patch. This helps not only save your from looking ridiculous, but also saves you money by not wasting water. Timed lawn sprinkler systems should be easy to override so you can shut it off manually when the rains arrive or if your area calls a drought warning.

Less Waste

Another problem of watering your lawn with a garden hose (besides that a lot will just run off) is that a good bit evaporates in the air before it hits the grass. So, you’re paying for water that mostly goes where you don’t want it to go. A timed lawn sprinkler system can best target water to where you want it to go. This means you save money and help save fresh water for everyone else.

Know what soil type you have so you can set your timed lawn sprinkler system for maximum benefit to your lawn and the least impact to your wallet. If you are not sure what soil type you have, or how to operate your lawn sprinkler system (say, you purchased property with it already in place), then it will save you more money hiring a professional in lawn maintenance to help you. Check with your accountant to see if you can write this off as a home improvement.

Getting The Best Lawn Sprinkler Service

Author — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:40:54 +0000

Some people know exactly how the whole lawn sprinkler service thing works as they grew up with these lovely inventions in their yards. But for others, this is simply not something we had as we had to water the lawn the good old-fashioned way. This means we would have to stand out in the yard, for however long it took, and watered the lawn with the hose in hopes of watering it just right. The last thing you want your hose or lawn sprinkler service to do is to over water the lawn.

So whether you are just learning the ropes with the lawn sprinkler service or you already know what they are all about, it is just about that time of year to start thinking about it. Whether you are about to newly install a lawn sprinkler service or you are needing to repair yours before the hot summer season hits, it is important to make sure that you are going with a good company that will do the job right the first time. Also, it would be nice if you could get the job done for as little money as possible too.

Where To Find Them

A good place to start may be to talk with your neighbors that already have their lawn sprinkler service up and running, as they will be able to give you good details about the company they used. They will also be able to explain whether or not they would use them again and all of this is excellent information to have when trying to make your decision on who to go through. When it comes to lawn sprinkler service, you want to make sure that the job is going to be done right the first time around.

If your neighbors are not able to help point you in the right direction, it is okay to search through your local newspaper for ads or through your local yellow pages. Although these will be companies that you have never dealt with before, you may be able to get a good idea of what they are about once they come out to your home for an initial talk about the service they offer and how much it is going to cost. When it is all said and done, you will be glad that you took the time to see who can do the best job and at the best rate when it comes to lawn sprinkler service.

Lawn Sprinkler Pump, A Gardner’s Best friend

Author — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:38:25 +0000

Farms use a larger version of lawn sprinklers. Some of the farms use a lawn sprinkler pump to tap into a well or a spring or nearby river. The amount and the power generated from these lawn sprinkler pumps depend on the horse power.

A higher horse power will mean it will have better pressure and stronger power. Some people use a large lawn sprinkler pump if their property is somewhat larger like a mansion or a plantation. They use these kinds of pumps to get the water to all the pipes faster and give a higher water pressure for it to discharge with. If you want more water pressure, you could use a booster for your lawn sprinkler pump.

Different Types Of Lawn Sprinkler Pumps

There are many different types of lawn sprinkler pumps. The displacement pump uses pistons or rotary pumps to displace water. These pumps are used for thick liquids and for great water pressure. They are not usually chosen for irrigation systems.

The Centrifugal pump uses a device called an impeller which looks like a propeller, to rapidly spin the water inside a chamber. This action created by the spinning moves the water through the pump. The pump’s performance depends on the amount of water the pump is shifting and the pressure it is creating. This determines if your pump is suitable for your irrigation system or lawn sprinkler pump and allows you to control your pump’s operation. One thing to remember is that when the flow increases, then the pressure decreases. You can enquire your plumber on which would be suitable for you. People with a water pipe don’t really need a lawn sprinkler pump; it is usually for those who are far from a water source or has a large water source nearby.

These pumps can carry water from one place to another. The amount varies on the pump’s size. Some pumps are used by fire departments to pump out large amounts of water when they are fighting a fire or when loading their fire truck’s reservoir. Not only with fire trucks but also with helicopters that scoop up water from a lake to douse a fire in a forest, which often happens in North America. These pumps are widely used in a desert region when water is scarce. They look for water in springs and wells and use the pumps to let the water flow and store them until they reach a container.

Lawn Sprinkler Maintenance: The Steps Involved

Author — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:37:16 +0000

If you have a home irrigation system, then regular lawn sprinkler maintenance is going to have to be performed. The good news is that you will not have to worry about this, as the irrigation company that installed the system will be the one to take on the hassle and time that is going to be involved here.

What do They do?

Lawn sprinkler maintenance really only has to be performed once a year, and is usually done in the spring, after the snow is gone. The company will check all the pipes to ensure that there was no cracking or splitting of pipes over the winter, and if there is any damage or problems they will fix it.

There may be a charge involved for this, especially if the company needs to purchase replacement parts for the system. There are some companies who will do a certain amount of lawn sprinkler maintenance work free of charge and then start charging after it reaches a certain amount of money,

Lawn sprinkler maintenance will also need to be performed whenever a problem arises, regardless of which season it is. For instance, maybe it is summer time and you notice that the sprinklers are not working or maybe the lawn is not getting enough water – regardless of the problem, you just have to call the company and they should make an appointment as soon as possible to come and take care of the problem for you.

Before you decide on a company to install an irrigation system for you, you will want to ask a lot of questions, and this issue is definitely one that you will want to bring up.

Ask if and when they perform maintenance, do they make rounds at the beginning of spring when it is time to get the irrigation system going again, or do they only come when you tell them you are having a problem?

You will also want to inquire about what they charge for these services, if anything, and how often they have to make repairs on their clients’ systems.

Any good, respectable irrigation company will be more than willing and able to answer these questions for you, because any company that you should consider going with will have a good reputation and rarely have problems with their systems that need to be fixed.

It is well worth it to take the time to find a good irrigation company that is going to perform proper lawn sprinkler maintenance and keep your lawn looking healthy and beautiful.