Lawn Irrigation 101
The only thing better than a healthy lawn and garden? A healthy lawn and garden that’s given just the right amount of water at just the right time. All without having to lift a finger. Enter: smart lawn irrigation systems. Tune into this episode of Done-In-A-Weekend Projects as host Doug Scott teams up with irrigation expert Tom Tootle from Toro Irrigation to unpack the basics, and benefits, of everything irrigation. So you can keep your lawn green, and garden pristine, all season-long.
Why Lawn Irrigation Matters
Doug puts it simply: “If you’ve ever lived through a drought or maybe forgotten to water your lawn, you know just how much everything relies on water.” And, with all the countless hours and dollars you’ve put into perfecting your backyard spaces, forgetting a few days of watering can put your biggest home investment in serious peril.
Which is where an irrigation system comes into play. As Tom points out, because every living thing outside your home depends on water, it’s like insurance for your landscape. You’d protect every room in your home with an insurance policy. So, it’s just as wise to protect the biggest “room” of your home: your yard.
Irrigation System Breakdown
When people think “irrigation system,” they tend to think of underground pipes and sprinkler heads—which is half the truth. In fact, it all starts with a controller—or the “brains” of the operation—which uses low voltage wiring to direct a series of electrical valves and zones throughout your yard. This enables you to tailor your watering schedules based on the specific needs of different areas, such as wide-open patches of lawn or garden beds in ample shade.
And, those patches of lawn are typically kept watered by rotors, which rotate to cover large areas. Allowing you to cover your lawn with a minimal number of heads. Then, for smaller areas (like your gardens), sprinklers are used. You can adjust them to spray from one foot up to eight feet—meaning you never waste water.
For gardens that need a gentler touch? Drip irrigation (or similar low volume systems) deliver slow, steady water right at the base of the plants. Reducing evaporation and keeping foliage dry—a must for disease prevention.
Saving Nature… And Money
Irrigation systems aren’t all about convenience, they’re friendly for the environment (and your wallet). Today’s smart irrigation systems utilize sensors that detect rainfall, optimizing the schedules and water usage for each zone. As Tom puts it, “If Mother Nature does the work, your irrigation system takes the day off.”
Meaning, the system waters only when it needs to, saving water and cutting down on your utility bills. And, helping your lawn and garden thrive.
Upgrades, Maintenance, and Additional Considerations
If you already have an irrigation system in place, good news: many systems can be upgraded without having to rip everything out and starting over. To that point, Tom says it’s always best to have a professional service your system at least annually. They’ll check for leaks, re-calibrate rotors, and winterize systems in colder climates.
It’s also important to consider growth. If your system hasn’t been updated in a few years, you’ll find that plants or trees have grown to the point where zones need to be reprogrammed for optimal coverage.
Installation: DIY or Pro?
If you’re looking at installing a system of your own, Tom says it’s best to look to the professionals for help. Fortunately, the install process won’t make a big mess of your lawn. Thanks to today’s trenchers, the installation impact will be minimal.
But before Doug and Tom sign off, Tom parts with one final tip: schedule your install for when your lawn is in its peak growing phase. For warm-season grasses, that’s May through August. For cool-season grasses, that’s early spring or fall.
A modern irrigation system is one of the best investments you can make for your lawn, helping improve the health and beauty of your lawn and gardens. All while saving money, helping Mother Nature, and protecting the time and energy you’ve poured into your landscape in the process.
