LUSH LAWNS Trends in Irrigation

Lawn irrigation systems are not just about creating a beautiful yard. Water conservation and the environment are forefront in the minds of landscapers and irrigation companies today. That means fabulous floribunda without a drop of water or moment of time wasted.

“A lot of customers are asking for things that are going to conserve water and conserve costs,” says Patrick Glover, operations partner for Mallard Irrigation Services LLC.

Technology delivers on both conservation fronts with sensors, pre-programmed systems and automated sprinklers.

Starting at the top are the systems familiar to anyone who lives on the greens. These smart controllers are now available to everyday consumers. Details about the soil, moisture levels, plant material, slope, shade and sun exposure are compared to satellite weather forecasts. That determines when and how much the system will water, without the homeowner lifting a finger. The system costs several hundreds of dollars, not including a monthly subscription fee for the satellite weather information.

If that sounds like too much, Duane Shumaker, vice president of RSG Landscaping & Lawn Care, Inc., recommends a sensor that anyone can install on an old or new system.

“Rain sensors are a big deal,” says Shumaker, who adds that it’s likely that more and more cities in Virginia will be giving residents incentives to install them. The device is placed in an open space where it will be able to collect falling rainwater. Once a set amount of water is collected, it triggers the sprinkler system to shut down. Such a sensor will run you about $200.

The drip irrigation system is an excellent option if you are trying to keep flowers and shrubs thriving. “It’s very target-specific and very exacting,” says Karl Kaiser, general manager of Land Tech Group of Virginia. “It uses a fraction of the water that a sprinkler head does.”

The system places a long tube beneath shrubs and flowering plants so that water is delivered directly to the roots. It isn’t feasible for lawns or large areas, but is ideal for mulched areas and potted gardens. With a potted garden, drip lines radiate out from the main line into each pot or hanging basket. An often-overlooked bonus is that they help prevent weed growth.

Bells and Whistles
Landscapers are also working on eliminating waste and pollution. Common to big industries, backflow devices are now being placed on everyday irrigation systems. In fact, backflow testing is becoming a requirement in many cities. When a water line breaks, the device keeps the yard water, often laced with fertilizer, from backing up to mix with potable water.

Another favorite that helps prevent wasted money is the sewage subtraction meter. Although the upfront cost is several hundred dollars including installation, you will recoup that cost many times over. It prevents homeowners from being charged sewage fees on the water used for irrigation. Those who water their yard with a hose or handheld sprinkler are not eligible for the same savings.

Saving you time is what the latest fertilizing attachment does. The fertilizer tank is attached to the sprinkler waterline beneath ground. Water passes through the tank filled with fertilizer (either liquid or granular) picks up the fertilizer, and then spreads it over the lawn or shrubs. The fertilizer tank is refilled every three to four months, and can even be added to an existing system. It will increase the cost of your irrigation system by about 20 percent.

Watering Know-How
Before programming your irrigation system, remember that lawns need more water than plants and shrubs.

If you keep the grass short, it will have shallow roots and need more irrigation. Taller grass, say three to four inches long, needs less irrigation. The longer grass gives more shade, and more shade means the water won’t evaporate as quickly and the roots can grow deeper.

You always want to water before sunrise so the water has enough time to be absorbed. Watering in the evening leaves the lawn vulnerable to diseases and fungus. The same can happen if you water too much. You will also end up wasting that pricey fertilizer and damaging the soil.

You’ll know something is amuck with your watering schedule, or system, when you see brown spots, or feel hard and dry spots, or soft and wet spots. If that happens, turn the system on and see if all of the sprinkler heads rise out of the ground and spray uniformly. If there is a leak, the heads won’t come up completely.

You’ll know something is amuck with your watering schedule, or system, when you see brown spots, or feel hard and dry spots, or soft and wet spots. If that happens, turn the system on and see if all of the sprinkler heads rise out of the ground and spray uniformly. If there is a leak, the heads won’t come up completely.

If something does break, call the installer before your plants and lawn are damaged. Some landscape companies guarantee not only the work but also their plants if you have an irrigation system installed to care for them.

Irrigation systems are like an insurance policy on a great landscape, says Kaiser. After putting in a beautiful landscape, you want to do everything you can to make sure it stays that way.

“An irrigation system is probably the best investment you can make,” says Kaiser.