Irrigation 101

"Top 5 things to do if you have an irrigation system"

 The North Bend Water Authorty sends out a mailer to the homeowners and I received mine. There was a few topics to bring out that I see improvements could be made on the homeowners part. On the golf course there are particular houses that continue to irrigate there yard night after night, even after heavy rains. So basically, the sprinklers are never turned off; just imagine if the golf course followed the same rules and watered night after night. Imagine all the calls I would receive from the homeowners and/or members saying "why are watering so much". Here's a good example on hole #3 on the right side, there's a house or two that waters weather it's shining or raining and the right side of the cart path along the fence line remains flooded. Once this area can no longer hold the water it crosses the cart path and begins it drainage onto the playing areas of the course. Just imagine if I watered the golf course the same way they water there lawn, that would not be good the course would basically be unplayable.

 How offer does your irrigation system come on? You keep reminding yourself to check the system controller, but it never seems to get done. "It's not hurting the grass," you think "so what's the harm?" Overwatering encourages turf to grow shallow roots which causes the grass to stress if water isn't available.

 There are a number of things that you can do to maximize the use of your irrigation system and avoid wasting water and your money. Adopt a "conservative" watering cycle, using your house number water no more than twice week on a odd/even schedule. You can even skip a day if your grass doesn't need watering.

1. IRRIGATION SYSTEM LEAKS

 What are some signs of an irrigation system leak? How about running off your yard onto the street if a pipe is completely broken. Or maybe an area of your yard is staying wetter than any other spot, even if the controller is turned off. 

 Unfortunately when your system is underground it is difficult to find leaks until they appear. So, if you see these potential problems get it repaired immediately and also get any of your leaky heads replaced as well.

2. TIMING IS EVERYTHING

 Avoid watering your lawn during peak water usage hours. Irrigate say 4:00 a.m. Let there be plenty of water pressure for you and your neighbors.

 Timing is difficult, the key is only to water as long as it takes to get moisture down into the soil, and that could be as little as 10 minutes or as much as 30 minutes, avoid allowing water to run into the street or onto someone else's property.

3. HYDROZONE YOUR YARD

 When it comes to water, shrub areas need a different amount of water than the turf needs. Shrubs or turf exposed to afternoon sun need more water than those protected by the shade. Yet, when it comes to watering the yard and plants the same amount of water is applied to each. There's a tendency to put the same amount of water on turf as we do on the flower beds.

4. OVER-SPRAYING - WHAT A WASTE!

 The TCEQ rules governing irrigation in Texas do not allow spraying water over surfaces such as walls, fences, sidewalks, and streets. The reason for this rule is simple - it just wastes water! If your sprinkler system is set it irrigate at one inch, throws over sidewalks during that cycle, it will waste around 220 gallons. This water runs down the sidewalk into the storm sewer or runs into an area that  is saturated, either way - WHAT A WASTE! 

 Another point to consider is that watering your lawn is like running a marathon. You need to train the roots to grow deeper into the soil. If you water everyday, the roots will stay near the surface where the water is. By skipping days between watering periods, the roots will begin to grow deeper to reach water. The deeper the roots grow, the longer your grass can go between watering.

5. THE EFFECTS OF PRESSURE ON IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

 Irrigation systems do not perform we'll when the pressure is to high. Consider having your irrigation system evaluated by a Licensed Irrigator to determine how you can conserve water wasted due to high pressure at the nozzle.

 Remember, when all is said and done...irrigation systems don't waste water  - people do! Get acquainted with - and take control of - your irrigation system controller.