Barbara Rachelson

The Different Automatic Watering Systems

Watering Systems Marvin Fuller

Whether oscillating, circular, semi-circular, cannons, impulse, tripod, sled, or spike, sprinkler sprinklers (sometimes called ‘sprinklers’) allow large areas to be irrigated, just like rain would do. Natural.

Watering the Lawn

They are suitable for watering lawns, but when Water becomes more and more of a resource to be preserved, I invite you to let nature take its course. If the rains are sufficient, so much the better! If, on the other hand, your lawn turns yellow in the middle of summer, it’s not a big deal. As soon as the first autumn rains arrive, it will green up again. Each year, watering restrictions are regularly put in place, and they limit your room for maneuvers. 

Watering System

This watering system can also be used for shrub and perennial beds. Still, it has the double disadvantage of watering the foliage (some plants do not like this and can then develop diseases) and not targeting the watered plants. Not all of them have the same needs, not to mention unwanted weeds, which grow even more if you provide them with Water. It is also necessary to have several sprinklers or to move them to cover the largest surfaces.

Micro-Sprinkler Watering

The principle is similar to the previous one, but the watering is more targeted here. A main network begins at the power source (tap, for example) and is then divided into secondary networks, each equipped with a micro-sprinkler, often fixed on a rod to be inserted into the ground. 

Fine rain is thus delivered at low pressure and makes it possible to supply Water to large massifs. Adjustable (flow rate, watering radius), this system allows you to provide a more suitable and more targeted quantity of Water, but here again, all the plants are watered from above (including the unwanted ones), and the plants must be able to tolerate it without health risk.

Sprinkler watering has some advantages. Its installation is easy and requires a limited number of parts to assemble. The sprinklers, placed above ground, are also not contaminated by soil. Moving the different sprinklers is easy to implement. Simple or ‘T’ fittings allow the installation of a network adapted to the configuration of the area concerned.

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Drip Watering

A main network, represented by a more or less rigid polyethylene pipe, is unrolled on the ground. Throughout the latter, flexible, smaller-diameter pipes are connected to drippers (different versions exist). Each dripper is positioned at the foot of the plant to be watered, and the flow rate, adjustable, allows you to provide the right quantity depending on the plant.

Also, operating at low pressure, drip irrigation allows very targeted watering and is easy to implement. “Ready to Install” kits are even available. Very adaptable, drip watering requires as many individual drippers as plants to be watered. Still, it avoids contact with the foliage and thus limits the development of certain diseases, such as mildew on tomatoes. Or masonic for rose bushes.

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Micro-Porous Watering

This involves using a flexible hose with ‘pores’ that allow the water to ooze slowly along its entire length. Inexpensive, it is particularly easy to implement because it does not require any assembly. It would help if you unwound the hose in a line or by winding it between the plants. This system can work when connected to a water reserve located at a height to create sufficient pressure. However, the pipe can easily become clogged in direct contact with the earth. The flow is also sometimes irregular between the start and end of the circuit, and the installation of diversions further accentuates this problem. The quantity of water provided is difficult to assess and cannot be adjusted according to the specific needs of each plant. Finally, over time, these micro-perforated pipes may become brittle.

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Irrigation Techniques That Do Work, Managing To Use Less Water

Irrigation Techniques Marvin Fuller

For many, watering the lawn is an art, even more so if we want to save Water and preserve our beautiful plants. But the work is made very simple, taking into account the following recommendations:

  • Install an irrigation system that includes the use of programmers and solenoid valves. This will allow only what is necessary to be watered.
  • Water in the morning, which is the time when the least Water is lost through evapotranspiration.
  • The materials we use for our irrigation system must be of excellent quality. This allows us to avoid leaks that cause water waste or poor water distribution due to clogged or sunken nozzles.
  • Doing deep and spaced watering will allow better root development. This is because the roots will grow deeper by allowing a little stress. Likewise, making it deeper will allow all of the roots to be covered.

Having a healthy, green lawn without wasting Water is important. Thanks to these five techniques to save Water when watering the lawn, we will make it possible to help the planet. We have tools, supplies, seeds, fertilizers, and materials to help you in this wonderful work.

Integrated (Or Buried) Watering.

This watering system is certainly the most discreet but also the most difficult to implement. Burying the pipes requires digging trenches, which, once inplace, prohibit any movement or new planting in the areas concerned. The sprinklers emerge from the ground under pressure and water your lawn or plants, only to disappear once the cycle is finished. Adding pumps is necessary in the event of insufficient pressure, and any anomaly in the circuit requires impractical handling. This watering system represents a higher cost than the previous ones and is justified in the case of large areas.

Maintenance And Wintering Of Automatic Watering Systems

In winter, your plants no longer require assisted watering. Natural rainfall is sufficient for their needs. Your sprinkler system needs to be cleaned and removed so it doesn’t get damaged or break from freezing. Here’s what to do before the cold weather sets in:

  1. Drain your circuit. Cut off the water supply at the base and open the purge or shut-off valves at the end of the network to evacuate the Water in the pipes.
  2. Remove the drippers or sprinklers and soak them inequal parts lukewarm Water and vinegar to clean them of the limescale accumulated during the season. Then rinse them with clean Water.
  3. Unscrew the programmer, empty it of Water, and remove the batteries.
  4. Roll up the pipeswithout bending them.
  5. Storeyour equipment in a frost-free location. 

Appropriate Watering Frequency

The most convenient irrigation frequency depends on several factors, particularly the area’s characteristics and the time of year. The higher the heat and lower humidity in the environment, the more Water will be needed. In general, the frequency of grass spraying should be reduced in dry and very hot regions and more humid climates. In summer, it is recommended to do so every day; in spring and autumn, it is best to do so every other day; and in winter, twice a week.

In any case, it is advisable to maintain low irrigation levels. If the grass receives a lot of Water, it “gets used to it” and suffers much more from any slight lack of moisture. Additionally, if it is not watered as much, the grass develops deeper roots to search for Water and nutrients in the substrate (within the shallow depth that the grass fits), providing it with greater defenses.

At somewhat lower irrigation levels, the appearance of the grass will suffer a little, but the difference will be minimal. On the other hand, the savings in water consumption can be very substantial, both at an environmental level and in the bill for the water supply.

Irrigation Management Is Used To Save Water When Watering The Lawn.

Irrigation system programming based on evapotranspiration (ET) losses. This avoids excess irrigation (loss due to leaching) or defect (less root depth)

You can save up to 20% of Water since replacing 80% of the evapotranspirated Water is enough to keep a lawn in perfect condition. There are irrigation control systems based on ET.…

Efficient Irrigation To Save Water

Save Water Marvin Fuller

An efficient irrigation system is essential to maintain the plants in the garden and/orchard. As summer approaches and the temperature rises, there’s a propensity to overwater, which damages plants and wastes water needlessly.

Water is our most important natural resource; it is the basis of all life on our planet. It is a fundamental and irreplaceable resource that is currently scarce, so we must make more rational use of it. An efficient irrigation system guarantees optimal plant development by providing the necessary Water while optimizing water resources.

Irrigation Efficiency

Irrigation efficiency is the relationship between the volume of water plants use and the Water we use to water them. Of the volume of Water we use to rinse, the plants do not use a very important part; it is an amount of wasted Water.

It is estimated that a substantial part of the Water used in irrigation (between 20-50%) is lost, so using an efficient irrigation system is very important to minimize losses. To improve water use efficiency, we must take into account three key aspects:

Water At The Right Times

It is recommended to water early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is because a portion of the Water evaporates when it comes into contact with the hot substrate during the middle of the day or when maximum solar radiation is present. Therefore, watering during the hours when the soil is cooler will ensure that the roots of the plants receive and assimilate a greater part of the Water we use.

Regulate The Frequency Of Irrigation.

Watering should be done gradually and regularly to ensure that the Water penetrates the soil gradually and is retained as much as possible. The soil develops an impermeable layer if it dries out between irrigations, making it difficult for Water to penetrate the soil during irrigation and waste it.

Rest The Water

Chlorinated Water without standing can negatively affect beneficial soil microorganisms. On the other hand, it may also contain suspended solid elements capable of clogging some irrigation system components. If the appropriate filters are unavailable, a good solution would be to let the water rest in drums, tanks, or ponds for at least 24 hours before using it for irrigation. With this simple gesture, part or all of the chlorine will evaporate, thus avoiding the negative effects of chlorinated Water on the soil microbiota and also favoring good maintenance of the irrigation system.

Advantages Of An Efficient Irrigation System

In addition to saving Water and benefiting our plants, an efficient irrigation system offers other advantages such as:

  • By saving water, you also save on consumption costs.
  • Due to the accessories that can be counted on, we also save time and can take care of our plants from anywhere and at any time.
  • The plants will benefit more and be healthier, thus guaranteeing optimal growth.
  • Another advantage of efficient irrigation systems is their easy installation and use.

  • The vast majority of efficient irrigation systems can be automated and have a lower labor cost.

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The Most Efficient Irrigation Systems

Irrigation Systems Marvin Fuller

Choosing the most efficient and appropriate irrigation system for our garden or orchard is very important. It must fulfill the necessary functions for the best care of plants and saving Water.

Currently, the most efficient irrigation systems in gardening are the following: 

Efficient Drip Irrigation

The most effective irrigation system to save Water is drip irrigation. It can be installed on the surface or buried. It is a system based on a set of pipes with small, interconnected perforations that distribute Water continuously through the pores (drop by drop). This system achieves an efficiency of 90-95% in water use.

It is a very easy system to install; the pipes are located right at the foot of the plants. Thanks to the holes, the waterfall is at a speed that is generally previously programmed, allowing it to come into direct contact with the roots of the plants without evaporating or filtering, so it is not wasted.

Efficient Irrigation By Exudation

It is an irrigation system very similar to drip irrigation. It consists of pipes made of textile material that are porous and exude Water uniformly over their entire surface. In this way, a continuous line of moisture is formed, making this irrigation system very suitable for in-line plant irrigation and sandy soils.

Thanks to this efficient irrigation system, large amounts of Water are saved since it is optimized to the maximum by not evaporating. It can be used on the surface or buried, although underground is when more optimal irrigation is achieved for the roots of the plants.

Efficient Sprinkler Irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation is one of the most efficient irrigation systems. It is usually used on large surfaces and is based on the application of Water in the form of rain on the surface to be watered (very similar to how plants would obtain Water naturally). The Water is conveyed under pressure through a network of pipes until it reaches the sprinklers responsible for dispersing it through rotating movements.

This irrigation system offers a long, useful life and allows for greater distance water distribution and automation. You can also adjust the power and orientation of the irrigation.

Irrigation Programmers For Efficient Irrigation

Irrigation programmers are accessories that connect to a water outlet to allow the days, hours, and duration of irrigation to be programmed. They are very useful for when we are on vacation and cannot take care of watering, but they are also useful for saving time, money, and, above all, Water. Installing an irrigation programmer will help us save a large volume of Water by adjusting the exact irrigation time without wasting a minute of irrigation.

Surface Irrigation Programmers

Simple and flexible. They are installed directly on the tap and are responsible for watering when you tell them to. There are different models for each irrigation need.

Buried Irrigation Programmer

This system is completely invisible on the surface, thanks to underground pipes. With a multi-channel in-ground irrigation controller, each area is supplied with Water at the right time and frequency without you having to keep an eye on it.…

How To Install An In-Ground Irrigation System With Pop-Up Sprinklers

Irrigation Systems Marvin Fuller

Installing a buried irrigation system in our garden offers us numerous advantages. We would all like a lustrous lawn with a desirable appearance and a garden overflowing with flowers and plants. Efficient irrigation systems allow us to achieve this and much more.

We explain how to install a buried irrigation system using pop-up sprinklers. These upward, non-intrusive sprinklers are installed underground to water lawns and other garden areas. When irrigation begins, they emerge to the surface, and when it ends, they disappear back underground.

Furthermore, when installing a buried irrigation system, we advise you, for it to be more efficient, to also install an irrigation programmer. This way, you can also control the garden’s irrigation even if you are not home and save Water.

Advantages Of Installing An Efficient Underground Irrigation System

An efficient underground irrigation system will allow us to reduce worries and enjoy a well-kept garden with fantastic plants.

Installing A Buried Irrigation System Allows Us To:

  • Water The Plants And Grass In The Garden. Your plants will receive the Water necessary for their growth. Irrigation occurs evenly and gradually, like a gentle rain.
  • Save Water. The underground irrigation system reduces water losses due to evaporation.
  • Respect The Aesthetic Aspect since the installation is underground, and the sprinklers are only visible when watering.
  • Convenience: Since the buried system works automatically and is programmed, you will not have to worry when you are not home.

How To Get Irrigation Water To Reach The Roots Of The Grass

Irrigation water is essential for lawns, especially in times of intense heat. In many cases, watering is not enough, but it is also advisable to “comb” the grass with a spiked broom or rake so that moisture filters to the roots in such a way that water use is optimized. This article details the most appropriate irrigation schedules and frequencies and lists species that can reduce water consumption.

Filter Water To The Roots Of The Grass

The irrigation water must reach its roots for the grass to receive the right nutrition. If it does not reach the buried parts of the plant, it not only happens that irrigation is not used optimally, but it even has counterproductive effects. If the spray is carried out in the morning, the droplets remaining on the surface can cause the so-called “magnifying glass effect” in the sun’s rays and cause them to burn the grass more intensely.

The simplest way to ensure that Water reaches the substrate and roots of the grass is manual: a spiked broom or rake must be passed over the surface, being careful not to damage the leaves but only to remove them so that the Water left on top leaks to the bottom.

This method is especially recommended for cases where the grass is abundant, compacted, and tangled on top. You can do a simple test:

  • Water a certain grass area.
  • Touch the surface.
  • Put your fingers in to feel the substrate.

If the difference in the humidity level is very evident, it will be necessary to apply this resource.

The rake or spiked broom technique also allows for better water use for irrigation; otherwise, more Water must be used to obtain the same results. And greater water consumption is negative, it is clear, both for the environment (given the non-renewable nature of this natural resource) and for the personal economy of those who have to pay the water bill at the end of the month.

The best schedules for irrigation

The best times to water the grass, especially during high temperatures, are first thing in the morning or evening. Also, at night, if you have an automatic sprinkler system. These times of the day are recommended to avoid central hours due to the following reasons:

  • As the temperature is higher, more Water is lost through evaporation.
  • In general, there is also more wind at these times, which generates water losses and causes some areas to receive more water than others.

  • The higher temperature encourages the attack of fungi and other pests.

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