Ensuring top-tier grass maintenance may seem like an easy chore—a “grab a hose and go” type of deal—but there’s actually a lot more that goes into it than you may think.
Proper lawn maintenance is not just essential in keeping your property looking good, but also heavily aids in the health of your flowers, garden, or whatever else you’ve planted to beautify the space. In this article, we’re going to give you our top lawn irrigation tips that will truly work and aren’t just a scam.
1. Research lawn irrigation systems
When it comes to lawn irrigation systems, there are several types, such as drip, rotor, sprinkler surface, bubbler, in-ground, manual, and many more. Sure, you could just as easily use a water hose, but with that method it’s difficult to gauge how much water you’re using and if you’re even hitting all the areas that need it.
Overall, what you pick depends on what your grass maintenance needs currently are, and if you have any end goals for it in mind. Let’s go over the most commonly purchased ones to give you a better understanding of how they differ.
- Drip system: The majority of homeowners who are looking to maintain their flower beds and gardens will choose a drip system because of its ability to deliver water directly to plant roots. They’re designed to target certain areas you’ve set to prevent potential water runoffs and evaporation issues. This is the type of sprinkler system that is visible, so it may not be the most aesthetic option; plus, if you have a bigger lawn, it won’t be as efficient in grass maintenance.
- Sprinkler system: This type is arguably the most common among homeowners who are looking to break into the lawn maintenance scene. Also, there are multiple kinds to choose from depending on what your property needs. There are above-ground sprinklers, stationary ones, oscillating sprinklers (which spray like a fan), and impact sprinklers (which go in a circular pattern).
- In-ground system: Also commonly known as underground sprinklers, these are typically bought by those who have large, expansive properties where they need a significant amount of grass maintenance. These types of systems have a network of underground pipes that are attached to sprinkler heads that sit above ground. Many people choose this option because of its customizable coverage; however, with its specific setup, the installation can run higher than average.
2. Learn about your equipment
As mentioned earlier, there are multiple types of sprinkler systems you can have installed for optimal grass maintenance, but that’s just half the battle. The other half is taking the time to learn about your equipment and how it works.
The majority of lawn irrigation systems have similar parts, such as control valves, filters, main lines, emitters (sprinkler heads), and a water pressure regulator. It’s important to know a little about each one in case of any scenarios where you need to call a repair service or if you’re setting things up by yourself.
3. Map out your lawn with sprinkler heads
Now that you’ve chosen your sprinkler system, it’s time to decide where exactly it will go. The best piece of advice for this is to map out your lawn. Experts mean this in the literal sense, as you will either want to draw your property with dimensions on a piece of paper or walk around it and use something to mark where you want every sprinkler to go. Through this method, you’ll be able to properly ensure that every inch is getting watered and avoid any sections overlapping by accident.
4. Timing is crucial
When you install a sprinkler system for your lawn, you may think that setting it to go off at any time of the day is just fine. However, there are several reasons why professionals advise against that.
First, in the summer months, you don’t want to be setting up the system to go off in the afternoon when it’s hottest outside. Doing this can cause the water to evaporate due to the heat or even be swept away by the wind.
Second, experts also advise watering in the late evenings, as this time of day, especially in summer, is the perfect breeding ground for diseases and fungus to appear, which is primarily due to the moisture retained overnight.
So, when is the best time to set your sprinkler system to go off? Early morning is the most ideal, as it will prevent evaporation and ward off pesky fungus from growing.
5. Don’t forget about winter
Ontario is known for having two seasons: winter and construction, and while we can’t stop the forklifts, we can certainly warn you about winter. Temperatures in Simcoe can get as low as minus 11 degrees Celsius during the winter months, or even lower with the wind chill factor.
Winterizing your equipment is the best thing you can do, preferably a few months before the snow settles in. All in all, this will help to prevent pipes from freezing over and ensure everything is in top shape for when spring arrives.
Watch Your Lawn Thrive
As you can now see, lawns require a lot of care and upkeep, and the majority of that care comes into play when choosing and maintaining the sprinkler system you’ve chosen for it.
Be sure to do your research, learn about the parts of your system, map out your property, set the timers correctly, and prepare for the cold winter months. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to having the lushest lawn on the block, and of course, having the neighbours asking you what your secret is.
For more information about lawn irrigation tips for Simcoe homeowners, call HydroGreen Irrigation at 249-449-4299 or contact us online.
