As a property owner, choosing the right irrigation system is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your landscape. Not only does a good irrigation system keep your plants healthy, but it also helps conserve water and reduces your environmental impact. It is essential to ensure you choose an irrigation company that prioritizes water conservation, efficient water distribution, and a tailored approach to your property’s specific needs.
Here’s a guide to help you understand what makes a great irrigation system, and how to ensure you’re choosing a company that uses best practices for water management.
Why Proper Irrigation Design and Layout Matter
Watering your landscape might seem straightforward, but there’s much more to it than just turning on a hose or sprinkler. The key to a healthy, thriving landscape is ensuring that water is distributed evenly and efficiently across your property. Poor irrigation design can lead to overwatering in some areas and underwatering in others, resulting in stressed plants, higher water bills, and wasted resources.
A skilled irrigation company will use proper design and layout techniques to ensure your system is both effective and efficient. This involves:
Zoning: Creating separate irrigation zones for different areas based on water needs. For example, your turfgrass might need more frequent watering than your drought-tolerant shrubs or flowers.
Water Pressure Optimization: Ensuring that each irrigation zone has the right pressure, which is critical to achieving the desired water distribution.
Strategic Coverage: The company should place irrigation heads in such a way that every part of your landscape gets the right amount of water, while avoiding waste due to overspray or runoff.
Key Practices for Water Conservation
The right irrigation company will always take water conservation into account, ensuring that water is used efficiently, minimizing waste, and promoting healthy plant growth. Here’s what you should expect from a water-smart irrigation company:
Water-Efficient Design: The company should assess your landscape’s unique needs, including soil type, plant species, sun exposure, and slopes. A tailored system ensures that each area receives the right amount of water, preventing over-watering or under-watering.
Technology for Efficiency: Look for companies that offer modern systems with smart controllers. These systems can adjust the watering schedule based on weather conditions, so you’re never watering during rainy days or when temperatures are lower. This not only saves water but also helps maintain plant health.
Drip and Low-Volume Systems: A professional company should offer options like drip irrigation and low-volume micro-irrigation systems (Xeri systems). These methods target water directly to the base of each plant, preventing waste from evaporation and runoff. They’re particularly effective for flower beds, gardens, and drought-tolerant plants.
Choosing the Right Water Distribution Method
Different irrigation methods serve different purposes, and it’s important that the company you choose offers the right method for your landscape’s needs. Here’s a breakdown of some common options:
Spray Nozzles: These are good for general coverage of turf and shrub areas. However, they can waste water due to overspray, especially in windy conditions. Make sure the company selects spray nozzles that provide a uniform distribution to minimize waste.
MP Rotator Nozzles: These rotating nozzles are more efficient than traditional spray nozzles, as they deliver water in a more controlled and uniform pattern. They reduce runoff and evaporation, making them an ideal choice for areas that require consistent watering, such as lawns or flower beds.
Turf Rotors: Turf rotors are excellent for larger areas like lawns and fields. They distribute water evenly across a wide area, which is great for covering extensive turf areas efficiently.
Impact Rotors: For larger properties, especially those with expansive lawns or commercial spaces, impact rotors deliver water over a large radius. These systems are particularly useful for irrigating large, open areas where uniform water distribution is important.
Drip Irrigation: Drip systems are perfect for areas with a variety of plant types, including gardens and flower beds. This system delivers water directly to the roots, reducing evaporation and runoff. If your landscape includes flower beds, vegetable gardens, or areas with delicate plants, ask the company about using drip irrigation to ensure efficient water use.
Xeri (Low-Volume Micro Irrigation): If you're looking to conserve water and irrigate drought-tolerant plants, a Xeriscape irrigation system is ideal. These low-volume systems are perfect for areas that need minimal watering, as they deliver small amounts of water directly to the plants with minimal waste.
What to Ask Potential Irrigation Companies
When you’re comparing irrigation companies, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they use best practices for water conservation and efficient water distribution:
How do you tailor your designs to the specific needs of my landscape? A good company should take your unique landscape features (like slopes, shade, and plant types) into account when designing the system.
What methods do you use to conserve water? Ask about their use of efficient irrigation systems, smart controllers, drip irrigation, and low-volume systems.
Can you explain your process for ensuring uniform water distribution? A great irrigation system should provide even coverage, minimizing waste and ensuring that every area of your landscape gets the water it needs.
Do you offer system maintenance? Proper maintenance ensures the longevity of your irrigation system and continued water efficiency. Make sure the company provides ongoing services to check for clogs, leaks, or any issues that could affect water distribution.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right irrigation company is crucial to maintaining a healthy, water-efficient landscape. A company that prioritizes proper irrigation design, layout, and water distribution practices will not only ensure your plants thrive but also help conserve water and reduce your environmental impact. By asking the right questions and choosing a company that uses modern, efficient systems, you can rest assured that your landscape will be well taken care of – all while saving water and reducing costs.
When it comes to your landscape, water matters. Make sure you choose an irrigation company that understands this and is committed to providing a tailored, water-smart solution for your home
