Tips on Water Sprinklers for the Lawn

A sprinkler shouldn't operate the same way for every lawn.

Watering your lawn with the help of a sprinkler makes this necessary task much easier. You just turn on the faucet and let the device do its job. Better yet, when you install a permanent sprinkler you don't even need to remember to turn it on. It'll do everything for you as you simply sit back and enjoy your nice green yard. Following some helpful tips concerning lawn watering with a sprinkler will help you get the best results year after year.

Scheduling

Scheduling times to water the lawn are an important part of using a sprinkler. Your grass consists mostly of water, so depriving it can make the lawn start to wilt and turn brown quickly in dry or hot conditions. Generally people water their plants and lawns in the early morning but this isn't a catchall rule.

You must customize your watering schedule to the lawn and climate you have. If you live in a dry, hot climate like the deserts of the Southwest, you may need to water in the morning and the evening. If you live in a mild climate that gets regular rainfall, then you may only need one watering every few days. Investigate the water requirements for any plants your system will be watering as well as the type of grass.

Wet Soil

You should never water a lawn while the soil is wet, according to the Irrigation Tutorials website. Not only is it a waste of water but it is also potentially unhealthy for your lawn. When roots sit in water for too long they can develop diseases like root rot or other fungal infections. Wet, puddling soil is also attractive to mosquitoes and other insects that you want to avoid. Turn off your sprinklers anytime it has rained significantly that day and wait until the soil dries to continue with your schedule.

Soil Considerations

The type of soil beneath your grass is a major difference-maker when it comes to how often and how much you water. If your soil is primarily sandy, you will need to set your sprinkler for multiple short watering periods during the day because the soil drains well. Clay soil retains water and you should water less often but for longer periods to allow the water to soak in. Loamy soil is an ideal balance between the other two.

Winterizing

Since water runs through the pipes and heads of your sprinkler system, you must prepare it for any sub-freezing temperatures in the winter. Winterizing your sprinkler can be as simple as emptying out a garden hose and taking the sprinkler head and hose into the garage for winter storage. If you have an installed system you should turn off the main water supply to the system, switch the controller to the "rain" setting and turn on the valves to release any water and pressure in the pipes.

References

• Irrigation Tutorials.com: Landscape Irrigation Scheduling Tutorial
• Irrigation Tutorials.com: Winterizing Your Irrigation System
• Home Depot: Sprinklers