Guidelines For Obtaining The Greatest Value From Your Sprinkler System

Optimize Your Sprinkler System
A sprinkler irrigation system helps deliver water to gardens and lawns on schedule, ensuring plants don't parch and wilt during hot summer weather. You can take several practical steps to help optimize the effectiveness of your watering program. Consider implementing some of these useful tips this year:

Check Your System Annually
Experts recommend checking the components of your home's sprinkler system carefully before turning on the system in the Spring. In many locations, cold weather dictates shutting off the water to outdoor sprinklers to prevent damage during a freeze. Before resuming sprinkling again, make sure the main lines display even pressure and don't leak. Also carefully check the performance of nozzles and control valves; remove dirt and debris blocking water ejection and replace broken nozzles.

Use Sprinklers During Cooler Time of Day
The amount of water you use will depend on many factors. They may include municipal regulations and the types of grasses and vegetation in your yard. By sprinkling the lawn during cooler periods of the day (dawn and dusk), you'll increase the period of time water droplets remain in the vicinity before evaporation. Sprinkling at these hours of the day during hot weather conditions allows more time for water to soak into the soil, where it will eventually benefit plant roots. Consider timing your lawn sprinkling sessions to coincide with early morning or evening hours, if possible.

Consider Using a Computerized Controller
You may wish to explore obtaining a computerized controller to automatically turn your sprinkler system on and off at designated times. Many systems include sophisticated sensors, so your irrigation system won't continue watering unnecessarily during rains. Automating your sprinkler system holds many advantages if you plan to vacation away from home during the summer, too. You'll want to research available sprinkler systems and controller devices carefully in your local area. Many excellent products exist on the marketplace today to help you optimize the way you water your lawn and garden. Some homeowners rely on professional landscaping services to help install and maintain this type of equipment, for instance.

Gauge Water Use to Plant Needs
Scientists at the University of California at Davis recently developed technology to assess leaf stress. Presently available only for vineyards and certain types of nut orchards, the LeafMon device may eventually help homeowners adjust sprinkler systems to benefit other plants, also. It helps prevent overwatering. Paying close attention to available new technology in this field could help you water your lawn more effectively.

A Smart Investment
The care you invest in maintaining and using your home sprinkling system optimally helps conserve water. By maintaining lawns and grounds in good condition, you'll enhance your enjoyment of your residence. It represents a smart strategy!

Winter is just ending and all too soon we'll find ourselves in the heat of summer. Every year, we struggle to keep our lawns lush, green, and beautiful. And most years, we end up with frustratingly brown or sparse lawns. Even those of us who manage to keep a gorgeous lawn tend to devote more time than we'd like to in order to keep it looking that way. Thankfully, we have 4 tips for a greener lawn that just about anyone can do!

#1- Overseed
Overseeding your lawn ensures that you won't have any sparse patches. When you overseed your lawn, when you have seeds that fail to grow, you won't be left with a bald spot on your lawn. Even with low failure rates, overseeding will ensure your lawn looks super full and thick.

#2- Mow Your Grass on High
When you mow your grass on your mower's highest setting or leave it at least 3 inches tall, it can better handle the heat and other unfavorable conditions. Grass with deep roots make it stronger and more capable of resisting 'bad' conditions. Leaving the grass at least 3 inches tall helps to keep the soil shielded from the heat, thusly allowing it to retain its moisture for longer. This tends to lead to greener grass, even in harsher seasons.

#3- Keep Your Mower Blade Sharp
If you mow your lawn regularly, you may notice that sometimes it leaves the grass looking more dried out than before. This is because when you use a dull blade to cut your grass, it tears the blades of grass. When this happens, the grass blades are damaged and spill their chlorophyll. Using a sharp blade doesn't damage the blades of grass, meaning that they can retain their chlorophyll, leaving them with their beautiful, healthy green color.

#4- Deal With Weeds and Insects Straight Away
Taking care of any weeds or insects as soon as you notice them isn't the easiest way to keep your grass looking green, but it is important to do. Weeds suck the nutrients from the soil, leaving none for your grass. Plucking the weeds from the roots up (making sure that you dispose of any tap roots entirely) and throwing them away in plastic bags or just applying a weed killer/lawn feeder spray can help with weeds. From beer traps to sound emitters, sprays to decoy crops, there are tons of ways to deal with any insects that might potentially harm your grass.

There are lots of ways you can keep your lawn looking green and full as we exit the winter season. These tips also help keep your lawn in green glory throughout most summer conditions. These are also great tips for those of us who live in the South, where it sometimes seems like there are 2 seasons rather than 4. These are just 4 of the best, easiest ways to achieve a great, healthy lawn this summer! If these don't work for you, we recommend you do research on the specific types of grasses growing in your lawn.