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21 Nov 2023
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation Systems

Water Conservation Tips: Maximizing Efficiency of Lawn Sprinkler Systems in Toronto

In a bustling metropolis like Toronto, where urban green spaces coexist with soaring skyscrapers, maintaining lush, healthy lawns is a task that hinges on the efficient use of resources. Among these, water stands out as the most vital yet often overused commodity. The deployment of lawn sprinkler systems has become a popular solution for keeping gardens vibrant. However, without proper management, these systems can lead to excessive water consumption. This article delves into various strategies to maximize the efficiency of lawn sprinkler systems Toronto, thereby contributing to water conservation and promoting sustainable urban living.

Understanding Toronto’s Climate and Soil Conditions

Toronto’s diverse climate, characterized by humid summers and cold winters, demands a strategic approach to lawn irrigation. The city’s soil composition, primarily clay and sandy loam, also affects water absorption and retention. Homeowners should first understand these local conditions to tailor their watering practices accordingly. For instance, clay soil retains moisture longer than sandy soil, thus requiring less frequent watering.

Selecting the Right Sprinkler System

The market offers a plethora of sprinkler systems, each suited for different lawn sizes and types. In Toronto, where space and water usage are prime concerns, opting for a system that provides even coverage without overreach is crucial. Drip irrigation systems, for instance, deliver water directly to the roots with minimal waste, making them ideal for smaller, landscaped areas. For larger lawns, rotary sprinklers, which cover wide areas uniformly, are more appropriate.

Timing is Key

The timing of watering plays a pivotal role in water conservation. Early morning is the optimal time to run sprinklers. This timing reduces water loss due to evaporation and wind drift, common during the hotter parts of the day. Additionally, watering in the morning ensures that the grass has enough time to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Smart Technology for Smarter Watering

Incorporating smart technology into lawn irrigation can lead to significant water savings. Automated sprinkler systems equipped with weather sensors can adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather data. These systems can reduce water usage by avoiding irrigation during rain or adjusting for high humidity levels.

Regular Maintenance Checks

A well-maintained sprinkler system is key to efficient water usage. Homeowners should regularly check for leaks, clogged nozzles, and misaligned sprinkler heads. A small leak or a misdirected sprinkler can waste a significant amount of water. Seasonal maintenance, including system winterization and spring checks, is also crucial to ensure efficient operation.

Embracing Efficient Watering Practices

Efficient watering goes beyond technology and involves adopting best practices. “Cycle and soak” is one such method, where watering is done in short bursts allowing soil to absorb water between cycles. This practice prevents runoff and ensures deeper water penetration, promoting healthier root growth. Additionally, understanding the specific needs of different plants can prevent overwatering – not all plants require the same amount of water.

Community Education and Resources

Toronto’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its community programs and resources aimed at promoting water conservation. Homeowners can take advantage of these resources to educate themselves about efficient watering practices and the latest conservation techniques. Participating in local workshops and consulting with water conservation experts can provide valuable insights into responsible lawn care.

Conclusion

In a city like Toronto, where environmental sustainability is increasingly at the forefront of urban planning and lifestyle, optimizing the use of lawn sprinkler systems is not just a matter of convenience but a necessary step towards responsible living. By understanding local climate conditions, choosing the right system, employing smart technology, conducting regular maintenance, and adopting efficient watering practices, homeowners can significantly contribute to water conservation. As we strive towards greener urban spaces, every drop saved by thoughtful irrigation practices echoes the broader commitment to a sustainable future.

06 Aug 2021
0 Comments By progreenadmin General, Irrigation Systems

A quick guide to designing the perfect exterior landscape for your home

An exterior landscape can set apart your property from the others and increase the home value. It is the perfect space to relax and enjoy the day, hanging out on your beautiful lawn or the living space. You can add any design element from a living space to an exotic garden. It depends on your preferences to construct the landscape that fits into your theme and complements the property. For example, if you’re following a country, rustic theme for your home, a sprawling lawn with a garden should be your pick. For a modern theme, a pool with a modern living space will complement the property. Either way, you need to shortlist the things you want in the landscape.

It is difficult and costly to add everything in the landscape for an alluring yet efficient design. For example, you cannot miss out on water sprinkler systems for your lawn. It will lead to difficulty later on in maintaining the garden. You need to add the functional elements in each of these designs too. It will help your landscape be a treat to the eyes and easy to maintain. So, if you want to construct an exterior landscape, follow these tips:

Get an expert contractor.

Your contractor would actually help design a feasible and functional design for the landscape. You can also get an architect if you’re not sure of what you want. They will help design the entire place according to the theme and the budget. It would be an easier choice, and you can just relax. However, you should regularly check out their progress and design to see if you like it or not. It is essential to be involved in the work as you’re the one who’ll use it for the coming years.

Shortlist the design elements

You can add anything from a kitchen to a pool in the landscape. However, it is critical to choose the elements that fit into your budget and the house theme. It would help create a put-together look, which is actually affordable. So, you should start by looking at different designs and selecting the things you want in your home. Make a list and divide the elements into categories, depending on what you definitely want and the ones you can sacrifice. After that, you should get your contractor and ask them about the costs of all those choices. Select the ones that fit into your budget and move forward with the work.

Prioritize functionality

The design needs to be functional above everything else. For example, you shouldn’t add a kitchen to the space if you would hardly use it. It will only crowd the area, and you may not even like it. Select the things that would be actually helpful. For example, a seating space facing the gardens is both functional and alluring. You can entertain guests there or spend time with the family. Furthermore, add a pool if you frequently go out swimming. If you don’t like swimming, there’s no point in spending all that money. Instead, you can spend that cash on design elements such as landscape lighting to bring the look.

02 Sep 2019
0 Comments By progreenadmin General, Irrigation System Maintenance, Irrigation Systems

Amazing Benefits of Irrigation Rain Sensors

When you love gardening and want your yard to remain in good health, then you require a well-equipped irrigation system. These days different types of irrigation systems are available from gardens. But important is that you should be responsible and make sure that water is not wasted. A simple and efficient solution to this is installing rain sensors. Getting rain sensors installed ensure that the irrigation system is deactivated during rain. Rain sensors interact with an automatic sprinkler system so that it does not water the yard directly after a good rain.

Now, let us look at more benefits of rain sensors when you get it installed along with the irrigation system.

  1. Help in conserving water – The main purpose of the rain sensor is to conserve water. It does so by detecting the rain and then turning the sprinklers off. Rain sensors send signals to irrigation controllers to shut off the set timers if any. Water wastage is reduced to a great level as the yard is already watered through the rain. Plus point is that rainwater is a good source of minerals and thus can provide a sufficient amount of nutrients to plants. With the advent of technology, such sensors are also available, that can power the sprinklers on when watering is required or when they sense evaporating.
  2. Helps in preventing water damage – Over-watering can lead to different diseases in plants. It washes off all the essential nutrients from the top layer of the soil that directly affect the health of plants. Rain sensors avoid water-logging, which both rain and sprinklers can cause. The sensors automatically turn on the sprinklers when the soil dries. This automatic system is quite beneficial and time-saving. It also prevents water damage that can happen to plants.
  3. Increase the life of irrigation system – The rain sensors when used along with the irrigation system let sprinklers rest when it rains. The more you will rely on rain water; the lesser sprinklers have to work. Since the irrigation system operates less, it will be the least damaged. So, they will last longer.
  4. Helps in saving money – When the irrigation system functions daily, your electricity and water bills increases. In this rain, sensors can help a lot. They don’t let the irrigation system to irrigate the yard unnecessarily. Thus your money on bills will be saved to a huge extent. Moreover, the components of the irrigation system will not require frequent changes, and therefore, their durability will increase.
  5. Helps in reducing groundwater pollution – Excess of water on the soil leads to water runoff along with debris. Irrigation systems combined with rain sensors don’t let this happen. They prevent runoff water carrying chemicals, fertilizers and other waste from seeping into the groundwater. Runoff water can otherwise pollute the groundwater with all the rubbish and chemicals.

So what are you waiting for? If you also love mother earth and are against water wastage, then get an irrigation system with rain sensors installed in your yard.

 

01 Sep 2019
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation Systems

Top Five Benefits Of A Sprinkler System

Since the rainfalls are inconsistent, the most effective way to maintain the quality of your lawn is to use a sprinkler system. Many people assume that a sprinkler system would use more of water but the truth is that an efficient system can actually help you preserve water by allowing you to customize the amount you need.

Having a beautiful lawn with green grass can enhance the value of your property and creates an attractive appearance and comfortable atmosphere of your home.

Below are the top five benefits of a sprinkler system:

1) Convenient: Installing a sprinkler system in your lawn is a very convenient method of watering. Some people assume that a sprinkler system would use more water but in reality, these systems are designed efficiently to conserve water by allowing you to customize the amount of water you need.

Also, these sprinklers help you save time and energy as you do not have to water the plants manually. These systems are quite smart as you can enable a timer and the sprinklers automatically pop up and water your lawn at set times.

 

2) Cost-friendly: Sprinkler systems are usually affordable to install and maintain. Having a sprinkler system is highly beneficial as you do not have to water yourself and they increase the efficiency of your irrigation system, disseminating the right amount of water to each area of your lawn.

Also, these sprinklers are pretty smart and have the latest technology installed within which makes it worth buying. Even this system does not require any additional fees and monthly costs and you only have to pay the installation expenses.

 

3) It is highly safe: It is very essential to put the hose away after every watering session and if you do not put it away then it can have harmful side effects. It makes your lawn look unattractive and is a tripping hazard for children and pets playing in the yard.

On the other hand, sprinkler heads pop up out of the ground, water your lawn and disappear again when they are finished which makes them more safe and preferable option.

 

4) Financial benefits: A sprinkler system is a smart option and has all the technology installed within. As these systems use just the right amount of water, it enables you to save money on your water bill as compared to manual watering.

Also, a beautiful lawn with an in-ground sprinkler system increases the value of your home by an average of 15%. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to install a sprinkler system.

 

5) Environmental and aesthetic benefits: The sprinkler systems are designed in a way that they use sophisticated moisture sensors, water gauges, and timers to assure that only the amount of water your lawn requires is delivered. This way you can save water as compared to imprecise manual watering. Lawns that are adequately watered by an in-ground sprinkler system look more healthy and green, increasing the curb appeal of your property.

26 May 2019
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation Systems

Water Saving Irrigation Tips

Where ‘watering’ a lawn is a simple step, there ‘proper watering’ is the most crucial step to be done. It will not only make your lawn healthy but will also save a considerable amount of water. We are at that critical stage where saving water is essential. But you need not to compromise the beauty of your lawn. Remember, unnecessary watering is not the right way to beautify your lawn. The efficient use of water followed by simple management practices can reduce the usage of water to a great extent while maintaining healthy and attractive landscapes. Also, experts say that the value of your home increases by 14% if the lawn is healthy.

The good thing is that the effective water conserving techniques are affordable. The following are some of the smart tips for water saving irrigation –

 

  1. Water deeply, not unnecessarily –

Irrigation permits the water to soak into the soil slowly, so don’t apply water hurriedly. When water is dampened quickly, and in large amount, much of it is lost to run-off. Drip irrigation is the best choice for this purpose, but sprinklers can also work. Allow irrigation to moisten the ground deeply, up to six inches. With deep irrigation, the prominent advantage comes to roots as they become healthier. Frequent and shallow watering promotes shallow root systems, and they are more susceptive to drought. So, try to reduce the frequency of watering and let the soil to dry between consecutive waterings. Moreover, you can set the watering frequency depending on the plant age. Older plants have deeper roots, so they demand less irrigation.

 

  1. Garden beds and Mulch trees –

Mulch trees provide numerous services in the garden. They not only add beauty to the lawn but also helps in controlling soil erosion and managing weeds. Mulch also helps in maintaining the moisture of the soil as it reduces the rate of evaporation. Furthermore, plant-based mulches add organic material to the field over time and help in enhancing the water-holding capacity of the soil.

 

  1. Reduce run-off –

Run-off from the lawn leads to water wastage and also act as a source of pollution to natural waterways. It is because the run-off carries soil particles and chemicals present in the garden along with it to lakes and rivers. Run-off occurs when water is applied quickly and heavily. It can happen either due to heavy rainfall or wrong irrigation practices. It is crucial to prevent run-off so that the water is not wasted and is absorbed by the plants in the lawn. Run-off can be reduced by –

> Building rain gardens to trap water on slopes

> Emptying downspouts into the lawn rather than on the street

> Using sprinklers and drip irrigation to water slowly

 

  1. Switch to smart technology –

If you are using an irrigation system, then upgrade it to a smart controller or prefer installing a rain sensor. Smart controllers can measure the conditions of soil moisture and can automatically set the schedules for watering depending on landscape conditions. Rain sensors are not at all expensive, and the best thing about them is that they are retrofit to most of the irrigation systems. Don’t commit the mistake of forgetting the plants after setting them. They demand proper care.

 

  1. Maintain irrigation systems and sprinklers –

In lawns, leaky taps and broken sprinkler heads can lead to massive wastage of water. It can cause unnecessary expenditure on water bills. And if not treated on time, you may have to spend extra money at a later stage for repairments. Look for broken sprinkler heads and get them fixed on time.

 

Stick to the above-given tips and save water – precious god gift!

22 May 2019
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation Systems

Important Outdoor Lighting Tips

Changing the backyard from basics to bling!

Outdoor lighting can do this thing.

 

Many of you like to host the party in the yard and even enjoy relaxing there. During the daytime, there won’t be a problem, but at night there can be a lighting issue. It can be solved by installing the right landscape lighting. But remember not following a proper plan for your backyard can make things intimidating. Anyhow, nothing to worry! We are here to help you understand the importance of landscape lighting. We will also be sharing tips for getting outdoor lighting installed in a proper manner.

 

  1. Include three basic types of lighting –

Ambient, accent, and task are the three basic types of lighting that you should not forget to incorporate. Pathway lights, security lights, and plus deck comes under task lighting. Ambient lighting is the type of lighting that can be achieved by post lights, hanging lights, and wall lights. And for accent lighting spotlights and landscape kits are available. It the patio is small, and you have an average budget then considering string lights or LED candles can be the best option.

 

  1. Take measurements before choosing fixtures –

Examine your space where you want to install lights and take measurements so that you don’t opt for the large-scale fixtures. You can use a simple piece of paper to observe the size and positioning of the fixture before buying. The paper will act as a template of the wall where lights are to be installed. Thus it will give you an idea of placement. In the case of the back patio and front porch, the size of an outdoor wall light should be nearly one-third the height of the door. Also, while buying, be sure that you are choosing only that lighting which is of high-quality and is made of weather resistant material.

 

  1. Calculate the lighting required –

Figure out how much lighting you need exactly, before going to market or making an order. To determine how much light space will require, try making the simple calculation by multiplying the square footage of the area that is to be lighted by 1.5. It will give you an approximation of the total wattage required.

 

  1. Observe the yard from inside your home –

Observing the outdoor from inside of your home can help you a lot in deciding what kind of lighting will work best and where it should be placed. Also, if you are sitting in your living or dining room, it can give a pleasing view of outside at night. Path lighting for garden areas can work and act as an easy and quick style update.

 

  1. Use LEDs –

LEDs use far less energy than bulbs and halogens. Additionally, you need not change the bulb as they are almost maintenance-free.

 

  1. Use subtle landscape lighting to impress –

It is obvious that your guests don’t want a bright spotlight to irritate them when they are enjoying their dinner. So go for lighting with a soft glow. Subtle and indirect lighting works best for outdoors, especially the dining areas. The use of outdoor lanterns and ceiling fans adorned with light kits is becoming trendy as it illuminates outside areas.

 

  1. Consider security –

With the presence of landscape lighting not only your home brightens, but it also provides security. It is necessary that all the corners of the house are lit at night.

 

Now, as you know the important outdoor lighting tips, it is still necessary to consult a professional. Only a landscape lighting guide can tell if you have planned perfectly for your outdoor area or not.

20 May 2019
0 Comments By progreenadmin Gardening, Irrigation Systems

Choosing the Right Irrigation System

Hey! If you have decided to switch your lawn from water-wasting place to a lawn which only uses the right amount of then you are helping the earth in a significant way. Kudos!

Are you aware that most of the sprinkler systems are not efficient and lead to a 50% wastage of water? At this alarming stage where saving water has become so crucial, we must contribute towards this cause. So, choosing the right irrigation system is essential.

 

  1. Hand-moved sprinklers –

This system consists of a setup of aluminium pipe, which is used to distribute water from the source to the ground. One main line extends out across the field along with a series of lateral pipes that are moved with hands to sprinkle the water in the field in sections.

This system comes with a major advantage, which is that the total cost of the system is relatively low. When we talk about the benefits of something, its flaws come along. The disadvantage of this is that it is labor-intensive.

 

  1. Hand-moved big guns –

It is almost the same as hand-moved sprinklers. The only difference is that in this system, small and low volume sprinklers are replaced with big and high volume gun sprinklers. As the big guns cover a larger area, hence they require less labor.

The major advantage of this system is that it saves time as large fields can be irrigated quickly. The disadvantages are that it requires labor to set up and operate, and it sprinkles large droplet size, which has the tendency to harm the tender crop.

 

  1. Drip Irrigation –

It is also referred to as trickle irrigation. This is a slow and precise system of irrigating the plants because it provides 100% of water to the crops. When compared to traditional spray heads, which used to release approximately five gallons of water per minute, the drip irrigation system release a comparatively higher amount of water per hour. This system provides both the water saving as well as environmental advantage. It minimizes evaporation, prevents runoff, and avoid overspray. The water reaches deep into the roots, thus making the roots system healthier.

The disadvantage of this system is that freezing can lead to broken lines and blocked emitters.

 

  1. Solid-set sprinklers –

This system covers the entire field with laterals that are positioned in the field for the entire growing season. The header valves regulate these lateral lines. The advantages of this system are that they are suitable for frost protection; they are easy to operate because they are set in the field and need not to be moved. This system also requires less labor.

The disadvantage of solid-set sprinkler is that it is a capital intensive system. The other problem is that the pipes can block the operations such as cultivation, spraying, and harvesting.

 

  1. Traveling big sun sprinklers –

It possesses big gun sprinkler that is mounted on a wheeled cart. Further, it is connected to a hard plastic pipe on a mechanical reel. These systems are used to irrigate large areas that too, with little labor.

Its advantages are, it requires less labor work to set up and operate, irrigates more area, enhanced water distribution, and it can easily adapt to the field of any size and contour.

The disadvantages are that it demands high operating cost and are not suitable for frost protection. They have the potential to cause runoff and erosion.

 

  1. Center Pivots –

It has a moving pipeline for irrigation. The water is distributed along the length of the pipe that rotates around fixed, central water supply.

They are the best suitable for fields with a single crop. Its installation cost is quite high.

17 Dec 2018
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation Systems

Essential Tips For Lawn Irrigations And Installing Sprinklers

If you are planning for an imminent project of installing a sprinkler system on your residential premises for the purpose of irrigating your lawns, the following guidelines will serve as the parameters that you would have to keep in mind while rendering the services of a professional contractor.

 

Planning The Sprinkler Design

Make sure that you establish a line of contact with your landscape contractor before you commence the installation of your sprinkler system on your residential premises. This would fulfill the purpose of putting in place a layout plan for the system that will be installed. Your landscape contractor must visit the site of installation to examine the surroundings and draw the necessary conclusions and details that need to be noted for the project at hand. Some of these would be inclusive of taking the pressure, noting the flow readings, verifying the type of soil, the slope, and other associated conditions. These details would prove to be crucial in the planning of a successful sprinkler system.

The Regulations

For installing a sprinkler system on residential premises, your landscape contractor might have to communicate with the city officials to inquire about the water regulations. There are many cities which have certain rules and restrictions that are expected to be followed by the residents. Some of the common rules could be watering only on even or odd days, for instance, and the like. Your contractor must have the experience and professionalism to take care of clearing all these doubts before you start the installation of your sprinkler systems.

Written Estimates

Be certain to settle down upon a final deal with a landscape contractor who is willing to provide you with a written irrigation plan for your sprinkler system installation. This would be emblematic of a full coverage over the said landscape. The irrigation plan is oftentimes created in correspondence with the overall landscape plan. Additionally, written estimates and details would mean that you, as a client, will be aware of all the prerequisite details that make up for the scheme of the plan.

Precautionary Measures

One of the foremost precautionary measures that you would have to take into account is to avoid overspraying at all costs. When your sprinkler system has a tendency to spray pass the demarcations of the lawn into your patios, driveways, or pathways, there is a considerable amount of water wastage. Overspraying can also lead to a potential safety hazard because it can facilitate the surface of your driveways to become more slippery and thereby more prone to cause accidents. To avoid overspraying your lawn, you would have to design an easy coverage of the space for the sprinklers. It is estimated that lawns that are squares and rectangles are comparatively easy to irrigate without risk in the factor of overspraying. Keep this in mind when you are having a discussion with your professional landscape contractor during the installation and the planning process.

Underground Irrigation
One of the most efficient solutions to counter the problem of overspraying is to install an underground drip system. If you have a lawn that curves in the perimeters or is not a perfect square or rectangle shaped space, and an underground drip system would help you to install the sprinklers without risking overspraying.
Nevertheless, organic curves in lawns might be a little more challenging to handle. This is because sprinkler heads generally spray in a fixed pattern, which could be a quarter circle, a semi-circle, or a full circle. Broader curves have the advantage of being irrigated without risking overspray, while, on the other hand, if the lawns are in a zigzag or an extremely jagged pattern, they might not be irrigated quite as efficiently.

If you are in search of a reliable name in the industry of irrigation and landscape sprinkler systems, you can depend on the name of Pro Green Irrigation.

 

12 Nov 2018
0 Comments By progreenadmin Gardening, Irrigation Systems

How to Choose the Best Garden Watering Systems

A proper irrigation system is vital to help your plants flourish, as well as, to save water. However, hand-watering gardens, flower beds, and lawns can be a hassle and a time-consuming task.

Maintaining your garden can be more tiresome if you have a busy schedule because dragging hoses, moving sprinklers around, and watering each plant takes time. To avoid such hassles, it is best to incorporate the latest irrigation system for your landscape to make your life easier. Moreover, if you’re also concerned about the efficient use of water, it makes sense to incorporate water-saving strategies into your landscape plan.

The new innovative watering systems make it easy to give plants the consistent moisture they need, in addition to saving water. These efficient garden watering systems ensures your peace of mind in all seasons, without the need for hoses or sprinklers to move around. Moreover, some customizable systems allow you to add a timer so that your garden will water itself.

The watering methods which work well for a landscape somewhat depend on planting arrangement and crop type. Depending on your needs, you can choose the best irrigation system for your gardens.

Soaker Hoses and Drip Irrigation Systems

One of the best irrigation systems is the Drip Soaker Hose System which works especially well for closely spaced crops and intensively planted beds. This system makes use of a soaker hose to provide slow and deep watering to the plants. It is perfect for watering foundation plantings and multiple garden beds.

Drip irrigation systems apply water at the root zone and distribute water at regular intervals through a network of hoses or tapes with slits, pores, emitters or drippers. This type of irrigation is typically used for farms and commercial greenhouses, but now the professional drip irrigation is used for residential gardens as well. This system is a great option to conserve water because as compared to overhead watering, soaker hoses consumes around 80% less water. You can easily set up a watering system by alternating sections of soaker hose and a garden hose.

Thus, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation slowly drips water to the roots of plants, so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted. This is best suited for rows of crops spaced at varying intervals and for properly leveled ground.

In-Ground Sprinkler Systems

Creating a flawless and splendid garden takes lots of time and efforts. If you want to maintain your lawn all the year round without putting much effort, think about installing a proper sprinkler system to save your time, as well as, money.

To water larger areas, like ground covers and perennial plantings, an in-ground irrigation system is the best option which ensures that the right kind of head delivers the appropriate amount of water. However, it is important here to plan your landscape project properly by organizing plants according to low, moderate and high water use. This is done to make sure that the spray heads are installed in a zone with plants of similar watering needs.

You can have a customizable system with sturdy sprinklers. The system will include built-in ground spikes. The 180° sprinklers are used to water half-circles, while 360° sprinklers are designed to water full circles. Since the watering needs are different for perennials and shrub beds, it is necessary to have separate grids for them. Moreover, you can add a timer, so that it will do the job even when you’re not around.

The best feature of this system is the rain sensor which automatically turns off sprinklers when it rains or adjusts the settings according to the weather. Although a drip irrigation system is recommended for perennials and shrubs, sprinklers are more suited for flower beds and lawns.

So, now having a breathtaking garden is no more a dream. All you need to do is to install an efficient Sprinkler or Drip Irrigation System to save your time, efforts, and money.

05 Nov 2018
0 Comments By progreenadmin Irrigation System Maintenance, Irrigation Systems

Tips for Planning an Efficient Drip Irrigation System

If you’re looking to improve your landscape irrigation system, drip irrigation is the best option. The system of drip irrigation is becoming more and more popular worldwide because of its various advantages.

The biggest advantage of installing drip irrigation systems is its ability to efficiently deliver the exact amount of water required by your plants. Thus, it ensures water conservation and results in reduced water bills. The drip irrigation system distributes water slowly and at a regular interval which helps in increasing the crop production, in addition to saving more water as compared to a sprinkler. A drip irrigation system when installed in conjunction with a water timer, automatically feeds your plants daily.

Planning and installing drip irrigation systems requires some knowledge in this field. If you’re planning to install a drip irrigation system of your own, you need to determine the rate of flow of your drip emitters, the types of plants you are watering and the condition of the soil. You will need to do some homework to successfully implement drip irrigation systems that use water responsibly while allowing landscapes to flourish.

You need to follow the step by step process to create an efficient low-volume irrigation system. Here we have listed five considerations for planning a drip irrigation system.

  • Consider the topography, size of the area, and the water flow rate to determine the size of the pipes required. If the area is non-grassy, densely planted with homogeneous plants, it is best to provide it uniform and consistent root watering. Moreover, to find out the right size of the system and water flow, you will need to figure out the elevation of the area you’re going to irrigate. This is because any change in elevation results in a change in the pressure and you may need pressure compensation within the system on steep slopes.
  • The water source for your irrigation is one of the important considerations. Before installing your drip irrigation system think about the quality of your water source because you might need to adjust the water pH level, depending on your crops. For instance, if you’re going to use pond water source, it will require the installation of a filtering system.
  • Watering needs of plants depend on several factors, such as species, climate and planting density. Also, plants have different watering needs than grass, so your irrigation system should allow different settings for drip and sprinkler points. Find out the amount of water needed by each type of plant within the irrigation site to determine the most effective irrigation methods. This will also help you in deciding the types of emitters required for different groups of plantings.
  • You will need to calculate system runtime which is dictated by the irrigation needs of the base plant. Base plants require the least water and irrigating this plant determines how long it takes to provide adequate hydration. So, the flow rates to other plants must be adjusted for adequate hydration during that same amount of time. This will help in determining the irrigation interval that how often you’ll run your system.
  • Above all, make sure when planning a drip irrigation system to draw a sketch of your project area by locating your water source and other important points. This basic sketch will help you better visualize your project and in avoiding mistakes.

Thus, the landscape and drip irrigation designers consider various factors, that is, size of a planted area, plant’s root depth, soil type, water requirement and density of planting for designing an efficient drip irrigation system. The process of designing may seem complicated but the outcome surpasses all the efforts.