Lush, green lawns and well-planned, vibrant landscaping is a beautiful sight to see. But your lawn and landscaping do more than make your home look aesthetically pleasing. For one, your grass, shrubs and trees can remove dust, smoke and other pollutants from the air. They also provide you with privacy and increase your property value. A beautifully landscaped yard is truly worth taking care of – but sometimes, that’s easier said than done.
Even the most diligent gardener will occasionally have trouble watering her plants at the most beneficial time day in and day out. There’s an easy and surprisingly eco-friendly solution: a professionally installed irrigation system. The innovative systems available today can save you both time and money.
Drip irrigation systems
You might be picturing the industrial irrigation systems you’d see on farmland – but there are plenty of residential irrigation systems to choose from. (And none of them involve a 20-foot-tall structure.) You could choose a drip irrigation system for your flowerbeds, for example.
These irrigation systems are highly efficient and much healthier than traditional watering for your perennial plants. When you water perennials using a hose or sprinkler, you are actually risking your plants’ health because mold tends to grow on their leaves.
Smart technology in irrigation systems
Technology has managed to infiltrate even the most natural processes – but in gardening, it’s a good thing. There are now smart systems that have sensors to measure the moisture levels in your soil. These soil moisture-based control technologies water your plants according to their needs. The sensors actually measure the amount of moisture in your soil and use this information to tailor its irrigation schedules. According to the EPA, these kinds of systems can decrease your water costs by 20 percent.
Some soil sensors can also detect the type of soil you have and adjust its calculations accordingly. If you really want to hack your gardening game, you can also include a rain sensor in your irrigation system. A rain sensor pays for itself within the first year because it t prevents overwatering, which is harmful to your plants. Evapotranspiration (ET) technology helps you save water because it uses your local weather data to determine when to water and how much water it needs to apply.
Contact your water provider or visit their website to inquire about rebates related to shut-off devices and smart controllers.
Do more playing and less yard work with an irrigation system!
Let the experts get to work on your new watering system.
If you are considering an irrigation system, plan to hire a licensed contractor to install it. While this could be a do-it-yourself project, it is usually best left to the professionals. If you install the system yourself, you’re likely to end up with poor water pressure and/or uneven sprinkler coverage.
An efficient design and proper installation are essential. Otherwise, your system’s longevity and performance will suffer. The landscaping experts at Timberline will design your irrigation system before beginning the installation process. We’ll help you program your system and also give you plenty of info and tips to help your particular plants in your particular region – so your irrigation system is completely customized.
