Did you know the average American family uses about 100 gallons of water per day on outdoor uses? While we pride ourselves on keeping our lawns green and healthy, record droughts and increased water prices are a growing reality.
It’s no wonder that residential lawn irrigation continues to be a popular solution for those looking to invest in the beauty and value of their homes—while also saving water.
Lawn irrigation is key to keeping your lawn green and healthy year-round. Keep reading to learn more about how effective lawn management can save you time, water, and money.
Lawn Maintenance Tips
In order to determine your residential lawn irrigation needs, you’ll first need to take a look at your current lawn care practices. How you take care of your lawn is just as important as how many times you water it.
Keeping your grass three inches or higher and using appropriate fertilizer actually reduces your overall watering needs. Regularly aerating and using compost will increase moisture infiltration in heavy soils and retention in sandy soils.
Paying attention to the weather and seasons is also important. It’s a good idea to continue watering strategically during droughts (if possible) and throughout fall.
Water-Saving Tips
A good strategy is essential when planning your lawn irrigation system. If you want a healthy lawn and want to cut down on watering costs, it’s important to routinely adjust your irrigation schedule as conditions change.
Here are a few key water-saving tips:
- Consider drought tolerate grasses when establishing a new or renovating an existing lawn
- Set irrigation programs to water in the morning to increase the amount of water absorbed
- Work with a lawn irrigation company to choose the best sprinklers and smart technology for your lawn
- Invest in soil moisture sensors ($150 or less) to ensure soil moisture levels are adequate
- Recycle rainwater and encourage drought tolerance by watering once a week when possible
While lawn irrigation is essential for a healthy lawn and lower water bills, it does need to be adjusted to the conditions to prevent water waste.
Lawn Irrigation Audit
Finding local lawn irrigation services is also a great step to improve your lawn and overall water conservation. An irrigation audit ensures that you are maximizing your outdoor water use.
Usually, a professional audit includes three steps:
- Inspecting sprinklers, controllers, and valves
- Running a performance test
- Calculating how long you need to water in each area
If you are looking to save water and money in the long term, it’s a good idea to reach out to local professionals, like those at:
Why Smart Irrigation Matters
Effective lawn irrigation is great for you and the planet. Smart lawn maintenance uses the best technology to improve soil health, keep the grass green, and save water.
If you enjoyed this ultimate guide to smart irrigation, check out some of our other new content. We have a range of trending topics and comprehensive guides to explore.