Sprinkler systems are a cost effective way to protect your plants from hot, thirsty plants. By adding sprinklers to your plant care program, you can reduce the risk of bushwhacking, panicking, or drying out the plants. You also gain a sense of pride in how well your home or nursery is protected by the sprinklers.
Installing a sprinkler system is an art form. There are many places to install them, some easy to install and others not. Some systems require special equipment such as computer-controlled valves or water meters, neither of which are hard to learn.
The best time to add a sprinkler system is during winter when water temperatures are high and vegetation is chilled. Winterizing your home or nursery before winter weather can save you from having to deal with wet and cold conditions that season.
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Ask a professional about what type of system to get
Sprinkler system installation is a good example of where two different professionals can tell you different things but it is worth asking!
Theoretically, both can do the same thing: put down sprinklers in a linear pattern and notify adjacent property lines when it is ready. But in reality, one of them has thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment and training while the other does not.
The reason this does not matter for your home owner’s insurance is that there is no equipment included. It comes down to what type of system the home owner wants and who will be working on it.
Here are some basic questions to ask when looking at sprinkler systems.
Determine how large your garden is
Once you know how large your garden is, you can determine the best time to install a sprinkler system. Your garden will be most comfortable with a sprinkler system when the size of your garden indicates the need for more water coverage.
For instance, an average-sized vegetable garden needs between 30 and 60 gallons of water per day, while a large fruit or ornamental tree or vines may need as much as 100+ gallons of water per day.
When looking at how much water your plants need, consider whether or not you are using enough water from the tap or watering systems. When looking at which system works best for you, remember that rainwater harvesting is the best system due to seasonal changes in moisture availability.
Find out if you need a license
Sprinkler system installation is a good way to learn about plowing and tilling. If you need a license to operate a sprinkler system, then you can purchase a sprinkler system installation kit and have someone install it for you.
Most systems come with an installation manual, so there is no need for additional training. However, the manual does explain what functions each nozzle performs as well as placing and checking for water placement.
If your home has multiple entrances, one of which is protected by an automatic door or grounds cover, then a gate may be needed to limit access to the sprinkler system.
Plan out where the sprinklers will go
When you install a sprinkler system, you’re going to need to plan out where the sprinklers will go. A lot of people just throw them wherever they like as bedding- it’s their job to measure and organize the system!
This is a big mistake.
Most sprinklers come with mounts that attach to the frame of your house. These mounts must be used, or your sprinkler system will not work. If you do not have these mounts, then you must buy special water weed wreaths that fit on top of the sprinklers.
The best places to put the wreaths are near the windows and close to where they connect to the irrigation system.
Get the right tools for the job
A sprinkler system is a big investment to have in summer time. There are both professional and DIY (do-it-yourself) ways to install one.
Both have their benefits and limitations, so do not worry about that until you need the system. Before you get too excited, though, you need a soil test to see if there is adequate water volume under your tree or next to your house!
Buying a preinstalled system is also an option – they are usually sold in stores like Walmart or Target, and they just plug into the wall. This way, the gardener does not have to buy any special plumbing supplies or wiring except what the sprinkler system requires.
Finally, there are some places where only individuals with extensive wiring skills can install a sprinkler system.
Make sure your water supply is working properly
A water supply is a necessary component of a sprinkler system. If your water supply is not working, then it is time to install a new one. You must have access to it for this step to work!
Sprinkler systems work by heating water in the pipes. When the water touches the sprays, it becomes meltable and turnable into liquid. This allows them to heat the ground, which in turn heats your house.
If your supply pipe is broken or has stopped functioning, then you must fix it before starting on the system.
Test your system before using it
It is important to test your system before you use it. This means that you have to have a way to indicate when the system is ready to use.
You can do this by having an automatic check-in process that kicks in when the sprinkler system is needed. The system will then notify you via text or call, or it can send you an email once it is ready.
It is best to have this process done by someone else as there may be some confusion about what has been done. You want someone else to check that it works and indicates the desired water flow.
Having the process done by someone else also helps ensure that people know how to do it. If something were to go wrong, then others would know who called and sent for help. This helps keep property and safety issues under control.
Rotate your sprinklers to save water
While most sprinkler systems come with a standard setting, which means you can set it and forget it, some have additional settings that can be selected. These include rain-drop, hill, slow down, and quick action settings.
These additional settings reduce water use considerably and can help save you some money in the long run. If you have one of these extra sprinkler settings, then you should also have the hill setting.
To have the extra sprinkles on your standard setting, choose the rain-drop setting or choose none at all. If you want more control over where your water coverage is, then choose the slow down or no slow down setting.
Both of these drastically reduce water use as opposed to just turning off the system! By doing this, you will also be saving money in the long run as they give you more control over how much water it takes.