Lawn Garden Sprinklers

Your lawn needs the right amount of water to grow. However, you should not water your lawn blindly. The frequency and amount water needed for your lawn depend on various factors including the type of grass, soil, climate and many others.

Here are five simple watering tips you can follow to make your lawn shine.

1. Water to a depth of 6-8 inches

Grass roots usually grow to a depth of six to eight inches. Applying water that penetrates beyond eight inches is wasteful. On the other hand, penetrating less than six inches can result in a shallow-rooted lawn that is weak and require more efforts to maintain.

For a quick test, use a screwdriver to probe the lawn ground. Once you feel that it is hard to probe further, pull out the screwdriver and check. Alternatively, buy a soil probe from the local nursery and use it to remove small cores of soil, which you can feel to see how wet they are.

2. Allow the lawn to dry out partially

You should give your lawn ample time to dry out partially before watering it again. This will create a good air-moisture relationship that promotes healthy roots. Before you start watering again, take a walk on your lawn and observes your footprints. The grasses will not spring right back if they lack water. If the grasses changed to a dull color, this is also another indication that your lawn needs water.

3. Water in short interval

If you water too fast, the lawn will not be able to absorb it and excess water will run off into the streets or other places. This is a waste of water and should be avoided. Try watering for fifteen minutes and then stop. Wait for ten minutes to let the water soak in. Then repeat the process again until the water has penetrated to a depth of six to eight inches.

4. Water in the early morning

Water your lawn in the early morning is a wise choice. The weather is usually cool and clam. The humidity is also high and there will be less evaporation. Your lawn also has ample time to dry off before nightfall. A wet lawn in the night can cause lawn diseases to spread quickly.

5. Record your observation and adjust accordingly

Get a notebook or journal and record your watering activity on a daily basis for at least three months. Note down the time of watering, the amount of water used and the intervals between each watering session.
Observe how your lawn respond to your watering practice and record the result in your journal.

If your lawn does not dry out enough between watering, increase the interval. If you discover that the water is not penetrating to the required depth, apply more water. Record all these observation into your journal. You should also make small changes to your watering practice and record the results.

Over time, you will be able to water your lawn with greater efficiency as you adjust your watering practice based on your recorded observation. As a result, you will have a lawn that continues to shine and grow healthily without having to put in more maintenance efforts than necessary.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SPRINKLER Sprinklers come in 4 basic designs. Each of these sprinkler types has their advantages and disadvantages. Lawn size, frequency of watering and soil types are all important factors when choosing which type of sprinkler is best for you.

Of the 4 basic designs a stationary or fixed sprinkler is probably the worst type you can purchase. These types of sprinklers work best for spot watering or used in conjunction with another sprinkler system.

Varying flow rates are this type of sprinkler’s greatest disadvantage. At the outside edge of the spray pattern the grass can receive upwards of 6-8 inches of water while at the base it may only receive 2 inches of water per hour. This is due to the water being directed through the fixed pattern of small holes in the base.

Oscillating sprinklers use a curved piece of metal or plastic with small holes that move back and forth to deliver the water in a rectangular pattern. By pausing when the spray is furthest away this sprinkler does a better job of delivering the water in a more effective pattern.

More up to date models will allow you to adjust this pattern as well as adjusting the width of the spray. Revolving sprinklers use one or more arms to throw the water in a circular pattern. This type of sprinkler has a fairly decent radius but suffers in the uniformity of the water being delivered to the lawn.

Generally speaking the majority of the water is delivered to an area 4-9 feet out. For a large area an impulse or impact sprinkler is a good choice. By using a combination of a jet internally and a hammer externally this sprinkler can shoot jets of water in a circular pattern. On many models the head is adjustable from a fine mist to a strong pulse or anything in between. Coverage is good with this type of sprinkler.

One of the more odd sprinkler systems is what is known as a traveling sprinkler. I haven’t come across too many of these which is too bad. This system while looking a little bizarre gives good thorough coverage and excellent rates of moisture. The sprinkler follows the hose or track laid out by the homeowner. By varying the hose pattern you get excellent coverage. The pressure of the water exiting the rotating arms propels the unit along. For most homeowners the choice for a sprinkler system would be an in-ground system. By installing the sprinkler heads at key locations you ensure uniform coverage and excellent water delivery.

Most units come with a timer to make watering your lawn even more convenient. Some models also incorporate a sensor to let the system know if it has been raining to curb the cost of your watering bill. The spray heads pop up from the lawn when activated and return to their almost hidden position when finished. When having your lawn aerated ensure the heads are clearly marked to avoid damage to them while the lawn is being aerated.