Written By: Shane Wade, The Happy Horticulturist
Hello, readers! I’m Shane Wade, and I want to welcome you to ‘The Happy Horticulturist,’ the official blog of Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation.
Here, we dig into the world of gardening, landscaping, and irrigation, unearthing tips, insights, and inspiration to help you create and maintain a beautiful and thriving outdoor space.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our blog, ‘The Happy Horticulturist’ is your go-to resource for all things horticulture.
At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we’re dedicated to promoting sustainable and efficient water use practices.
This July, we’re celebrating Smart Irrigation Month, an initiative designed to highlight the benefits of smart water management and the importance of modern irrigation technology.
Read on below for answers to your most common irrigation inquiries in our IRRIGATION FAQs!
THE MOST COMMON IRRIGATION FAQs: 💦
Q.) What is SMART Irrigation Month? A.) Each July, Smart Irrigation Month highlights the social, economic and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation products and services.
Q.) How much does a SMART Irrigation system cost? A.) A smart irrigation system runs from $3500 to $5500 for average residential installations. The cost depends on numerous factors, including complexity, lawn size, number of watering zones, and installation costs. Installing a smart sprinkler system—or upgrading your conventional system—is a sound investment.
Q.) How can smart irrigation systems save money? A.) Smart irrigation systems can reduce water bills and plant replacement costs by optimizing water usage.
Q.) How much does a SMART Irrigation system save? A.) The use of smart sprinkler controllers may be able to save you between 30% and 50% on monthly water bills. Replacing a standard clock-based controller with a weather-based irrigation controller can save an average home nearly 7,600 gallons of water annually. If every home in the United States with an automatic sprinkler system installed and properly operated a controller, we could save $2.5 billion in water costs and 220 billion gallons of water across the country annually from not overwatering lawns and landscapes. Some utilities offer rebates to help you water smarter outdoors.
Q.) What are the environmental benefits of smart irrigation? A.) Smart irrigation helps conserve water, which is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems and natural resources.
Q.) Can I control a smart irrigation system remotely? A.) Many smart irrigation systems can be controlled remotely using a smartphone app or web interface.
Q.) What parameters does a smart irrigation controller consider? A.) Smart irrigation controllers take into account many factors, including sun exposure, soil type, slope, sprinkler head, and plant material.
Q.) How accurate are weather-based smart irrigation controllers? A.) Weather-based controllers use four weather parameters, including temperature, wind, solar radiation, and humidity, to calculate landscape water needs. This is considered the most accurate way to do so.
Q.) What is the biggest benefit to upgrading to a smart irrigation system? A.) The biggest benefit of a smart irrigation system is that you save time and money. Smart irrigation systems optimize your sprinkler run time so you’re watering at the right time of day and for the right duration under current conditions. When you overwater, you’re not only flushing a precious resource down the drain, you’re literally flushing money down the drain. Plus, it can damage your plants by encouraging disease. Smart irrigation saves you time in that you no longer have to make manual adjustments to your irrigation system to account for Mother Nature’s unpredictability. For example, who wants to jump out of bed to turn off the sprinkler system in the early morning because it’s running during a storm? Not me! And finally, I think one of the most overlooked benefits of a smart irrigation system is its ability to shut itself down immediately when a leak is detected. That’s a very valuable feature to have in place, which can guard against a costly water bill and repairs.
Q.) My area gets plenty of rain. Does my property really need an irrigation system? A.) I hate to break it you, but you still need an irrigation system. There are a couple reasons why. First, rain is never a guarantee. Even areas known to have rainy climates experience dry periods. We simply can’t count on rainfall totals each year to be adequate enough to fully meet your landscape’s water needs. Most plants require approximately 1 inch of water per week. Unless you receive at least that much each week like clockwork, chances are you need to irrigate. The second reason you need an irrigation system is because it supports hydrozoning. Hydrozoning means grouping plants with similar water needs together, so that irrigation zones can be adjusted accordingly. This not only enables a healthy landscape and good aesthetics, it also can save you money. Remember how I said most plants require approximately 1 inch of water per week? While this is a still a good rule of thumb, especially for turf, there may be some plants in your landscape that require less water. There’s no sense in overwatering them, especially when it’s a clear opportunity to save money.
Q.) When is the best time—fall or winter—to turn off my irrigation system? A.) Here’s the easy answer—before the first freeze. Now here’s the more complicated answer. In some parts of the country the first freeze can come as early as October, while others might not experience it until January. For my clients in Central Mississippi, we generally try to winterize by the first or second week of November. So how do you time it right? The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a great resource. Their website, almanac.com, can tell you the average date of the first fall frost and last spring frost for your zip code. This will give you an idea of the right window for success. Your landscape partner should also be keeping tabs on historical averages and the current forecast, so lean on their expertise. Ask them to proactively pencil in winterizing your irrigation system during the window they recommend.
Q.) How do I choose the irrigation system that is right for my property? A.) There are a few major factors that will help you determine what irrigation system would be right for your property. Specifically, you’ll want to consider your plant material, slope, and any water restrictions or laws. Let’s break that down.The first consideration is your property’s plant material. Earlier we talked about how different types of plant material have different water needs. As a result, your irrigation system can’t be a one-size-fits-all solution; it should be designed with the right products to meet all of your landscape’s varying water needs. For example, your lawn will require sprinklers, but perennials or ornamentals in your beds will do just fine with drip irrigation. Slope comes into play when your property has elevation changes that affect drainage. If not addressed properly, some plants will receive too much water, while others won’t get enough; worse, you could have much larger problems like flooding or erosion. Appropriate sprinkler spacing, plus solutions like controllers, pressure regulating devices, and specialized nozzles can help. Your landscape pro can guide you to the right mix for your property. Finally, you’ll need to consider how any local water restrictions or laws might affect your options. For example, some municipalities restrict watering with an irrigation system to once a week, but allow drip irrigation any day between certain hours. Check with your local water authority, or ask your landscape partner, to stay abreast of current restrictions. Be sure to also ask about any available rebates that could help offset the cost of your irrigation system. Many local water authorities offer them to incentivize conservation.
OUR IRRIGATION EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP
Smart Irrigation Month is the perfect time to explore the benefits of smart water technology.
“By investing in a smart irrigation system, you can enjoy a healthier landscape, lower water bills, and contribute to environmental sustainability.”
At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we’re here to help you make the transition to smart irrigation and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.
If you’re ready to take the next step in water management, contact us today for a consultation. Together, we can create a more sustainable and beautiful landscape for your home or business.
By integrating smart water management practices, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
Celebrate Smart Irrigation Month with us and discover how smart water solutions can benefit you and the environment.
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We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback on Smart Irrigation, or about any other landscape, lawn care, or irrigation system topic!
We invite you to leave your questions or comments in the comments section at the end of this post. LEAVE A COMMENT
CONTACT US TODAY!
We invite you to CONTACT US at Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation to schedule an ON-SITE ESTIMATE APPOINTMENT.
We’ll design, install, maintain, retrofit, or upgrade your irrigation system, ensuring that it suits your needs, goals, and budget. We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle any irrigation project, big or small.
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Thank you for reading our blog, and stay tuned for more tips and news coming soon from The Happy Horticulturist!
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