subject: Smart Benefits Of Timed Sprinkler Systems [print this page] Do you want to save some money when it comes to taking care of your lawn? One of the best ways to conserve not only water but also your time and money is to use a timed lawn sprinkler system. In fact, a timed sprinkler system is actually better for the lawn itself, allowing it to reach its peak greenness with a minimal amount of watering, especially when you know what kind of soil you have. In the long-term, the smart use of timed sprinklers easily outweighs the cost and inconvenience of initially installing the system.
It's obvious that watering your lawn by hand--whether you're holding the hose or moving the sprinkler around--is time-consuming and tedious. But another problem many people fail to recognize is the ineffectiveness of the watering itself. Water from a hose or oscillating sprinkler shoots into the air first, evaporating before it hits the ground and soaking areas that have already been watered. This method both over-waters and under-waters sections of your lawn, producing unsightly brown spots. A timed irrigation system, on the other hand, can efficiently target the areas that need water.
Furthermore, it can be set to give your lawn exactly the amount of water it needs in the time of day that's best for maximum water absorption--often in the early morning, when you don't have the time or inclination to water it yourself. Timed lawn sprinklers can be easily adjusted to water less in the fall and spring and more in the summer months. They can also be connected to a rain sensor so that they don't water when it's raining. An additional bonus: if you go out of town, you don't need to worry about your grass; the timed system will take care of it for you.
You can hire a professional to install the system (underground piping, sprinkler heads, irrigation valves, timer, etc.) and give you recommendations about the type of sprinklers you should use and how often to water. Or, if you have some experience, you can install it yourself. You should determine how much water your lawn needs by identifying the soil it's in. If the soil rolls into a ball between your hands but falls apart, it's loamy soil. That's the best kind to have and easiest to water. If it stays in a ball, it's clay. Clay retains water for a long time, but if it's over-watered or watered too quickly, there isn't time for the water be absorbed, and it will run off. Sandy soil, which won't form a ball in your hands, will let water leech through. Water both kinds of soil in short, timed intervals.
Timed lawn sprinklers, when used correctly, allow you to save money, time, and energy; plus, they give you a beautiful lawn!
