Portable vs. Built in Sprinkler Systems

There is a lot to consider when debating the best way to care for your lawn. The size of your lawn, the amount of time you have to care for the lawn and what you hope to achieve are all factors to be considered when choosing a sprinkler system for your home.

Sprinkler heads can be portable or built into the ground. Here are some tips to help you choose the sprinkler system that will work best for your lawn.

Portable sprinkler heads that attach to the end of a hose are much cheaper than built-in sprinklers. They can cover a smaller amount of property, and need to be monitored for the correct amount of water and appropriate timing to use. Be sure to not walk away and leave the hose running for too long. It is very easy to drown out your lawn.

Nothing beats the convenience of built-in sprinkler heads. If they're installed correctly, you shouldn't notice them until they've popped up to begin watering your lawn or garden. The addition of a timer makes this type of sprinkler extra convenient and you won't even have to turn them on. Be carefree all summer long, knowing your lawn is being hydrated.

Of course, portable sprinkler heads can be put where you want, when you want. Built-in heads are permanent. When built-in ones are installed, make sure a professional helps you place them for total coverage.

Since portable sprinkler heads get picked up when you're finished, it's unlikely to become damaged. Built-in sprinkler heads, however, can break from lawn mowers and other obstacles and will need to be replaced. Be sure to have a professional install them out of the way of obstacles.

There are benefits to both types of sprinkler systems. Built-in sprinkler heads are best for a larger yard. They are measured before installation and get full coverage for your whole lawn. Portable sprinkler heads would be best for a small lawn or garden on your own time.

When to Run Your Sprinklers

When you turn your sprinkler system on in the heat of the day, evaporation loss is inevitable. By watering your yard or garden during the peak afternoon sun hours, you can lose up to 70% of your water to evaporation.

In order to conserve more water, set your sprinkling system to turn on during the coldest hours of the day. The hours just before sunrise are the coldest; generally between 2 and 4am.

For maximum efficiency program your system to water your lawn at least 2 hours before sunrise. This schedule ensures that your soil will absorb the most water and that you will conserve the most amount of water, with minimal loss due to evaporation.

Keep in mind that the average lawn needs about 1 inch of water per day to maintain health. To be sure that you are not over watering, leave a pan within range of your sprinkler and then measure the depth of the water after watering.

Depending on your location, temperature, and yearly rainfall situation, there will be times when watering your lawn with sprinklers are a necessity. With the way that people are looking to conserve water, it is now more important than ever to know when to water your lawn efficiently and effectively. Knowing and understanding all aspects of watering your lawn such as heat, evaporation, wind, and water restrictions, will make a big impact on how you water your lawn.

Recap:

Water your lawn early in the morning. Having your sprinklers turn on early in the morning is the best time to water your lawn. In fact, your lawn should be watered before 5 AM when the sun begins cresting over the horizon. This will help limit the evaporation that happens when the sun is shining down on the lawn, plus help combat lawn disease that occurs when there is standing water from night watering.

Water a Day before Mowing

If you have a certain day of the week you mow the lawn, you can lessen the amount of brown patches by watering your lawn the day before you actually mow. The water and nutrients will help the lawn recover quicker after being mowed.