Sprinkler Maintenance, Education, & Self Help
Morgan's Briefing on the Importance of Irrigation
Irrigation is the foundation for a thriving lawn and landscape, without it your lawn and landscape will suffer.
We frequently receive questions about proper irrigation for best results with the lawn and plants.
The correct answer is...
Irrigation as a Science
Scientifically, irrigation should occur based on plant response to environmental demand. Thus, irrigation frequency and amount will be defined by the environmental demand (i.e., evapotranspiration, ET), soil water-holding capacity, and plant root zone depth. Irrigation should be applied such that the soil water reservoir is filled and gravity drainage and runoff do not occur.
Types of Sprinklers
Types of Sprinkler Heads.
There are three basic sprinkler head types– Fixed Spray Heads, Rotary Heads, and Drip or Soaker Systems.Each different sprinkler head will water your plants in a particular way. Choosing the right sprinkler system design for your lawn will depend on the size of your lawn, and also the water pressure your irrigation system design operates on.
Understanding My System
Your landscape design is made up of many different plants and turf. Different plants require very different methods of irrigation that deliver the proper amount of water to keep them healthy.Matching the correct arrangement of sprinkler head types to different plant groupings will not only result in a healthy, flourishing landscape, but eliminate wasteful runoff to substantially reduce your landscape’s water consumption.
Calibrating Your System
Calibrating your sprinkler system means figuring out how long you need to run your sprinkler system to apply the correct amount of water. In most Florida soils, the correct amount is 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water. This rate varies depending on your location in the state. Heavier clay soils, such as in North Florida and the panhandle, may only need the 1/2-inch rate. In sandy soil, which doesn't hold water as long, you may need to apply the 3/4-inch to 1 inch rate.