July 2010 Archives

This summer has been a challenge on many levels, the weather being the most extreme. Scheduling sprinkler systems to run, the frequency,  and duration has been the focus the last several weeks.  When we schedule the calls for controller adjustments we are also finding many other issues being discovered for the first time. To compound the situation is that the past several seasons have seen above average rainfall in June - August which has masked many of the problems in the system and in the yard. 

Every year your sprinkler system should be evaluated for proper coverage due to the fact that as sprinkler systems age the following occurs:

1. Sprinkler heads go out of adjustment.

2. Sprinkler heads are crooked and do not spray properly.

3. There are broken or partially broken sprinkler heads and pipes.

4. Sprinkler pipe is chocked off due to root growth.

"I water all the time and my lawn still looks terrible!"

This is the most common complaint from many of my clients that have been calling during this hot and dry period.  When I respond to the call I first  look to make sure that the sprinklers are coming on and running. Second,  I check the program to see that the  watering is more frequent  and for a longer run time. July is the hottest and driest month of the year. Lawn and plants are under great stress to stay healthy  and look their best. 

Here are the top 10 problems I find :

1. Not watering enough. The average evapotranspiration rate of a plant on a sunny hot day could be 0.25"/day or greater. Equal amounts of water need to be replaced with an irrigation cycle. Check the coverage of the sprinkler heads and make sure that they are covering from one sprinkler head to the next sprinkler head and overlap each other.

2. The water pressure may be to low to allow sprinklers to operate properly   due to high demand by all consumers during specific times of the day. 

3. Watering during the day when sun is the strong and evaporates most of the water before it penetrates into the soil.

4. Lawns are cut too short. Grass should be cut 3" and higher each time it is mowed in the summer. Cutting it shorter that 3" allows sunlight to bake the soil and roots.

Here is a really great article which we thought everyone should read, especially considering the HEAT WAVE and LACK of PRECIPITATION.

Information on Wetting Agents and Drought/Heat Stress on Turf

written by NaEx Corp.

July is the peak month for water usage in the U.S.

Sprinkler system usage accounts for an estimated 70% of all water used. It is the goal of Rain Rich Sprinklers and the National Irrigation Association to conserve water at all times. Clean fresh water is a precious commodity and should not to be wasted, especially with a growing population and an increase demand for agriculture and landscape use.

Rain Rich has been leading the way for more than 28 years to use water conserving designs and efficient sprinkler equipment to help save water, reduce cost, and provide a healthy landscape.

DUE TO HIGH HEAT AND PROLONG DRY PERIOD WE ARE ADVISING ALL OF OUR CLIENTS TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Increase the run time on your rotary sprinkler zones to 60 minutes per day.

2. Increase your SPRAY sprinkler zones to water for 20 minutes every day. 

3. Increase your DRIP IRRIGATION zones to water for 60 minutes every day.

4. Increase the water budget key on your sprinklers to 120% or more.

5. Water as early in the morning as possible. Start at 1 am if possible. This will give your system the greatest pressure and volume and operate at the highest efficiency. It will also finish the cycle before you are up and using water in the home.

6. Try not to use water in the house at the same time you are using your sprinkler system. There is not enough water to handle the demand.