Extension

The ground has been tilled, the soil amended, the seeds planted and fertilizer applied. With all that hard work finished, all that’s left to do is to turn on the irrigation system. A convenient time-saver, it’s important to remember that an irrigation system is only as good as the design, installation and maintenance.

In an effort to save a few dollars, gardeners may have opted for fewer sprinkler heads when the system was being installed, resulting in poor water coverage. Water distribution is greatest closest to the head, so spacing them farther apart means there will be dry areas in between. The most efficient systems will feature head-to-head spacing, which helps ensure the spray pattern of each head reaches the one next to it.

Most landscapes have several zones, and having the irrigation system in each zone promotes the best coverage. Trying to water too many areas on as few zones as possible can cause issues. Shrub beds, flower beds and turf areas should be watered independently of each other. There may be cost savings on buying fewer valves, pipe and other components, but most water will be wasted. Also, plants have different needs, so there’s a good chance the system will overwater in some areas while underwatering others. A zoned irrigation system will water those areas based on the plants’ needs.

Pressure regulation is another area that needs to be addressed. Traditional spray heads operate at about 30 psi – rotator types at about 40 psi. However, the irrigation system is typically sourced from the house, which is about 70+ psi. This will cause the system to mist instead of spray, which leads to water waste. Installing a pressure regulator at the water source can help. Another option is using spray heads with pressure regulators already built into them.

Now, look at the landscape bed areas. Spray heads can be pop-up heads or attached to a riser. Keep in mind that as plants grow, they may become big enough to block the spray. Also, if the bed is irregularly shaped, it can be difficult to keep the spray within the boundaries of the bed.

In this case, a drip irrigation system may be a more efficient approach to watering. Drip irrigation puts the water at ground level. Plus, drip irrigation tends to use less water and runs on less pressure.

Oklahoma summers are hot, and having an efficient irrigation system will help make gardening successful.