Save water and frustration by making time to schedule a check of your outdoor watering systems
Much like any appliance in your home, sprinkler systems benefit from regular checkups. Here's list for what to do:
Credit: ALCC
- Run each sprinkler zone and look for broken heads or dirty nozzles where the spray does not look efficient or consistent.
- Make sure that nozzles are not misaligned and spraying rocks or concrete instead of the lawn. Straighten any sprinkler heads that are leaning to the side or spraying in wonky manner.
- Make sure there is even drip with drip irrigation while it is operating to be sure that emitters are not skipping/missing and to make sure all plants are getting water evenly.
- Look for leaks and puddles in the landscape. If you see this, a zone is not working properly and you may have a leak.
- Check to ensure your sprinkler controller/timer/clock are set-up correctly. The ability to modify the program is key to saving water and having happy plants.
- Replace the controller battery before it goes out and plants start dying. Put a reminder in your home or calendar to do this at the same time each year.
- Don't forget to do seasonal adjustments as well. During the cooler Spring and Fall days, less water is needed than during the hottest summer days.
- Consider using a smart controller. Read Black Forest Garden Club's most recent article about smart controllers here.
Credit: ALCC