If you’ve ever owned a home or property, you are familiar with the amount of time and effort that goes into maintaining the look and appearance of your landscaping. However, you may not be aware of the importance of irrigation and how it can have a large impact on not only your home’s appearance but the amount of water your property uses as well. In this article, we’ll cover the importance of irrigation systems and the different methods of irrigation you can incorporate into your landscaping.
Importance of Irrigation
As mentioned above, the importance of irrigation cannot be underestimated. The goal of modern methods of irrigation is to encourage the growth of plants on your property while also minimizing soil erosion and water loss. A well-implemented irrigation system will apply the appropriate amount of water at the appropriate time to minimize transpiration and evaporation. This will ensure your landscaping looks its best while making sure the cost of keeping your plants is kept as low as possible.
Types of Irrigation Systems
Depending on your home and the size of your landscaping, different types of irrigation methods will have advantages and disadvantages. Below we’ve listed the most common methods of irrigation and the benefits they provide for your landscaping.
- Drip Irrigation – If your home or property is located on uneven ground, has groups of plants (instead of just an expanse of lawn), or you are in a windy area, this may be the best option for you. Drip irrigation uses pipes and tubes to transport water directly to the base of your plants. Drip irrigation systems can also be connected to a “smart” irrigation system that allows you to control exactly when and how much water is fed to your lawn or plants.
- Surface Irrigation- This may be the method of irrigation you are most familiar with. Many homeowners use this method, especially if they have a smaller property. This type of irrigation system includes applying water to the soil’s surface and letting it trickle down into your soil and root system. Even though it is a very popular form of irrigation, it is very inefficient and labor-intensive.
- Sprinkler Irrigation – An underground sprinkler irrigation method uses a series of pipes and sprinkler heads to deliver water to plants by spraying them above the ground. Similar to drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation systems can be installed with irrigation controllers. Usually, this includes sprinkler heads that retract into the ground and pop up for scheduled waterings.
- Blended Systems – Sometimes one singular solution isn’t enough for your home. This is when a blended irrigation method can be set up to handle your property’s different needs. For example, using sprinkler irrigation on grass and drip irrigation for trees and bushes is a great way to tailor-make an irrigation system that will benefit your landscaping. A smart controller is vital for a blended system to accurately coordinate the watering times and lengths for your different landscaping areas.
If you are a newbie when it comes to irrigation and landscaping, or you have a complicated property with challenging plants and trees, it may be best to speak to an experienced landscaping professional. At Cutters Edge, we provide high-quality landscaping services at a fair market value, so every property owner can afford to improve their property’s value. Get in touch today to discuss your irrigation needs!
