Watering your lawn sufficiently is an essential part of keeping it healthy. But in the face of mounting climate change evidence, it’s also wise to water your lawn smartly. These strategies allow you to maintain a lush, green lawn without excessive water waste. 

Optimizing your water consumption can be easily achieved by implementing innovative irrigation techniques. Sprinkler technologies have come a long way in the past few years. These ingenious designs can help you achieve a healthy lawn while minimizing your water consumption (which also has the bonus of decreasing your water bill). 

Innovative Irrigation Techniques

Install a drip irrigation system

Drip irrigation systems are a great way to avoid water waste. This technology relies on low pressure to help water drip slowly directly into the soil where the roots are located. This technology also discourages the growth of weeds, which can leech water from the soil meant for your grass.

While drip irrigation systems are great, the water pressure being pumped in can sometimes be too high. Too much pressure not only damages your yard and creates water waste; it can also damage your irrigation system. Including a pressure regulator in these systems can be beneficial to control the flow rate and optimize it for your lawn. It is also important to note that a drip irrigation system is only applicable for plants and trees, not grass. This is an excellent alternative if you have these landscaping features, but you will need to look to other methods to keep your lawn hydrated.

Use Washoe EvapoTranspiration

In our region of Northern Nevada, another great alternative is to use the Washoe EvapoTranspiration website, which helps you decide on an efficient watering schedule. Scheduling your watering is important for reducing water waste and run-off, especially in soil-based soil.

One great system is to run your water for 32 minutes at four different times in the morning. Some of the best early morning hours to do this are 3 AM, 5 AM, 7 AM, and 9 AM. You can simplify this process by having a scheduled sprinkler that kicks on at these designated times.

Use the right nozzles

New technology has shown vast improvement in the different types of nozzles you can use to water your lawn. A good example of this is water-conserving sprinkler heads, which work more efficiently and reduce water waste. These provide high distribution uniformity to maximize how much of your lawn is watered while minimizing how much water is used.

It is also a good idea to look for nozzles that are wind-resistant and multi-stream. These features help prevent misting so that the water is only going where it is intended.

Add moisture-sensing technology

Farmers have used moisture sensing technology since it was first available, as water waste can be very expensive when irrigating fields. In-ground moisture sensors measure how much water the soil has available for your lawn, which allows you to determine how much you must add to achieve optimal watering. With the latest technologies, these solar-powered sensors can measure water levels at different depths for peak accuracy.

Use automatic and zoned sprinkler systems.

This solution lets you control your water system from a master control panel. You can program start and stop times for water distribution. When combined with moisture sensing technology, it can automatically adjust to account for rainfall or periods when your lawn requires less water.

Many golf courses, colleges, and parks currently have similar water irrigation systems, but they are becoming more popular in private residences. And residential smart sprinkler systems can be operated via phone, laptop, or tablet. This means you can be responsive in making adjustments and use data to make intelligent decisions that reduce water waste. 

Select a durable irrigation method

In the past, irrigation systems could rust and require frequent replacement. Additionally, any leaks would mean you were losing water constantly. And even if it is a small leak, the total water lost can add up over time. However, current technologies feature systems with durable materials that last longer and have fewer leaks. This benefit means you can be sure to reduce water consumption for a very long time. 

Check for leaking

No matter how new or durable your irrigation system is, it can experience leaks, which are costly and waste a ton of water. Because of this, you should regularly check for areas of pooling, especially when the irrigation system is off but the valve is open. Keep an eye out for low pressures in certain areas, and look around your lawn to ensure there aren’t any dry spots.

As evidence of climate change mounts, water conservation is becoming a growing concern for many individuals. But having a lawn also has environmental benefits. Incorporating the latest technologies and employing innovative irrigation techniques will attain efficient irrigation that minimizes water waste. Ideal for keeping your yard healthy and beautiful!