Capabilities & Limitations of Landscape Irrigation

Consumer Education Series

• Realize the capablities & limitations of landscape irrigation.  These sprinkler systems are designed to SUPPLEMENT rainfall, NOT SUBSTITUTE for RAINFALL!  Remember that trees and large shrubs require more water than turfgrass and flowers.  Large trees benefit very little to...not at all from sprinkling the surface!

1. Learn to operate and program your irrigation controller and observe your sprinkler system so that you can perodically check it. Change your watering schedule with seasonal climate/temperature changes.
2. Water deeply, and less frequenty to help establish deep root systems and a more drought-resistant landscape.
3. Consider modifying your landscape, to accomodate the limitations of your existing sprinkler system, (ie: plant native drought-tolerant plants with low water requirements; place hardscapes such as gravel, stone, steppingstones, birdbaths, etc. in areas that seem to lack adequate coverage or cause excessive runoff).
4. Amend soil w/organic material and/or aerate to most efficiently absorb the water that you apply, (compacted, non-porous, clay soils will not absorb water well).
5. Maintain & monitor your sprinkler system in good working order, (no geysers!).
6. Install a rain sensor.