Installing Irrigation Systems for a Healthy Lawn

Tip of the Week: Irrigation Systems

Watering your lawn is just about the best thing you can do to improve its appearance. And, during the summer months, mainly July – September when rainfall drops, your lawn needs at least 1 – 2 inches of water a week. Your lawn requires a deep watering in order to establish a robust and hardy root system. This means that just watering a little every day or getting a summer storm once a week won’t do much to hydrate your lawn.

There are two techniques to watering your lawn – manual and automated. Manual watering requires that you water your lawn by hand with sprinklers or hoses, and establish a regular watering routine. This is how most people do it, but manual watering seems to drop off in critical months either because of the difficulty of watering in the heat, moving hoses and sprinklers around the yard, or because of summer vacations – homeowners simply aren’t home enough to establish a sound routine. And, automated watering requires that either you install a network of hoses and sprinklers yourself or have an underground system professionally installed. However, this can be costly and is often at the bottom of a homeowner’s priority list.

So, how do you determine if a sprinkler system is a good investment for you or if you should continue with manual watering practices? I think it comes down a couple of key factors. Do you have a hands off approach to lawn care, is your grass constantly stressed, is having a healthy green lawn important to you, and are you spending a lot money each year brining your lawn back to life?  If you answered yes to most of these questions, then you’re a good candidate for a sprinkler system. On an average urban lawn – sprinkler systems can run $2,500 - $5,000. However, if you have a particularly large lawn, and can’t afford to install a sprinkler system on the entire lawn, I recommend establishing zones that you want watered on a regular basis. And, perhaps create drought resistant gardens and flower beds in spots that won’t receive regular watering.

Whether you install your own sprinkler system, hand water your lawn, or have a sprinkler system professionally installed – the most important thing to remember is to water your lawn deeply on a regular basis. If you do this, your lawn will look fuller and lusher all year long.

Question of the Week: What is lime and what does it do for your lawn? Ground Lime is a soil amendment made up of calcium and magnesium that helps to bring down acidity in soil. Soil should have a ph level of 5.5 – 7.0. Grass responds well to lime because it provides plant nutrients (calcium and magnesium), and helps to increase healthy bacteria in the soil while reducing soil toxicity. It is not harmful to humans or animals and can be applied any time of the year, but it’s preferable to apply in the fall and winter. A simple soil test will tell you if your lawn could use a lime application, but it’s best to consult with a professional.

Happy Watering!

Aaron Gorski

Owner, The Greener Side Lawn & Landscaping, LLC

Got a landscaping question?  Send it my way: mailto:PatchQuestions@GreenerSideLLC.com

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