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Taking care of your lawn is a lot of work. Not only do you need to fertilize and overseed it occasionally, but you also need to mow and water it quite often. One way to make maintaining your lawn a bit easier is to purchase a sprinkler system.
This will help keep your lawn beautiful, healthy, and green without a lot of added work watering it.
There are even modern systems that can simply be moved onto your lawn, hooked up to your hose, and left alone.
For added convenience and aesthetic pleasure, consider an underground sprinkler system. These are set on a timer and ensure your lawn will be watered no matter if you are home or away.
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Lawn Sprinkler System Options
Choosing a sprinkler system is not easy, and the one that you choose is entirely dependent on both your preferences and lawn.
Typically, lawn sprinklers belong in one of six different categories. These range from immobile to roaming and will work more effectively on different types of lawns.
You will need to consider both the shape and size of your lawn, the climate you live in, and how much water you are looking to conserve.
Stationary Sprinklers
Also known as “fixed” sprinklers, this type of lawn watering system varies in design as well as reach.
Stationary systems usually connect to your hose and then spray water in the same pattern over the same area. These systems usually cover a space of five to 15 feet, and you will need to move the sprinkler if you want it to service a new area.
These sprinklers are great if you have a small yard or garden area, but can be a lot of work for those with huge lawn spaces.
Oscillating Sprinklers
These are a type of moving sprinkler that uses a row of multiple openings to spray water in a semicircular motion.
The sprinkler head moves from side to side, which results in the water moving as well. This type of sprinkler covers much larger areas than typical stationary models.
Rotary and Impact Sprinklers
Both rotating (rotary) and impact sprinklers spin 360 degrees when they release water.
The main difference between rotary and impact sprinklers is that rotary sprinklers generally have two or more arms that spin. Impact sprinklers are also known as pulsating sprinklers and they only spray water from one single jet.
You may recognize impact sprinklers from their “click” noise that occurs as they turn. Impact sprinklers are known to have the largest range in their water distribution.
These sprinklers are good for medium and small-sized yards, but can also get the job done if your yard is larger, and you are willing to purchase a few heads.
Sprinkler Hoses
Sprinkler hoses are a sprinkler system that functions exactly how it sounds . . . by a rubber hose with small holes along the top, allowing a controlled spray.
Slightly more archaic than other methods, sprinkler hoses are generally used more for vegetable or flower gardening beds than for lawns.
Despite this, sprinkler hoses can be especially helpful for long, irregularly curved, or narrow areas of lawn.
Traveling Sprinklers
Traveler sprinkler systems roll through your yard in a programmed pattern.
They are hooked up to your gardening hose, but the main downside is that you will need to be present to use this system so if you have a large yard you might want to avoid this.
In-ground Sprinkler Systems
The holy grail of all sprinkler options is a professionally installed, in-ground sprinkler system. These systems allow your yard to be watered on a set schedule, and are typically connected to a timer.
Although the installation is for more intensive than simply purchasing an above-ground sprinkler, you will never regret installing an in-ground system.
These systems are great for any size yard but especially helpful for large yards.
In-ground sprinkler systems are typically hidden until they emerge from the ground. The only way that it will be obvious you have a sprinkler system installed at all is because of the beautiful color of your lawn.
Timing Your Sprinkler Sessions
Overwatering your lawn is never good. Regardless of the fact that it is a waste of money, it is also a waste of water and can be bad for your lawn!
Along with proper water regulation, you should also know what time to water your lawn. If using an in-ground sprinkler system, you will most likely have an automatic timer.
This will allow you to schedule exact watering schedules. If you are using above-ground sprinklers, you will need to monitor your watering a bit more.
Try to water your lawn 20 minutes, three times per week, and before 10 in the morning. This will ensure you do not overwater your lawn, but also that you give it the water it needs.
If you have more questions regarding what type of sprinkler system would work best for you, contact Omni Sprinkler Service and Landscaping, a Denver sprinkler company.
