Last month may have been Smart Irrigation Month, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't always be smart about preserving water and saving money! 

Start Smart

Hiring a certified irrigation professional and insisting on high-quality components is the smart way to make sure your system will operate at peak efficiency for years to come. Always check references and confirm your contractor is properly insured.

Smart Planning and Planting

• Work with a certified irrigation contractor who has experience in your local area.
• Consider local climate conditions, as well as your lot's exact features. Choose appropriate plant species that have lower watering requirements.
• Group plants with similar water needs close together and separate lawn areas irrigation zones from planting beds.
• Plan your irrigation zones carefully. Be sure that your system will have enough capacity, now and in the future. The more irrigation zones you plan, the more you can tailor watering even if you modify landscaping.

Smart Scheduling and Watering

• Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system to account for sun, shade and wind exposure. 
• Consider soil type, which affects the how quickly water can be applied and absorbed without runoff. 
• Make sure you're not sending water down the drain. Set sprinklers to water plants, not your driveway, sidewalk, patio or buildings. 
• Water at the right time of day. Watering when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cooler minimizes evaporation by as much as 30 percent. The best time to water is during early morning hours.

Smart Maintenance 

• Check that sprinkler heads are high enough to clear plants that may have grown taller since the system was installed.
• Adjust spray patterns and positions to make sure they aren't watering “hardscapes” like sidewalks and buildings.
• Evaluate pressure and adjust as needed so sprinklers work optimally to distribute the water.