The
Low Water Use concept is an important one. There are a number of ways to save water in your landscape, and there are some very good reasons to do so. Over half of household water goes into our landscapes. That means watering your plants efficiently is one of the best and easiest ways to save water. We have Smart watering systems to aid in saving water. Remember, plants don’t save water, people do. Proper watering will also keep your landscape healthy and beautiful through the year.
Call 480-345-0314 now for a free Low Water Use estimate
Turn your backyard into a water conservative paradise
Smart water systems are a key component of good design using conservation tested products which can deliver proven water savings while maintaining-and often enhancing the health and beauty of any landscape. Smart controllers work by monitoring and using information about site conditions and applying the right amount of water based on those conditions. It automatically takes care of seasonal weather and site specific adjustments and does not require ongoing monitoring.
There are three parts to sensible landscape watering:
- Know how much water your plants need.
- Know how much water each part of your watering system applies
- Match you system’s output to your plants’ needs.
How much water do your plants need? Can they get by with low water use? Give your plants enough water without giving them too much. Watering too little can lead to wilt from which the plant may not recover but watering too much starves the roots of oxygen. Depending on the size and type of plant, you will need to water to different depths and widths. Small plants such as groundcovers, cacti, and annuals should be watered to a depth of 1 foot. Grass should be watered to a depth of 6 to 10 inches. Medium plants such as shrubs need a depth of 2 feet of moisture and large plants such as trees should be watered to 3 feet deep. Remember when you water trees they should be watered to the drip line which is not close to the trunk but the outside diameter of the branches.
How much water does each part of your system apply? There are many options available for output. Pressure regulated drip emitters put out water in 1/2 GPH (gallon per hour), to 4 GPH emitters. Pressure regulated emitters target only the area needing water and are much more efficient than bubblers which flood the area. These emitters can be used on any plant. For lawn, pop-up and rotors sprayers work best. Pop-ups for small areas and rotors, which have replaced the old impact sprayers water the lawn evenly.
Match your system’s output to your plant’s needs. First you must estimate the runtime and frequency days for each area of your landscape. As weather and other factors change, you will need to adjust watering frequency or you can call us about our Smart irrigation systems which do this for you. A general rule of thumb is that grass needs about ¾ inch of water each time you irrigate to wet the root zone which is to a depth of about 10 inches depending on the kind of soil you have such as clay or sandy soil. Shrubs and tree watering is determined by the water pressure, the number of emitters on each line, the kind of plant and the kind of soil. Call us for a water audit and we can set up a low water use system for you.
Suggestions:
Water in the early morning before the sun is up. That way more water gets to the roots instead of evaporating due to the sun and wind.
To germinate cool season grass (We suggest perennial rye), apply light, frequent waterings -up to four times per day during the first 7 to 10 days until seed is well germinated. Turn off water and let lawn dry out for a day or two until lawnmower will not leave impressions from the wheels. Mow then reduce watering frequency.
Because of different low water use tolerance and watering needs, it is best to place trees, shrubs, groundcover, flowers and lawn each on separate valves.
Pull weeds every week so they don’t steal water from your plants.
You can reduce your landscape watering 30 to 50 percent by adjusting your irrigation each season, or you can call us and we will set up a Smart system for you.
If you place mulch over your plants root zones, moisture will stay in the soil longer.
Call 480-345-0314 now for Low
Water Use design and information
We provide free estimates
We are expert and can help you with low water use in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Casa Grande, Glendale, and Payson.