The Pros and Cons of Different Irrigation Systems for the Mountain West

In our arid region, picking the right way to water can save your plants and save you time and money

I had my first experience with an irrigation system when I moved to the Mountain West . That was over two tenner ago , but who ’s number ? I froze my backflowing preventer that first yr , being clueless as to the indigence to winterise the system . I have learn much about irrigation since then in my yr be in southern Colorado .

Sometimes a hose just doesn’t cut it

I have taken irrigation - intention and irrigation - system - management classes as part of a horticulture programme . While I ’ve read a pile , I have to tell apart you that irrigation is not my pet thing — far from it . But since I do not have time to selectively water areas of my garden on a regular basis , especially with a large vegetable garden and lawn surface area in the mixing , an irrigation system is a necessity for my Rocky Mountain yard .

An economical and proactive choice

Irrigation technologies have come up a tenacious way in recent years . While instal a system can be a significant investing up front , a skilful irrigation arrangement can hold open you money in the long running . With continuous drouth cycles and various water restrictions in position in our region , an irrigation arrangement can help you navigate concentrated choices about which plants to save , or not , should the time arise .

Invest in a good irrigation controller

Irrigation controllers are no longer dewy-eyed timekeeper that tell your system when to sour on and how long to run . They can come with so many characteristic : multiple programs that race different zone on dissimilar day of the week with unlike start times ; water budgeting feature to increase or decrease the amount of H2O used , by pct , at any given metre ; and rain gauges or soil moisture meters to measure the amount of moisture on your website and turn off the system when pee is not need . Some systems have “ chic ” capabilities allowing them to get at local evapotranspiration rates and adjust your watering times consequently , or the power to tie all of your watering information to an app so you could keep track of it on your phone or computer . Needless to say , the more features , the pricier the controller , so think about what you really need and will actually use .

Drip. Spray. Rotors.

There are three primary case of irrigation systems , and in most cases you will want more than one in your landscape painting ; in fact , I have all three case in my yard . There are several considerations . You need to think about turf versus planting beds , the amount of space to be irrigated , confidential information , and the wallop of water restrictions .

Drip systems

Pros : Drip system are mostly used in planting beds , set urine at the root zones of flora . This also keeps you from tearing areas that do n’t ask water , minimizing sens in those region . Another welfare to drip irrigation is that winds do not impact these scheme , as they are typically under mulch . you may use system of rules with drip mold emitters , optical maser or soaker tube , or low drinking fountain . dribble system require a special press - slim down valve ; without it , the pressure in atomiser zones will blow the emitters right on off the line . An important benefit of drip irrigation is that in many instances householder are allowed to keep their drip mold organisation going when water limitation are put through .

Cons : While dribble systems can be effective , there are vexation . As systems old age , emitter get clogged without your realizing it , and plant life can unexpectedly die . Additionally , as plants grow , they may demand more body of water to flourish . And when plants die out , you may have emitter watering nothing , effectively blow water . last , if you like to change your planting bed often , drip irrigation can be baffling for all the reasons listed above .

Spray systems

professional : Spray irrigation system are used to provide coverage for small greensward areas and planting bottom . you could easily appraise a system of rules ’s accuracy by rick it on to detect leaks , dry spots , and other business concern . These systems put out a lot of water supply , so typically zone only require to be hunt down for 10 to 15 minutes at a clip .

confidence trick : Because they put out hunky-dory water droplets , spray systems are very susceptible to wind blowing the piss to unwanted locations , and in our teetotal mood some of the water can evaporate before it even gets to the plant . To belittle vaporization , run these systems at dark or ahead of time in the morning before the twenty-four hour period begins heating up . sprayer systems along with lawn irrigation in general are two of the first thing to be ostracize in water restrictions , either by limiting the number of days you could water per workweek , or by mandating the systems to be turn off exclusively .

Rotor systems

Pros : These systems are a lot like nebuliser scheme , but they throw out larger droplets of urine over longer distances , requiring few psyche to traverse a zone . Rotor systems are primarily used for enceinte lawn space . These systems are less susceptible to farting than spray system of rules .

Cons : That being said , we all get laid what spicy , dry winds can be like in July and August in the Mountain West , so sentence your watering accordingly . Once again , these systems and lawn irrigation are the first things to be restricted in a drouth situation , so be prepared for that to bump .

With drought so prevalent across the Mountain West even early on in the season , it is a adept idea to evaluate your irrigation system of rules in spring or other summer before the heat of the summertime is upon you .

— Michelle Provaznik is executive conductor of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .

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