Irrigation can be over looked when planning or maintaining a landscape. Proper irrigation can help protect ones landscape and if adjusted properly, help save our water and other natural resources. To avoid watering plants or lawns will have a negative effect on any landscape.
Over watering can also be a problem with any landscape. Over watering can help breed bacteria and funguses which can harm new and existing landscapes. Over watering will also drain natural resources. Also too much water can make roots grow too close to the turf area. A shallow root system will allow harsh weather to harm plants and turf grass. This includes heat, cold air and ice. Saturating the ground will also cause “root rot disease” (Ludwig), which can harm the effected plants, by causing a decrease in oxygen in the soil.
Different types of soil will allow different amounts of water to be absorbed. Clay soils will not absorb water as fast as sandy or loamy soils. Irrigation systems should be adjusted to apply the proper amount in the type of soil that it is installed for. Watering every day even in the summer may be doing more harm than good. Run off is not good for the environment., as it can transport chemicals in lawns into drain systems which will harm the environment.
Irrigation should turn on after the turf grass needs water, not before. This is not too say that your lawn should be dying before it is watered. It prevents saturation and also saves money on the water bill. Irrigations systems are affected by their environment. Windy conditions are not a good time to water ones lawn. Wind will effect the direction in which the water will travel, and if it is extremely windy, it is best to wait and water at another time.
Resources:
1) Ingles, Jack E. Landscaping Principles and Practices. 6th ed. Delmar Learning. 2004
2) Ludwig, Richard. The Professional Landscape Design Program. Lesson Group 4. 2007
