Choosing the Right Irrigation System

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), as much as 50 percent of the water we use outside is wasted due to inefficient watering methods and systems. Nationwide landscape irrigation accounts for almost one-third of all residential water usage. That is almost 9 billion gallons a day. Of those 9 billion gallons half goes down the drain. Almost 30 percent of your water bill is spent on outdoor use.

Getting the right irrigation system for your Charlotte area home will not only save you money but also conserve on water. When the right sprinkler system is used to give your landscape the right amounts of water your yard will flourish and you won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars replanting it each year. It’s important that you become familiar with the different types of irrigation systems so you can make an educated decision when hiring someone to install your watering systems. A well-planned irrigation system will prevent you from overwatering and harming your plants.

Types of Irrigation Systems

• Drip Systems – This type of irrigation is typically used to water plants, trees and shrubs that are inside a flowerbed. It slowly soaks the plants and trees and prevents water run off. It provides plants will smaller amounts of water over an extended period of time and water is able to penetrate deeper into the soil. This is ideal for areas where there is low water pressure.
• Soaker Hoses – This system is typically used in a garden where there are dense plants of the same kind such as raspberry bushes. It is similar to the drip system. Water is placed directly around the plant. The hose that weaves through the plants has a series of holes in it. Several hoses can be connected together.
• Automatic Spray System – This irrigation system has sprinkler heads that sit flush with the ground and usually pop up to water the area. They can be adjusted to spray a full circle, half circle, or quarter circle. They spray farther and can cover a larger area. You have less water evaporation with this system because the water is lower to the ground when it sprays. One drawback is they often disperse water faster than it can be absorbed into the ground so you end up with some runoff.

Something else to consider and discuss with your landscaper is your water pressure and type of soil. Sometimes you may be limited to the type of irrigation you use based on the amount of water pressure you have or the soil in your yard. Most homes will use a combination of different irrigation systems based on their watering needs.

If you would like to have a conversation with one of our professional landscaping professionals at Earthworks Landscape Design and receive a free estimate for your irrigation system you can contact us here. Your Charlotte landscaping expert can help you determine what the right irrigation is for different parts of you’re your yard.