irrigation
Using the right irrigation techniques and technologies will go a long way toward saving water at home. The key is selecting the best sprinkler head for the job of effective watering which helps prevent watering the driveway or street.
Rotors apply water over a large area so they are good for lawns, while rotary spray heads are better for small areas of grass and some landscape beds. Micro-irrigation, also known as “drip” or “low-volume” irrigation, is ideal for shrubs, flowers and potted plants. Because water goes directly to the root of the plant, there is less water loss from evaporation, wind and runoff, and fewer pests. For information on efficient micro-irrigation systems, see “A Guide to Micro-Irrigation for West Central Florida Landscapes”.
You will also want to adjust the timer for various zones to apply ½ to ¾ inch water per application. Generally rotor zones should be set to 45 minutes an hour and spray heads to 15 to 25 minutes per application. These may be adjusted to ensure you apply the depth of water identified.
Your local home improvement stores carry different types of replacement sprinkler heads. Remember to replace broken heads with similar make and models of heads and spray patterns.
