FAQ: How do I choose the best irrigation systems for my lawn and landscape?
Answer: The areas of your property that need regular irrigation, such as your lawn, landscape, and garden, use different irrigation systems to deliver water, such as drip irrigation, bubblers, sprinkler heads, and rotors.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to choose the best irrigation systems for your lawn and landscape, including
- 5 types of best irrigation systems for your property
- Choosing the best irrigation systems for your property’s water needs
- DIY installation or hire a contractor?
5 Types of Best Irrigation Systems for Your Property
There are many ways to water your lawn and landscape, such as
- Surface irrigation when you use a hose or a sprinkler that hooks up to a garden hose. You water the ground’s surface.
- In-ground sprinkler systems have rotary or sprinkler heads popping up from the ground. This is the most expensive form of irrigation since it involves digging trenches, laying pipe, and hooking up a control panel.
- Drip irrigation, where drip emitters are placed at ground level and large water droplets seep into the plant’s root zone. Perfect for gardens and flowerbeds.
- Soaker hoses hook up to your outdoor water spigots and emit water from tiny holes.
- Tree bubblers are similar to drip irrigation, except the water bubbles over and into the tree or shrub’s root zone.
Read more: Conserve Water in Your Lawn!
While you can find automatic sprinkler systems at a big box retailer, you also need to consider the following before buying a water sprinkler:
- Your property size
- Your property’s terrain and layout
- Soil conditions
- How many zones do you need
- Labor costs
- Irrigation system brand
- If needed, buy a municipal permit to build an irrigation system.
Before you shop for the best irrigation systems for your property, you need to make a budget. Then, you need to measure your property and take note of how your property is set up. For example, does the terrain include any hills or slopes?
Then, you need to consider your property’s soil conditions. For instance, is your soil rocky? Is it compacted? Compacted and rocky soil make sprinkler system installation more expensive and labor-intensive.
Also, jot down plant groupings. Your lawn is easy—what type of grass is growing in the shade, and which turf type is growing in full sun? You can set up your automatic sprinkler system based on your turfgrass needs.
Next, look at your landscape and flowerbeds. Are these plants broken up according to their watering needs? If not, you may need to relocate your perennials into hydrozones, grouping plants based on their watering and sunlight needs.
Choosing the Best Irrigation Systems for Your Property’s Water Needs
USNews.com’s article, “Best Sprinkler Systems,” breaks down different automatic sprinkler systems for your lawn. Their top five picks include
- Hunter Pro-HC, the best overall water sprinkler
US.News.com recommends the Hunter Pro-HC because of its versatility and intuitive software system, allowing you to choose from six different watering programs with six start time options.
You can customize your watering schedule and adjust up to 24 stations to meet your property’s needs. You can only buy the Hunter Pro-HC through a dealer.
- Orbit B-Hyve 57950 is their best-budget sprinkler system
This sprinkler system’s features include combining Orbit’s underground kit and the brand’s in-ground sprinkler heads, nozzles, and valves with Orbit’s high-tech sprinkler controller.
Other benefits feature weather station data, simple scheduling for different zones, a free app, and a control panel that can be mounted indoors or outdoors.
- Rain Bird 32ETI Easy to Install In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit as the best DIY water sprinkler system
It’s perfect for DIY set-up and contains special features, such as a self-draining system, spray heads that retreat into the yard, a wind-resistant rain curtain nozzle, and a rain delay function.
Watch more: Frequently Asked Questions for the Brinly Aerator/Spreader Combo Model AS2 40BH G
- Irritrol Total Control-R Series is the best automatic sprinkler system for large properties.
If you have a lot of acreage to tend to, then the Irritrol Total Control-R Series provides you with six to 48 stations. You get real-time weather reports and sensors to prevent overwatering. This sprinkler system automatically shuts off when it starts to rain.
You can remotely control the Total Control-R Series and the system retains data for efficiency. You can only buy the Total Control-R Series through a distributor.
- Rain Bird ESP-TM2 has easy programming
You can easily install the Rain Bird ESP-TM2’s smart sprinkler control panel with three-step programming.
This irrigation system also has up to 12 zones. Do you need to stop watering because of municipal water restrictions? The ESP-TM2 will save your irrigation schedule after watering delays for up to two weeks.
DIY Installation or Hire a Contractor?
You can install some sprinkler system kits if you have plumbing, excavating, and installation skills.
However, hiring a contractor specializing in irrigation system installation and maintenance is a better choice for more complex sprinkler systems.
GetCircled.com suggests you hire a contractor for these five reasons:
- Hiring a contractor to install your in-ground sprinkler system includes a warranty. If you do it yourself, you’re stuck with the mistakes you make, and you receive no warranties.
- When you hire an irrigation contractor to install an automatic sprinkler system, you’ll rest easy knowing the water sprinklers will work.
- You get expert engineering when you hire a contractor to install your system. Your contractor will maximize water pressure, engineer, and install the water sprinklers using accurate measurements.
- Only hire a contractor based on their track record. Ensure that you see previous job examples and client testimonials. Interview at least three contractors and read their reviews before hiring one.
- Anything can happen when you install an irrigation system. While you may find the directions easy and within your wheelhouse, hiring a landscape contractor who knows the irrigation system details, which you can miss, saves you time and avoids stress.
Choosing the best irrigation systems for lawns, landscapes, and gardens takes intentionality. It may look like a simple shopping trip for the first irrigation kit you see at a retailer that you can assemble in one weekend.
However, you can create disastrous results and lose a substantial amount of money if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Get the Best Brinly Lawn Care & Landscaping Products for All Your DIY Needs
Brinly doesn’t sell the best irrigation systems, but we carry the best lawn care and garden attachments.
Our tow-behind carts are perfect for moving tools, equipment, and irrigation supplies to different parts of your landscape. These utility carts are made with one-piece, heavy-duty compression-molded polypropylene.
Discover our full range of Brinly lawn care and garden products designed to keep your property beautiful all year round:
- Fertilizer spreaders
- Ground-engaging tools
- Lawn dethatchers
- Lawn rollers
- Lawn sprayers
- Lawn sweepers
- Spike and plug aerators
- ZTR products.
Ready to upgrade your lawn care and gardening equipment? Shop our Brinly products online now and take the next step toward a stunning lawn and garden.
Need assistance? Our customer service team is here to help. Fill out our contact form with any questions, and we’ll reply promptly.
Sources:
FamilyHandyman.com, Homeowner’s Guide to Irrigation Systems.
GetCircled.com, Is Sprinkler System Installation a DIY Project?
USNews.com, Best Sprinkler Systems.
