I have a defunct irrigation system that I have no interest in repairing. I water with a watering wand attached to a hose or water can.
N. Jordan Franklin, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Unpopular opinion incoming… I don’t enjoy summer in South Carolina. I prefer cool, crisp fall or spring days or cold winter days to summer’s oppressive heat and humidity. But it’s coming, and with it often comes the gross misuse of the ubiquitous automated irrigation system.
Who hasn’t seen that house on the corner with wet pavement and trees dripping every morning or heard nearby sprinklers starting with a familiar psthssss at 5:00 pm? Maybe you’ve witnessed sprinklers flowing over patches of unhealthy and weed-infested turfgrass on your way home after dining out. And my personal favorite: irrigation running during a heavy downpour on the fourth consecutive day of a week filled with daily afternoon thunderstorms. It’s cringe-inducing. After all, water is expensive. Many weeds people fight in their lawns, like nutsedge, stem from too much soil moisture. The diseases overwhelming their plants thrive with the help of the excess moisture on leaves’ surfaces. And sometimes, those wilting plants aren’t dry; they are suffocating because there is too much water and no oxygen in the soil.
A watering wand showerhead distributes water to plants like gentle rainfall, helping to prevent damage to plants.
N. Jordan Franklin, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Fortunately, correcting plant problems caused by overwatering is an easy fix. Following a few critical guidelines regarding the need for irrigation, how much water is needed, and when to irrigate can conserve water and ensure optimal plant health.
Establishing the need for irrigation involves closely monitoring landscape moisture levels. Start by looking for the signs of drought stress, such as wilting leaves and discolored grass. Then, feel the soil with your fingers and insert a screwdriver into the ground. Delay watering when the soil feels moist or the screwdriver pushes easily to a depth of 6 inches. Never apply water to stressed plants before first checking the soil’s moisture. For more information about determining a need for irrigation in the landscape, visit HGIC 1801, Landscape Irrigation Management Part 2: Determining When To Irrigate.
Determining the appropriate amount of water is crucial to avoid under and over-watering. Most plants require about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. Measure the water your irrigation system delivers by placing rain gauges or small containers in different zones to ensure even distribution. Adjust irrigation zone times accordingly to provide the required inch of water each week. Additionally, consider adding a rain sensor to an existing irrigation system to shut off the system when adequate rainfall occurs. Visit HGIC 1802, Landscape Irrigation Management Part 3: How Much Water? for details on determining how much water an irrigation system puts out in a given time.
This irrigation system was correctly running during the early morning.
N. Jordan Franklin, ©2023 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Choosing the right time of day for irrigation significantly impacts water absorption and plant health. Watering early in the morning minimizes evaporation, allowing plants to absorb moisture effectively. Avoid watering in the evening or at night, as prolonged moisture on foliage can promote the growth of fungal diseases. Visit HGIC 1804, Landscape Irrigation Management Part 5: Irrigation Time of Day, for more information about what time of day to irrigate the landscape.
Implementing these best practices for home landscape irrigation can reduce water use while promoting a thriving landscape. Monitoring landscape moisture levels, understanding plants’ water requirements, and watering at the right time of day make a beautiful and sustainable landscape requiring less work possible. After all, that’s what any lazy gardener wants, right?
