Lawn Water Management

By James McAfee
Texas A&M AgriLife

Homeowners know how important water is to a healthy lawn. Water is a limited resource in Texas, and it will become more limited as the population grows. Water rationing programs and rising water prices are already occurring in some areas of the state.

Homeowners can conserve a significant amount of water with no loss in grass quality by learning to water their lawns properly. Most homeowners drastically over-water their lawns. Over-watering can harm lawn quality more than under-watering. To establish an irrigation plan for your lawn, consider soil type, grass variety, management practices, and environmental conditions…

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The Benefits of Irrigation: Automated Sprinkler Systems

An automatic sprinkler system is a home improvement project worth considering. Not only will it help maintain a healthy beautiful landscape which you can enjoy with your friends and family, but it’s the most convenient and efficient way to ensure your landscape gets the water it needs without over-or under-watering. When it is properly installed and maintained an automatic sprinkler system will help conserve water too.

In fact, a professionally or DIY-installed automatic sprinkler system is one of the best investments that you can make for your home. Just ask anyone who has one. There is no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your home, increase its value, and save yourself time and money.

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How Do I “Winterize” My Irrigation System

Without proper preparation, your sprinkler system might be damaged by freezing temperatures. Here are some tips from Rain Bird on how to prepare your irrigation system for winter conditions if you live in a region where it freezes. Please download the Rain Bird Homeowner’s Guide to Winterization for detailed instructions on how to prepare your irrigation system for the winter months.

1. Insulate your assets:

Shut off the water supply to the irrigation system. The main shut off valve for your irrigation system needs to be protected against freezing. Make sure it is wrapped with insulation (foam insulation tape and a plastic bag) to protect it from harsh winter temperatures and prevent it from freezing. If you do not have a main shut off valve, you might consider installing one as a preventative investment. Also, any above ground piping needs to be insulated. Self-sticking foam-insulating tape or foam insulating tubes commonly found at home supply stores are fine.

2. Stay in control:

If you have an automatic system then you will need to “shut down” the controller (timer). Most controllers have a “rain-mode” which simply shuts off the signals to the valves. The controller continues to keep time, the programming information isn’t lost (start times, valve run times, etc.) and the clock continues to run throughout the winter.The only change is that the valves will not activate. If your controller is responsible for activating a pump, as a precaution you should remove the wires that are connected to the MV (Master Valve) and common terminals. This will prevent the possibility of the pump being accidentally activated which could cause damage from overheating. An alternative to using the rain mode is simply to shut off the power to the controller. If you do, you’ll need to reprogram the time and potentially all your other settings as well, in the spring.

3. Drain the pipes:

Now you need to remove the water from the pipes and sprinklers so that it won’t freeze/expand and break the pipe. There are several ways to drain your pipes: a manual drain valve, an automatic drain valve or the compressed air blow-out method. However, since there could be potential safety risks we recommend contacting your local irrigation specialist. Many offer sprinkler winterization services this time of the year.

4. Protect valves and backflow preventers:

Insulate backflow preventers and valves if they are above ground. You can also use insulation tape for this. Be sure not to block the air vents and drain outlets on backflow preventers.

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Understanding Your Soil

The soil type on your property is an important factor in determining how fast and how often water can be applied to the plant material.

Soil type

Soil absorbs and holds water in much the same way as a sponge. A given texture and volume of soil will hold a given amount of moisture. The intake rate of the soil will influence the precipitation rate and type of sprinkler that can be used. The ability of soil to hold moisture, and the amount of moisture it can hold, will greatly affect the irrigation schedule.

Soil is made up of sand, silt and clay particles. The percentage of each of these three particles is what determines the actual soil texture. Because the percentage of any one of these three particles can differ, there is virtually an unlimited number of soil types possible.

The simplest way to determine the soil type is to place a moistened soil sample in your hand and squeeze. Take the sample from a representative part of the site, and from approximately the same depth to which you will be watering. In other words, if you want to water to a depth of 6 in (15 cm), dig down 6 in (15 cm) to take your soil sample.

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