Choosing an automatic sprinkler system
David Mink GateHouse Plus

Installing an automatic sprinkler system can be a large-scale investment - the kind that runs upwards of $5,000. Such a system, however, can save a lot of time and hassle, however, and it can also go a long way toward conserving water around your home.

Proper irrigation in your yard and garden is a benefit in and of itself. Uneven irrigation, especially by manual means such as turning the hose on the grass, can lead to over-stressed, dry or even dead areas of your lawn. Too much water can stifle your lawn just as easily as a lack of water can. It will almost certainly lead to water waste, as well, which can be a bane in drought-ridden areas of the country where water c o n v e r s a t i o n i s paramount.

Automatic sprinkler systems, however, can accomplish exactly the opposite. With a system that waters how much you want where you want when you want, your lawn is almost assured a fresh, even coat of grass year-round.

When choosing a system, think about how much of your lawn needs irrigation. Flowering plants and vegetables need large amounts of water throughout the growing season. Trees and shrubs, however, can get by with much less. Different branches of the same sprinkler system can be set to water at different intervals, and different areas of your lawn can benefit from different types of sprinkler heads.

Next, make a sketch of your lawn, noting the different areas (wooded, garden, grass, flowers, etc.) and the different watering needs of each. This will come in handy when you start shopping and need to describe your lawn to customer service representatives.

Hire a professional to do the work. You may think you can figure it out for yourself, but sprinkler systems can be complicated machines. It's also going to be a lot of work burying all those lines, so you'll want someone who knows what they're doing and can do it right. Check under "Irrigation Systems and Equipment" in your yellow pages to find a contractor.

Also, you may consider using soaker hoses or drip systems for low-tech solutions to watering problems. They're more hands-on than automatic sprinkler systems, but they make up for the difference in ease of use and ease of installment.