“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
-Cicero, Roman orator
Moving water from its source to where it is needed is an ancient craft. Aqueducts helped cities flourish in ancient times. Today, various water sprinklers help maintain the lawn’s lush look. Homeowners use everything from a simple watering can for container gardens, to a standard sprinkler on the end of a hose for small yards, to an underground, automated high-tech sprinkler system for larger spaces. If you have a big landscape, an automated irrigation system may be required to keep the grass and garden healthy.
Homeowners may think installing a sprinkler system for their own landscape is out of reach, but simpler requirements and equipment make it reasonable. Usually discussed in the planning phase, sprinkler installation can be done when your yard is under construction. The design should ensure the spray from automated sprinklers will water the lawn efficiently and will be angled away from any structures or patio furniture. If a patio is already installed, the pipes for a sprinkler system can be run along a walkway or by the side of the patio (but disguising them may present a challenge).
Just like pool maintenance , sprinkler systems have their high-tech solutions too. Moisture sensors help replace fixed timers. Instead of turning on right after a deluge of rain, a new sprinkler system starts spraying only when the landscape requires watering. Some systems also draw real-time weather information from the internet (using cellular or wifi connections) to help predict when watering will be necessary. These systems can automatically adjust the schedule and alert you when the plan’s been changed. Temperature sensors, separate irrigation zones, integration with home systems like Nest and Echo are just some of the features available in sprinkler controller applications.
Fortunately, today’s homeowners have many options for supplying water to their landscapes. Any new patio plan should consider those options so the new Hardscape is a welcome addition to the green landscapes surrounding them.
