For any garden to thrive, you need to water it regularly. While different people have their own methods, there is a way to optimize how you water everything so that your crops or plants thrive and you don’t waste resources.
Before you get an irrigation system installation, a few factors can help you perfect the system that will work best with your garden. Read on to learn how to perfect your garden watering routine.
1. Measure Your Area of Irrigation
The first step to take is to measure the length and width of the area you will be irrigating and then determine the shape. If you already have an irrigation system with a timer, you should have an idea of the size, as well.
This will help you know where to place water sources and how much spread or coverage there needs to be. You also need to pre-plan the layout because of the irrigation routes you will be mapping.
While there are many ways to route this, the most effective one is to have the centerline of water flow go through the entire garden. Then, you just connect the lines, and water will flow through them.
2. Calculate Your Water Volume Needs
Most people calculate their water needs based on time, but the best way to maximize your water consumption is to calculate by volume.
For example, if you have a well, you can have your water tested and figure out how much water would be necessary to fill the garden and how far down it would need to go. This helps you figure out how much energy and resources are required to pump it out.
An excellent way to calculate this is to simply install a water meter if you have a sprinkler installation. Otherwise, you can do a five-minute test of irrigation and see how much water consumption has occurred on your main water meter. When you get the hourly flow rate, you’ll be able to estimate how much water you need for irrigation.
3. Check Your Soil Texture
When planning your water distribution and water flow, you need to pay attention to soil texture. Sandy soil will dry out faster and need more water, while clay soil takes longer to absorb water. By paying attention to this, you can ensure that you don’t water your garden too much or too little.
The soil will also impact the size of your irrigation system. If you have sandy soil and a dry climate, then you may need a larger irrigation system than a homeowner who has soft, clay soil that holds water well.
4. Assess Environmental Conditions
Your environment will also change the size and scale of your irrigation. In areas with a lot of rainfall, such as western states, you may want a smaller system than you would in an area that is dry or has a drought or water shortage. You don’t want to end up with too much or not enough because you didn’t account for the climate and weather.
Conclusion
Once you have all of this set up, you can deploy your irrigation system. From there, you just need to monitor your garden’s growth and the response of your plants, flowers, and crops.
Make the most of your garden with the best irrigation systems in Tulsa. Contact Extreme Irrigation & Lawn to request a quote for installation!