Lush lawns and aesthetically pleasing landscaping make the outdoors a pleasure to enjoy. Well-kept lawns and landscaping do more than just look good, however. Grass, shrubs, and trees can remove pollutants from the air, provide privacy and protection, and increase your property value. Taking care of the lawn and landscaping can be challenging, but it is well worth it. One thing that helps make it easier is a professionally installed irrigation system that takes into account the different needs of the lawn and the various landscaping features.
Sprinkler and Drip Irrigation Systems
The hit-or-miss watering that comes from trying to use hand-held hoses or dragging around sprinklers hooked up to a hose make it difficult to efficiently deliver the necessary amount of water to your lawn and landscape — and at the time it will do the most good. In Central Florida, it is important that the irrigation systems for your lawns and landscapes be designed and maintained to provide good-looking results and be water conserving.
Established shrubs and trees require less water than lawns or just-planted landscaping, so plan your system accordingly. An automatic in-ground sprinkler system works well for shallow-rooted plants like lawns and ground cover, while drip systems work really well for planting beds, flowers, and vegetables. Drip systems are beneficial in those cases because they allow for fine-tuning of water distribution, and there is less water lost to evaporation.
Evaluate Your Needs
Your irrigation needs will depend on your lawn and landscaping layout. When planning an irrigation system, keep the following in mind:
- Your lawn is shallow rooted and faster growing, so it will require more frequent watering than much of your landscaping. Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass that prefer cooler conditions need much more irrigation than warm-season grasses. This is one reason that heat tolerant St. Augustine grass is a Florida favorite.
- Ornamental shrubs and ground covers may use 40% to 60% less water than turf or annual flower beds.
- Native plants and grasses have adapted to the climate and often require less water than imported ones.
- Drought-resistant plants and grasses may thrive on very little supplemental water. Once established, some can survive strictly on seasonal rainfall.
- Newly planted areas need to be watered more frequently until their root systems are established. Even in water-conserving areas of Central Florida, restrictions are eased for new lawns and landscaping until they are rooted and flourishing.
- Plants in a full-sun yard may need as much as 30% more water than shady areas.
Keep Your Lawn and Landscaping Beautiful With the Pros From Challenger Irrigation
Matching the different needs of a lawn and landscaping can be difficult. Efficient design and the proper installation are essential. At Challenger Irrigation, we can design your irrigation system from scratch or customize an existing installation to make sure your irrigation system performs at its best for each area of your yard or business. We are a full-service irrigation company for residential and commercial properties in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, and Citrus counties. Call us today for any irrigation installation or repair!
