Installing an irrigation system in your home or garden is the right choice for many reasons.
It is practical because a great irrigation system can save a lot of water and time for homeowners. The end result is a perfectly manicured garden that also has an excellent curb appeal For large gardens and vegetable orchids, you can install an automatic underground system that will continue to deliver the right amount of water at the right time. If you’re good at following instructions, a full-fledged irrigation system costs less than $1,500 in a typical ¼ acres yard. On the other hand, professional irrigation companies in St. Louis may charge $3,000 to $4,000 to install such systems.
In fact, depending on the type of system, it can cost less than $200 to fulfill all your gardening requirements. If you know what you require and how to install such systems, you can definitely save a lot of capital. For instance, a sprinkler system is budget-friendly, which adds value to your home. In warmer climates and arid zones, a sprinkler system will increase foliage growth ensuring that there are no yellow patches due to insufficient water. Luckily, a number of reputable irrigation companies in St. Louis sell such a sprinkler system.
Advantages of Irrigation Systems
If you ever wondered how offices and public parks maintain those beautifully landscaped green gardens, the secret to their success is proper irrigation. Just like any well-maintained natural eco-system, plants and flowers also need the right amount of water to stay healthy. Irrespective of the quality of organic compounds or the time spent on looking after the garden, irrigation is the mainstay of a well-designed dream garden because “Water is Life”.
Large gardens often take a lot of time and energy to water. If you grow fruits and vegetables, it is unlikely that your garden can survive without a sprinkler system. Depending on what you grow, your plants will need to be watered on a regular basis. Initially, an irrigation system may seem like a costly endeavor, but it has lots of advantages that traditional methods fail to offer. Here are some of the advantages of using a proper irrigation system:
Prevention of Diseases
Special watering systems direct water to the base of a plant instead of showering it all over the field like a rainstorm. As a result, the water is distributed evenly throughout the garden without damaging plants. A good irrigation channel also stops the spread of weeds around a plant. Similarly, standing droplets on leaves can also increase the chances of a disease, which is preventable using systems that spray water on the roots.
Water Conservation
Most gardeners use irrigation systems to conserve their time and energy. It usually takes a lot of time for a typical person to water the plants. If you’re using a water hose, it not only wastes water but also destroys plants due to uneven water pressure. Both drip and sprinkler system can be preset to deliver the required amount of water on a given time. This is particularly useful for a busy household that doesn’t have enough time to water the plant every day. If your system is effective, your water bill will also be much lower.
Preservation of Soil Structure
Water hose usually delivers extra water to the base of a plant, which results in a lack of nutrients reaching down the bottom. Similarly, if there is less water, the plant will wither quickly. In addition, there is always a danger that the soil will become more compact due to excess water. A compact soil does not allow nutrients to pass through, which is also unsafe for plants. A drip irrigation system will preserve the soil structure ensuring that there is always enough passageways for nutrients to pass through in an adequate quantity.
Adds Value to a Home
A good system increases the market value of a home due to a greater curb appeal. Since an attractive landscape requires extensive watering, buyers are aware that a good-looking garden will always come at a price. The plants will also grow healthier overtimes, which automatically add to the home value.
Manual or Automated
There is a lot of variety in the market, but every system can be divided into manual or an automatic version.
Manual systems require extreme care because someone must look after the amount required to water different plants. The manual system works best for gardens that have plenty of different flower beds. Sometimes, designer-made gardens use manual systems to maintain the quality of flower buds. In contrast, most corporate offices and large gardens deploy automatic sprinkler systems for specific parts. These sprinklers ensure that a pre-determined amount of water is dispersed equally among plants at a designated time. Mostly, automatic sprinkler systems are useful for plants that require a lot of water.
There are a lot of advantages for homeowners to use automated irrigation systems for their gardens because most of us do not have time to water these plants throughout the day. In tropical climates, the irrigation system will ensure that plants are watered throughout the day. In cold climates, such a system is useful because it sprinkles enough water required to keep plants healthy.
Types of Irrigation System for a Home Garden
There are a lot of different kinds of irrigation systems. Each system is designed for a specific purpose such as watering a vegetable or flower garden. The simplest of these is a water hose, but the more intricate one’s use drip or a low-pressure micro irrigation system to manage particular areas. There are positives and negatives associated with each system. Accordingly, your ideal system for the home garden will depend on the area of your garden, climatic conditions, budget, and the flexibility of use. Here is a checklist of some of the systems that you can try:
Watering by Hand
If you have a small garden and you love to be in the outdoors, then it is better to start with a small irrigation system or even a water hose. The main advantage of using your hand is a personal touch to each plant. Gentle watering ensures that your plants are watered adequately without disturbing the underlying soil. If you are very touchy about watering the plants, use a watering can to water the plants as it allows a steady water flow that does not disturb the roots.
If you like using the water hose, make sure to keep the water pressure low. High water pressure will negatively impact the soil. Using a watering wand is also a great choice because it keeps the water pressure, consistent. These watering wands are easily found in neighborhood stores. Experts recommend that you should only water the base of the plant. It’s alright to leave the leaves dry if you can. Wet leaves are often susceptible to disease and rust spreading the infection to the entire flower bed.
The downside of watering by hand is the time it takes to get the job done. If you like well-manicured designer style gardens, you will need to consistently water the plants. Another disadvantage is the inconsistent pressure that can easily destroy the roots. Remember, plants are living things, which will weaken within a matter of days, if not properly cared for.
Using a Sprinkler System
If you have a large garden or you don’t have enough time to water the plants, there is nothing better than a good sprinkler system. Using an automatic sprinkler, you can water the plants at specific periods throughout the day. While sprinklers will definitely spray the water on leaves, you can avoid leaf infection by turning on the sprinklers in the morning or in the late evening just before the sunset. Nowadays, you can also use certain chemicals that can be mixed with water to avoid leaf infection.
Before buying a sprinkler system, just make sure that it does not lose excess water to wind and evaporation. If not, then the sprinkler system is your best bet to a healthy garden at a low cost. A large number of irrigation companies in St Louis sell such a sprinkler system.
Use a Soaker Hose
A soaker hose is just like a garden hose, but it has pores throughout its length. These pores are used to water the plants. Water weeps out of the holes to deliver a steady supply of water to the garden. The type of irrigation can be used for the flower garden, vegetable gardens, and grasslands. The main advantage is the flexibility it provides. You just have to adjust the soaker hose by laying it on the ground according to your requirements.
The water will seep out from the pipe holes evenly without disturbing the surroundings. For plants and shrubs, you can place the soaker on the ground in a circular pattern. For flowering plants and vegetable, U-shaped pattern is preferred by looping the hose through the bed on both sides. Sometimes, snaking the hose around the entire garden is also a good idea as it allows even distribution of water in planting rows. However, there is no distinct pattern, and you can lay the soaker according to your requirements.
The downside of using a soaker hose is your inability to evaluate how much water each plant gets. Mostly, you should have a fairly good idea of how long you want to water before using an irrigation system such as a soaker. If you have a timer, you can set the time to water the plants early in the morning or in the late evening. For areas around St. Louis that have soils with high mineral content, irrigation companies in St. Louis recommend changing the soaker hose every two years as mineral buildup in the hose can cause water damage.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is a slightly more expensive yet modern method that is suitable for large homes and vegetable gardens. The main advantage of using the irrigation system is its ability to deliver the right amount of water at the right time. Just like a soaker hose, it will keep the leaves wet enabling the plant to grow without the potential of disease. Most importantly, the in-built timer is super useful for watering the plants without consistent supervision.
Drip irrigation is also becoming popular because it is a sort of “set it and forget it” system. You can count on it when you go on a vacation because it will ensure that your plants are watered at specific intervals without any delay. The only downside to the drip irrigation system is its cost compared to a sprinkler system. It can be costly to set up and difficult to install. If you’re not a gardener, you may need an expert to guide and oversee your garden.
Very-Low Pressure Micro Irrigation
This is another interesting system that traces its roots to the Internet. It became popular as videos surfaced of back-yard gardeners using small gadgets to water their plants. Using micro-gadgets, the irrigation system provides water to the root of a plant, which is similar to precision watering. The objective of the system is to improve productivity by maximizing plant growth using a very small amount of water. Numerous irrigation companies in St. Louis sell equipment and accessories for the hobby. As a result of precision watering, gardeners can expect reduced weeds, water savings, and automation. The disadvantage of the irrigation system is the sheer amount of maintenance required to cover a large area. If you’re a typical outdoor person who doesn’t like fiddling around with gadgets, this is probably not for you.
Whatever irrigation system you select, just make sure to do your homework before going to the market. There are a lot of choices offered by irrigation companies in St. Louis, but the final verdict depends on what you’ve planned for your garden. When in doubt, talk to an expert who will be happy to give free advice for your next project.
