Irrigation systems, or reticulation, are a significant consideration for sustainable landscaping. When done right by a landscaper, a well-made irrigation system will help you look after your gardens for years to come, reducing the time you spend watering by hours per week.
On the other hand, a poorly installed system can cause problems, including regular leaks and dead areas where the water doesn’t get to. Because of this, it’s extremely important to make sure you plan your irrigation system properly before you install it, otherwise you might end up digging it up and starting again.
What Sort of Irrigation Should I Use?
Generally, we recommend using an automatic irrigation system with a timer that encourages regular watering. This is useful because it ensures your plants and lawns are looked after, even when you completely forget about them.
Usually, it’s a good idea to listen to professional landscaping advice because they can help you plan the perfect irrigation system. Since pipes will have to be run under paths, garden beds and lawns, it’s essential to ensure you do this before the landscaping process has started.
Why Should I Install an Irrigation System?
Have you ever tried to look after a large garden for an entire summer using just the hose? If you have, then you probably already know the answer to this. Manual watering is difficult, time-consuming and downright frustrating. Installing an irrigation system will:
- Ensure your plants are regularly watered at the correct time of day.
- Give you more time to spend doing the things you love.
- Help you become more water-efficient.
- Keep your entire outdoor space healthy and in good condition.
- And much, much more.
If you weren’t convinced before, you should be by now! Top-quality irrigation systems are a must if you’re serious about keeping your gardens in good condition, and the best time to install them is during the landscaping process.
What Sort of Irrigation Systems Are Available?
Numerous different types of irrigation systems are available, and each is generally suited to a specific situation. These include:
- Pop-up sprinklers are great for lawns and other large, relatively flat areas.
- Drip irrigation systems are usually used to release water exactly where your plants are.
- Micro-spray sprinklers work when you have small garden areas that need a good soaking.
- Soaker hoses are basically porous pipes that release water along their entire length. These are great for veggie gardens.
These are a few of the more popular systems out there, but it certainly isn’t an exhaustive list. Ask your landscaper what your options are.
Final Word
Should you install an irrigation system in your garden? Absolutely! We’d argue that you would be stupid not to.
As we’ve seen, irrigation systems make it much easier to look after your gardens and lawns, requiring very little time or effort from you. You can use an automatic system designed to turn the water on at a specific time each day or a manual system that you have to turn on. Either way, it’s much easier than manual hose watering!