Why is fall the best time to install a new irrigation system?
Fall is an excellent time to install a new underground sprinkler system because the cooler temperatures create favorable soil temperatures that allow lawns to recover quickly from the intrusion of trenches dug during the placement of underground piping, valves, and sprinkler heads.
Fall sprinkler installs offer:
- Faster lawn recovery in general
- Milder temperatures (versus summer installs), which is easier on turf recovery
- Softer soil conditions, making digging less disruptive
- Opportunity to water new plantings with less water evaporation
- Less competition for installation appointments compared to spring and summer
How do fall soil conditions benefit sprinkler installations?
Soil tends to be less compacted or overly damp in the fall, making it easier to dig the trenches needed to install a new irrigation system than during spring and summer.
Narrow ditches must be dug throughout the lawn to properly install the pipes and valves of an underground watering system. Spring’s high rainfall can oversaturate soil, making it difficult to dig without causing additional damage to the lawn. Summertime’s high temperatures and dry weather lead to hard, compacted soil, which is difficult to dig in without additional lawn damage. Fall’s cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall are especially conducive to prepping soil that’s ideal for sprinkler installation work. Fall installs are less disruptive to the lawn and other plantings, and installation crews can work more efficiently.
Fall soil conditions make it easier to dig the necessary trenches while causing minimal damage to turf and plantings.
Does grass recover after a sprinkler installation faster in the fall?
In general, grass recovers much more quickly after a new sprinkler system is installed in the fall than in other seasons.
Some lawn damage is inevitable when an underground sprinkler system is installed. The wet soil in spring and dried-out conditions of summer make it difficult for grass to bounce back quickly. The heat of summer also puts more stress on grass that’s already been disturbed. Fortunately, cooler temperatures in autumn allow grass to recover before winter, and the new irrigation system can provide all the hydration it needs.
How does a new sprinkler system help turf and plantings prepare for winter?
A new sprinkler system provides consistent watering that helps lawns and landscaping prepare in the fall for the coming period of winter dormancy.
Grass and plantings redirect energy from aboveground growth during the transition from summer to winter, focusing it instead on building stronger roots and storing energy to survive the cold. Adequate hydration is crucial for them to do this effectively. Rainfall is typically steadier in the fall, but it still may not be enough to fully prepare plants for winter.
An automated sprinkler system provides grass the consistent hydration it needs to build up nutrient and energy stores for winter.
Homeowners with a new sprinkler system do not have to worry about whether the lawn is receiving enough hydration in the fall, especially if the system is powered by a smart controller. These devices, like the Rachio 3, automatically make seasonal adjustments to make sure that grass gets the exact right amount of water it needs at any given time of the year.
Rachio 3 Smart Controller
Why are fall irrigation installations beneficial for new landscaping?
Fall is the best time to install new trees and shrubs because these larger plantings experience high levels of transplant stress. Doing so during the heat of summer places even more duress on them, which is why most landscape designers recommend waiting until temperatures cool in the fall.
Consistent and reliable watering is crucial for newly transplanted shrubs and trees to establish root systems that are strong enough to endure the upcoming winter. Watering these large plantings by hand is time-consuming and inefficient, as it’s difficult for homeowners to deliver the right amount of water every time. A new irrigation system takes all guesswork out of watering these large but delicate plantings and helps protect the investment in landscaping.
Is scheduling a fall sprinkler install easier in the fall than in the spring?
Spring is the busiest time of year for irrigation crews because that’s when most homeowners discover issues with their existing systems, such as broken sprinkler heads and leaking pipes or major problems that require full replacement. Spring is also when most homeowners tend to schedule new sprinkler installations, which means longer scheduling windows during the spring that can wind up delaying your lawn’s growing season.
Added benefits to installing a new system in the fall are shorter wait times in scheduling your installation and, when winter ends, having a system that is ready to be up and running during the first growing days of spring.
Why choose Heinen for your new sprinkler installation?
Heinen provides high-efficiency irrigation system design and installation backed by over four decades of experience. Rather than just installing a standard system for every client, the Heinen irrigation specialists strategically design their sprinkler systems to provide even coverage specific to the property’s unique watering needs, ensuring efficient watering for better plant health and lower monthly utility bills.
Call Debbie today at (913) 362-8439 to schedule a no-obligation consultation with the irrigation pros at Heinen!
Heinen’s irrigation team has over 40 years of experience installing residential and commercial sprinkler systems.
