Each season brings watering needs unique to every property. To keep plants and turf healthy, sprinkler systems must deliver the right amount of water at the right time, throughout every season and every weather pattern.
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts warmer-than-normal temperatures this spring for most of North America. Kansas and Missouri fall into the “warm, dry” zone, with periodic chilly spells expected until May. Configuring water systems in this region is the key to keeping lawns and gardens healthy without over- or under-watering.
During a startup, the Heinen irrigation pros make sure each sprayer is providing adequate zone coverage.
Spring Sprinkler Start-Up
The first step in springtime watering is, of course, starting the system back up! Proper sprinkler reactivation in the spring requires much more than a simple flip of the switch, though. System inspection is crucial to making sure no damage to the system occurred during the off-season and to ensure it’s in peak condition for the season to come.
Call the irrigation specialists at Heinen to restart sprinkler systems safely and effectively. The Heinen team will ensure each system component, from sprayer head to controller, is ready to handle the coming warm weather season. Any lingering issues in the system from the past season that go unidentified and unaddressed will make themselves known when sprinklers are activated in the spring. Left unchecked, system damage can result in an immense amount of water waste that owners may be unaware of – until that first expensive water bill arrives!
Seasonal Adjustments
Once an irrigation system is inspected and ready to be restarted, the Heinen sprinkler professionals will program a custom watering schedule geared toward the specific property. Each season not only imposes its own watering needs, but every property has its own unique needs as well.
Heinen’s irrigation specialists take all these factors into account when setting a watering schedule. They consider every variable, including sun exposure, plant variety, soil type, and ground slope found in each zone of a property, when determining the appropriate frequency and duration of each watering session. Cooler months are set to water less to avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot or fungal issues. Warmer months are set to water for longer periods to prevent stress from higher temperatures or dehydration.
Advanced Wi-Fi controllers like the Rachio 3 offer a wide range of benefits including water usage tracking, rain sensors, and much more!
Smart Irrigation Features
Irrigation professionals can’t always be there to monitor system performance. Fortunately, advanced sprinkler components from trusted manufacturers make it easier than ever to maintain efficiency, no matter the season or the weather.
One of the best ways to reduce water usage and boost plant and turf health is to replace dated controllers with smart options, like the Rachio 3. Systems often waste water when sprinklers run before, during, or after rainstorms. The Rachio 3 eliminates this through a Wi-Fi-enabled connection to a vast network of National Weather Service reporting stations that send the controller up-to-date weather data in real time.
The Rachio 3 automatically skips, delays, or resets watering sessions depending on local weather conditions. It also monitors other weather patterns, such as freezing temperatures and high winds, which allows it to cancel a watering session altogether.
Controllers like the Rachio 3 also come with other features that reduce water waste. Beyond seasonal adjustments to watering schedules, they also send alerts when malfunctions occur in the system, and Rachio 3’s handy mobile app makes it easy to manage every feature from a personal smartphone.
During spring startup, the irrigation professionals at Heinen can enhance your system’s performance with a controller upgrade. Not only will the health and appearance of lawn and landscaping improve, but the reduced water usage will help lower utility costs month after month!
