During a recent dinner conversation, as we all looked outside at the rain coming down, my husband said “Isn’t it beautiful outside, everything is green!” Normally, he is the pessimist and I am the optimist. But on this occasion, our roles were reversed. “My feet were soaking wet for 10 hours today. I wish it would stop raining.” I complained. As dinner progressed, I looked outside a few more times. Yes, he was right, the rain was a blessing.
Because blessings don’t always come at the time we need them, irrigations systems are frequently installed to aid Mother Nature. For this week’s article, I interviewed Bob Zientek, President of Living Lawns Sprinklers and Outdoor Lighting in Union.
GF: What is the best time of the year to have an irrigation system installed?
BZ: When the ground is slightly soft so that it is not such a struggle to install pipes with a machine and dig holes for heads and valves. When the ground is hard like a rock the damage incurred is less likely to be fixed to the home owner’s satisfaction.
GF: What are the benefits of installing an irrigation system?
BZ: Automatic watering and water scheduling to prevent from over watering. Nine times out of ten home owners kill the plants from kindness. TO MUCH WATER.
GF: What if it rains and my irrigation system is set to go on that day?
BZ: Your rain sensor, if one is installed on your system, should shut the system, during a rain fall or if it rains before your start time. A rain sensor should not let the sprinkler system turn on at all. If the system does turn on, when it’s raining you should have your sprinkler company check the sensor to make sure the sensor if functioning correctly.
GF: What are the yearly maintenance requirements of an irrigation system?
BZ: System should be turned on in April or May and everything should be checked on the sprinkler system to make sure the system is functioning correctly, all heads are adjusted right for proper coverage, and the controller is correctly scheduled. Mid season tune ups are sometimes needed to re-adjust heads for coverage. It does not hurt the sprinkler heads to be driven over by lawn mower, but sometimes when a mower stops directly on a sprinkler head and the operator turns the mower, the heads go out of adjustment. Winterizing should be done in October and November. All water lines should be free of water to prevent frozen water from cracking pipes.
GF: Can you tell us a little bit about how an irrigation system is designed?
BZ: Sprinkler systems have come a long way. They are now designed according soil type, plant type, slope type, head type, precipitation rates, wind, heat, and allowable maximum water depletion. It’s just not about watering any more. It’s about water conservation.
GF: How can a sprinkler system be changed as a landscape matures?
BZ: Adjusting amount of water to plant beds by time or head adjustments.
GF: Does a plumber need to install my new irrigation system?
BZ: No, a Certified Irrigation Contractor that not only is a professional sprinkler installer, but is knowledgeable about plant variety and their watering needs.
GF: What should I do if I noticed that my system is leaking?
BZ: Turn the water main off to the sprinkler system and call your Professional Irrigation Contractor.
GF: When is the best time of day to water my plants?
BZ: During the coolest part of the day to prevent less water evaporation.
GF: If a homeowner is considering having an irrigation system
installed, what questions should they ask a potential contractor?
BZ: Make sure they are registered with the State of Illinois and Township or City as an Irrigation Contractor.
GF: What kind of coverage is the system design to give? And will it save me money in the future due to rising water cost? And most of all, how efficient is the system? Is it going to cost a lot to water my property due to the design?
BZ: Contractors should be able to give you an average month cost of water usage with his or her design.
For more information regarding irrigation systems you may reach Bob at 815-923-4120.
Kathleen Carr is the owner of The Growing Scene, Inc., a garden center and landscaping company. She can be reached by calling 815-923-7322 or tgsinc12@msn.com. Have a gardening question? Please contact her. She will address it in an upcoming column.
