Drip irrigation, (or “micro”-irrigation) is a low-volume, precise application of water when and where plants most need it. This method of watering is 90% efficient, and can be installed in your lawn around flower beds, shrubs, trees, foundations, and even under turf.
With cooler temperatures and rain over the last few days, now is a great time to allow your sprinkler system to take a supplementary role in your landscape. Make sure to continue to protect your home’s foundation. Weekly watering with soaker hoses or drip irrigation will help protect your investment. No watering is permitted between the hours of 10 am – 6 pm.
Soon, cooler temperatures and dormant plants and grasses will mean we can reduce the use of our sprinkler systems for the season, including drip irrigation zones. However, drip irrigation is especially adaptable when smaller amounts need to be applied in the cooler months.
Now that fall is here, it is a good idea to reduce the frequency of watering in your drip irrigation zones, but make sure not to reduce the length of time your drip system runs. Because of the slower application of water, drip systems will generally still need the same length of run time for an effective deep watering in our heavy clay soils. Twenty to thirty minutes is a good rule of thumb for watering times for drip systems, as long as you are not observing water runoff.
For help in adjusting your drip zones for cool weather, schedule a free sprinkler system checkup.
And if you want to learn more? Join the City of Frisco Water Wise team on Tuesday, October 21st from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. for a free Drip Irrigation Workshop at the Public Works Department. Space is limited, so register today!
