Save More/Do More

Desert landscaping is designed to save water. Targeted irrigation applies water directly where it is needed instead of broadcasting its contents across a large indiscriminate area. When it is installed correctly, this system has the potential to save our Valley vast quantities of water per year. This is why our local water authority (SNWA) has been offering rebate incentives to replace inefficient systems with Water Smart designs. However, without proper attention paid to the installation, operation and programming of the system, a lot of what could be save is wasted instead.

Improper Installation:

More than likely, it is too late to economically fix this if your system has already been installed. But, if you are looking to convert or upgrade your system, please take the following items into consideration and make sure whoever you have installing the system quotes you and installs correctly.

Dissimilar plants on a single valves. Not all plants require the same amount of water. Drought tolerant Cacti and water thirsty Daises, for instance, should never be programmed together. Trees and shrubs, similarly, should have  independent valves when installed. The more complex your landscape, the more complex your irrigation system should be. At a minimum, select different emitter flows (in gallons per hour) to regulate irrigation rates to different plants.

Emitters should never be placed at the base of the plant. Roots spread out from the plant and your irrigation should too. Too much moisture at the base of the plant can create a stunted root system and crown rot.

Broken Lines:

A lot of people I have met are intimidated by the little black hose that brings water to their plants. They know they have a leak because they can see the water pooling in their landscape, or their water bill is higher than it normally is, but they lack the knowledge or desire to find and fix the problem. Months can pass because its easy to forget something you don't see daily. Sometimes, you don't even realize you have a leak. Emitters can pop out of the line and a small geyser of water sprays aimlessly into the air.

Two simple ways you can eliminate water wasted through broken lines.

One: Check your system regularly. Turn the stations on either at the valve if you know how or from the clock. This should be done at a minimum monthly during the summer and quarterly the rest of the year.

Two: Program your controller to water when you know you'll be at home during the daylight hours. Drip irrigation is not the same as spray irrigation in that watering during the hottest parts of the day is not necessarily the worst thing you can do. It is better to water when you are awake and present to see that shooting stream of water flying across your landscape.

Fixing broken lines can be as simple as replacing a broken emitter and the tools are not expensive. Or, you can always pay a professional to do it for you.

Improper Programming:

There are some individuals out there that feel having a drip system is saving enough water and there is no subsequent need to change their watering habits Spring, Winter, Fall or Summer. Seven days a week. Rain, snow or shine. These homeowners are probably not reading this and therefore I will not delve any further into this portion of the topic.

However, for the rest of us, there is some misunderstandings and sometimes misguided information available to you. The SNWA, in an attempt to aide homeowners in scheduling their controllers have mandated certain watering days. Winter months (November thru February) allow for one day per week watering. In Spring and Fall you get three days and from May thru August 31st you can water whatever day you want.

This is helpful in reminding people that water is less necessary in the cooler months of our year, but it is based mostly on the least common denominator in landscapes which is lawns. Desert landscaping, which is often comprised of desert plants, can and should be watered less frequently than grass. Three deep soakings per week during the hottest of summer months will create a healthy environment for your plant's roots. Weeks without water during our cool, often damp, winter months will only strengthen your plants further.

It is important to be involved with your landscape, even if you have a personal landscaper to tend to the more menial of tasks, to maximize your water savings. Don't allow yourself, or your neighbor to be content with saving a little. Save more by doing more.