{"id":3049,"date":"2025-02-27T17:13:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/?p=3049"},"modified":"2025-02-27T18:00:25","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T18:00:25","slug":"outsmart-unpredictable-weather-with-smart-garden-irrigation-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surroundslandscaping.com\/outsmart-unpredictable-weather-with-smart-garden-irrigation-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Outsmart Unpredictable Weather with Smart Garden Irrigation Systems"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"landscaperWhen we talk to our Northern Virginia <\/span>landscape maintenance<\/span><\/a> clients about garden irrigation systems, we don\u2019t limit the discussion to lawn irrigation. We present ideas for an overall <\/span>landscape irrigation design<\/span><\/a> plan that employs multiple devices in multiple zones to apply water to turf, garden beds, trees, and shrubs that have different moisture needs<\/span><\/p>\n

In an intensely planted landscape, you want to be able to control which areas get water, when, and how much.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following smart irrigation best practices, we strike a balance between the amount of water we use and how frequently we apply it. It may surprise you to learn that watering <\/span>infrequently<\/span><\/i> stimulates root growth and makes your lawn and garden plants better able to withstand dry periods.<\/span><\/p>\n

Irrigation picks up where weather leaves off<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Regular precipitation in late winter and early spring is critical to landscape plant development. A prolonged dry spell at this time of year can be destructive to plants because they are just coming out of dormancy and putting all their stored energy into growth. About 80% of landscape plants do most of their growing from March to mid-June. Aside from autumn, this is <\/span>normally<\/span><\/i> the time of year when we expect most of our rain.<\/span><\/p>\n

But\u2026. \u201cnormal\u201d has been somewhat elusive in recent years. Some years, we\u2019ve had excellent precipitation during winter and into early March. That, combined with unseasonable warmth, has caused our dogwoods, redbuds, and lilacs to bloom early\u2013and all at once! But then rain abruptly stopped with next to nothing until May. Not good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Established trees and perennials, especially natives, aren\u2019t much affected because they can withstand dry periods. What we are most concerned with are the newly installed plants from the previous year. They haven\u2019t had sufficient time to fully develop their root systems.<\/span>This is when you will appreciate having a well-designed landscape irrigation system, good equipment, and a <\/span>top-notch landscape maintenance services<\/span><\/a> company to manage it.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Unlock the full potential of your lawn and gardens!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The well-designed lawn and garden irrigation system<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Modern garden irrigation systems are designed around zones. A zone is a section of the system served by a single control valve and is comprised of plants with similar soil types and water requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A well-designed irrigation system follows the pattern of a well-designed garden. Robert Latham of <\/span>Atlantic Lighting & Irrigation<\/span><\/a> says that landscape architects and garden designers understand plant water usage requirements and tend to group plants according to their sun, shade, and moisture needs when they design beds and planting areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, in terms of designing the irrigation system, he says, \u201cWhen it comes down to making calculations and being specific about which nozzle and which device goes where, that\u2019s where people like me come in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"lawn<\/p>\n

Latham says the first step is to make sure the water delivery system matches the moisture requirements and location of the plants. There are a variety of water delivery devices.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the basics:<\/p>\n