Irrigate Efficiently to Save Water

by | Oct 8, 2024 | Irrigation

On a recent family walk, I noticed something pretty obvious.  One of our neighbors had a broken irrigation head.  Luckily this is an easy fix, because a new rotor can just be screwed into place.  But seeing the amount of water running into the street got me thinking about some additional ways to save water.  Scroll down for some water saving tips based on the 9 Principles for Florida Friendly Landscaping.

Water runoff from a broken irrigation head.

Water runoff from a broken irrigation head. Photo Credit: Matt Lollar, University of Florida/IFAS Extension – Santa Rosa County

4 Ways to Save Water

  1. Pick the right plant for the right place.  Turf is an excellent choice for catching runoff in the situation pictured above.  However, it’s important to evaluate your yard based on the amount of sunlight received throughout the day.  Once you’ve determined if you need sun loving, shade loving, or plants that can handle a little of both, you’ll want to check how well your soil drains.  Some plants can handle wet conditions better than others.  Use the FFL Plant Guide to help pick the plants for your space.
  2. Irrigate based on plant requirements.  Plants like to be watered thoroughly to the extent of their rootzones.  For turf, we recommend irrigating deeply and infrequently early in the morning.  This method encourages the roots to grow deep to reach the water needed.  Most established trees and shrubs don’t need supplemental irrigation unless we’re going through an extended period of drought.  Review the Summary of Turf and Landscape Irrigation Recommendations to help determine the amount of water your yard needs.
  3. Calibrate the irrigation system.  If you have an irrigation system, then you need to make sure it’s calibrated.  To do this, you’ll first need to make sure your system doesn’t have any leaks or broken heads and redirect heads to water plants instead of the driveway, sidewalk, or road.  Next, you’ll need to determine how long to run your system based on water output.  The run time test is detailed on the UF/IFAS Calibrating Your Irrigation System webpage.
  4. Use mulch around trees and shrubs.  Mulch can help hold moisture and conserve water.  It’s important to keep mulch to between 2 and 3 inches deep and at least 2 inches away from the base of trees and shrubs.  There’s a lot more information on Choosing and Installing Mulches on the Gardening Solutions website.

Following these simple tips will ensure that you’re watering efficiently and effectively.  If you have additional questions about irrigation or just about anything plant related, please contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office.

Matt Lollar
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