Emitters

An emitter is any device that meters water from inside the tubing to the garden; these can be individual drip emitters, drip tapes or tubing with molded in emitters, soaker hoses or a variety of mini-spray heads. Here is where it gets fun. There are hundreds of different emitters, from spinning micro sprinklers, full and part circle sprays heads, drippers, and drip tape. You can mix and match any of these, but mixing parts makes balancing the system very difficult. To make sure you have the right parts, contact a Charlotte irrigation specialist.

To make water delivery easier, choose to standardize your equipment. Standardization also means repairs are easier to perform since all your spares fit. Drip and spray emitters come in everything from fractions of a gallon to multiple gallons per hour flow rates (1/2 gallon per hour, 1 gallon per hour, etc.) Sprays can be confusing since, besides the different flow rate, they also have different areas they cover. Since sprays can  spread disease, it is recommended to use drip tapes or 1/2, 1 and 2 GPH drippers for almost all garden and orchard needs. To find the system that is right for your needs, contact a Charlotte irrigation company to review your property.

Drippers deliver water to one spot; you can use multiples to deliver water around the root zone. They do tend to form a densely wet area where they sit. Use these under trees and areas covered with mulch, for instance,  to irrigate outlying orchards trees.

When it comes to sprays, there are many choices. Micro sprays may be rotating or fan types, supplied as a simple plug in item or they may come with a mounting stake attached. You should be aware that sprays, while a great way to spread water over a large area, have the issue of leaving the plants wet, which is conductive to disease formation and may spread fungal diseases from one plant to another. Also, evaporation in the air means 50% may not hit the ground during normal days, and on windy when you really need the water, 90% may be lost. A Charlotte irrigation expert can give you a full analysis, and recommend the system that is right for you.

source: Gardening Coaches

Irrigating a Vegetable Garden with Drip Irrigation

Drip, or micro-irrigation, technology uses a network of plastic pipes to carry a low flow of water under low pressure to plants. Water is applied much more slowly than with sprinkler irrigation. Drip irrigation exceeds 90 percent efficiency whereas sprinkler systems are 50 to 70 percent efficient. It is so efficient that many water utilities exempt landscapes irrigated with drip from restrictions during drought. Note that any irrigation system is only as efficient as the watering schedule used. If systems are set to water excessively, any system including drip can waste water. If you have questions about setting your system, contact a Charlotte irrigation expert to assist you.

Low volume application of water to plant roots maintains a desirable balance of air and water in the soil. Plants grow better with this favorable air-water balance and even soil moisture. Water is applied frequently at low flow rates with the goal of applying only the water plants need. Sprinkler irrigation results in a greater wet to dry fluctuation in the soil and may not produce optimal growth results.

Micro irrigation systems are more widely available and better designed for use in home gardens than ever before. Traditionally used for growing commercial vegetables, orchards, windbreaks, greenhouse and nursery plants, micro-irrigation systems are well-adapted for home use. Use them in landscapes, vegetable and flower gardens and for small fruits. They are well-suited to irrigate container plants as well. When combined with a controller, drip irrigation systems can be managed with ease. A Charlotte area irrigation company can help you choose the best system for your home and garden.

Micro-irrigation is ideal for berm plantings. Slopes are inefficient to irrigate because gravity pulls water downhill, causing runoff and water waste. The slow rate of water applied through drip irrigation is more likely to soak in before it runs off.

Advantages of drip irrigation:

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly immediately above, on or below the surface of the soil. This minimizes water loss due to runoff, wind and evaporation. Drip irrigation can also be operated during windy periods.

The mold spots on house siding and the staining and deterioration of wood privacy fences experienced with overspray from sprinkler irrigation is eliminated with the use of drip. Because water doesn’t leave the landscape with drip irrigation, pavement deterioration associated with sprinkler irrigation runoff is eliminated.

Properties with old, galvanized steel water service lines where corrosion has resulted in a narrowed diameter may benefit from a retrofit to drip irrigation. The low volume requirements of drip irrigation are a good match with restricted supply lines.

Drip systems can be managed with an AC or battery powered controller. Automated landscape irrigation is an advantage to many people with busy lifestyles.

Adaptable and changeable over time, drip systems can be easily expanded to irrigate additional plants if water is available. Emitters can be simply exchanged or removed and emitter lines eliminated or repositioned. When plants are removed or die, drip lines should be plugged.

To get a free quote, have a Charlotte irrigation system installed, or to have any questions answered, consider contacting a Charlotte irrigation company today!

source: CSU

Micro Irrigation

Micro irrigation is an above ground, automated watering system designed to water only what requires watering. Micro-irrigation employs drippers, soaker/drip hoses, and micro sprinklers, thus significantly reducing water consumption. Conventional irrigation systems rate sprinklers and bubblers in gallons per minute, while micro-irrigation flow rates are in gallons per hour. For example a lawn sprinkler may be rated at 1 to 5 GPM, or 60 to 300 GPH, drip emitters are usually rated at 1-4 GPH ; microsprinklers are rated at 15-45 GPH. For more information on specific rates for differing equipment, contact a Charlotte irrigation expert.

Microsprinklers give a spray of water that has droplets much smaller than conventional sprinklers. This allows the water to be absorbed into the ground without causing runoff or leeching minerals out of the soil. Microsprinklers are normally used in areas of densely planted beds where placing individual drippers at each plant just wouldn’t make sense. Microsprinklers work under the same low pressure that drippers use so in a landscape installation we can use both drippers and microsprinklers on the same lines. A Charlotte irrigation specialist can discuss all of your options, as well as install your Charlotte irrigation system.

Drip Irrigation is the slow application of water directly to the plant’s root zone using drippers, which are also referred to as emitters. Maintaining an optimum moisture level in the soil at all times results in less water lost to the sun and the wind. No water is wasted on non-growth areas, and the root zone is maintained at its ideal moisture level, combining the proper balance of water and air for a very efficient irrigation system. To find out if micro irrigation is right for you, contact a Charlotte irrigation company today!

source: Warmland Waterworks

Cold Weather Irrigation and Landscaping Tips

During the cold winter months, water plants and grass in the mid-morning to avoid afternoon winds that can keep your sprinklers from hitting their grass target area. You also will reduce the risk of icing that can occur if you water during early morning or evening. February is usually mild enough to allow you to plant petunias, pansies, snapdragons, and other cool-season annuals in well drained, highly enriched soil. Adding a protective mulch on top of the soil around your plants will conserve water so you don't have to water as often. Remember to stake new plants and water them deeply to prevent damage from wind. Having a Charlotte irrigation specialist visit your home to inspect your lawn is a great way to keep plants and grass healthy through the Winter months.

Also, there are several steps you can take to protect the pipes and hoses in your home and landscaping from cold weather:

Disconnect and drain garden hoses when they are not being used.

Insulate your irrigation backflow device by draping a towel over it and cover with a bucket or other protective 

cover that touches the ground.

Wrap exposed irrigation pipes with pipe insulation, insulated faucet socks, an old towel or duct tape.

Be mindful of the need to keep faucets and spigots dripping in order to avoid freezing. This is area specific, so keep up with the latest weather information.

Locate your water shutoff valve and learn how to turn off water at its source, allowing you to ward off damage from leaks or burst lines. Know how to turn off your irrigation backflow device as well. If you are unfamiliar with your equipment, a Charlotte irrigation professional can visit your home and show you how to safely and effectively perform these tasks.

The ideal time to prune trees and shrubs is in late winter, when plants are mostly dormant. Finish heavy pruning by mid-February, before buds show evidence of swelling. Don't prune more than one-quarter of the living tissue during the year.

If you notice frost or a freeze has damaged a plant, leave it alone until warmer weather arrives and new growth appears. Pruning or transplanting a damaged plant during winter months can hurt or even kill it.

Peak blooming season is in the spring, and the best time to fertilize fruit trees and grapes is the six weeks before and after they bloom. Fertilize in late winter for the finest fruit.

Lower your mower's height to 1½ inches to stimulate new crown growth. Fertilize in late-September or early-October with a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Fertilizer not only improves turf quality, root growth and color, but it also builds cold resistance into your grass. Fertilize once more in November to get your landscape through winter with style.

Aerate grass in September or October as well. Compacted soils are all too common in many areas of the country. Aeration boosts water penetration, which reduces runoff on slopes and helps water and fertilizer nutrients get down to the roots. Aerate again in the Spring. For best results, call a Charlotte area irrigation company to evaluate your lawn, as well as assist you in taking care of it.

*source: LVVWD

Benefits of a Root Watering System

Many people have trees, plants, and shrubs that are important to them. These may be for aesthetic reasons, or for personal reasons. Many families have trees that are planted in honor of a loved one, and these trees can carry a very sentimental value as time goes by. However, one of the biggest problems that trees and shrubs run into is compacted soil that eventually kills off the root system. Compacted soil can destroy a tree's roots by not allowing for enough water, oxygen, and nutirent content to get through.

One of the best solutions to combat this problem is to have a Charlotte root watering system installed. A root watering system uses mesh tubes that are installed in the ground around the trees or plants. These mesh tubes allow for the effective delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and water directly to the root system through thousands of tiny holes that slowly let water, oxygen, and nutrients through. They also use subsurface, low emitting water bubblers, which saves money and water by cutting down on evaporation, as well as by using ground water instead of always taking from your home's supply.

Most root watering systems feature a locking grate to protect from vandalism, as well as pipes connections to fit with your current Charlotte irrigation pipes. As well, most root watering systems come with pre-installed check valves and bubblers, and most are compatible with low volume drip lines and emitters. And if you live in an area that has sandy soil, you can have an optional sock placed on root watering tubes that protects your hardware.

For many people who have important plants, trees, and shrubs that they would like to protect, a root watering system is a great investment. A root watering system can offer superior watering capabilities and nutrient delivery, all while being an excellent source of aeration, as the tubes allow oxygen to reach into the soil. In the Charlotte metro area, consider speaking with a Charlotte area irrigation specialist to learn even more about how a Charlotte root watering system can benefit you and your trees.

Think You Can Install an Irrigation System?

While it may seem simple on the surface, an irrigation system is actually a complex set of components that need to be setup in a specific way. Many people think that simply getting a lawn sprinkler or two, and then setting them in the yard for a few hours, is good enough. However, what they don't realize is that their yard would almost benefit more from not even having these sprinklers. As any Charlotte irrigation expert can tell you, an actual irrigation system requires a lot more than a few elements that emit water.

An irrigation system needs to be set up according to some very specific measurements. First, the area to be watered needs to be taken into account. An irrigation system should be designed around what types of grass and plants are in the area, as well as what type of soil they are in. The irrigation system is then installed, but this means much more than digging holes. Installing an irrigation system means, essentially, mapping out an entire network of pipes with various sprinkler heads on them, and then digging trenches to lay the different types of pipe in. A Charlotte irrigation company will have the tools and know how to do this safely and efficiently.

Once these pipes are installed, electronic controllers need to be installed. These will need to be housed in above ground casings for easy access. From there, the system will need to be connected to the main water supply, and an electronic controller will need to be connected to the main electric hub. Once all of this is done, the trenches will need to be refilled with dirt, and then graded accordingly. Nozzles will need to be attached to the various sprinkler heads, and then adjusted once the system is tested. If there are any problems, the trenches will have to be dug up.

Now, with all of that said, there is even more involved. For instance, knowing which type of pipe to use for different areas and different soil is important. You will also need to know what type of pipe glue to use to connect the network of pipes. Beyond that, knowledge of how to install control valves when connecting to the water supply is important, and then you need to know how to test the water pressure. Doing this wrong could not only cause severe damage to the irrigation system, but also to the main water supply's components. Furthermore, knowing and understanding how to install the electronic components is crucial. Doing this wrong could lead to injury and property damage, as the risk for a fire increases with improperly wired components.

And all of this does not take into account avoiding other lines installed in the ground, such as cable, power, telephone, water, and gas. Hitting one of these while digging could have very negative consequences, and could lead to costly damages, as well as injury.

With all of that said, remember, a Charlotte irrigation professional can install an irrigation system for you. A professional can give you a free quote, as well as install your system, meaning you can sit back and relax. As well, if you have an existing irrigation system that was improperly installed, a Charlotte irrigation specialist can correct any problems.

Water Hammer vs. Air in Pipes

If you have heard strange noises coming from your irrigation pipes, it may be time to call a Charlotte irrigation specialist for an inspection. The reason for this is that you may have air in your pipes, or you may have water hammer issues. Both are dangerous, and could signify a greater problem. In the worst case scenario, water hammer issues could ultimately destroy your system, leading to even bigger headaches.

A Charlotte irrigation expert can diagnose potential problems by first checking your water pressure. Using a special pressure gauge, they can see if the problem leads back to pressure issues. This is important, as some noises in your pipes may have benign causes, such as loose pipes banging into each other. This is important to identify before digging up your entire yard.

If you do have pressure problems, it may be due to a loose fitting on a pipe connection. However, if a pipe is broken, the problem may be much worse. When you have your inspection done by a Charlotte irrigation professional, they will be able to tell, based on the water pressure, wet patches in your lawn, and other factors, how serious the issue may be, and what can be done about it.

If the problem is too much pressure, causing air hammer issues, a Charlotte irrigation company can recommend, and install, valves that are specifically designed to reduce and regulate pressure in your irrigation system. Furthermore, if the pressure issues are caused by incorrectly sized meters, they will be able to recommend and install the proper equipment to maintain the proper flow of water through your pipes. Remember, noises in your pipes should not be ignored. It is always important to have a Charlotte irrigation expert investigate any problems before they become a much more serious issue.