When it comes to efficient automated irrigation at home, perhaps we should say: Don’t put the right plant in the wrong place. One issue this time of year is plants that were installed too close to irrigation sprinklers and have grown large enough to partially—or completely—block them.
The right plant in the wrong place
When sprinkler spray is obstructed by well-intended plants, water can pool and run off instead of spreading evenly. As a result, beneficial mulch, compost, soil—and a portion of your irrigation bill—end up down the gutter every time the irrigation system runs. Meanwhile, water intended to reach a larger area never gets there, leaving plants either dry or overwatered and gardeners feeling grumpy.
In simple cases, the problem can be resolved with a bit of pruning or by adding a riser to a sprinkler head. Sometimes, though, it’s necessary to break out the bent shovel and physically relocate either the sprinkler or the plant.
Understanding the growth habits and requirements of your plant—and how your irrigation system is designed to perform—is key. As you plan your garden layout, visualize the sprinklers in action as plants reach maturity. Is that adorable little 4 inch perennial destined to become a 4½ foot woody shrub? Probably best not to plant it right next to a sprinkler head. Is that lovely groundcover now covering a sprinkler? A 6 inch or 12 inch riser might do the trick.
Gardens (hopefully) grow, so it’s wise to anticipate some irrigation system fine tuning and thoughtful pruning as landscaping matures. Annual maintenance matters, too. Visually inspect for leaks, keep sprinklers straight, and make sure nozzles are aimed where they’re supposed to spray—not directly into that brand new rhody you just planted!
As is often the case, the best solution is an ounce of prevention. Whether you’re designing a new landscape, updating an existing oasis, or correcting a less than ideal setup, your future efficiency will be proportional to the forethought you apply today.
Tualatin Valley Water District and the Regional Water Provider’s Consortium offer excellent resources for water smart landscaping and irrigation planning and maintenance:
- Visit the Water Efficient Demonstration Garden at TVWD Headquarters (1850 SW 170th Avenue, Beaverton) and pick up a copy of Water Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley (PDF)
- Learn more about rebates available from TVWD for weather based irrigation controllers and high efficiency nozzles
Questions? Contact TVWD’s Conservation Technician at conservation [at] tvwd.org (conservation[at]tvwd[dot]org).
