Four
common types of irrigation systems exist:
spray, rotary, flood and micro-irrigation.
Spray
systems are the most popular
form of irrigation for home lawns and gardens, and are
most advantageous for small yard areas. The nozzles are
easily changed to accommodate different spray positions,
and the system in general is quite dependable, requiring
little maintenance.
Spray systems are also ideal for weak pressure systems.
The spray can throw a continuous stream of water from
zero to fifteen feet. The only real disadvantage of a
spray system is the wind factor, as high breezes lift
the spray away from its target area.
Rotary
systemsare
most frequently used for large areas and are commonly
seen on athletic fields. Rotary systems throw one or more
streams of water up to 100 feet. This system is advantageous
to cover large areas in which a high number of spray heads
would be impractical.
Despite the velocity of the water from the sprayer, rotary
systems actually produce less water than spray systems.
The same-sized area on a rotary system would have to be
watered four times more frequently than with a spray system.
Also, rotary systems are prone to sticking -- watering
in one direction without rotation.
The heads used on rotary systems include gear driven,
ball driven and impact devices. As the name suggests,
gear driven heads use internal gears to rotate the head,
while the ball driven head uses a small ball rotating
in the head. Impact devices have the gear actually strike
itself to rotate the head.
Flood
systems
are those that irrigate low to the ground. Bed sprays,
bubblers and jet systems are all types of flood irrigation.
Flood systems work well for plants, such as roses, that
have adverse affects to damp foliage. Bubblers and jets
are limited to the type of soil conditions in which they
operate.
Sandy conditions would cause the water to sink on impact
rather than spread throughout the garden. Heavy clay soil,
however, would cause immediate run-off. The reduced water
flow from flood systems is not effective for large lawn
areas.
Any
system that generates a low volume of water is classified
as a micro-irrigation
system.
Typical micro-irrigation systems include
drip, trickle and some spray heads. Micro-irrigation is
ideal for small areas of plants whose foliage cannot be
sprayed. The water supply drips or trickles from plastic
tubing close to the root, never touching the plants' leaves.
This
system is high maintenance, however.
Tubing is often covered by mulch or plant foliage and
the orifices can easily become clogged.
Even
the most diligent gardeners might not realize a clog in
their micro system until the affected plants begin to
show signs of stress.
If
not properly laid, the tubing can be unsightly and is
easy prey for mowers and vandalism. The tubes are also
known to break in freezing weather.
The
use of a professional in your irrigation project doesn't
mean that you cannot play an active role in implementing
your new system. The four irrigation systems are only
the beginning, and research on valve types and controller
options will go a long way to ensuring that you receive
the irrigation system that works best for you.
Thanks
to /la.essortment.com
Water
Works Irrigations & Illuminations Ltd. 2839 Hwy. 2 East - Just East of the Zoo
Bowmanville, Ontario 905 623-9165
Serving: The Durham Region, Peterborough, Cobourg & Port Hope
Member
of Landscape Ontario - Member of CNLA
- Team TORO Professional Contractor
Certified TORO Intelli-Sense™
Technician
Dealer for: Toro - Rain
Bird - Hunter - Irritrol
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