Thinking Green: Irrigation

Thinking Green: Irrigation

Everyone loves having a green lawn in the summer; some of us however do not enjoy the cost that can come with it. Sometimes here in the Northeast we get enough rain to do most of the work for us. But that is not always the case. Recently I have discovered one of my neighbors installed some new irrigation systems. And when I inquired as to what they did (some of them can be quite funny looking) she said they were eco-friendly irrigation systems. So I set out to discover what exactly an “eco-friendly” irrigation system entails and if it’s worth the money you put into it.

An eco-friendly irrigation system is customizable just like any other irrigation system. There are many different things you can install, or have a professional install. And looking at the prices, and weighing out how much water you won’t use with these systems I’ve decided it’s worth it. Some parts of the system will reduce water usage by 70%. That’s incredible! Here are just eco-friendly ideas for your lawn & garden.

Soil Moisture Sensor: A soil moisture sensor does exactly what you would think. It connects to your sprinkler system and when the soil moisture drops to a certain point it will then trigger your system to turn on. These reduce the amount of time and water you system uses and will not over water any plants. These run anywhere between $40-$200 depending on the acreage and make/model.

Rain Sensor: This also hooks up to your sprinkler system and measures the amount of rainfall. This stops the sprinkler system from turning on when it’s raining, or has rained recently. These run anywhere from $20-$100. These are typically cheaper than the soil moisture sensors but are not as accurate.

Rain Water Collection Tank: These are like striking gold when it comes to water usage. This tank hooks right up to your gutter and collects all the rain that flows through. They also can filter out debris and hooks up to your sprinkler system. This water is then added and used in the irrigation system rather than brand new water you’re paying for. Now these are substantially more expensive but well worth the price, they range from $300-$1000.

Drip Irrigation: This is a whole new way to irrigate. There are small pipes with holes cut in the sides that lay right in your garden. They produce little water, but drip or have a slow steady stream that go directly to your plants roots. This helps reduce runoff, and allows you to specifically target the neediest of plants. There is no real price range for this item because it is so unique to your garden.

Hopefully I have given you some great ideas for making your lawn & garden green (in every sense of the word) this year.

Written by: Sarah Thibaudeau. Assistant to Operations Manager