April is the month to turn on sprinkler systems at a mile high

Give your sprinkler system the once-over before launching a summer of watering

April is the month to activate sprinkler systems in metro Denver, Colorado, according to Tony Nickerson, owner of A Better Landscape and Sprinkler Company, in the business of installing and repairing sprinkler systems plus landscape design, replacement, installation and maintenance for residential, multi-unit and commercial properties.

Nickerson cautions that sprinkler systems should not be turned on until mid-April because in Colorado it is always possible to have a late spring freeze.

But, Nickerson adds, as soon as the chance of a hard freeze is past, it is time to give sprinkler systems an overhaul in preparation for the new growing season. Systems can deteriorate over the winter and watering schedules can change from year to year depending on imposed watering restrictions and drought conditions.

Sprinklers need to be checked for broken heads, ruptured lines and clogged filters and the time to do that is in the spring before the watering season begins. Broken heads and damaged lines can cause major water waste and can cause deterioration of building foundations and other landscape features. Keeping a sprinkler system in good repair saves both water and money.

Two kinds of sprinkler heads are used in systems today, according to Nickerson. The pop-up spray puts down 1.5 to 2 inches of water per hour in a fan shaped pattern and the rotor sprays deliver .5 inches per hour in a rotating jet. Since most soils in the Denver metro area can only absorb .5 inches per hour, rotors work optimally. Pop-ups may also be set to a rotating schedule to deliver .5 inches, then shut down, and then come back on after the first distribution of water is absorbed. Spray systems are the most efficient way to water grass, however trees, shrubs and flowers may do better with an underground or drip irrigation system as those systems don’t buffet the leaves and flowers as harshly.

Changes of plantings in a landscape may require that the automatic timer to a sprinkler system be reset to water the fresh plantings more frequently during the first few weeks following planting. Also, if plants that require frequent, heavy watering are replaced by plants that thrive on less water, the automatic timer on the sprinkler system should be reset. Appropriating the water distribution efficiently to address the varying need of different varietals of plants and flowers saves water and can save you money on your water bill.

New sprinkler systems can be constructed with a rain sensor to further enhance watering efficiency. Some older systems can be retrofitted with this feature too.

Besides convenience, the addition of a sprinkler system to an overall landscaping plan can ultimately save a homeowner or commercial property owner significant sums when it comes to their water bill. “Over-watering is money literally down the drain,” adds Nickerson.

At the end of watering season, usually sometime in early November, Nickerson and his team perform seasonal maintenance of sprinkler systems, blowing out the residual water in the system and lines in order to prevent freezing and broken pipes. During winter, trees—especially younger trees—require deep root watering to keep healthy. For that, Nickerson sources water from a hose with the deep root watering tool attached to the end. Plants in planters can be watered by hand using a watering can every 10 days or so throughout the winter. While snow remains on the ground, it’s unnecessary to water, but after several weeks of Colorado’s warm weather, schedule a deep root watering. Even though shrubs and trees are in a dormant stage, they still require some water to remain at their healthiest.

Nickerson can be reached at A Better Landscape and Sprinkler Company at 720-314-5990 or info@abetterlandscapedenver.com