Types of Irrigation

The effectiveness of the lawn care system is often shown by an attractive landscape. It is the result of an all-encompassing outdoor lawn care process.  Michigan lawn owners would be pleased with this accomplishment, which also shows that a desirable grass's sustainability was guaranteed. Every lawn owner would surely prefer a well-nourished lawn after using excellent management techniques, which essentially ensures that all of the needs of the lawn were satisfied. Efficient and regular lawn irrigation is one of the key elements that contributes to a beautiful and healthy grass.

Why Should You Install an Irrigation System?

A lawn irrigation system uses programmed watering intervals and controlled volumes of water. By replenishing damaged soils in specific locations where below-average rainfall was unable to, it aids in the maintenance of a beautiful landscape. It is necessary for the effective lawn care Muskegon residents require. Here are some of the reasons why you should install an irrigation system:

• A lawn irrigation system does more than just keep the grass green and healthy. 
• It prevents soil fusion and stops the growth of weeds. 
• A lawn irrigation system safeguards the investment made in a beautiful landscape since it allows for better control of the soil's moisture content. 
• The effective irrigation technique's smart design principles and methodology contribute to time, water, and financial savings. 

However, it is vital to keep in mind that an irrigation system's effectiveness and operation would mostly depend on the skill of the experts who built it. 

Different Types of Irrigation Method

Irrigation system's aims to encourage plant development while reducing soil erosion and water loss. You must be knowledgeable about soil, machinery, plant species, and land development in order to select the best irrigation system. But what are the different types of irrigation system? 

Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems are frequently employed in orchards, vineyards, and high-value vegetable crops. They are composed of a system of tubes with tiny holes, called emitters. They can be positioned above or below the earth's surface, and they gradually irrigate the soil by dripping water over time.

Drip irrigation advantages:

• 30%-50% less usage of water compared to other systems
• prevents outflow of nutrients and soil erosion
• Water can reach the roots and travel down into the soil with continuous flow
• reduces the growth of fungi
• easily adaptable

Sprinkler Irrigation

A number of pipes are used in sprinkler irrigation systems to deliver water in a fine mist to predetermined locations. For tree crops, micro sprinklers work particularly well. Additionally, they use less water and cost less to operate.

Sprinkler's irrigation advantages:

• sprinkler irrigation system are affordable and easy to set up
• water can be distributed evenly, making it simple to cover huge areas
• water during the time of day of your choosing to reduce evaporation

Centre Pivot Irrigation

A self-propelled center pivot irrigation system uses a central pipe with outlets spinning around the center pivot point to operate. It functions similarly to a sprinkler irrigation system, except it is much larger and supported by towers made of steel or aluminum.

Centre pivot irrigation advantages:

• when using a center pivot irrigation system, the water is dispensed uniformly.
• quickly and thoroughly covers a huge area
• minimizes water runoff
• reduces operating pressure to conserve energy

Surface Irrigation

With the help of gravity, water is spread out evenly across the land, and it doesn't take a machine to take care of it. This includes a lot of different ways to sprinkle water. Before you can put irrigation water in the basins, you need siphons, gated pipes, and other tools. This system works best in places with a flat or parallel slope and a moderately fine-textured soil. This helps the water spread out evenly on the surface as it moves down the basin. There are four ways to water the land on the surface:

• Basin irrigation
• Furrow irrigation
• Flood irrigation
• Bay/border strip irrigation

Surface Irrigation advantages:

• low costs for installation, energy, and maintenance;
• it helps increase photosynthesis on lower leaves as the water reflects the light
• the wind does not stop the irrigation
• it helps fix nitrogen in the air by helping blue-green algae grow.

Localized Irrigation

Low pressure makes water spread out across the land. For water distribution, a piped system that runs through the soil is used so that all the plants get enough water.

Localized Irrigation advantages:

• labor and energy efficient
• high application efficiency because water is applied directly to the root, so there are few losses from evaporation
• efficiency in the use of fertilizers with fertigation
• it has a great adaptability to different types of soil
• keeps the soil evenly wet and oxygen-free
• wind and slope do not stop irrigation

Lateral Move Irrigation

Water is spread out evenly over the land through a series of pipes or water lines. These pipes or lines can be controlled by hand, but this might not be as effective as a machine made by humans. The sprinklers only move a certain distance on the field. To cover the next distance, you have to reconnect the water hose to the sprinklers. Compared to other irrigation systems, lateral move irrigation systems tend to be much cheaper, but they require a lot of labor or manpower.

Lateral move irrigation advantages:

• precise application
• helps reduced variability
• opportunities for fertigation
• less landforming

Sub-Irrigation

During this process, the surrounding water table is raised to spread water evenly across the land. To raise the water table, people use pumping stations, canals, gates, ditches, and a few other systems. This method of watering is one of the best ways to spread water around areas with a high water table.

Sub-irrigation advantages:

• less labor
• promotes uniform plant growth
• water-saving
• less fertilizer is needed
• lower humidity
• lower prevalence of diseases
• increased space efficiency

Automatic and Manual Irrigation: What's the Difference?

If you want to have beautiful landscaping on your property, you should think about the differences between manual and automatic irrigation systems. Read on to find out how these two methods are different and how you can decide which one is best for your irrigation needs.

What is Automatic Irrigation System?

Proper irrigation is good for tourism and property values, and it can also cut down on pollution and stop soil from washing away. But watering by hand takes a lot of time and wastes water. Our automatic irrigation products make sure that our customers don't waste a drop of water while they enjoy the benefits of automatic irrigation.

Customers save time, energy, and money by buying Rain Bird products, which also keep plants from getting too much or too little water. Getting irrigation right is critical for plant health and protects our customers' investments. If you do irrigation right, you'll need to take care of your landscaping less and have fewer safety problems like slips and falls. Products for automatic irrigation make watering quick, easy, and cheap.

What is Manual Irrigation System?
Manual Irrigation System products costs less than installing an automatic system but it takes a lot more time because you have to run the equipment yourself. A manual irrigation system involves watering by hand with hoses, nozzles, or sprinklers.

To water the whole area, you must be there to move the hose and sprinkler often or set up a timer for multiple hoses and sprinklers. Manual irrigation isn't the best way to water large areas or different parts of your property.

Most Trusted Irrigation Installation and Repair Company

Preferred Lawn Care provides a wide range of products for your home and commercial irrigation systems from Hunter Industries and Rain Bird that are intended to reduce water usage and expenses. We are here not only to protect the investment of an attractive landscape, but also to help you save time, water, and money.

Our skilled irrigation technicians plan the precise time and distribution of water.  We include controllers with all systems to effectively measure the weather conditions to not waste money.

Call Preferred Lawn Care at (231) 638-5368 or connect with us online to set up an appointment for a free quote!