Sustainable water solutions tailored to your garden’s needs
A reliable and efficient irrigation system in Seattle is the key to a thriving and sustainable landscape. We do installations, maintenance, start-ups and winterization of irrigation systems. Contact us to get your irrigation system performing optimally today!
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Water usage is a hot topic when it comes to irrigation and landscaping. In general, less is more when it comes to sustainability in watering, with that being said, there are factors that add a bit of complexity to that. For instance, in a rehabilitation effort, even native plants need supplemental water after being moved. And what about the sustainability of your personal life – there is something to be said for living in a lush, beautiful environment.
Seattle Sustainable Landscapes can help you navigate your options including designing your landscape in a way that doesn’t need as much water, ideal drainage systems, building more water-efficient irrigation systems, storing water, and some alternatives to irrigation.
BEFORE THE FIRST HARD FREEZE
Plan to start winterizing about one week before the first hard freeze, when the temperature may dip below zero degrees
EARLY IN THE FALL
If weather patterns are uncertain or you’re in a new climate, you can always get a head start by winterizing in early Fall
GRASS BECOMES DORMANT
The grasses on your lawn will herald the first signs of winter, as they become dormant, stop growing and lose color.
Continue reading below for more information on seasonal irrigation maintenance and all our irrigation services.
A traditional sprayer and a spray rotator are two types of sprinklers that are commonly used in irrigation systems. Here is a brief explanation of the difference between the two:
Traditional sprayer: A traditional sprayer is a type of sprinkler that produces a single jet or mist of water that is sprayed over a wide area. These sprinklers are often used to water larger areas – Typically in lawns.
Spray rotator: A spray rotator is a type of sprinkler that rotates as it sprays water over an area. These sprinklers typically have a nozzle or spray arm that rotates in a circular motion, spraying water in a circular pattern. Spray rotators are significantly more water efficient manufacturers claim a 30% savings as the tight streams do not lose moisture to the wind and heat as opposed to the mist that comes from a traditional sprayer.
There are many benefits to using drip irrigation systems, including:
Water conservation: Drip systems are more efficient because they deliver water directly to the root zone of plants, reducing the amount lost to evaporation and overspray.
Reduced water use: Drip systems apply water at a slower rate, allowing it to be absorbed more effectively by the soil and reducing overall water usage for irrigation.
Improved plant health: A consistent supply of water to the root zone helps reduce stress on plants and promotes their growth.
Reduced risk of disease: Drip systems minimize moisture on plant foliage, which can reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
By replacing a spray irrigation system with drip lines, you can save water, improve plant health, and reduce the risk of disease.
As a sustainable landscape business, we typically recommend drip irrigation for plants – it is the most efficient way to get the correct amount of water to the roots of your plants without water waste. For lawns, sprayer rotators are still an efficient solutions. A traditional sprayer is an old technology that served it’s purpose for decades but the time as come to move over to spray rotators. They are a significantly better option for lawns. Sprayers of all types get blocked by plants near the heads and often do not distribute the water to the roots, it lands on the leaves and other areas. The best type of sprinkler will be a combination of either drip or Spray Rotator or both depending on the needs of your plants and the size and layout of your landscaping.
There are several steps we can take to make your irrigation system more water-efficient:
Check for leaks: You should regularly inspect your irrigation system for leaks or broken components, and fix them promptly to avoid water waste. Consider joining our annual irrigation maintenance plan to stay on top of potential issues.
Use drought-tolerant plants: We can help you choose plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil conditions and are able to survive dry periods. Drought-tolerant plants will require less irrigation, reducing water usage. Native plants are a key component of sustainable landscaping.
Use a soil moisture sensor: A soil moisture sensor can help you determine when your plants need water and when they are sufficiently hydrated, avoiding over-watering. We can help you source and install a sensor to help with this.
Use a smart irrigation controller: A smart irrigation controller can optimize your irrigation schedule based on factors like weather, plant type, and soil moisture levels, ensuring your plants receive the right amount of water at the right time. Rachio is a popular brand for smart controllers, as they have moisture sensors throughout the Seattle area and eliminate the need for step 3.
Use a drip irrigation system: Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the roots of plants, minimizing water waste and evaporation. They are especially useful for plants that require frequent watering, such as vegetables or herbs.
Use spray rotators: Spray rotators use about 30% less water for your lawn, helping to conserve resources.
By installing these systems, you can make your irrigation system more water-efficient and use water responsibly in your landscaping. This helps to conserve resources, protect the environment, and keep your plants healthy. Call Seattle Sustainable Landscapes to get started with your irrigation project.
One thing that we love to do is repurpose existing Sprinkler Systems. Reusing an existing system and updating it with smart controllers, drip lines and spray rotators is a fantastic way to utilize existing materials and reduce water usage.
There are several reasons why it can be more beneficial to repair an existing sprinkler system rather than replace it with a new one:
Cost-effective: Repairing a system is usually more affordable than installing a new one, especially if the current system is relatively new and only requires minor repairs.
Sustainable: Repairing an existing system is more environmentally friendly than replacing it, as it reduces waste and the resources needed to manufacture and install a new system.
Familiarity: If you are already familiar with your current system, it may be easier and faster to make repairs rather than learning how to use a new system.
Customization: Your existing system may be more tailored to your specific watering needs and landscape than a pre-designed new system.
Preservation of established plants: If your current system has been properly watering your plants, replacing it could potentially harm established plants that are accustomed to the current watering schedule.
Overall, while replacing a sprinkler system may sometimes be necessary, repairing an existing system can be a more cost-effective, sustainable, and familiar option. Seattle Sustainable Landscapes would be happy to take a look at your existing system, provide updates, repairs, service calls or install a new system. Reach out and let us know how we can help!
Are you more the DIY type? We would love to help you, but get that sometimes you just need to tackle it yourself for various reasons. Check out our tips on installing and repairing your irrigation system.
Winterizing a sprinkler system is an important task that will help protect your system from damage caused by freezing temperatures. Typically, these are scheduled in the Pacific Northwest after the rain starts consistently falling and the plants no longer need supplement support. Or at the latest before the frost comes. In Seattle in 2022 that only left us about a 3 week period from Late October to early November. Typically, we have a longer range of moderate temperate & rainy fall.
To optimize your sprinkler system for the winter season in Seattle, it’s important to follow these steps:
Turn off the water supply by closing the valve that controls the flow of water to the system.
Drain the water from the pipes and sprinkler heads by using compressed air to blow out the system. This process should be repeated for each valve and zone.
Find the main valve that controls the flow of water to the system and turn it off.
If you have a smart controller, use the app on your phone to turn it off. Traditional controllers can be manually set to the off position.
If there are any exposed pipes, cover them with insulation or wrap them with heat tape to prevent them from freezing.
The backflow preventer should be buried deep enough to be safe, but if it is not, cover it with insulation or wrap it with heat tape to prevent it from freezing.
If your sprinkler system has a pump, make sure to drain and disconnect it before storing it for the winter. The same goes for water features with pumps.
By following these steps, you can prevent damage to your sprinkler system caused by freezing temperatures and ensure that it’s ready to use in the spring. It’s often worth hiring professionals with the proper equipment and expertise to winterize your sprinkler system.
Starting up a sprinkler system in the spring is essential to ensuring the proper care of your lawn and garden in the Greater Seattle area. Follow these steps to start up your system and make sure it is functioning properly:
Turn on the water supply to the system. This can usually be done by opening the valve that controls the flow of water to the system.
Reset your automatic control panel, if applicable. This is typically done through your irrigation app with a Smart controller.
Activate the main valve that controls the flow of water to the system.
Manually test each zone of your system to ensure that the sprinkler heads are functioning properly.
Check that your system’s backflow preventer is functioning correctly.
If your system has a pump, make sure it is properly connected and functioning.