Smart technology is becoming increasingly popular in the home. Smart technology is more efficient and makes life easier. There’s no reason why smart technology shouldn’t move outdoors to help us with our landscapes too. Our favorite outdoor technology is the smart irrigation controller. A smart irrigation controller waters your landscape for you, but with the added features of adjusting based on weather, plant type, and other things depending on the controller. The benefits of smart irrigation controllers definitely outweigh the costs of basic stand-alone controllers.
Low-tech stand-alone controllers are typically just a timer. They do not provide any weather input or alerts and typically result in excessive water waste and even landscape loss from overwatering. Here are 5 benefits you’ll experience when you upgrade to a smart irrigation controller:
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TL;DR: Smart-this, Smart-that. Does Irrigation Really Benefit?
Answer:
Benefits of Smart Irrigation Controllers:
1. Save a ton of money by reducing water waste
Depending on the smart irrigation controller you select, it can adjust for the daily weather, the plant type you are watering, the soil type, and slope. Some smart controllers even offer site-specific weather adjustments to adjust for the specific micro-climate on your property to reduce the risk of overwatering even further.
Controllers can be adjusted from your phone and can help you identify leaks that are otherwise very difficult to find with a low-tech controller.
Did you know that up to 70% of water usage occurs outside for irrigation? Even more alarming is this statistic from the Environmental Protection Agency: As much as 50% of irrigation water is wasted. Think about your water bill. That is a huge amount of water that is being wasted! Smart irrigation controllers significantly reduce waste and allow you to save money and the environment.
2. Enhanced landscape health and beauty
Many people are concerned that making the switch to a smart irrigation controller will hurt their landscape because their plants won’t get enough water. But, the number 1 cause of landscape loss is overwatering, not underwatering. This proves that an adjustment just might take your landscape to the next level.
Smart irrigation controllers can be adjusted to water your plants the right amount so they can thrive. Some controllers adjust for the soil type as well which cycles and soaks your irrigation in the perfect increments of time, so water is absorbed and doesn’t run off.
They also adjust for rain which prevents overwatering that can harm your plants.
3. Helps you prepare for the future of water
One-third of the U.S. now pays more for water than electricity. Water rates are continuing to rise and water is generally a top operation cost.
The cost of water is rising faster than all other utility costs. Those rates will continue to rise to pay for infrastructure improvements.
A smart irrigation controller can help you get ahead of the water cost curve and help the planet by conserving your water resources.
4. Smart irrigation controllers help you reduce hardscape loss
Hardscapes are the non-living parts of your landscape such as your rock walls and patios. Watering exactly where your plants are, helps you reduce hardscape loss. Replacing and maintaining hardscapes that are cracking and eroding from irrigation is costly, not to mention the water that is wasted.
Watering with a smart irrigation controller will also prevent cracking pavement and sidewalks by reducing runoff.
How to Program an Irrigation Controller
I’m Elysa Matthews. I’m with Timberline Landscaping, and today we’ll be talking about reasons why to purchase plants from local nurseries.
Local nurseries are supplying plants that are from our region, so they’ve been able to adapt to our climate. A lot of times, some of the bigger box stores will have beautiful plants, but they’re just not for our area so, they don’t do as well. As soon as they get out of the store, they start declining.
The local nurseries have the plants that do well in our area that are going to be drought resistant, that are native, that are bringing in pollinators and supporting our local habitat.
A lot of it is also just making sure that you’re using the right plant in the right area. Like boxwoods, I’ve seen them die fast and I’ve seen them thrive. So, just making sure that they’re planted on eastern exposure sides. And you’ll get a lot more knowledge, I feel, from local nursery sales representatives there so, they’re going to have a lot more knowledge to tell you like, “Hey, this plant, where are you planting it in your yard?” and make suggestions if it’s not in a good area based on light, soil, drainage, everything. So they kind of take into account some of those aspects.
The native plants, they won’t take as long to establish versus some of the plants that aren’t native to our area or that are being brought in from, again, like California, Oregon. So, just making sure that they are native and local to the area, they’re going to have a better chance of adapting to our conditions quicker.
If you have any further questions or are looking to renovate your landscaping, please reach out to Timberline Landscaping.
5. Avoid fines with your smart irrigation controller
Smart irrigation controllers let you easily adjust how much you’re watering your landscape. This allows you to always be compliant with Homeowner Association and Government water restrictions.
Colorado Springs Utilities offer rebate programs that can help you save money and reduce water waste.
Timberline’s Irrigation Experts recommend:
The key to saving money, reducing water waste, and maintaining a beautiful landscape is switching to a smart irrigation controller. Learn more about Timberline’s best recommendation for the smart controller you should select for your property. Don’t forget to share so you can help others learn the benefits of smart irrigation controllers!
