Think Green and Save Green with Smart Irrigation

By Robert Schucker, President, R&S Landscaping and Eco Earth Design

The number one mistake homeowners make nationwide when it comes to their little piece of the great outdoors is overwatering, which only hurts your bankbook and landscape. Don’t throw your money down the drain this spring and summer. Start thinking now about a landscape design plan that conserves water – consider it your personal irrigation stimulous plan!

Installation and proper management of underground irrigation and drip systems that control excessive watering is a great environmental and economic benefit. Rain gardens and water harvesting systems can be cost-effective ways to utilize water runoff and rain, collecting, storing and cleaning water before allowing it to be released slowly back into the environment or used for consumption.

Additionally, utilization of porous or pervious materials for unplanted areas and walkways is important. Plant life that can collect water run-off and the use of pervious pavers, flagstone and gravel in walkways and other unplanted areas helps to collect rainwater, reduce water run-off and increase water absorption.

Here are some additional tips worth considering:

· Watch the weather report. Always remember to adjust your watering based on the season and weather conditions.

· Get audited – for your water use, that is. A professional irrigation audit can help ensure even watering, avoid overwatering and take care of those summer brown spots before they happen.

· Get smart with water technology. Today, there are many water technology options for every budget – drip systems, rain shut-off switches, rain gardens, soil moisture sensors and water harvesting systems are all good environmentally-responsible watering alternatives that save natural resources and cut your landscaping costs.

· If you have an irrigation system, schedule different zones to water at different times to account for sun, shade, type of soil, etc. The same watering schedule should almost never apply to all zones in the system.

· Finally, a little maintenance really does go a long way. Check your system for leaks, clogged heads and filters.

Robert Schucker has 25 years of experience in landscape architecture and is president of Eco Earth Design and R&S Landscaping, based in Midland Park, N.J. Rob is a Certified Landscape Professional and New Jersey Certified Irrigation Contractor and a member of the Landscape Contractor Association, New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association and PLANET, the Professional Landcare Network. For more information, please call 201-447-6205 or visit www.rscape.com or www.ecoearthdesign.com.