A well-designed, properly installed and appropriately maintained irrigation system can be the most efficient way to keep a landscape healthy.

The benefits of an automatic irrigation system include:

• reduced labor for watering
• convenience
• full landscape coverage
• easy control over irrigation timing for overnight or early-morning watering
• added value to your home or business property
• minimized plant loss during drough

The irrigation industry is rapidly developing new technology to make irrigation more efficient. "Smart" technology, like systems with flow-control nozzles, climate-based controllers and automatic shutoffs are beneficial and even required for irrigation systems in some are

With irrigation systems that deliver exactly the right amount of water at the right time to lawn, plants and trees, you can be assured of environmentally sound and efficient results. The irrigation industry offers reliable options and affordable technology for water conservation and efficient water distribution to protect landscaping investments.

Here are tips for reducing the cost of operating and maintaining an automatic irrigation system:

• Know how to run your irrigation controller and change watering times.
• Adjust the watering times (number of minutes) and the frequency of watering (daily, twice a week, etc.) based on weather conditions.
• Change your settings to adjust for seasonal differences and reset the timer when needed.
• Ask your contractor to install an inexpensive rain shutoff device or soil moisture sensor.
• Regularly have a certified irrigation auditor check for leaks, broken heads and other problems.
• Make sure the maintenance contractor is certified and licensed (if required), is insured, experienced and reputable and is legally authorized to maintain irrigation systems in your area.
• Only water after the sun has gone down or in the early morning.
• Make sure your spray and sprinkler heads are properly adjusted to avoid watering pavements and other non-landscape areas.
• Water areas in the shade about 30 percent less than sunny areas.
• If possible use drip irrigation to water trees and shrubs.
• To eliminate runoff, set your clock to cycle 2-4 start times (no longer than 5 minutes each), 1 to 2 hours apart to allow water to soak into the soil. For example: water three times for 5 minutes, instead of 15 minutes all at once.
• Develop a separate drip watering schedule for trees, shrubs and flower beds.
• Aerate in the spring and fall to loosen soil and reduce runoff.