There are a few different key components that go into landscape maintenance, and one extremely common example is an irrigation system. What is an irrigation system, exactly? Knowing some basics here can be quite beneficial for various landscaping needs.
At Aeroscape, we’re proud to offer a huge range of landscape maintenance services to clients around Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas of Utah. These include sprinkler repair and various other forms of irrigation repair, plus any other sprinkler or irrigation services you’re in need of. Here’s a primer on what an irrigation system is and why it’s important, the types of irrigation systems out there, and some of the benefits of each type that you might consider for your landscaping needs.
For those just learning the basics of landscaping, an irrigation system is a type of mechanical system that helps distribute water to plants and other areas of a property. In essence, it’s a way to automate the task of watering plants and lawns in order to keep them healthy and thriving.
While there are many different types of irrigation systems out there, most homeowners will rely on one or more forms of sprinkler heads for their needs – these are small devices that spray water across the lawn in designated patterns.
For many landscapes, especially in a dry desert location like Utah, proper irrigation is essential to maintaining healthy plants and lawns. Without regular watering, even the most drought-resistant plants will struggle to survive.
An irrigation system makes the process of watering far easier and more efficient, ensuring that each plant gets the precise amount of water it needs without any wasted resources or time on your part. This helps you save money on water bills and conserve precious natural resources at the same time.
While there may be some nuanced sub-categories here in certain cases, here are the four broad types of irrigation system to consider for your landscape:
As we noted above, by far the most common form of irrigation for homeowners is the sprinkler system. This system uses a series of pipes and nozzles to spray water over plants in designated patterns, and can be automated with timers or other devices to ensure precision watering.
There are several basic benefits of sprinkler irrigation, including:
A newer form of irrigation technology, drip irrigation involves a series of tubes that deliver small amounts of water directly to plant roots. This method is often used in gardens or smaller landscaping areas, as it provides very targeted watering with minimal waste.
The main benefits of using drip irrigation include:
In many cases, a landscape can contain both a sprinkler system and a drip irrigation system in order to maximize the benefits of both.
As the name suggests, this method involves installing irrigation lines underground, meaning that water is delivered directly to the roots of plants. This can be done through either traditional sprinkler heads or more modern methods like buried drip tubes.
The key advantages of subsurface irrigation include:
On the flip side, surface irrigation involves applying water directly to the surface of soil, typically through flooding or furrowing methods. This is more commonly used in large-scale agriculture or landscaping projects.
Some of the key benefits of surface irrigation include:
In many cases, a combination of these different types of irrigation systems may be utilized for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. At Aeroscape, our team can help create a custom solution that fits your unique landscape needs while also conserving resources and keeping costs down. Contact us today to learn about any of our landscaping services around SLC, South Jordan, Draper, Sandy and nearby areas of Utah!
