Choosing the Right Sprinkler System for Your Lawn

Posted on October 29th, 2024

A well-maintained lawn requires the right watering practices to keep the turf healthy and looking its best. This process involves providing the right amount of water and preventing runoff. Selecting the right sprinkler system can make a significant difference in achieving that balance.

An optimized irrigation system for your lawn conserves water and reduces overall maintenance expenses, fostering healthier, more resilient growth while significantly cutting down the time you need to spend on upkeep. In this guide, we’ll go over how to choose a lawn sprinkler system and the crucial factors to consider, such as flow rate and pressure levels. The discussion below covers the different sprinkler types and which best fit your lawn

Get expert recommendations for your home’s sprinkler system from Turf Unlimited specialists. We provide options that best suit your yard. Call us at 1-888-649-9919 today to discuss your needs or fill in our Contact Us form!

Types of Sprinkler Systems

Choosing the best sprinkler for lawn care can seem challenging, given the number of sprinkler system types available. Understanding the features of each type will help narrow down your choice:

1. Above-Ground Sprinklers

These sprinkler systems are generally portable and are easy to install. You don’t need to install them into the soil, which makes them easy to set up. Here are some of your best options:

• Oscillating Sprinklers: This system is ideal for medium to large rectangular lawns, spraying water gently, fan-likely. These feature an operating pressure of 20 to 30 PSI, depending on the model, with a range of 40 degrees to 360 degrees of coverage.
• Stationary Sprinklers: This option is good for smaller, specific areas. It provides a steady spray of fine mist, perfect for even sloped ground.
• Rotating Sprinklers: This model suits larger areas, offering wider coverage with rotating or pulsating sprays. It has rotary heads and can water areas of 4.5 to 15.25 meters. They tend to water more slowly, ideal for sloped terrain and slow-draining soil.
• Impact Sprinklers: Impact rotor sprinklers are best suited for covering large distances, very wide lawns, and for overseeding. They can cover anywhere from 6 meters to 45 meters, and the water can arc at a 40 to 360-degree angle, depending on the design. Since they are usually made of bronze or brass, these sprinkler systems tend to be more expensive.

2. In-Ground Sprinklers

Since they are typically permanent installations, in-ground sprinkler systems have a higher upfront cost. However, their heads pop up and retract, reducing visibility and potential tripping hazards, making them easier to maintain.

Some of the common types of in-ground sprinklers include:

• Fixed Spray Heads: These offer precise patterns perfect for small areas or specific shapes.
• Gear-Driven Rotors: This model covers large areas with controlled, uniform water distribution.
• Pop-Up Sprinkler Heads: These sprinkler heads can be rotating or stationary. Stationary systems usually have a 4.5-meter coverage range, with the mist covering anywhere from 90 to 360 degrees per sprinkler head. Each head can be positioned around 5.5 meters away from one another for better coverage. Note that the rotating variant provides a more consistent stream, creating less run-off water, which is great for rocky soil or turf with irregular-shaped blocks.

3. Specialty Options

Here are some specially designed systems that can be incorporated with above or in-ground systems:

• Drip Irrigation Systems: These are great for targeted watering around trees, shrubs, or garden beds.
• Soaker Hoses: Efficient for flower beds and areas with closely spaced plants.

You will learn how to choose a lawn sprinkler system after understanding the capabilities of each type. The next step is to consider the features needed in your lawn.

Key Factors to Consider

Choosing the best sprinkler for lawn care requires understanding the different factors that impact correct watering practices.

Sprinkler Head Types and Coverage Patterns

As mentioned earlier, some sprinkler heads are designed to cover rectangular patterns, while others cover circular or even customizable patterns. Choose the one that best suits the shape of your lawn.

Coverage Area

Different sprinkler systems require differing levels of water pressure to work effectively. Drip systems typically need lower pressure, whereas rotating or impact sprinklers may need higher pressure to cover larger areas. The size of your coverage area will impact the type of sprinkler system you install in your lawn.

Grass Type

Different grasses have varying water needs. Like Kentucky bluegrass, cool-season grasses need frequent, gentle watering to thrive, while warm-season varieties, such as Bermuda grass, require deep, infrequent watering. Tailoring sprinkler settings to grass type ensures healthy growth and efficient water use.

Water Pressure

Water pressure plays a crucial role in choosing a sprinkler system. Similar to drip irrigation, low-pressure systems work well with gentle water flow and are ideal for targeted watering around plants. Rotating or impact sprinklers are suitable for higher pressure, as they require stronger pressure to cover larger areas effectively.

After considering these factors and the available sprinkler types, you can choose the best sprinkler system for your lawn.

How to Choose a Lawn Sprinkler System?

Here’s a step-by-step process to select the best sprinkler system for your property:

1. Calculate Flow Rate and Water Pressure: Test your flow rate to understand how much water is available, then match it to the sprinkler’s pressure needs.
2. Assess Lawn Size and Shape: Large or irregular lawns may need a mix of sprinklers, while smaller lawns often do well with oscillating or stationary sprinklers.
3. Consider Soil and Grass Type: Clay needs slower watering; sandy soil needs short, frequent watering. Grass types also vary in water requirements.
4. Evaluate Placement and Coverage: Determine where full, partial, or targeted coverage is essential, avoiding hardscapes.
5. Factor in Climate, Budget and Maintenance: Low-flow options work in dry areas, above-ground systems are budget-friendly, and select systems with easy maintenance.

Expert Insights from Lawn Care Experts

Do you need help choosing the best sprinkler system for your property? Turf Unlimited specialists have proudly served Massachusetts and New Hampshire residents, providing expert insights into sprinkler system design and maintenance. Call 1-888-649-9919 today, and our specialists will happily answer your questions.