Every spring -
and it is coming - I ponder the idea of rolling back our country grass so we
can install an automatic sprinkler system. Everyone in our neighborhood seems
to have one, so naturally our grass always looks sad in comparison. My
definition of country grass is a yard free of herbicides but loaded with au
naturel dandelions and crabgrass.
A friend of mine
who has a historic home in a waterfront community along Lake Erie, who is also
not bothered by flowering weeds, likens her shaggy yellow lawn to a suburban
meadow. Still, it would be nice to be green and not have to worry about
watering the lawn, especially during the summer months.
An automatic
irrigation system not only takes on the task of watering but can also be fitted
to deliver weed-prevention products.
So what are my
advantages?
It saves time.
That's probably the biggest reason people have them installed, and they are convenient. If homeowners are
out-of-town, they can set a timer to water the lawn at a specific time or day
while they're away.
Another advantage
is that certain irrigation systems, such as the drip type, enable homeowners to
position the water to accommodate problem areas such as dry spots (where more
water is need) or low-lying areas that tend to flood during heavy rainfalls
(and less water is needed). Adjustments to system nozzles can also be made to
direct water to the roots instead of spraying over sidewalks and driveways.
Then there's the
stealth advantage. When it's time to
water the lawn, a sprinkler head pops up out of the grass. Once the job is
done, the sprinkler head disappears. This also eliminates the presence of a
dorky sprinkler and kinked hose stretched across the lawn. In my case this
would be a disadvantage since I love the work-of-art sprinkler I purchased at
an art show a couple of years ago. Still, we could always install sprinklers in
the front yard while keeping the old style for use in the back. Either way, the
idea of a green no-trip lawn is appealing.
The biggest
disadvantage is the cost. We have a big lot so a full irrigation system is
likely to cost more than a yard in the city. There's also the pipework that
needs to be installed and attached to the plumbing system of the home. I
imagine this can be especially tricky for homeowners who have underground
septic systems.
Installation can
also take time - from days to weeks depending on the company.
When it's done,
there's the cost of redoing the landscape. I mentioned something about rolling
back the lawn, but the process is a lot more involved than that. Besides, if we
were to install a new system, it's not likely that we would want the company to
cover it with our country grass, so there's the expense of new sod.
And let's not
forget the critters that live beneath the surface. I'm sure most systems today
are built to withstand the movement of earthworms and garter snakes,
but that's not to say another bigger pest won't damage the underground
water-delivery system.
It's probably a
good idea to ask a neighbor who has a system what he or she thinks of it. If
they had the chance to do it again - would they? What company do they
recommend? Is the company certified by say - the Irrigation Association or
licensed and insured?
Bottom line: It
is a major home improvement project to be pondered seriously before purchasing.
Gina Joseph is a
reporter and columnist for The Macomb Daily. Send comments to
gina.joseph@macombdaily.com, follow her on twitter @ginaljoseph and visit her
beat blog at macomblife.blogspot.com.
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