NewsA dependable sprinkler that efficiently waters all of the different locations in the landscape is one of the keys to a healthy grass and garden. We put some of today’s greatest models to the test to determine whether ones live up to their reputations. Some sprinklers need you to drag a hose over the lawn to reach all the nooks and crannies, but others may be set to travel about the yard watering the grass while you attend to other concerns. An underground sprinkler system with a sprinkler pump may operate on a timer and irrigate all ranges of the yard for stationary convenience.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Lawn Sprinkler
Lawn sprinklers are simple yard aids. They spray water in different patterns and are propelled by the pressure of the water in the hose. They may be built of a number of materials, with some having moving components and others not. Individual watering demands are one of the main factors when searching for the finest sprinkler for a lawn or garden.
Type
Lawn sprinklers are classified into six types, ranging from stationary to wandering. Consider the local climate and if water conservation is a top consideration when selecting a sprinkler. Watering requirements for a freshly planted grass vary from those for a vegetable garden or an established lawn.
- Fixed or stationary sprinklers Despite differences in design and reach, each attaches to a garden hose and sprays water in the same pattern over the same area until relocated. This sort of sprinkler is best suited for tiny yards and compact gardens since it can only cover a radius of 5 to 15 feet at a time.
- Oscillating sprinklers A series of several apertures disperses water in a semicircular spray. The sprinkler head and resultant water fan then travel from side to side, covering a bigger area than typical fixed ones.
- Rotating or rotary and impact sprinklers They rotate 360 degrees as they discharge water. The former often has two or more spinning arms, while the latter (also known as an impulse or pulsing sprinkler) spews water from a single jet and clicks when it completes its entire cycle. As a consequence, an impact sprinkler often has the greatest water distribution range.
- Sprinkler hoses are simply rubber hoses with microscopic holes throughout the length of the hose that release a fine, controlled spray. Because they extend out over your ground like a vine, the length and flexibility of these models work well for watering long, narrow, and even irregularly curved areas of grass.
- Traveling sprinklers roll through the yard in a pre-programmed path (garden hose in tow). They operate like a small lawn mower while watering the grass and are sometimes known as “lawn tractors.”
- In-ground sprinkler systems By following a fixed plan, you can take the guessing out of watering the lawn. While it takes more time to plan the watering system, build trenches for water lines, and connect a new ground sprinkler system to the water main, strategically positioned sprinkler heads may be programmed to emerge from the ground and wet the grass at predetermined periods. Many sprinkler system controllers available today are smart home competent, enabling the user to configure the settings using a smart device. The number of zones and available water pressure are used to choose the best sprinkler pump for an in-ground system.
Material
Plastic and metal are the most frequent materials used in lawn sprinklers, however rubber and silicone are also available in select versions. The materials’ quality vary, with some being more robust, hefty, and fade resistant than others. Other less costly versions may be thin, fade fast, and crack after a season or two.
Metal sprinklers are often more durable than plastic sprinklers, however metal quality varies. Rust-resistant chrome and stainless steel are two of the finest metals for sprinklers. Many involve moving components, and those with sealed ball-bearing couplings will be among the most robust.
Coverage Area
Many modern lawn sprinklers allow you to change the pattern and distance of the water spray by manipulating a lever on the top or side of the sprinkler. The user may choose from a variety of watering patterns and sizes, including circular, rectangular, triangular, and fan-shaped patterns.
Finally, the maximum distance of the water pattern will be determined by the quantity of water pressure in the hose. For example, a distance-type impact sprinkler may be described as capable of spraying a stream up to 30 yards, but the coverage area will be reduced if the water pressure in the hose is insufficient. Most household water systems have pressure ranging from 30 to 60 pounds per square inch (psi), and most sprinklers perform best with a minimum of 30 psi. Some, on the other hand, need greater psi to attain their claimed coverage area.
Water Conservation
Water is used extensively for watering the grass. If the hose is 12 inches in diameter and the water pressure is 60 psi, an hour of watering will use around 630 gallons. Water consumption rises as the diameter of the garden hose grows. At the same water pressure, a 58-inch hose will provide around 1,020 gallons, while a 34-inch hose would give 1,860 gallons.
Some lawn sprinklers have capabilities that allow you to manage how much water you use. The use of automated timers on an in-ground sprinkler system enables the user to make accurate watering plans (when, where, and how much water) in advance. Auto-shutoffs and flow timers that monitor and control the quantity of water used are analogous features to look for in aboveground sprinklers.
FAQs
Lawn sprinklers differ greatly in terms of quality, pricing, and water pattern. Choosing the ideal lawn sprinkler necessitates taking into account the lawn’s or garden’s specific water requirements. More than one sprinkler may be required for certain yards. Here are some frequently asked questions about sprinklers for people who are just getting started.
Q: What should I look for in a sprinkler system?
Make sure the sprinkler can be adjusted to the size and layout of the area that needs to be watered.
Q: What is the best kind of garden sprinkler?
A good garden sprinkler should be able to reach every part of the flower or vegetable garden without being obstructed by tall plants. This may mean using a tiny rotating sprinkler and moving it from place to location as required, or it could mean utilizing a series of connected sprinklers, such as the Melnor Multi-Adjustable Sprinkler series, that can be positioned independently to cover all the plants at once.
Q: What kind of sprinkler covers the most area?
An oscillating sprinkler will cover a large area of grass. A tractor-type sprinkler, such as the Nelson Traveling Rain Train, may be placed at one end of a wide lawn and work its way to the other, watering a broad swath along the way.
Q: How many minutes should you water your lawn?
Sprinklers spray water at varied rates, so rather than a specific number of minutes, the usual guideline is to water the grass sufficiently such that it gets 1 inch of water every week.