Irrigation Learning Center

All About Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Want to know more about how automatic sprinkler systems work? Tired of dealing with hoses and watering by hand? Looking for helpful watering tips?

The videos below will take you through the basics of automatic irrigation -- including how an irrigation system works, the different types of sprinklers and components used in a system, and some key terms and concepts like water pressure, flow rate and valve zone.

Part 1: How an Automatic Irrigation System Works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pqw6O0UF48

Part 2: Irrigation System Components

Part 3: Irrigation System Terms and Important Concepts

Why purchase an automatic sprinkler system?

• SAVE TIME: Your system will do all the watering for you.
• SAVE WATER: An automatic system uses less water than watering by hand.
• SAVE MONEY: Your water bills will be lower and your plants will live longer.
• REST EASY: The Rain Bird name is your assurance of quality, value, and performance

The Benefits of Irrigation

Automated Sprinkler Systems

An automatic sprinkler system is a home improvement project worth considering. Not only will it help maintain a healthy beautiful landscape which you can enjoy with your friends and family, but it’s the most convenient and efficient way to ensure your landscape gets the water it needs without over-or under-watering. When it is properly installed and maintained an automatic sprinkler system will help conserve water too.

In fact, a professionally or DIY-installed automatic sprinkler system is one of the best investments that you can make for your home. Just ask anyone who has one. There is no easier or more cost-effective way to beautify your home, increase its value, and save yourself time and money.

Keep in mind, however, that there is more to a sprinkler system than just sprinklers.  System design and installation are critical factors that will affect your system’s performance and longevity. If you hire a professional to install your sprinkler system, a system design should be created before installation begins.  If on the other hand, you decide to install the sprinkler system yourself, Rain Bird can create a design plan customized for your landscapes specific needs.

Along with ensuring your system is properly designed and installed, Rain Bird manufactures rain shut-off and moisture sensing devices that can help you realize even more water and cost savings over the lifetime of your sprinkler system

So put away your garden hose and let Rain Bird do your watering for you -- automatically! You'll have greener grass, healthier plants, and much more free time to smell the roses instead of watering them.

Factors influencing irrigation

Climates with low humidity promote faster rates evapotranspiration which reduce the grapevine's water supply. These areas may need to utilize supplemental irrigation.

There are essentially two main types irrigation-primary irrigation, which is needed for areas (such as very dry climates) that lack sufficient rainfall for viticulture to even exist, and supplemental irrigation where irrigation is used to "fill in the gaps" of natural rainfall to bring water levels to more optimal numbers as well as to serve as a preventive measure in case of seasonal drought conditions. In both cases, both the climate and the vineyard soils of the region will play an instrumental role in irrigation's use and effectiveness.^[2]

[edit] Impact of different climate types

Viticulture is most commonly found in Mediterranean, continental and maritime climates with each unique climate providing its own challenges in providing sufficient water at critical times during the growing season. In Mediterranean climates irrigation is usually needed during the very dry periods of the summer ripening stages where drought can be a persistent threat. The level of humidity in a particular macroclimate will dictate exactly how much irrigation is needed with high levels of evapotranspiration more commonly occurring in Mediterranean climates that have low levels of humidity such as part of Chile and the Cape Province of South Africa. In these low humidity regions, primary irrigation may be needed, but in many Mediterranean climates the irrigation is usually supplemental.^[2] The amount of precipitation that occurs during spring and summer months is also important. For example, Tuscany receives an average of 8 inches (200 mm) of rainfall during the months of April through June^[6] - the period that includes flowering and fruit set, when the water is most crucial. While fluctuations in rainfall do occur, the amount of natural precipitation, combined with water holding capacity of soil, is typically sufficient to result in healthy harvest. In contrast, Napa Valley only gets 2.4 inches (60 mm), on average, during the same period of time,^[7] often in an erratic pattern (some years seeing more, some years seeing only trace amounts of rain), and most appellations in Central and Southern California (both along the coast and inland) receive even less than that, necessitating supplemental irrigation.

Continental climates are usually seen in areas further inland from the coastal influences of oceans and large bodies of water. The difference from the average mean temperature of its coldest and hottest months can be quite significant with moderate precipitation that usually occurs in the winter and early spring. Depending on the water retaining ability of the soil the grapevine may receive enough water during this period to last throughout the growing season with little if any irrigation needed. For soils with poor water retention, the dry summer months may require some supplemental irrigation. Examples of continental climates that use supplemental irrigation include the Columbia Valley of Washington State and the Mendoza wine region of Argentina.^[2]

Maritime climates tend to fall between Mediterranean and continental climates with a moderate climate that is tempered by the effects of a large body of water nearby. As with Mediterranean climates, the humidity of the particular macroclimate will play a significant role in determining how much irrigation is needed. In most cases irrigation, if it is used at all, will only be supplemental in years where drought may be an issue. Many maritime regions, such as Rias Baixas in Galicia, Bordeaux and the Willamette Valley in Oregon, suffer from the diametric problem of having too much rain during the growing season.^[2]