If you live in Arizona, you have probably considered how your yard gets water. Although living in this great state has many benefits, water availability is not one of them. Whether we are enduring yet another longest-drought-in history or just another summer as the hottest place in the country, water is a scarce, expensive resource. The last thing you want to do is wastewater by over-watering your landscape, but you also can't let your yard and all the money you put into it dry up. This is why many Arizona homeowners opt to install an irrigation system to manage all their lawn care water needs.
For many people, just the fact they no longer have to plan their day around when they need to water their yard is enough to install an irrigation system. Watering your lawn in the early morning before it warms up is the most effective time. This way, as little water as possible is wasted through evaporation. However, if getting up far earlier than necessary to stand around and hold a hose sounds like something other than fun, an irrigation system might be for you. Automating your watering schedule means you will no longer have to worry about when your lawn gets watered. Now you can spend more time enjoying it instead!
Another huge benefit of an automated irrigation system is you will no longer need to worry about over or under-watering parts of your lawn. Irrigation systems can be programmed to water at certain times of the day and give your plants the same amount of water. In addition, you can set an irrigation system seasonally so you are not over-watering in the winter or underwatering when it gets hot. Having a lush, beautiful landscape that stays healthy all year round sounds better than guessing how long you should hold the hose near your tree. An irrigation system is the best choice.
But what if it rains? Most modern irrigation systems have a plan for rainy days too. With moisture sensors placed throughout your yard, deep into the soil. An automated irrigation system can tell if it needs to be turned on, depending on how moist the soil is. This will ensure you never overwater your plants because you forgot to turn off your watering cycle. Tree and plant care professionals and homeowners alike have agreed that this is the most effective way to deliver only the perfect amount of water when needed.
If you are still not convinced that installing that new irrigation system will be worth it, consider this; An irrigation system will also save you money in the long run. This is because plants that are consistently watered will require less water overall. They will become adapted to the regular amount of water and will grow accordingly. Plants watered inconsistently will enter "starvation mode," much like humans would if they were eating irregularly. Like in people, this will put the plant at a much higher risk of developing health conditions. Also, because your irrigation system will run early in the morning, you won't lose as much water to evaporation. And, In the early hours, utility companies charge the least amount per gallon of water.
The last point I'll bring up is that an irrigation system can raise the resale value of your home. Of course, the cost of the irrigation will be added to the home's value, but it is more than that. Once the new irrigation system has managed your yard for a while, you will see a vast improvement in the size and health of all your plants. Healthy landscapes can add upwards of 20% to your total home value. Average home prices in Phoenix are around 500k. You do the math. Some people say the cost of installing an irrigation system is expensive but compared to what?
So now that you know an irrigation system is the way to go, how much does it cost to install a residential irrigation system professionally?
The larger the yard, the more materials and labor will be needed to complete the job. Still, there are other factors to consider, the slope of the yard, type of landscaping, type of soil, and style/brand of components selected. A general cost estimate for the average property in Phoenix can run anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the factors previously detailed. Therefore, the only way to get an exact estimate for your property is to have an arborist out to evaluate your property. A certified arborist can map out your property to create the most effective irrigation system possible, and provide a team to install it for you, often with a guarantee.
The last thing you will need to consider before installing your new irrigation system is ensuring you have all the required permits and permissions before digging. In Arizona, this means contacting 811 to have your property evaluated by blue stake to locate any power or gas lines in your yard. You will likely be liable for any damages done to these utility lines. So make sure you know where they are before you dig. You also need to verify the team you hire is licensed, insured, and bonded for all irrigation jobs. It is unlikely that anything will go wrong during installation, but ensure you are covered.
Hopefully, this article has opened your eyes to how much an irrigation system will benefit your yard. They make your yard and trees healthier, reduce costs to maintain your yard, raise the value of your home, and automate the entire process! You no longer have to worry about it! Call your arborist today to discuss options for installing your new automated irrigation system.