Laserfiche WebLink
<br />( <br /> <br />Determine Soil Type and Root Depth: A soil sample is collected to determine <br />soil type and root depth. Soil type is categorized as clay, sand, loam or some <br />combination thereof. Soil type can affect the infiltration rate of water which <br />affects the frequency and duration that watering is needed. Root depth <br />measurements are also taken from a soil sample. System owners are informed that <br />healthy lawn roots should be a minimum of 6 inches deep. This is accomplished <br />by deep infrequent watering that greatly enhances a lawns ability to withstand <br />extreme temperatures and increased intervals between watering. Information on <br />amending clay soil to improve water- holding capacity is also provided during the <br />audit. <br /> <br />Provide an appropriate watering schedule: Using data collected during the <br />audit, an appropriate watering schedule is developed for the customer for their <br />current irrigation system. Watering intervals change throughout the season <br />because the water requirements change for plants as the seasons progress. <br />Through analysis of historic evapotranspiration (ET) data, average irrigation <br />pressure, and soil type, it has been determined that turf should be watered every <br />four days in May, every three days in June, July and August, every six days in <br />September and every ten days in October or until the end of the irrigation season. <br />The duration of watering should be kept the same, with only the intervals between <br />watering changing. <br /> <br />c> <br /> <br />For areas with clay soil, cycling during watering is recommended. <br />The term cycling refers to running sprinklers repeatedly within an irrigation <br />interval to allow for better water absorption. Cycling allows roots to grow more <br />deeply into the soil profile, increases drought tolerance and disease resistance. <br /> <br />Example of a watering schedule for a spray zone with clay soil and a PR of <br />.9"/hr. <br /> <br />P6onth;::,' .;! Til11eslweek.::.Cvcles:r' 'MIr1utes~c\,~:;,' 'total;,':/:;':::':\,,::Total',:' . <br />:;;',' ":":::')'~:~'.~~/:';T;':X'i/{:'FN::'ii'~;:~:~;;~'::!<; :,';""y~'~;::r~~;'.:: .:'i'~:f;"~'.~I:r;:;;:" M~r:~~J:.~~:.'; '~,i,~~~~s~~er <br /> <br />May <br />June <br />July <br />August <br />5e tember <br /> <br />1.5 <br />2 <br />2 <br />2 <br />1 <br /> <br />3 <br />3 <br />3 <br />3 <br />3 <br /> <br />12 <br />12 <br />12 <br />12 <br />12 <br /> <br />36 <br />36 <br />36 <br />36 <br />36 <br /> <br />54 <br />72 <br />72 <br />72 <br />36 <br /> <br />Take Pressure Readings: Pressure readings are taken on spray zones, and when <br />possible rotor zones. The design of rotor heads makes it difficult to accurately <br />check the pressure. The proper pressure for fixed heads is between 20 and 30 PSI; <br />proper pressure for rotor heads is between 50 and 70 PSI. The proper pressure <br />will vary between brand names. <br /> <br />9 <br />