July and August vacations are fun and a nice break from the everyday, but leaving during some of the hottest and driest months in Southern Minnesota can leave your grass thirsty. It's important to do thorough checks before you leave to make sure everything is working correctly.
Without doing proper checks, you may leave a small leak, which ends up with a higher water bill and your lawn overwatered. Schedule a free sprinkler system inspection before your trip to check for controller errors, pressure problems, and coverage gaps.
Water Early and Avoid “Just in Case” Overwatering
Don't water early or extra before you leave. It's tempting to try to pre-empt the dry conditions by watering for longer stretches in the lead-up to leaving. Unfortunately, this may cause more issues than underwatering. Extra water will saturate the soil and create runoff, shallow rooting, and soggy areas. You can make adjustments to timers and set watering for the early morning, when wind and evaporation are generally lower, and scorching the yard is less likely. There are many options to get your lawn ready for a vacation with irrigation services in Southern Minnesota, and our team is here to answer questions if your current timer is difficult to program or your lawn has different sun, soil, and slope conditions.
Let a Smart Controller Manage Changing Weather
After you've made sure your irrigation system is in top shape before departure, it's worth considering smart controllers in case of changing weather. Minnesota is primarily hot and dry in the summer, but it also experiences summer thunderstorms.
It may be a smart choice to have Conserva install smart controllers and rain sensors. A fixed timer can't respond if it's raining when your sprinklers are set to go off- leading to overwatering.
A Hunter Hydrawise Wi-Fi controller uses local weather data to update watering schedules! You can monitor and control it from your phone or computer, so your yard can be at your fingertips even while away.
How Rain Sensors Can Help
Smart controllers are a great option, but they make changes based on the weather forecast. If you add rain sensors, they can stop or delay a watering cycle when they sense a certain amount of rainfall. A smart irrigation system can include rain sensors and other additions. Have sensors tested before you leave, as an old, disconnected, or poorly positioned sensor may not provide the protection you expect.
Leave a Simple Backup Plan
Even a well-maintained system can develop a problem while you are gone. Give a trusted neighbor or local contact basic instructions: where the controller is located, how to pause the system, and where to shut off the irrigation water if a major leak appears. Ask them to look for unusual pooling, nonstop watering, or a broken head during a quick drive-by. Save the number for sprinkler and irrigation repair with your travel information, so help is easy to reach. Avoid complicated manual changes unless the person understands the controller, because a small programming mistake can create repeated start times.
Check the Lawn When You Return
For ongoing help with inspections, controller upgrades, rain sensors, or repairs, contact Conserva Irrigation of Southern Minnesota. A little planning before your trip can protect your grass, reduce unnecessary watering, and let you enjoy your time away without wondering what the sprinklers are doing.
