Springtime is a great time to clean out landscaping beds and cut away dead branches and plants to prep for the new spring growth. In addition to cleaning gutters and planting beds, checking out your irrigation system is another great maintenance tip to get the yard ready for spring. Here are some tips:
Inspect Irrigation
Check your system for clogged, broken or missing sprinkler heads and those that have been covered by grass.
If water is pooling in your landscape or you have large soggy areas, you could have a leak in your system.
Redirect sprinklers away from your driveway, house or sidewalk to apply water only to the landscape.
Watch Your Water
Check water pressure. High water pressure looks like mist, or fogging, coming out of the sprinkler heads. This can be reduced with pressure reducing heads, nozzles or valves.
View your water use online on the City customer portal,
RRTXWater.com.
Select Smart
Update your irrigation controller system’s schedule with the seasons; don’t water more than once per week.
Replace the battery in your controller. The 9-volt battery will help save the program in the event of an extended power outage.
Selecting a WaterSense labeled controller takes the guesswork out of scheduling. The City provides a
rebate on them, too.
Look into other smart tools, including soil moisture meters, rain and freeze sensors, weather stations and water flow meters.
Mulch is Magic
Mulch prevents weed growth, retains water and insulates the soil and plants during cooler months, which means less irrigation is needed.
Use mulch wherever possible around trees, in shrub beds and even potted plants, mulching to a depth of 3-6 inches.
Apply mulch annually. The City of Round Rock provides free mulch to its water customers at the
Brush Recycling Center, 310 Deepwood Drive.
