Effective and efficient irrigation is the goal when it comes to lawn and landscape maintenance
, according to Tom Kimmell, executive director of the Irrigation Association. He stresses that any landscape management plan should include lawn and plant irrigation.

“Rain shutoff devices and moisture sensors are relatively inexpensive first steps to avoid watering in the rain or when adequate moisture is present,” Kimmell says. “Smart controllers are an excellent way to ensure landscapes get the right amount of water at the right time.”

But, to water effectively you must monitor and control the moisture in the soil. Different plants need varying amounts of water. Different landscapes and soils will retain or drain water more quickly. To avoid waste or overwatering, shut-off systems should respond when rain or increased moisture levels are detected.

“A well-designed irrigation system is a conservation tool,” Kimmell says. Monitoring and controlling water distribution through smart controllers conserves natural resources and can even earn homeowners a rebate in some communities.