Best Method to Water Grass Without Sprinkler System (Round Rock: how much, new home)

[NakedApe]

Forgive the strange title, but I've always lived in the 'burbs with built in sprinkler systems. Now I'm moving to north central.

Can anyone recommend a particular system to use when watering manually? Some kind of sprinkler, hose, whatever. I would really appreciate any advice or experience you can share.

Thanks!

[CptnRn]

If you want to get serious about it, any system that spray's water into the air will loose water from evaporation and wind drift, "evapotranspiration". You could easily lay out a more efficient system of drip irrigation hoses, valves and timers from a hose bid, layed out on the surface of your lawn that would provide it the minimum amounts of water that it needs. With no dug trenches or underwater sprinkler systems.

This kind of surface system is however very problematic when you need to mow your lawn. It would probably be workable if designed to stay in place and be low profile so you could pass a lawn mower over it.

Everything is a trade off.

[FalconheadWest]

Best system is to spend the $2k or so to install a system to save the headaches later. Sprinkler systems aren't that expensive, and there are lots of drip systems you can use these days around trees and landscapings so you waste less water.

[hoffdano]

How much (surface area) lawn needs watering? If it isn't huge - you can definitely get by with a few hoses carefully placed so you don't have to move them too often, a timer or two, and sprinklers appropriate for the shape of your lawn. Put quick-disconnect fittings on your hoses and sprinklers to reduce the hassle of switching things around.

Evaporation loss can be minimized by watering in the morning or evening. I prefer to use oscillating sprinklers if they cover the right area because the coverage is more even.

[rockaholic]

It really depends on lawn (grass) type and size. I would recommend about 1 inch of moisture weekly during summer to keep the lawn looking good. Don't to forget to fertilize and mow properly. The average person screws those two up. Also try to water early in the a.m when average winds speeds and air temps are lowest to minimize evaporation. Hope this helps!

[reachvali]

I recently bought a new home in Round Rock.
I did not choose the sprinkler system from the builder as they are charging around $4500.
I am manually watering the lawn. Problem is I am not too punctual about it and I started to see dry patches on the lawn.
So, having a sprinkler system is a good option for people like me
But at the same time I don’t want to spend $2500 for the installation. I am trying to find some one who can help me to install the sprinkler system and charge for the time they spend.

Let me know if you across any one who can guide me to install the sprinklers.

Thanks
Vali Shaik

[tibbar]

I use hoses with quick connect fittings on the hose and the sprinklers. I am currently in favor of the fan type that goes back and forth. I don't turn the water on full blast or high as that causes a lot of misting that just floats off in the air and doesn't water the grass. Less water pressure gets bigger drops that drop to the ground. I bought several hoses and connect them with sprinklers and Y connectors that I lay out through the yard and I can water the whole back yard at once. Add a timer and I am done. I mow 3 inches high and can mow over the hoses.

[shankaupas]

Before we had a sprinkler system installed we used to use the rain train. It is self propelled and uses the hose as a track. You lay out the hose in the pattern you want the rain train to follow. Turn on the water and it goes until it reaches the spot you marked to stop it.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by tibbar

I use hoses with quick connect fittings on the hose and the sprinklers. I am currently in favor of the fan type that goes back and forth. I don't turn the water on full blast or high as that causes a lot of misting that just floats off in the air and doesn't water the grass. Less water pressure gets bigger drops that drop to the ground. I bought several hoses and connect them with sprinklers and Y connectors that I lay out through the yard and I can water the whole back yard at once. Add a timer and I am done. I mow 3 inches high and can mow over the hoses.

I agree in general.

Oscillating = "fan type"

[CptnRn]

I have not had good experiences with the oscillating fan type, they squirt the water so high in the air the wind easily blows it away from where it was intended. I stayed with the rainbird ratcheting type of sprinklers because you could more easily control where they directed the water. With the spray path close to the ground it cannot be blown far from where it was intended.

Get one or two of these and you can automate your lawn watering system for $39.99 each. Deluxe Digital Water Timer - 3060V at The Home Depot