Landscape watering with a smart controller

SALT LAKE CITY — Still watering with a traditional water irrigation system? Smart watering is a newer way to water, and the KSL Greenhouse Show talked about it on its most recent podcast episode. 

Listen to the full podcast episode on smart landscape irrigation 👇

 

What is smart watering?

Using a smart watering controller can make watering a lawn or garden easier by simply being a “smart” version of a traditional controller.

A person can use their controllers from their phone, or a smart controller that replaces their old controller, and the system does much more than that, according to Robert Macdonald with Orbit Irrigation and GARDENA 

“There’s three different levels of using a smart controller,” Macdonald said.

Making repairs can be easier because, according to McDonald, a person can turn sprinklers on and off while at the sprinkler head and not have to run back and forth from the garage.

According to Macdonald, another use the smart controller gives people is allowing the timer to turn the water off when it’s raining.

“You see so many people watering in the rain. Don’t be that guy,” Macdonald said.

According to Macdonald, the controller keeps people from watering in the rain, saving a person water and money.

“(The smart controller) has a full suite of smart features, which will completely take over your watering for you,” Macdonald said.

Macdonald added that those smart features will constantly look at the weather forecast and be able to know when to turn the water irrigation system off. He also said a person can put the parameters of their lawn into the smart controller, and what areas of the lawn are in shade or in sun, so that the system properly waters a lawn.

“It’ll make all these adjustments,” Macdonald said. “If you don’t want to touch it, it’ll do all them all for you, and that’s the beauty of smart watering.”

Making the switch from traditional to smart

According to Macdonald, the smart controller is wired the same way as a traditional watering system controller.

Macdonald recommended that people take a photo of their old controller and the way the wires are set up before connecting a new smart controller.

“Take a picture, then take (the old controller) off the wall, put the new one on, put the wires in just exactly as they were before it,” Macdonald said. “And you’re done.” 

Utah’s plans for smart watering

Gov. Spencer Cox announced a drought emergency in 17 of Utah’s counties, and Greenhouse Show co-host Taun Beddes said the Wasatch Front may not be far behind depending on spring precipitation.

“It’s just something that we always have to be aware of, is water conservation,” Beddes said.

According to Macdonald, because of the way smart water controllers save water, Utah Water Saver’s Smart Controller Program is offering a $100 rebate to people who buy the systems. 

“It’s a $100 rebate, which in some cases that’s worth more than the timer,” Macdonald said. “It will rebate you up to the value of the timer you paid.”

Macdonald said people can get a smart water controller online or at just about any hardware store.

When to water

According to Beddes, between 4 a.m. and 8 or 9 a.m. is a great time to water if the lawn is located outside of the mouth of a canyon.

“The sun will come up and evaporate any excess water off the grass blades to help prevent fungal disease,” Beddes said. “If you can’t do that, you know if you live in a windy area, then you have to time around that a little bit.”

Beddes said the next best time to turn a water system on is at night, and to make sure to pace how often the lawn is watered.

KSL Greenhouse is live on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.