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With May just around the corner, many people have begun or are about to begin the task of turning on their landscape irrigation systems. Our high desert climate means there’s no firm date for this particular chore. Do it too early, and pipes could freeze in the event of a cold snap. Do it too late, and your plants suffer (especially given the fact that the majority of plants do most of their growing between March and mid June). The key is finding the right time, and there a few clues. Here’s what to understand about the best time to turn on irrigation systems in Reno and Sparks.

The Northern Nevada Rule Of Thumb

If you’ve lived here for at least a year, you’re likely familiar with the local rule of thumb for planting: Wait until the snow is off Peavine. Unfortunately, that’s likely a little too late for switching on the irrigation system. Usually, that happens sometime between the first and third week of April. During that timeframe, the best approach is to check the ten-day forecast and hope for the best. Here at Harris Landscape Construction, we’ve been performing irrigation services for a few weeks now, so if you’re planning on leaving this to the professionals, contact us today.

How To DIY Irrigation Start-Up

If you plan to manage your own irrigation start-up, follow these tips:

• Open the main water valve slowly. That will give your pipes time to gradually fill, which is important. Opening the valve too quickly can create a high-pressure surge and uncontrolled water flow, increasing the risk of cracks.
• Manually activate each zone from your controller. That way, you can ensure that they’re all working as they should. Then, check individual sprinkler heads for proper rotation and coverage, and scan for any leaks. It’s also helpful to check for low-pressure areas. That can be a sign of a broken or missing sprinkler or a line break. Expect some adjustment to sprinkler heads after the winter and take time to clean the filters on sprinklers that don’t seem to be performing quite as well.
• Set your controller to automatic water. Make sure to double check the back-up battery as well. If your system has a weather sensor, it’s a good idea to uncover and clean that and the back flow preventer too.

Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for a problems to arise with residential irrigation systems after the winter, many of which aren’t noticeable until you fire them up. Fortunately, Harris Landscape Construction offers both irrigation shut-down and start-up services, and our team can address any issues and offer recommendations about adjusting or relocating sprinkler heads for improved efficiency. We can also troubleshoot problems such as wasted or inadequate watering, flooding or drainage issues. If that’s the approach you want to take this spring, contact HLC in Reno today.