Watering the lawn used to be a real chore. You had to get up early, lug the hose around the house and turn on the sprinkler — trying to adjust its position without getting a face full of water.
Then you had to remember to move it after an hour or so… hoping you’d given it the inch of water it needed (or sit there and guess when it was time to stop).
Having an irrigation system installed on your property is a big step up — but traditional systems run on a set schedule, so your sprinklers come on even if it’s raining.
Installing a smart controller with your irrigation system is a real game-changer.
What is a smart controller?
A smart controller is a box that connects to your irrigation system. It uses technology to gather cloud-based weather data and information from local weather stations to determine watering schedules.
Combined with good fertilization and mowing, smart controllers make watering your lawn and garden super simple — keeping them free of insects and protected from diseases.
Smart controllers know how long it takes to adequately water the area without creating runoff and causing pooling. They do this by breaking down the run time into segments — making every drop of water count.
How does a smart controller work?
Your controller takes data, interprets it and makes decisions based on it. Data like...
- The type of plants you have. Some plants are thirstier than others. Plants with shallow root systems — like lawns, for example — require more water than plants that have deep roots. Native species are also better adapted to local conditions and require less water.
- The type of soil you have. Clay soils, for instance, need to be watered in shorter intervals than sandy soils to avoid runoff.
- The temperature and relative humidity. If the air is dry, your plants will need more water than they would on humid days.
- The amount of sunshine. On a really sunny day, your plants will need more water (unless they’re in a shady spot).
- How windy it is. You know how dry your skin feels on a windy day. Your lawns and gardens dry out too.
Ideally, turf needs about one inch (25 mm) of water per week to grow at a healthy rate. A smart controller can sense the moisture in any given area, and adjust watering as needed.
Smart controllers save you time and energy.
A smart irrigation controller is a smart way to control your water use. And because they operate using a WiFi connection, you can water your whole property from your tablet or phone.
It’s a great time-saver, and you won’t have to worry about watering while you’re away. Your plants and lawn will look great without you having to do a thing.
You can even ask Alexa to turn on the sprinklers so the kids or grandkids can play!
And if you don’t want to bother with it at all, your landscape company can manage it for you… without stepping foot on your property.
Smart controllers can save you money.
Smart controllers give you real-time reports on your water use — you’ll know how much water is actually being used with the app’s reporting features. Most homeowners find they save up to 50% more water than a conventional system.
In addition to knowing when and how much to water, your smart controller will also alert you when there’s a leak in your system. So you can shut it off — remotely — without wasting a single drop of precious water.
Having a healthy and lush landscape is easier and more economical than ever — and the water savings alone can pay for themselves over time.
Smart controllers are good for the environment.
Awareness of the need to conserve our resources continues to grow. Many of our customers are looking for water-efficient technology that optimizes their water use. No one wants to waste water, but we all want our lawns and gardens to thrive.
And it’s not just because we want them to look beautiful. Healthy lawns and gardens provide food and shelter for wildlife (including pollinators), prevent soil erosion and give us life-giving oxygen.
What smart controller do we recommend?
The smart controller we recommend (and use ourselves) at Hutten & Co. is the Hunter Pro-HC.
If you’re curious about the features, you can watch the video below.
Installing a smart irrigation system (or updating your existing system) is a way for you to simplify your summer. Relax and spend more time doing the things you love to do — knowing that your lawn and gardens are being watered without you having to remember to turn on the sprinklers!
Ready to install a smart controller? Get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help!
