Sp[inkler Systems and SFG

**donnainzone5** 5/10/2013, 1:03 pm

I've been told that my automated sprinkler system has a leak and that I need to replace the entire kit and kaboodle, at a cost of around $3,500.

Of course, I'll seek at least a second opinion.

In the meantime, however, I'd appreciate any comments about overhead watering and SFG. Last summer, I had no problems whatsoever with the daily heavy watering, which I attribute to our long, warm days and lack of humidity.

Nevertheless, I'd like input about the feasibility/necessity of isolating my beds from the remainder of the sprinkler system.

Thanks in advance!

**Turan** 5/10/2013, 1:18 pm

I have run sprinklers over my gardens since forever, as did my dad, as does the living history museum here. None of us have seen problems with it. Some times it is the best way to get a good soaking of a seed bed especially. My only concerns are that it makes slug habitat on the path edges and I am on a well and this looks like a dry summer coming.

HiDesert 5/19/2013, 2:32 pm

Seeing if my weather sticker works

**camprn** 5/19/2013, 2:35 pm

HiDesert wrote:Seeing if my weather sticker works

I see it!

**llama momma** 5/19/2013, 3:19 pm

It rains from above Smile

so I'm not convinced overhead watering is an issue unless it's done every single day and keeps the area in constant high humidity encouraging fungal growth. Now I'll talk out of the other side of my mouth Wink

-- I choose to water the soil medium instead as a precaution. Ohio weather supports a vast array of fungal growth by the way. A master gardener instructor confirmed this in class the other day.

**RoOsTeR** 5/19/2013, 3:41 pm

I'll be the one curious enough to ask why a leak would mean that the whole system needs to be replaced.

artisticfoodie 5/19/2013, 5:09 pm

RoOsTeR wrote:I'll be the one curious enough to ask why a leak would mean that the whole system needs to be replaced.

+1

**donnainzone5** 5/19/2013, 10:04 pm

They haven't been able to find the leak, so they think they need to dig everything up. Not to say that the old system was efficient or installed properly. The former owner, according to my neighbors, was an incompetent do-it-yourselfer.

However, I did some of my own detective work.

When my landscape maintenance man came out to shut down the irrigation system for the winter, I had him transplant a shrub from the front yard to the back.

Interestingly, there is now (after an attempt to turn on the irrigation system) a 23"-deep hole behind said plant. As a control, I stuck a spiral stake around the shrub, and couldn't easily push it past 6"-8". Therefore, I speculate that he cut an irrigation line during the transplant.

Chopper 6/4/2013, 1:25 am

The worst thing I experienced in overhead watering was hard water stains. Otherwise no worries. I did time the watering for early morning to avoid having wet plants overnight.

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Sp[inkler Systems and SFG

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