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Landscape: Choosing Appropriate Devices
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Landscape irrigation devices can be divided into two major types: spray
and point-source (each plant assigned a specific water emitting
device). You want to choose a device that is well suited to your plant
material and to your soil type.
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Watering Device
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Description
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Radius
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| Spray |
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Rotor / Impact
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Sprinklers with one or more rotating streams of water |
15 - 60 feet
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| Sprayhead |
Sprinklers with a fan-shaped, non-rotating spray pattern
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5 - 20 feet
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| Microspray |
A mini-version of sprayheads with a very fine spray
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2 - 13 feet
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Point Source
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| Bubbler |
A device that emits water in a flowing stream
|
N/A |
| Drip |
A device that emits water slowly in drops
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N/A |
Suggested Irrigation Devices Based on Plant Type:
Spray devices are more suited to areas of continuous relatively
flat landscaping such as turf and groundcovers. Point-source units find
their best use on individual plants with significant variation in
height such as shrubs and trees.
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Plant Material
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Dimensions of
Planting Area
|
Best Irrigation Choice
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Pressure Required
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Turf, Groundcover
and Flower Beds
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15 feet or greater
on the shortest side
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Rotor |
30 psi or more
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| Turf |
Less than 15 feet
on the shortest side |
Spray Head with Flow-
Controlled Nozzle
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20 psi or more
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Groundcover & Flower
Beds Planted from Flats
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Less than 15 feet
on the shortest side |
Microspray |
15 psi or more
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Groundcover Planted in
One-Gallon Size
|
Less than 15 feet
on the shortest side |
Drip Irrigation
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10 psi or more
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Vines, Shrubs and Trees
|
Any |
Drip Irrigation
|
10 psi or more
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Suggested Irrigation Devices Based on Soil Type:
Each device has a different range of Application Rates. If your
soil is very sandy, it can tolerate a high Application Rate (also
called Precipitation Rate). Heavy clay requires a low Application Rate.
Sandy soil is better suited to spray devices. |
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Soil Type
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Heavy Clay
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Clay Loam
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Loam (Medium)
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Sandy Loam
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Sandy
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Watering Device
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|
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|
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Rotor / Impact
|
|
Poor |
Satisfactory |
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Sprayhead
|
|
Poor |
Poor |
Satisfactory |
Good |
Excellent |
| Microspray |
|
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Bubbler |
|
Poor |
Poor |
Satisfactory |
Good |
Satisfactory |
| Drip |
|
Good |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Good |
Satisfactory |
Last updated: Tuesday, 04/07/2009
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Green Garden Academy 2010
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This 12-part monthly series  of classes is the official school of sustainable gardening for Santa Monica. Each class walks participants through a different topic to help make your garden a huge success.
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