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Given Reno’s location in the high desert, with a landscape that is quite diverse and a climate that can be challenging, to say the least, homeowners and lawn maintenance companies in Reno certainly have their work cut out for them when it comes to gardening. Being on the leeward side of the Sierra Nevada range, rain-producing systems that flow from the Pacific tend to be blocked, creating an area known as the “rain shadow.” With little moisture left after the weather system traverses the mountains, Reno ends up averaging only 7.48 inches of rainfall per year, though due to its altitude, Reno also averages over 21 inches of snowfall each season. Nevertheless, those who are successful at gardening in this environment have adapted to the weather by selecting a diversity of plants, grasses, and trees that do well in these unique climatic conditions. However, since the soil conditions in the area are mostly fast-draining rock and clay, adequate watering is a particular challenge, which is why automatic watering systems are so useful here. It Simply Makes Good “Sense” There are options when it comes to automatic watering systems, but one thing to consider regardless of the unit that’s installed is to include water sensors, particularly considering the dearth of rain that Reno receives. Sensors are the best way to prevent overwatering, and there are basically two types to consider. The first is a rain sensor, which, as the name implies, simply detects rainfall and, after a pre-determined amount of water has been sensed, causes the sprinkler system to shut down any irrigation that’s been scheduled. The rain sensors’ advantage is that they are simple devices that are typically less costly and far easier to install and maintain than the alternative, known as soil moisture sensors. However, soil moisture sensors are much more accurate because they are built to identify the moisture level at the roots. They provide more cost savings because they are more exact in determining how much water plants, trees, and grasses are receiving, though they can also be a bit complicated to install and maintain. To Sprinkle or to Drip? Both sprinkler and drip systems have their places and their advantages, though in some cases it may be beneficial to install both. Either way, an automated system alleviates the need to manually open valves, keep track of the time, and then shut the water off. Also, both sprinkler and drip systems can be tailored to deliver fertilizer to a lawn as well as products to prevent weeds. The obvious advantage to a sprinkler system is coverage. If you have a large lawn area to be watered, then sprinkler systems are the way to go. However, they can also be somewhat wasteful since the application is so widespread and subject to water loss due to evaporation or runoff. Drip systems, on the other hand, are designed to be used with small yards or watering small groups of plants and are effective at supplying water directly to the soil—thus minimizing evaporation and runoff loss. Drip irrigation is especially useful for mulched areas since it doesn’t wash away the mulch as it soaks the soil. In some situations, both sprinkler and drip systems may be necessary given the landscape. Whatever automatic system you install, you can be certain that you’ll save money, water, and time. In addition, a professionally installed system will increase the value of your property, but keep in mind that design and proper installation are crucial factors that affect any system’s performance and its lifespan. No wonder, then, that lawn maintenance companies in Reno are in demand, since both design and installation can be a challenging affair.
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