Tips for Finding the Right Sprinkler
What Are the Sizes and Shapes of the Areas You Need to Water?
Sprinklers for lawns and gardens have different available spray patterns, so considering the size and shape of the area you need to water is a must for choosing the best sprinkler.
The sprinkler packaging or product information should explain its spray pattern and give the square footage the pattern covers. Find the coverage that best matches your irrigation needs.
How
Much Do You Want to Spend?
You
can often find a small sprinkler for less than $10 or you can spend $50 and
more on one with more capabilities. Features, durability and design are all
factors in the price.
An inexpensive plastic sprinkler may be the best choice if you just need to irrigate a small vegetable garden, but if you want a more durable metal sprinkler that has adjustable settings, you'll need to spend more.
Determine which factors are important and how much you want to spend.
Are There Any Water Restrictions In Your Area?
Some sprinklers use more water than others. If your area is under any water usage restrictions, take this into consideration so you can find a sprinkler that irrigates your lawn or garden as efficiently as possible.
While an underground sprinkler system is more expensive than several lawn sprinklers, you can set up an underground system to fit your landscape perfectly and customize a schedule for automatic irrigation. Take a look at our underground sprinkler installation project and sprinkler head guide to learn about these systems and see how to set one up.
Lawn Sprinkler Types
Now that you’ve got the key factors above in mind, consider the different sprinkler types to find one that meets your needs.
Impulse Sprinklers
If you have a large, area to irrigate where a grass or garden is well established, an impulse sprinkler is a good choice. You may recognize this type of sprinkler by the characteristic clicking it produces as it casts an arc of water in a circular pattern.
While you can water large areas with an impulse sprinkler, it's not the best choice for new lawns or gardens. The force of the water hitting the soil can disrupt seeds or seedlings.
To fully cover rectangular spaces while minimizing wasted water, you may need to move the sprinkler periodically or set up several sprinklers.
Oscillating Sprinklers
The spray pattern of an oscillating sprinkler is perfect for rectangular areas. Multiple streams from an oscillating sprinkler create a gentle fan of water that moves back and forth, making this type the best lawn sprinkler for newly seeded or newly planted areas.
Since
oscillating sprinklers put out a lot of water, you'll need to check the
irrigation area every so often to make sure water isn't puddling. This can
especially be an issue with slow-draining clay soil.
Rotating Sprinklers
There are several types of rotating sprinklers.
- One type features two or more arms that spin, casting water in a circular pattern.
- A more decorative design has a spinning ring with nozzles that spray water.
- You can also find compact rotating or rotary sprinklers that look like a sprinkler head on an underground sprinkler system.
Rotating sprinklers can irrigate a fairly large area. They're more suitable for new plantings than impulse sprinklers, but some models have watering patterns that aren't very precise. You may waste some water on areas such as sidewalks and driveways if you're not careful with your irrigation.
Spray Sprinklers
If you need to water an area such as a small patch of lawn or a small garden, a spray sprinkler is a good choice. This type of stationary sprinkler puts out multiple streams of water to create a gentle fountain that covers just one area.
Sprinkler Coverage Patterns
Understanding the difference between full-coverage patterns and adjustable patterns will help you ensure your entire lawn or garden is properly watered.
A full-coverage sprinkler pattern varies depending on the sprinkler type and it's specifications. For example:
- The full-coverage pattern of an oscillating or rotating sprinkler might be a rectangle covering 4,000 square feet. Depending on your lawn size and shape, you might be able to water your grass with one sprinkler.
- The full coverage pattern of a rotating or impulse sprinkler might be a circle covering between 5,000 and 6,000 square feet. Depending on the shape of the lawn you might need to overlap a couple of sprinklers to reach all of the grass.
Sprinklers with adjustable coverage let you customize the pattern to avoid wasting water on concrete surfaces and apply more to your lawn or garden.
- You can adjust some impulse and rotating sprinklers between full- and half-circle patterns and adjust how far the sprinkler throws the water.
- You can adjust some oscillating sprinklers to cover large rectangular spaces or narrow strips of lawn.
Use Lawn Sprinklers with Different Bases for Different Applications
In addition to different types of sprinklers, you'll notice different types of bases for the devices as well. Different bases let you choose a sprinkler that's best for your needs.
Spike-Base Lawn Sprinklers
Spike-base sprinklers have a plastic or metal base that ends in a point and may feature a blade or secondary spike for stability. This base is a good choice if you don't anticipate needing to move the sprinkler regularly.
You'll often see this base on an impulse or rotary sprinkler, where the rotating action could turn the sprinkler body.
A spike base works well in uneven yards, making it easy to level the sprinkler for consistent watering.
Sled-Base Lawn Sprinklers
Sled bases are typical for oscillating sprinklers and work well if you anticipate needing to move the sprinkler a lot, either to adjust coverage or to allow mowing. They usually feature a couple of runners that rest on the ground, but you can also find sprinklers with wheels. Both types make it easy to adjust or move the sprinkler simply by pulling the garden hose it's attached to.
Sled
bases are best for level terrain. You may have difficulty getting a sled-base
sprinkler to water evenly if it's on a slope.
Traveler Lawn Sprinklers
A traveler base or traveler sprinkler has wheels and an internal mechanism that uses the force of the water to turn the wheels and move the sprinkler across a lawn. It will typically follow a course you set up with the garden hose.
These types of sprinklers tend to be more expensive than others and need high water pressure to operate. However, they're perfect for watering irregularly shaped areas since you can customize the course the sprinkler travels.
Traveler sprinklers usually have a rotating head and may include an automatic shutoff feature that activates when the sprinkler reaches the end of the course. They may not be the best choice for a yard with a dog, who may see the sprinkler as a toy.
Other Sprinkler Base Types
You may see sprinklers with other types of bases, including in-ground, tripod and T-post sprinklers.
- An in-ground lawn sprinkler is similar to a popup head on an underground sprinkler system. It requires installation, but you don't need to set it up each time you need to water. When it's not in use, you can set the sprinkler below ground level.
- A tripod base lawn sprinkler lets you adjust the height of the sprinkler head so obstacles won't block the water.
- A T-post lawn sprinkler fits over a standard T-post that you'd used for wire fencing projects. The post gives good elevation and the sprinkler is easy to attach and remove.
Lawn Sprinkler Watering Tips
Knowing when and how to water your lawn helps you use your sprinklers efficiently, giving your grass the water it needs and minimizing wasted water.
Some areas may have limits on water use. Follow any water restrictions for your area.
How Do I Know My Lawn Needs Water?
If, after you walk on the lawn, the blades don't spring back quickly, your lawn needs supplemental water. A dull look to the grass is another indication of a lack of water.
Healthy cool-season grasses may go dormant and turn brown during the summer months and only need about 1/2 inch of water every 2 to 3 weeks to stay alive. Once temperatures cool off, they'll green up again and you can resume normal watering.
When Should You Water a Lawn or Garden?
It's best to water your lawn in the morning, at least a few hours before noon. This gives the water time to drain into the ground before the heat of the afternoon cause it to evaporate. This practice is especially useful in hot, dry conditions or climates.
If
you need to water in the afternoon or evening, make sure you allow a couple of
hours for the grass or plants to dry before dark. If the plants remain wet into
the night, there's a greater chance of disease developing.
Make watering with a sprinkler easier and more efficient by using a hose-end timer. From mechanical timers that control one hose to digital, smart-compatible models that let you set up multiple watering zones, you can find a timer that works for your irrigation needs.
How Much Water Does a Lawn Need?
An established lawn needs from 1 inch to 1-1/2 inches of water per week. Ideally, this will be a combination of rainfall and supplemental watering with a sprinkler. In general, it's best to water thoroughly two or three times a week, but timing may depend on your soil type.
If you've just seeded a new lawn, you'll need to irrigate lightly each day to keep the top layer of soil moist until the grass is established and developing strong roots. See our lawn seeding how to for more tips on starting a new lawn right.
How Does Soil Affect Watering?
There are three basic types of soil. Each has a different irrigation need.
- Sandy soil drains quickly. Plants in sandy soil need water more frequently than those in other types. You may want to split your irrigation over several days.
- Clay soil holds water well. Plants in clay soil won't need water as often as those in sandy soil. You can apply supplemental water once a week, but don't overwater.
- Loam is a blend of silt, organic material and clay. It has a good balance of drainage and water retention. You can divide the supplemental water over a couple of days each week.
Learn more about the different types of soil and how you can improve your soil with our soil and soil amendments guide. See our watering tips for more ideas on using water wisely in the lawn and garden.