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5 Best Lawn Sprinklers for Every Size Yard
Turns out different yards can benefit from different sprinklers.
No matter how hearty and durable your plants and grass are, you still have to keep them watered. Summer can run its toll on plants quickly if they aren't watered regularly, and since Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate with our precious plant baby's schedules, we have to rely on good ole technology to do the trick.
Sprinklers are a must-have for any gardener (or anyone who wants their grass to look decent), so why is it so tough to find a good one? We employed the expertise of Carmen Johnston, the founder and owner of Carmen Johnston Gardens and Bespoke Garden Plans, who has over 15 years of experience caring for gardens and lawns of all sizes to get her tips on shopping for the best lawn sprinkler.
Surprisingly, there are a lot of factors that play into finding the perfect sprinkler. While the typical stake-in-the-ground version might work for some people, there are tons of different options available that are more well-suited for other yards.
Yard Size
Obviously, you'll want to start here. Not all sprinklers have the same coverage area, which could mean needing to move your sprinkler around multiple times just to fully cover your yard—aka, a pain! You'll need to know the approximate square footage of your yard to determine what size sprinkler you'll need.
While a regular sprinkler should do the job for an average to small sized yard, larger yards are going to need something more heavy-duty. You'll either have to invest in a travel sprinkler or an irrigation system or prepare to move your sprinkler often. "For larger properties, I absolutely recommend an irrigation system to help with lawn coverage," Carmen says. "Even with a good system, you will still need to hand water or supplement with sprinklers to keep landscapes properly hydrated during intense heatwaves."
Yard Shape
Odds are, you don't have a backyard that's a perfect circle (the shape of a typical sprinkler pattern), which means working around corners and crevices is going to be a problem. If your backyard has tons of pockets or is more rectangular in shape, a traveling sprinkler might just be a game changer for you. These sprinklers travel along a predetermined path (mapped out by you) to soak the entire yard.
You could also invest in an irrigation system, whether that be professionally installed or a DIY project. "Any lawn that you want to maximize growth (can benefit from an irrigation system)," Carmen says. "Sprinkler systems offer great coverage and even watering."
Shrubs and Plants
In addition to an oddly-shaped yard causing problems for your sprinkler, tall shrubs, plants, or other interferences can also stop the flow of water to certain areas of your yard. Irrigation systems and a traveling sprinkler are both fantastic options for yards with tall bushes, but you could also look into a sprinkler on a tripod base. This elevated base will give your sprinkler a head above most everything else in your yard so water reaches its full coverage area.
Does Grass Type Matter?
The short answer: no! While you may need to water at different at different times of the day or more often for certain types of grass, the sprinkler type absolutely does not matter. "Believe it or not, any grass type can be trained to use less water," Carmen says. "For example, a type called St. Augustine is known as the 'poor man’s grass,' and it can go completely dormant and turn brown—but with one good soaking rain, it’s back to a gorgeous, lush green! There are certain grasses that don’t require as much water as others."
How Often Should I Water My Yard?
How often you'll need to water depends heavily on your climate and your grass type and plants. Carmen's tell-tale sign? "Usually, you will notice the coloring is off and missing that lush, grass green hue," she shares. "Also look for spots that are starting to wilt or brown."
It's important to note that while your grass may be more drought-resistance, many plants aren't. Like Carmen said before, even with an irrigation system or sprinkler used often, you might need to supplement was a hose soaking or small sprinkler for certain plants or garden beds that prefer to have wet feet.
And when you do use your sprinkler, it's important not to overwater. "(It) depends on what type of soil and grass they have and how frequently they’re watering, but anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour is average," Carmen says. "You will definitely be watering more in the summer versus early spring or fall, too"
The Best Lawn Sprinklers
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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