Irrigation involves bringing water to your yard or crops instead of depending on rain to water them. This is essential in many areas during the dry season to ensure healthy crops. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 58 million acres of land are irrigated nationwide. With so much irrigated land, it's no surprise that the systems have evolved greatly over the years.
Ancient Civilizations
Archeologists and historians know that ancient civilizations used some form of irrigation to ensure crops didn't wither. However, it was nothing like the sprinklers or lawn irrigation systems today. Instead, it more than likely involved people carrying buckets of water and dumping it on plants. As predicted, that method didn't last long.
Advanced Irrigation
As technology advanced, ancient civilizations developed more efficient ways to irrigate land and crops. We've seen that China and Egypt built canals, dams, and water storage facilities to ensure proper irrigation. We also saw that Rome developed a system of aqueducts to carry melted snow from the Alps to nearby cities to ensure everyone, including the plants, had water.
Modern Systems
Modern irrigation is similar to the irrigation that existed centuries ago. Water is gathered using basins, dams, wells, and other ideas. The water is then often stored in a reservoir or other storage method. It's delivered to nearby crops, canals, pipelines, or pumps. Farmers often irrigate the land by flooding a field or developing neat rows where water will flow to ensure they don't get too much water.
Lawn Irrigation
Lawn irrigation is a method homeowners use to ensure their lawn is adequately watered. This allows the grass to remain lush and green throughout the year, including during dry spells or heat waves. Some homeowners use a method that involves PVC pipes to drip water on the lawn while other people prefer to use a sprinkler system.
Energy Efficiency
Many professionals and homeowners strive to be more energy efficient. Rainwater collection has become increasingly popular to make use of the water the Earth provides us. The rain is drained into a barrel via the gutters on a roof, which is then used for irrigation. Many canal systems rely on gravity instead of electrical pumps to water crops. Companies are investing in Wi-Fi controllers for sprinkler systems to help owners control how much they use them.
At Sprinklers Plus, we've specialized in sprinkler systems since 1999. Our experts bring over 24 years of experience to the job. Contact us when you're ready for installation, repairs, or maintenance!