Micro "OverSpray"

Microspray irrigation sprinkler are very popular among many irrigation contractors and homeowners. Applying small amounts of water does have many advantages, however the photo below is one example of the ever need for maintenance on these devices...

How is anyone to enjoy a morning cup of coffee Here at this coffe shop when the table is covered in water! Most often, microspray irrigation equipment needs constant maintenace. The 1/4" tubing gets pulled out, sometimes clogged, and the sprayers need frequent adjustments. Consider this before you install some in your garden, you might consider using drip instead.








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Hand-Built Irrigation Controller

A custom and hand-built irrigation controller. This appears to be a 7 zone controller consisting of independent adjustable timer 'dials'.


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Young Grapes

Young grape vines just after planting. Notice the RAM drpperline preinstalled with vine clips waiting to be hung.


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Netafim Disc Filter on Cherry Farm

Netafim disc filter installation at a cherry farm in northern Michigan.

Disc filters are easy to clean, provide superb filtration and are durable and long lasting.


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Soil Moisture Sensor Installation

Baseline soil moisture sensor installation in Chestnut Hill MA. This sensor is buried 2.5" below the surface in a turfgrass area being irrigation with Hunter spray heads.


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Control Valve Not Burried

This is a great example of a poorly installed valve sent in from Boston MA. Normally valve boxes are to be used underground, not ontop of the ground...






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Lateral Pipe Installed Too Close

This is a beautiful broken pipe sent in from Maryland.


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Bad Rotor Placement and Location

Give me a break! If the owner of this hotel near Dedham, MA only new how INEFFCIENT and WASTEFUL this is...kind of like locating a heating vent in the closet!!


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Simple Rainwater Harvesting

This is an example of a basic rainwater collection system. There is no running water at this cemetery in Maple City MI, so the caretaker collects the rainwater from the roof of the maintenance shed. The water is then transferred to the white barrel and towed throughout the cemetery.

Basic yet effective.


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Commercial Irrigation Manifold

There are many different techniques for installing multi-zoned irrigation systems. One of the more popular methods is to "manifold" the valves together either in the same box or in side-by-side boxes. This allows for easier maintenance and reduces the number of green boxes visible in the turfgrass.

Scott Skiles owner of Capital Irrigation out of the MD/DC/VA region installed the manifold you see in the image below. Scott also installed isolation valves to make it easier to service the system. Scott Skiles is well known for quality installation and great craftsmanship.

If you look closely you will notice only one green wire, not a multi-bundle. A two wire control system was used on this project to reduce the amount if copper wire and increase the flexibility for future expansion and alterations.





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Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Subsurface drip irrigation is a great water conservation option, especially for those tight small areas. Make sure to only use drip products designed for below-grade installation so as to protect against root intrusion and clogging. The leading product for subsurface irrigation is Netafim TechlineCV.









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Quality Controller Installation

It is rare to find good quality installation work anymore. For this reason I've added the below image installed by Lautner Irrigation.

You're looking at a Baseline 3200 Two-Wire controller with a pump start biCoder and 2 Rid-O-Rust injectors.

Nice work AJ!


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DIY pipe fixed with screws

This is an actual section of PVC pipe dug up by an irrigation contractor in Cincinnati OH. Any idea why it was leaking?


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Hydrometer

This is a Hydrometer manufactured by Netafim. It measures water flow both digitally and visually and also has a built-in master valve. It is used to stop irrigation in the event of a high water flow, such as a broken lateral or mainline pipe.

Hyrdometers are a great solution for LEED and Green Buildings. It is important to have a 'master' shut-off valve to protect from leaks and line breaks. It is also crucial to meter the water use - think about it, how do you measure water savings without measuring it? Most Hydrometers are less than $1,000 and very easy to install. You can learn more about Hydrometers here www.netafimusa.com.

This Hydrometer is installed with a Baseline 3200 two-wire controller near Boston MA.


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How to bury dripperline

This is a great example of the proper technique for burying Netafim techline dripperline. Notice how it is layed UNDER the mulch, not on top of it.

You can't see it, but also in this picture is a Baseline soil moisture sensor. The moisture sensor will be used to control WHEN and for HOW LONG to water.



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Baseline Air Temperature Sensor

This is an Air Temperature Sensor used on a Baseline 6000 Control System at the Northern Michigan Horticultural Research Center operated by Michigan State.

The sensor will stop irrigation when the air temperature drops below 38 degrees.


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Broken Lawn Sprinkler

Here is a picture of M22 in Traverse City, MI at 7:30am. Any guess how much water is being wasted here? My guess is 150 gallons/day!

I see this broken spinkler EVERY day, maybe I should send this picture to the owner, or better yet I should send it to the Record Eagle for a cover story! It is really amazing the water wasted in Traverse City, keeping following our blog for future updates.


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