Irrigation
Irrigation systems are one of the biggest mysteries to my clients. Irrigation controller's seem to be the most baffling part of the system , like the TV remote. Most clients fail to do one simple thing, read the instructions. Most controller's are easy to program, that is to get them to turn on and off at a certain time. The real key to making the thing work right is scheduling. The right watering duration on a desired number of days.
Most clients and landscape gardeners over water. I use the term landscape gardeners loosely. I see it all the time, water 3 or 4 times a week for 15 to 20 minutes. The whole landscape is watered the same. Forgetting to take into consideration the types of plant material used, soil types, sun exposure, or the type of sprinklers. All these factor and more must be considered when scheduling.
Having a water audit performed can save you money and water. Water audits look at how much water is being applied to an area, but more importantly it looks at what plants are being watered and how much water they require. If you're serious about your landscape, you should have a water audit done on your landscape. See how much money and water you can save in a year, it might help offset your power bill.