soil moisture sensors
Rebates available in the Twin Cities for upgrading smart irrigation products
By Gary Deters
Updated technology products for saving water in home lawn irrigation systems have been available for many years. These products include Wi-Fi-enabled irrigation controllers, rain sensors, soil sensors, smart sprinkler heads, and smart hose timers. The benefit of the Wi-Fi-enabled controllers or weather-based products is they automatically adjust watering schedules based on current or future weather conditions. This helps homeowners avoid over-watering or under-watering, and conserves water. It also helps provide peace of mind, as homeowners don’t have to worry about adjusting sprinklers when weather changes or when they are not home to monitor conditions.
Irrigation prevention at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
By Gary Deters
The summers of 2021-2023 presented significant challenges for those managing lawns or turfgrass with drought conditions, extreme temperatures, and a lack of rainfall. Many homeowners likely relied heavily on underground irrigation systems to maintain healthy grass or to follow municipal odd/even watering restrictions. Even smart irrigation systems with rain sensors, soil sensors, or weather-based controllers allowed irrigation based on weather and soil conditions due to the lack of rain.