The hot summer weather is here now and that means many people will be thinking of buying or using a garden water sprinkler to keep their garden plants and lawns in top condition.
As a T3 gardening expert, I have reviewed and rated many of the best garden sprinklers on the market today and gained a little expertise on how they should be used and what mistakes people can make with them. So I thought I would pass on what I learned.
I currently primarily run an oscillating Hoselock square sprinkler. This type of sprinkler is the most common on the market today, so the errors listed here are primarily based on this type. However, these errors apply to all sprinkler types.
So be sure to read these 5 common sprinkler mistakes before attempting to water your own lawn or garden with them.
(Image credit: Spear & Jackson)
1. Using your sprinkler at the wrong time of day
I would say that’s the only flaw I see most often in people. But to get straight to the point: you should never use a garden sprinkler in the heat of the day.
Turn on your sprinkler when the sun is beating down on the lawn and plants majority of which evaporates before it can actually seep into the ground. You will end up wasting water and not watering the grass or flowers adequately.
If you should Use your garden water sprinkler early in the morning and late at night. Water is released faster and more effectively and absorbed by organic matter, preparing it for healthy growth in the sun when it returns.
(Image credit: ENJSD)
2. Use your sprinkler too often
Another classic mistake I see often is using a sprinkler too often. I’ve passed people’s homes where the lawns are watered at 9am and are still watered at 2:30pm.
To put it bluntly – Gießen anything too much is a bad thing, including weed. More water doesn’t mean more growth, it’s not that simple, and in fact overwatering can stunt growth, lead to fungal problems and problems like root rot and root deprivation, and in worst cases even kill plants.
Additionally, overwatering plants can cause them to rely on manual watering, stop deep root growth and make them less resilient.
The amount of sprinkler action your garden should receive will of course change with the season and what is being watered, but always fight the urge to overwater and use too much water.
(Image credit: Karcher)
3. Not adjusting the water distribution of your sprinkler
Most water sprinklers come with adjustable distribution gates. These are included for a reason, so make use of them. I’ve seen many people set up a water sprinkler on their lawn that only waters part of it due to a tight water arc, although with a little adjustment the sprinkler could cover a larger area.
Again, don’t be fooled into thinking that you have to see sparkling puddles of water all over your grass or soil for it to be considered well-watered. As a general rule I always tend towards a wider spread and less water per square meter because the truth is if you water at the right time you won’t need more.
So use these adjustment controls on your water sprinkler, they’ll save you money (since you’re watering a larger area with the same amount of water).
(Image credit: Gardena)
4. Using the wrong type of sprinkler for the job at hand
Oscillating sprinklers are the most common type of sprinkler on the market and are particularly good for watering lawns. That’s because they throw up an arc of water droplets falling in a fairly even range that can be controlled with sliders. They also spread out evenly.
However, there are other types of sprinklers such as B. Impact sprinklers and rotary sprinklers, which also have their own advantages. Rotating sprinklers, for example, tend to eject smaller water droplets, which is good when smaller, more delicate plants need to be watered, while impact sprinklers have a far greater range than oscillating sprinklers, making them good for watering larger areas.
Basically, make sure you’re using the right sprinkler for the job because the last thing you want to do, for example, is turn on an impact sprinkler in the middle of an allotment garden of delicate young plants.
(Image credit: GRÜNTEK)
5. Leave your sprinkler outside
There are several reasons to take your sprinkler indoors after use. These include that it doesn’t cover an area of grass, which is therefore protected from the sun’s rays (hello, ugly sallow, withered sod! ridden interiors).
Plus, say goodbye to ice damage and goodbye to a working sprinkler in climates where night-time temperatures can drop to sub-zero temperatures.
In my experience, sprinklers don’t last very long if they’re not treated well, and making sure they’re cleaned and thoroughly dried after use is a great way to keep them in tip-top condition.
I tend to water my plants with sprinklers in the morning and – especially with my oscillating types – then let them dry in the sun before putting them away until next use.
This is the garden water sprinkler I currently use
If you want a rock solid square sprinkler all-rounder that doesn’t cost much, I recommend the Hozelock Square Sprinkler. I’ve listed this as the “Best Mid-Range Impact Sprinkler” in T3’s Best Garden Sprinkler Buyer’s Guide because it’s easy to use, versatile and affordable.