Manual lawn and garden irrigation often results in wasted water due to run off and over-saturation. Automatic sprinklers help to reduce that issue by distributing the water gently and in a uniform pattern. Smart controllers provide another easy way to reduce the amount of water wasted, saving money and helping to preserve our natural resources.

What Are Smart Controllers?

Many different irrigation products use the term "smart controllers," although not all deserve the label. Some products are used to adapt standard controllers, adding a moisture sensor feature to make the sprinkler heads "smarter." Others use various methods of intelligence during operation to create a fully customized irrigation schedule.

Basically, smart controllers distribute a limited amount of moisture at certain times based on calculated information. They are programmed and require calibration and adjustments to operate properly and dependably.

Homeowners or landscapers provide some of the data required, including slope, soil type, lighting conditions and plant type. The controller gathers other information, including temperature, precipitation and other weather data.

Types of Smart Controller Programming

Where do smart controllers get all of that information? And how do they use that information to alter the irrigation schedule for your property?

You'll supply some information during set up; the balance is provided via programming. Choose from the three basic types of programming:

• Historical Data - armed with historical data covering the weather patterns and precipitation in your geographical area, these smart controllers distribute water based on the past. Affordable and fairly accurate, this type of controller can also be over-ridden to allow for unusual circumstances.
• Off-Site Data - this smart controller is programmed with current weather and precipitation data provided from an outside source. Subscription fees must be paid, and the data source needs to be accurate for this system to work well.
• On-Site Data - using an onboard weather station or simple moisture sensors, this type of smart controller is programmed with current data collected on or near your property. Calibration is key in the initial stages and inaccurate data, due to damaged devices, will result in wasted water.

Research the various types of smart controllers available for your lawn and garden irrigation system, paying careful attention to the initial cost, maintenance level, additional fees and warranty. Invest in a system that will help you to reduce wasted water and continue to provide your property with a dependable water source.