How to Harness Recent Rainfall

Many San Diego residents have been stunned by the recent turnaround in precipitation over the area.  Between October 1 of 2022 and March 1 of 2022, San Diego experienced one of the wettest seasons in recent memory, with 45 days of rain during that period–the most in 40 years of measuring rainfall data.  Many Californians were grateful for the influx of moisture after the drought conditions of the past few years; however, there are still worries that future rainfall might overcompensate for recent losses since some areas have seen flooding and other problems related to sudden, large surges in water levels.  Others point to the need to refill reservoirs and lakes with much-needed water as a good reason to rejoice in the rainy weather.

To strike a good balance between too much rain and not enough, many San Diego residents have begun to look into how to channel rainwater flow into potential sources of irrigation.  Even though the yearly rains are tapering off, investing in good irrigation systems for a well-designed landscape is one way to ensure that you will always have plenty of water for your yard and garden!

How To Design a Drought-Resistant Irrigation System

A drought-resistant irrigation system is much more than simply planting some thirst-tolerant plants.  Although choosing water-sparing plants is a good idea in most cases, even the least thirsty of succulents will eventually need some watering.  Additionally, water is for more than just feeding plants; it can also help keep soil viable and prevent certain types of erosion, as well as nourish beneficial insect or animal species that live side-by-side with your plants.

All in all, an irrigation system that uses as little water as possible but still provides hydration when needed is the best possible solution.  In order to design such a system, it is important to consider several factors:

• Water sources. You may have more sources of water than you realize.  While most people get their water from the city or county in which they live, you may also have viable sources of water from nearby lakes, streams, or rivers, particularly if you are not concerned with the potability or “drinkability” of water.  Of course, you want to be sure that the water is safe for your plants, but if it is clean enough to water your yard, you can use a wide range of sources to help keep your plants healthy.  Additionally, rainfall can be collected and used in a number of ways to provide instant, free watering for your plants.
• The slope of the land. One thing you should consider when designing your irrigation system is the slope.  Water will run downhill without pumps or other equipment, so any time you can use gravity to your advantage, you should do so!  This will help you create an environmentally-friendly system that uses little to no energy to maintain itself.
• Possible collection sites. Rain barrels, fountains, and even bird baths are great sources of collection for rainwater.  Try setting up a small collecting site first to work out the issues you may encounter before branching into larger containers.

At Juniper Landscape, our experts are here to help you design the perfect irrigation system for your particular landscape.  We want to help you utilize your yard’s natural structure and resources to the greatest extent possible to save money and to give you beautiful, healthy, and watered plants and grass.  Give us a call today to learn more!