As you prepare for your new sod installation, should you include an irrigation system at the same time? The answer may be yes, but this isn't always a given. A wide array of factors go into determining the right irrigation plan for your lawn. To help you make this decision, discover a few reasons to install or not to install sprinklers at this juncture.
Pros of Installing a Sprinkler System Now
The biggest advantage for most homeowners considering a built-in sprinkler system is the convenience. Most modern systems are programmed once and then take over the work automatically until otherwise instructed. By taking the manual element out of the equation, you may never need to worry about making the time or effort to water the grass. For busy homeowners, this alone is often enough to warrant the investment.
However, this is not just about you and your interests. Your lawn also benefits from the regular and consistent hydration a modern sprinkler system provides. New sod, in particular, is at its most fragile right after it's first laid down. It needs watering according to the sod provider's instructions for it to take root and survive the first summer. And while you can give a new lawn enough water to thrive, automation makes it more likely.
If you think that you will want a good sprinkler system at some point in the future, now is also the best time to install it. First, the period just before the sod is laid is the most cost-effective time for installation due to the lack of extra work you'll have to do. This also means not digging up any existing grass or plants, which probably won't be the case later. Both of these factors protect your wallet and your lawn.
Cons of Installing a Sprinkler System Now
What's the biggest drawback to installation an irrigation system before planting sod? For most, the cost is it. The sod and its installation already carries costs, and you may have other expenses if it's going into a new construction home or a big landscape renovation.
Your specific cost will vary based on things like how large a system you need, how many zones you have, what extras you choose, and how much ground needs digging. The national average is currently $2,538 including installation and the system itself — but you're more likely to spend between $1,714 to $3,520.
In addition to investing the money into a fully functional irrigation plan, you also commit to it for a long time. Once in place, an in-ground system — whether it consists solely of sprinklers or includes other elements like drip irrigation — is difficult to remove and relocate. Everything is tailored to the needs of the existing landscape. So if you may make changes in the near future, this will be hard.
Don't underestimate this factor if you need to install new sod in a hurry. For instance, many new construction home buyers must finish their landscape by a certain deadline. Or you might have an HOA with strict rules about keeping up the front yard. Whatever the reason for the rush, though, you may not want to make permanent choices at this point.
Before you decide whether or not to install an irrigation system before putting down your sod, start by learning more about sod, its care, and the challenges you face. Novasack Turf Farm can help. We've helped property owners throughout New Jersey design and execute the best lawn possible for more than 35 years. We can help you too. Make an appointment today to get into the details of your particular property.
