Ways to water: Overhead Irrigation

What is Overhead Irrigation?

When we say overhead irrigation, it refers to any system or cultural practice that describes irrigating from above. Most commonly, this term refers to sprinklers. There’s a large variety of sprinklers that are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

The most common sprinklers are hose-end, impact sprinklers, and gear driven sprinklers. Sprinklers work to spray or mist water over a broad area for uniform coverage. Irrigation systems can be customizable and programmed on timers to water your garden. These systems require proper installation and maintenance to keep the system functional. But, they’re the least efficient.

Pop-up, in-ground sprinkler head and home irrigation system.

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While you could say this method mimics natural rainfall, there are many drawbacks to overhead irrigation. Watering overhead wets the foliage of the plants, which invites pests and diseases. Compared to conservative watering practices, this method can encourage weed growth. On hot, windy days more water evaporates and there’s a higher chance of run-off. This makes it hard to track how much water the plants are getting, versus how much water is being wasted. This method is not necessarily bad for plants, but there are alternative practices that are much more efficient for your plants and wallet.

Pasco Program Manager, Chris Carreiro, demonstrates how overhead watering can cause issues in the garden. Photo courtesy of Julia Sirchia UF/IFAS

A Tip for the Floridian Gardner

Stay informed on the forecast, and work that into your watering schedule. If you have a sprinkler system set on a timer, it could be detrimental for your plants if they get watered, and then it rains. While the system can be convenient, too much water can damage your garden.

Conclusion

By being mindful of how we use water in our gardens and on our lawns, we can help conserve this precious resource while keeping our plants happy and healthy. Overall, promoting conservation, efficiency, and responsible practices ensures clean water availability, protecting Florida’s environment and supporting future generations.

For more information about water use and conservation in Florida, see Water Resources.

Read our other blogs for more tips and tricks on maintaining a home garden!

Have a question?

If you have any questions about gardening in Central Florida, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County at 352-518-0156. For more information on UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County Community Gardens, and how you can join one, visit http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/.

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Supervising agent: Dr. Whitney Elmore