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It’s irrigation season in the Valley and customers are sharing their irrigation tips and spreading the irrigation love through an SRP Water Services team contest. Here’s a collection of the yards and lives flourishing from the water that started high in the mountains of Arizona, ending as irrigation on original SRP lands.
Fun for everyone
Chris Lange said, “I love irrigation! To cover the area we need to cover, irrigation makes it possible so my kids and family can enjoy the lawn, plus our livestock can naturally graze all year round.”
Staying safe
At SRP, we love a good safety tip and Kevin Veal had a great one to share: “Our dog, Noodle, can’t get enough of playing in our backyard transformed into a wading pool! But please make sure that your kids (including the four-legged babies) are under close supervision when your SRP irrigation order is running.”
Finding what works
Georgina Marin said, “Originally, I was going to convert my new-to-me property to xeriscaping until an SRP representative came out and explained the benefits and process. My dog’s reaction to irrigation sealed the deal 😁.”
Georgina Marin shared some great tips:
- Get to know your neighbors so you can coordinate gate activities.
- Clean and maintain your ditch, gate or valve
because grass and weeds slow flow. - Follow the schedule and ensure gates are opened/closed at appropriate times and communicate to your
downstream neighbor if you’re opening the gate to them early. - Wear high waterproof galoshes, because water is freezing in winter.
- Wear a headlight at night for safety and to monitor irrigation activity.
- Carry a rake around to remove debris while it’s floating on top in the yard and in the ditch.
- Teach your family and others in case you are unavailable so they
to can do the irrigation activity while you’re gone. Your trees and the wildlife will thank you.
Enjoying the history of SRP irrigation
Wayne Evans said, “Irrigation makes my home an oasis in the desert. The reliable water supply provided by the Salt River Project brought my grandparents to Mesa in 1929 and helped the desert blossom like a rose. I still enjoy irrigating my acre, growing trees
Great for trees
Shannon Green Leavitt shared, “We love irrigation for our citrus, peach and pecan trees. They produce so well with irrigation water! It works really well for us to communicate with our neighbors before and after us to prevent flooding and maximize our water use.”
Tropical paradise
Garrett Hill shared, “This is 21st-century gardening and water management. We are located in Gilbert. Our system has five zones integrated with Rachio 3, wireless flow meter and a weather system.”
High- and low-tech hacks
The Potters had some great tips for measuring and getting the most out of their water: “
The Calls shared their tips for the right flow: “We use stacked pavers to create a ditch and direct the irrigation around areas or to areas. Works great.”
Dedication and communication are key
Rebecca Maguire said, “I am happy to have irrigation rights because it keeps my property cooler in summer. And the roses love it! Always watch the water during your run to keep it going where it should. Also, have the neighbor’s number on speed dial so you can have them take the water if you fill up early.”
Keeping traditions alive
Terrence Gellenbeck shared, “Why do I love irrigating? Keep Phoenix Beautiful’s Pierson Street “Model” Community Garden uses SRP irrigation as the most efficient and effective means to water our gardens throughout the entire year, continuing to use the same watering methods of the Native Americans before us. We have also learned to store water to use when needed.”
Building berms for native species plants
Arizona Sean shared his tip for keeping native species and irrigation compatible: “Some native plants like desert smoke tree, Mexican elder berry or Rhus ovata (s
And the winner is .. .
Thank you to everyone for sharing photos and videos showing off your beautifully irrigated lawns. Congratulations to Georgina Marin on being selected as our grand-prize winner! We appreciate all of the tips that were shared and encourage everyone to check out other posts on SRP’s Facebook wall for helpful advice.
