First of all, water in the early morning -- less heat means lower evaporation rates and less wind drift. Also, avoid a run-off situation, apply the water for brief periods or at reduced rates and allow it to soak into the soil.

How long should I water for and when? You have two choices. First, you can SOAK and DRY your lawn, where you water deeply (eg. for a typical sodded area, about once every 3 days for 45 to 60 minutes) but split the time into 2 or 3 equal cycles throughout the week. Or, for EVERYDAY WATERING, the same amount of water is used on a per week cycle but the water is applied in small amounts each day.

What services are required to irrigate a system? Throughout the year a system needs to be started up in the spring, then winterized, with the controller adjusted for a wet or dry season.

What is a back flow preventer, and do I need one? Yes! A backflow preventer is required for all irrigation systems as per Ontario’s plumbing code. It’s a device which prevents any water that originates from a potable source to flow back into the source. Which is the best brand? Any of the main brands -- RainBird, Toro, Hunter or Hardie -- will give you a superior level of quality.

D. J. Rain’s clients include:

• Golf courses

• Sports fields, parks & gardens

• Hospital, school, library, church & shopping mall grounds

• Corporate centres & industrial complexes

• Condominium & townhouse developments