Summer in Arizona brings extreme heat, and maintaining a lush garden can be quite the challenge. I recently upgraded my irrigation controller, hoping it would handle the intense summer conditions better than my old system. However, I’ve encountered some unexpected issues that I’d like to share and seek advice on.
The controller works well during the cooler months, but as the mercury rises, it struggles to keep up. The app allows me to set a maximum of 6-8 hours of sun exposure, but with temperatures consistently above 110°F, the soil dries out much faster than the app anticipates. This leads to misleading saturation levels—while the app might indicate 50% saturation, the soil feels bone dry to the touch.
I’ve tried adjusting the settings manually, but it’s a constant battle. The automatic scheduling feature, which I was so excited about, hasn’t lived up to my expectations. I’m curious if others in similar climates have found effective workarounds or settings adjustments to optimize their irrigation systems.
If anyone has tips or tricks for fine-tuning irrigation controllers in extreme heat conditions, I’d love to hear about them! Whether it’s adjusting moisture sensors, tweaking watering schedules, or leveraging advanced features, I’m all ears. Let’s pool our knowledge to keep our gardens thriving despite the scorching sun!