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unique colored stripes for identifying the flow rate in the field: orange for 0.4 gph, blue for 0.6 gph and white for 1 gph. EZ-ID CV Dripline is also made for on-surface or sub-surface use. When used sub-surface, dripline irrigation can be even more water efficient by delivering wa- ter even closer to plant roots. An air gap in the EZ-ID CV Dripline helps prevent root intrusion, but in any sub-surface ap- plications, make sure to apply the correct amount water at regular intervals. Proper installation, regular maintenance and irri- gation scheduling can help ensure trouble- free operation. To quickly install drip irrigation sys- tem in place of a sprinkler, you can use a drip conversion product, like the Land- scape Products Retro Drip Adaptor. The adapter assembly, which includes a 30 psi regulator and 150 mesh filter, is added right to the swing riser in the place of an existing sprinkler. Other sprinklers in the zone can be closed off with sprin- kler shut-off caps as needed. This kind of drip conversion is ideal for projects where turf has been reduced or replaced with other landscape plants. CLEVER CONTROLLERS More and more smart irrigation control- ler options are becoming available each year, marketed to homeowners, properties and businesses looking for ways to save water. Rachio's Iro smart controller (above) promises easy use and setup using a smartphone or tablet. This 8- or 16-zone controller easily syncs up to home WiFi and connects to the Rachio app. After setup, it automatically adjusts watering schedule based on seasonal weather, fore- casted weather and the landscape require- ments. It even tracks how much water has been used and saved with the Iro. For more advanced controller needs of large properties, HOAs, complexes and parks, Baseline's smart controllers and soil moisture sensors are becoming a top choice. Baseline's BaseStation 1000 or 3200 controllers (below) gather soil moisture readings directly from on-site sensors, rather than using off-site weather stations or historic data to estimate water needs, saving water by providing scheduling based on moisture levels in the soil. The system can be set to run when the soil has dried out to a low level, which helps conserve water and optimizes the plants' water-use efficiency. For areas with restricted watering days or specific use schedules such as sports fields, the system can be set to turn on at a specific day/time, and automatically turn off when the upper soil moisture level is reached. The BaseStation controllers support 50 to 200 zones, depending on the model, and offers mobile-control access, two-wire or conventional wire compatibility, the ability to manage and monitor flow, among other useful features for water managers. Most customers won't be asking you for these kinds of water-saving features because they're still new to many people. It may be up to you to learn about and share what options are available to help them save water and improve their landscapes. Give it a try in your own landscape, or stop into a Ewing store or another distrib- utor, and learn more about smart irriga- tion innovations that can help you water smarter. Laura Ory is social media and digital strategist at Ewing Irrigation and Land- scape Supply. www.landscapeirrigation.com Smart Irrigation Special Edition 11 LI IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT