Technically speaking, one could water their entire lawn with a watering can, especially if they weren’t working in large areas. However, when I was planting my clover lawn at the cabin, I wanted to maximize the green and minimize the amount of work needed to keep things lush while not being there as much as possible.
So, instead of doing things by hand, I decided to find the best sprinkler for small lawn setups to ensure our clover lawn rose gardens would stay magical all year long. After all, no one likes a brown yard.
Now, it’s worth mentioning that different lawns will have different needs – so please take the below with a grain of salt. As such, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but this sprinkler setup should work in many instances. This really is IMO the best sprinklers for most mid to small sized lawns.
As such, this overview is mainly on small areas, but you can bear the same information in mind if you have more coverage area at your home. Either way, I learned that there’s actually quite a lot you’ll want to think about when considering upgrading your at-home irrigation having spent months on this project
Let’s quickly go over it.
Best Sprinkler for Small Lawn The Perfect Place to Start
To begin and ultimately find the best sprinkler for small lawn setups, you’ll first want to measure the area you’ll need to water. Depending on which backyard ideas you’ve implemented, you might have some objects that you need to work around. Technically speaking, you can water flower beds with a sprinkler system. Drip systems work great, and I actually have both kind of frankensteined together. It’s an old cabin so lots of stuff is like this – I don’t mind!
Once you have the required measurements in hand, you can use those numbers to start shopping around for sprinklers that meet your coverage requirements. Measure like you would any floor plan design, via length times width. While some select smaller lawns might be able to get away with a single head, most homeowners will need multiple heads.
This brings us to our next major point: sprinkler placement. Placing your sprinklers in the right places is important, as improper placement can result in too much water being dispersed in some spots. While this might not be a major issue for those with sandy soil, this can quickly lead to major issues if you have lots of clay soil around your home.
Thankfully, now that you know the distances in the area you’re working with, calculating the perfect spread of sprinklers should be relatively easy.Just follow instructions, but a good rule of thumb is every six feet and all major corners if using mist or aim spray
Water Pressure
Placement isn’t the only thing to think about, though. Water pressure likely won’t be an issue if you’re only using a single sprinkler. However, low water pressure can definitely become an issue if you’re using multiple sprinklers that cover a lot of square feet. Be sure to make sure your outdoor water pressure can support your system of choice. We had to upgrade our well so we already had a booster pump that met our needs.
If you’re worried about water flow for large lawns, though, there are plenty of YouTube videos that can help you combat these issues (like this one).
Finding the Best Sprinkler for Small Lawn Setups: In-Ground vs Above-Ground Systems
Next, you’ll want to figure out if you prefer above-ground or in-ground sprinkler systems. The type of sprinkler you end up selecting will determine the options you have available for your lawn. We opted for an in-ground irrigation system, which was fairly easy to install.
Each option has advantages and disadvantages.However, as a general rule, I would say that in-ground systems are better for visual appeal, while above-ground is optimal if you’re after simplicity and a quick fix. Again, we have some of both.
Do your own research on the various options to determine which best sprinkler for small lawn solution will work best for you. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to learn some basic sprinkler maintenance as well, such as how to adjust lawn sprinkler heads.
In-Ground
In-ground sprinklers are stationary sprinklers that are installed under the ground. The major benefit of the best in ground lawn sprinkler system options is that they won’t detract from the overall look of your lawn. If you’re working from home—or just find yourself at home a lot—then this might be very important to you.
However, even the best underground sprinkler system isn’t without drawbacks. Fortunately, most issues are limited to installation, but installation itself can be quite a task.
You’ll have to dig trenches, lay the pipes or tubing yourself, test the system, and then cover everything back up to complete the install. On the plus side, assuming your sprinklers can hook up to a hose spigot, getting the water flowing is a breeze!
You can learn a bit more about what to expect during the installation process here.
On the plus side, these systems tend to be much more versatile. You can often split your property into “zones”, allowing you to water sections of your lawn at a time. At our place, we split the yard into four sections: one for the raised terraces, another for the front yard, one for the meadow, and a final zone for the side of the house. The best sprinkler for small lawn options even offer complete automation, which is great if you’re the forgetful type.
Above-Ground
Above-ground sprinklers are very basic, but they’ll get the job done if you only need to water specific areas and don’t require more advanced features. Most simply look up to your hose for water. Installation is as simple as placing the sprinkler where you’d like to use it and turning the water on.
The downside of this is that more basic setups will require you to manually turn the water on and off. Still, this simplicity makes above-ground systems excellent options if you’re looking for simple DIY lawn sprinkler systems. Even better, there are a variety of styles like impact sprinklers and rotary sprinklers to choose from.
Types of Sprinklers for Small Lawns
Technically, you could use pretty much any of the various types of sprinklers for your lawn, but the best sprinkler for small lawn is one that will provide complete coverage without wasting water. As such, the best option will vary from lawn to lawn.
Still, to figure that out, you’ll have to know what’s out there. I’ll briefly cover what we’re currently using at the cabin, then quickly run you through a few of the options so you can decide which one(s) will work best for your lawn.
What I Use At the Cabin
I wanted something “hands-off” at the cabin, so we went a bit overboard and installed the Orbit 50021 2-Zone All-in-One Automatic Watering System, specifically for my clover lawn. I’m gonna be honest – it wasn’t that hard to set up, and it works great.
It features a self-timer so I don’t have to keep track of how long the water has been running. I can just set it and forget it. Currently, we’re running it once a week and it’s working great. Being an in-ground system, the installation process was a bit more time-consuming, but I’m extremely happy with it overall.
In-ground systems are great for larger lawns and smaller lawns alike. If you want the best results with as little visual intrusion as possible then I’d say they’re some of the best lawn sprinklers. Installing a dedicated system can do wonders for improving your home, but that doesn’t mean the above-ground systems aren’t worth considering.
Speaking of, let’s take a look at some of the other options.
Sprinkler Nozzles
Sprinkler nozzles are hose-end sprinklers. Some can also be mounted on a tripod, although you’ll still end up hooking them to a hose. They won’t be very effective in larger areas, but for a smaller budget with minimal watering requirements, a sprinkler nozzle might be the best sprinkler for small lawn option. There are a number of nozzles offered with various spray patterns, so just shop around to find one that works for you.
Micro Sprinklers
Unlike sprinkler nozzles, micro sprinklers are attached to your main irrigation line. If you didn’t decide to go with a drip-flow system for your plants then these might just be the next best thing.
Aside from being smaller than regular sprinklers, they function in basically the same way. Precise and limited in range, micro sprinklers are arguably the best sprinkler for small lawn option for extremely small areas.
Fixed Spray
Fixed spray nozzles, like the ones we have, are in-ground systems. Generally, they spray in either a full circle, a half circle, or a quarter circle. Of course, not all nozzles will offer adjustability, so be sure to double-check before purchasing.
Pop-up fixed nozzle sprinklers are quite popular, as the sprinkler heads will retract out of view and into the ground when no pressure is applied. Alternatively, stationary heads will always be visible, which might not be ideal for some homeowners.
The Best Time to Run Your New Irrigation System
There’s one question that people often find themselves asking: “how often should I water my lawn with sprinkler system?” Well, if you want to waste water usage and optimize less water then early hours are best. We run ours at 6am PST every other day for 18 minutes. It’s okay if your solar lights are still running – the optimal hours for watering are between four to six in the morning!
Watering a bit later in the day can be alright, but you want to avoid watering when it’s hot out. If you do, less water will be absorbed and a lot more will be lost due to evaporation.
The Best Garden and Lawn Sprinkler: A Simple Summary
As you can see, there isn’t a specific answer or product that can be dubbed the best garden and lawn sprinkler. Ultimately, it all comes down to your lawn’s individual needs, as well as your budget, level of commitment, and water supply options.
Still, I hope this article has been helpful, pointing you in the right direction as you search for a new irrigation system. Whether you opt for an above-ground or in-ground system, one thing is for sure: your grass is sure to appreciate the extra attention!
Well, that’s everything I have for you guys this week. Have any irrigation tips, tricks, or things you’d like me to try? Feel free to share in the comments below. As always, thank you for reading.
Love you guys!
For more plant-related projects, check out my post on greenhouses!
Commonly Asked Questions When Finding the Best Sprinkler for Small Lawn
What type of sprinkler is best for watering small lawn?
Any above-ground solution will work if you’re not too concerned about water waste. However, if you want complete control over the amount of water you’re using then an irrigation system fitted with fixed sprinklers is a great alternative.
How to water a narrow strip of lawn?
Just like with your favorite houseplants, sometimes the lawn will require precise watering. This is especially true for narrow strips of lawn, where the potential for water waste is high. Fortunately, you can water the entire area while minimizing water waste using dedicated strip pattern nozzles.
Do rotary sprinklers use more water?
Rotary sprinklers don’t use more water, but they don’t generally use less water either. The exception to this, however, is windy days, where rotary sprinklers will generally lose less water to the wind than fixed spray sprinklers.
Is hand watering better than sprinklers?
Hand watering can be better if your yard contains a lot of different plants that need varying levels of water. I wouldn’t recommend doing this for your entire lawn, though, as it’s simply impractical. Instead, use sprinklers to water your grass and watering buckets—or a garden hose with an attachment—to tend to the plants themselves.
Are pop-up sprinklers worth it?
Generally speaking, I would say they’re worth it. With the proper system, you can enjoy precise irrigation while also minimizing water waste, which can help save money in the long run. That said, the initial cost of your sprinkler heads will be higher and the installation process is more in-depth.
How long should you water your lawn?
There isn’t any one answer to this, as the perfect length of time will depend on a few different factors. Generally, your lawn requires about an inch of water per week. However, depending on your water flow, this could take quite a while.
I would recommend figuring out how long it takes for your system to give one inch of water. You can do this by leaving a plastic bucket out in your lawn and letting the system run until it’s filled up by one inch. With this time in hand, you have your answer. Try and stick to the time you find to help minimize your upcoming water bills and reduce waste.
