A sprinkler timer is a device which can be timed to turn sprinklers on at specific times of the day. In addition to being used with simple lawn sprinklers, sprinkler timers can also be plugged into a more complex irrigation system. These garden tools can be immensely handy, but there are a few things to keep in mind when evaluating a sprinkler timer which can make the purchase easier.
One major consideration is how the sprinkler timer will be used. For example, some gardeners just want the sprinklers to go off for 20 minutes every evening at 6:00, in which case a very basic sprinkler timer will be sufficient. Simple sprinkler timers are very inexpensive, and they can be installed by connecting the sprinkler timer to a faucet and then attaching a hose to the timer in less than five minutes. However, these timers do not offer a great deal of flexibility.
Other gardeners may want to be able to perform more complex tasks with a sprinkler timer, such as watering every three days, or watering only when it does not rain. This can require a more complex programmable sprinkler timer, which in some cases may need to be wired into the house for power. Other sprinkler timers run on batteries or solar panels, making them less cumbersome to install.
There are also some additional sophisticated options, such as sprinkler timers which sync up with a computer. These devices can network with local weather reports to turn the sprinklers off when they are not needed, and they can even provide recommendations to the gardener based on rainfall, season, location, and watering habits. These sprinkler timers can also adapt to water conservation orders, improving efficiency to reduce overall water usage. Users can program the timers from the computer, or control one-time activations, which can be especially convenient for people who struggle with unwanted animal visitors such as deer.
For people who are using a sprinkler timer to create the illusion that someone is home, a discreet sprinkler timer is often a good idea, as is a sprinkler timer with a randomizing function. If the sprinklers always go off at the same time, potential thieves will quickly learn that the sprinklers are on a timer, and that people may not be home when the sprinkler is running. If, on the other hand, the sprinklers go off at some point between four and eight every afternoon, it can suggest that someone is home to turn the sprinklers on.