Irrigation Tips to Save You Time (and Water) This Summer

Summer will be here before we know it, for most people that means longer days, less stress, and more time to relax. But for our hardworking farmers and nursery owners, the days are never quite long enough to get everything done.

We see you and we want to lighten the load.

That’s why we created a list of the most effective and reliable irrigation tips designed to save you time, water, and give you the smoothest operation- without adding more to your plate.

1. Automated Scheduling

Automated irrigation schedules take the guesswork (and daily adjustments) off your hands. Tailor each schedule to your crop types and field conditions, and let the system handle the rest.The pressure of the constant worry and checking is now out.

Need to adjust for a new season? Just update the schedule once.

Got a rainy day, upcoming drought, or maintenance work coming up? Most systems can auto-skip or reschedule watering with zero manual effort.

Best of all? The constant pressure of checking and rechecking is gone. You’ll spend less time worrying about your irrigation—and more time focusing on what really matters, whether that’s planning ahead, running your operation, or simply being present with the people you love.

2. Remote Monitoring

Your entire irrigation system—at your fingertips. All you have to do is check in from your smartphone, tablet, or computer no matter where you are.

Whether you’re catching up on paperwork, spending time with family, or taking a well-earned break, you can still stay in control.

We recommend AgSense, Lee Rain’s go-to remote system created by Valley. It’s as simple as downloading the app. Plus, it’s compatible with any pivot system, so you’re not locked into a single setup.

And when something unexpected comes up? You won’t have to drop everything, cancel plans, or drive out to the field. With remote access, you can respond instantly—without missing a moment.

3. Precision Irrigation

Drip lines, tape, and micro sprinklers deliver water right where your plants need it: the root zone. This kind of targeted irrigation reduces waste, re-working crops, and limits the need for constant
repositioning.

Our best-seller? Rain Tape.
This reliable drip tape delivers consistent, uniform irrigation—saving you time on monitoring and helping your bottom line by cutting down water use. We have two options to choose from:

Rain Tape EL (Emitter Line Drip Tape): Designed with flat emitters and an innovative 3D filtration system for superior performance.

Rain Tape RTX (Superior Performance Drip Tape): Engineered for enhanced durability and optimized performance under demanding conditions.

You can browse all of our precision irrigation tools in the Lee Rain Catalog.

4. Flow Meters & Leak Alerts

Real-time flow monitoring helps you catch problems before they get serious. Flow meters get you instant alerts for leaks, clogs, or broken lines, so you can fix them fast and avoid costly downtime.

Not sure which flow meter is right for you? We carry a range of flow meters—from simple mechanical options to advanced digital models that integrate with your irrigation controls. No matter the size of your farm or nursery, there’s a solution that fits.

5. Zoning & Customization

Divide your operation into logical zones—by crop type, maturity stage, sun exposure, etc.—and manage each one independently. Adjust time, flow rate, and delivery method per zone, and you’ll never need to reconfigure hardware between crops or seasons. Organized systems save time and give you better control over your irrigation.

6. Data & Reporting

Smart irrigation systems do more than water—they track performance. You’ll have detailed records of water usage, run times, and soil moisture at your fingertips. These logs help with planning, audits, and certifications, and give you data-driven insights to improve operations.

You can even use this data to; justify equipment upgrades, apply for rebates, reduce waste and improve sustainability. Ultimately saving you even more time in the long run.

Need help finding the right system for your farm or nursery?
We’re here to help. Reach out to the Lee Rain team for expert recommendations and tailored solutions.