Homeowners might be able to save money and protect the environment simply by giving their inground sprinkler system an annual checkup. Doing this will help keep lawns and gardens healthy and green.

A few easy-to-follow tips can aid in saving water all season.

•Get with the program. Check irrigation controls and programs. Make sure the settings are appropriate for expected seasonal rainfall.

•Clear the heads. Look for rocks, dirt, sand and other debris that may block the even flow of water from sprinkler heads. Uneven distribution can lead to too much water in some areas and not enough in others.

•Do the cancan. Conduct a "can test" for even watering. Place open, empty tin cans or paper cups every 10 to 15 feet throughout the yard and begin watering. Compare the level of water in each receptacle. If the water levels differ significantly, adjust the flow and spray pattern of the sprinklers as needed.

•Out with the old, in with the new. Replace cracked, chipped or worn plastic nozzles. A broken sprinkler can wreak havoc on lawns and water bills.

•Don't be deceived by warm air temperatures. That may not mean increased ground temperature. Use a small shovel to make sure that the ground below the lawn and garden is frost-free to a full 12 inches. Irrigating while the ground is frozen may result in a burst pipe.

•Follow the rule of six (inches). Water long enough to saturate the soil 6 inches deep. Poke a screwdriver into the soil to see how deep the water is being absorbed. If the screwdriver meets resistance caused by dryhardened soil less than 6 inches from the surface, adjust watering times to increase soil saturation.

•Flush it out. Twist two sprinkler heads completely off and then turn on the sprinkler system for two or three minutes. This should flush out any debris and relieve air pressure in underground pipes.

•Value the valves. A leaky valve will waste water. Inspect each valve to make sure it is operating properly. Overly wet areas in the lawn, resulting in muddy patches, may be a sign of a leaky valve.

•Be prepared. Replace the backup battery in the timercontroller every six months and keep a copy of the watering schedule nearby. A power surge or brief outage could cause the timercontroller to reset and clear all the preset watering programs.

This article provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.