BENEFITS OF FERTIGATION

“Fertigation.” While the word may sound Greek to some, this method of strategically applying fertilizer via an irrigation system is far from novel. The agricultural and nursery industries have been reaping the benefits for years. And although it can offer many advantages, including significant water savings and reduction in both contractor labor and plant mortality rates, customers are slow to embrace this more environmentally friendly option.

A average fertigation system to homeowners start at $450 parts and installation this cost is for a backflow device, fertigator, assorted fittings and labor. Compared to average cost of the proper granular fertilizer (that is always a chemically created product and is not safe for the environment), of $600 a year.

The benefit to the consumer is a fertigation start up is a one time charge, up to a 30-60% reduction of water use and once the fertigator is in place the homeowner only pays a monthly maintenance of $55.00 per month the service includes the following.

• Install organic fertilizer into injector
• Clean the injector
• Water Management (adjust the irrigation control monthly based on evapotranspiration)
• Provide a monthly or quarterly report on water use.

What really sells fertigation is when the homeowner visit some of the properties with fertigation systems to view how thick the turfs are and the beautiful annuals.

For nearly two years Jamel Taylor, owner of Taylormade Landscapes in Las Vegas, has been aggressively marketing the advantages of fertigation systems. And it seems to be working. “Out here in the summer heat it’s an easy sell when your grass isn’t green but your neighbor’s is because of a fertigation system,” Taylor’s region as with our coastal windblown, salt filled air climate is ideal for these systems because of the dry climate and the fact that everyone in the area already has an irrigation system in place.