Even though the recent weather patterns have provided some unseasonal temperatures and precipitation, we are still looking ahead to warmer days and preparing the irrigation system for the long, dry summer months. Richard, our irrigation tech, has been diligently replacing the intermediate nozzle on all of our Rainbird Eagle 700's, starting with the fairways and primary rough.

We first discovered this new nozzle configuration in mid-summer 2009. After testing a couple of fairways, we are nearly finished with the replacement. Click on this link to check out the original post "The Nozzle Dance."

Another problem, one that is far more common than you would imagine, is clams clogging up the irrigation system. Somehow they get through the intake screen and grow in the pipes until they block the passage of water, reducing pressure and uniformity. I am still researching potential solutions, but this has been going on for years and I only know one effective method of treatment: blow out the lines. To do this, we simply dig up and unscrew the sprinkler head, open up a valve and send the clams skyward. This process is very time consuming, but necessary. Don't worry, if you come out for dinner, Chef Nico has declined my generous offer of free clams, so your seafood linguine will not be home grown.


There are some acidic products on the market designed to break up the shells so they can be flushed out. However, from what I've heard, the smaller particles clog up the screens in the heads and block up the nozzles creating a more difficult problem to deal with.

Preventative maintenance plays a part in everything we do, and irrigation is near the top of the list. When it does stop raining, it won't start again for months and we are as ready as we've ever been. So PLEASE, bring on the heat, we have grass to grow.