Baseline Systems BaseStation 1000 - Manual (Page 11)

BaseStation 1000 Irrigation Controller Manual
Likewise, the manager puts all zones covering the outfields into a second program monitored by a
single moisture sensor in one of the outfields.
Because all the soccer fields have similar plant types and sun exposures, the irrigation manager can
put all zones for all the soccer fields in one program and monitor them with a single soil moisture
sensor located in one of the fields.
Lastly, the irrigation manager breaks the parking lot and perimeter shrub beds into two groups
representing sunny and shady exposures.
In this way, the irrigation manager is able to configure 42 individual zones into 5 groups that are
monitored by 5 soil moisture sensors and watered by 5 different programs.
Choosing the Sensor Location
You will achieve the best results by locating the biSensor in an area that is average for the zone and
ideally for the entire group. Avoid the following areas:
• Drainage areas where irrigation or rainwater pools or is channeled
• Areas immediately around hardscapes or that receive runoff water from hardscapes or
buildings
As long as the location of the sensor is average for the zone, you should achieve excellent water
efficiency.
Dealing with Slopes and Berms
Steep slopes and berms are possibly the most difficult landscape areas to irrigate efficiently. The
main issue is runoff, but often subsurface drainage issues result in low areas that get soaking wet
and high areas that are bone dry. When a berm is constructed, the central mass is typically
compacted, which can also cause water movement and drainage issues.
Soil moisture sensors are an excellent tool to optimize watering for slopes and berms because the
sensor can detect how much irrigation water is actually infiltrating the upper levels of the slope or
berm.
Take care when you set the soak and cycle times for slopes and berms – for some slopes, you might
need to break the total run time into five or more cycles.
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