Irrigation is the unsung hero of commercial landscaping—when everything’s working properly. But when a zone fails, landscapes can deteriorate fast, leading to costly repairs. This is especially true in Dallas, where our clay-based soil makes drainage tricky, and we face scorching summers and sudden winter freezes that stress plants and turf.

Managing irrigation efficiently isn’t just about keeping landscapes green—it’s about controlling costs, conserving water and ensuring long-term sustainability. Smart irrigation systems use sensors, local weather data and automation to optimize water use, preventing waste and overwatering while adapting to Dallas-Fort-Worth’s unique climate challenges.

Thinking about upgrading your irrigation system? Explore the key features and benefits of smart irrigation technology, including what it takes to maintain it and why Dallas commercial property owners should consider making the switch.

Smart controllers and sensors

Advancements in Wi-Fi and AI have significantly improved the effectiveness of smart irrigation systems in recent years. For example, smart irrigation controllers and sensors help reduce water consumption by adjusting watering based on real-time weather and soil moisture data, rather than following a fixed schedule like traditional irrigation systems. This technology is proving especially useful in Dallas-Fort Worth, where our weather can be unpredictable.

Climate-based controllers

Climate-based controllers use Wi-Fi to access local Dallas weather reports to help customize when and where to water. (Weathermatic is one example.) Wi-Fi allows you to turn the systems on and off remotely instead of driving to multiple properties to manually shut off controllers—and have proof they were turned off and that water wasn’t wasted. This can be particularly useful in the event of a line leak, where it can be shut off immediately via a phone or other internet connection, saving water, money and time. Upgrading to a smart controller can enhance reliability as well. If there’s a technology glitch where the controller stops, your commercial landscaping partner can quickly replace it.

Soil moisture sensor controllers

This type of controller uses an underground soil moisture sensor to determine moisture needs and can reduce water consumption without sacrificing landscaping quality. In the Dallas area, our clay-heavy soil can affect water drainage, so having this data can be particularly useful.

Smart flow sensors

These sensors are useful in monitoring water usage. They also enable you to keep a record of water usage, which can be helpful in legal challenges (if a municipality asserts that you’ve been irrigating excessively, for example).

MP nozzles

Switching out a regular irrigation system from spray nozzles to an MP (matched precipitation) rotator nozzle can help reduce water waste. These nozzles are designed so water is distributed more evenly across your landscape, more effectively directing it to the soil and reducing overspray.

Smart rotors

Smart rotors are a type of sprinkler head that can be programmed to create a customized spray arc to irrigate a specific area, hitting your turf without also watering your sidewalks, for example.

Ongoing inspections and maintenance

You can upgrade to the latest and greatest technology (or stick with what you’ve got), but if you’re not maintaining and inspecting your systems regularly, problems can bubble up quickly.
For example, ignoring minor repairs to save on related costs can lead to bigger problems, like a mainline break—and thousands of dollars in repair costs plus the cost to replace the landscaping that was killed while the repairs weren’t made.

This is why it’s also important to have a trusted commercial landscaping partner who understands the climate and landscaping challenges unique to North Texas. Not only can they conduct these inspections and help with maintenance and repairs, but they can also advise on smart upgrades that can save you money and reduce water consumption.

Trust Your Commercial Landscaping to SHINEscapes

Looking for a commercial landscaping partner in the Dallas-Fort Worth area? Find out how SHINEscapes can meet your commercial landscaping needs this spring and year-round. To learn more or get a quote, contact  SHINEscapes or call us at 214-437-6888.