Oregon Smart Irrigation

Smart irrigation uses sensors and weather data to decide when and how much to water instead of running on a fixed timer. Soil moisture sensors track moisture in the root zone, while ET controllers adjust schedules from local evapotranspiration data. The system waters only when the crop needs it, which saves water and protects yield.

ET-based scheduling sets watering from evapotranspiration, the combined water lost from soil evaporation and plant transpiration. Controllers pull local weather data to estimate daily crop water use and replace just that amount. This keeps the root zone supplied without overwatering and adapts automatically as weather changes.

Smart irrigation can cut outdoor water use by roughly 20 to 50 percent compared with fixed schedules, depending on crop, soil, and how the system was managed before. Savings come from avoiding watering after rain and matching applications to actual crop demand. Lower water use also reduces pumping energy costs.

Soil moisture sensors should sit in the active root zone, in a representative spot away from edges, emitters, and unusual soil. Many growers install sensors at two or three depths to track how water moves through the profile. Correct placement and calibration are what make the readings useful for scheduling.