Effective watering is crucial to your lawn's health. This is why you have to do a little research when it comes to buying sprinklers.

First, you have to think about how much water your lawn needs. You should factor in the normal amount of rainfall you get. Your grass may need the most amount of water, while vegetable and flowerbeds need a constant amount of moisture during their growing seasons. It helps to sketch your lawn to find different "watering zones" where plants with similar needs are kept together to benefit from the same type of watering system.

If your lawn's layout is permanent, consider an underground piping system to get ample water on zones that need them, and to give less priority to zones with tall trees or shrubs that don't need to be watered as much. You can hire professionals to install these systems for you, or you can simply talk to landscape contractors, plumbing-supply store clerks or even experienced gardeners in your area.

Another thing you have to consider is the type of sprinkler heads you'll be using. Spray heads are best for soil with sandy or silt-like texture. They are also ideal for flat areas that have small shrubs, flowerbeds, and vegetable patches. Rotor heads cover much wider areas, and this makes them perfect for grass, even if the surface isn't flat. They are also good for clay soil. Using a combination of both heads on your lawn can deliver more efficient watering.

You might consider buying more expensive sprinklers with "cute" animal designs. While these are attractive, they don't necessarily get the job done. It's better to spend your money on simple, more affordable sprinklers that will last longer and give your lawn ample water.