Chapter 1: The Technology Trap

My lawn holds a cautionary story to share.

It's a sad state of affairs (Credit: Lance Ulanoff)

Half of my lawn has withered away, and while I can point fingers at technology, I must also acknowledge my own role. In the past, I swapped out my manual sprinkler controls for a Rachio Smart Sprinkler system. Unlike the previous analog setup, which allowed me to adjust the watering schedule with sliders, the Rachio system is connected to Wi-Fi and can be managed through an app.

This advanced technology not only alters the watering duration but also optimizes the timing based on various factors. It's designed to be more efficient than my old manual setup, ensuring my lawn remains lush while conserving water. Typically, during the watering season from April to October, the system activates just before dawn, often waking me from my slumber or nudging me awake in the early morning twilight.

Section 1.1: The Comfort of Automation

To clarify, I only notice the sprinklers running when my windows are open, which usually happens when the temperature is pleasant enough to avoid using central air conditioning. However, the recent extreme heat forced me to close my windows and turn on the air conditioning.

With rising temperatures and extended daylight, Rachio adjusted my watering schedule to the early hours of the morning, roughly between 2 and 3:30 AM—right when I’m deep in sleep. During these relentless heat waves, I felt reassured that my Rachio was adequately hydrating my lawn. Occasionally, I would check the app to monitor its activity or receive notifications about rain delays due to expected precipitation. The latest alert informed me of a seasonal adjustment in response to the extreme heat. I felt a sense of pride in my choice of such an efficient system.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Dreaded Dry Spots

However, I began to notice a few dry patches about a week ago but reassured myself that my lawn still looked better than many of my neighbors' parched grass. As we faced yet another wave of heat, I stepped into my backyard and was alarmed to discover the lawn appeared nearly lifeless. Not only was the grass looking ashen and straw-like, but even the plants and shrubs were showing distress, including one bush I had meticulously trimmed for birds. Many of its leaves had turned brown.

Unperturbed, I reminded myself that Rachio allows for custom runs at any time. I programmed both my front and back zones for 25 minutes of watering and initiated the run. Zone 1, the front yard, was set to go first. I anticipated the familiar hiss of the sprinklers starting up, but there was silence. Rachio claimed it was in operation.

After shutting down the system, I tried a quick run for Zone 2, where I was standing. Again, silence as the countdown continued with no water in sight.

Chapter 2: The Investigation Begins

This alarming discovery coincided with the conclusion of a major kitchen renovation. I suspected that the contractor or plumber had inadvertently shut off the outdoor water line. However, a thorough inspection revealed that all valves were in the correct positions.

While troubleshooting, I scrutinized my Rachio system, whose central control is housed in my basement. It's an impressive system, allowing remote management through Wi-Fi and integrating local weather data to determine when to water or skip based on soil moisture and upcoming rainfall. Yet, it lacks insight into the actual state of my lawn and, as I discovered, whether water is flowing through the system.

Perhaps there are sensors available that can connect to the system. I’m aware of one that detects rain outside, but local weather forecasts already cover that aspect.