Sprinklers, Calcium, and Alge

I recently went to an irrigation conference – some life I have! Anyway, you won’t believe what wild and crazy things we discussed.  

A conference on irrigation doesn’t seem like the most fascinating way to spend the day and let the truth be known – it was kind of boring except the part about calcium and algae build up on sprinkler heads, drip irrigation and pipe fittings.  

Calcium, that white stuff and algae, slimy green in color can clog up every sprinkler orifice – not so good in keeping your plants watered. 

So, how do you get rid of it?  Well, you don’t.  There is nothing you can put in the water supply without killing your plants.  So we’re all out of luck – some symposium, huh? 

But listen, you can clean up sprinkler heads and fitting with vinegar.  A gallon of vinegar is inexpensive and smells real bad, but, armed with a stiff bristled brushed, soak and scrub calcium and algae build up to a least slow down potential problem in the long run.