Baseline Systems BaseStation 3200 - Manual (Page 29)

C h a p t e r 1 – G e t t i n g S t a r t e d
Page 27
Baseline 3200
Dealing with Slopes and Berms
Steep slopes and berms are possibly the most difficult landscape areas to irrigate efficiently.
Runoff is the main issue, but there are also often subsurface drainage issues that can result in
soaking wet low areas and bone dry high areas. Construction of berms often requires
compaction of the central mass, which can also cause water movement and drainage issues.
Soil Moisture Sensors can be an excellent tool to optimize watering for slopes and berms, since
the sensor can detect how much irrigation water is actually infiltrating the upper levels of the
slope or berm.
Particular care must be taken to set proper soak and cycle times for slopes and berms – some
slopes can require that total run time is broken into 5 or more cycles.
Optimal biSensor Placement for Slopes and Berms
If the slope or berm is irrigated as a part of a larger zone that is mostly level, then it is
recommended that the sensor is placed in the larger level area. However, for most efficient
results, slopes and berms should generally be broken into separate zones.
Burying the biSensor
The biSensor should be installed in accordance with the installation instructions included with it.
When installing a biSensor in an established landscape, care should be taken to disturb the
surrounding soil as little as possible – this reduces the chance that adjustments will be needed
later.
In general, biSensors should be installed in the top 1/3 of the root zone for the plant that is being
irrigated. In the case of turfgrass, the top of the sensor blade should be 2” to 3” from the bottom
of the thatch layer.

Burying the moisture sensor too deep can cause poor results. If the sensor
is deeper than the top 1/3 of the root zone, these roots can become too
dry and the plants may become stressed.
Top 1/3 of the slope, and
not at the crown
In the top 1/3 of the root
zone (2-3” for turf grass)
Not sideways to the
slope.