Irrigation in 2006

Many contractors offering irrigation services have already kicked off the year and are hopefully experiencing what Jeff Carowitz is calling “robust growth” in 2006.

“This year there is potential for record-breaking growth in irrigation,” reported Carowitz, senior consultant with Strategic Force Marketing, San Marcos, Calif., at the Hunter Irrigation Industry Forum, which took place April 24-26 in San Marcos, Calif.

Initially, precipitation in some areas is at normal or below normal levels, meaning there is a need for water in the landscape, Carowitz explains. Continued strong demand from new construction and remodeling also will fuel growth, he says.

Additionally, irrigation manufacturers are reporting that their early shipment indicators of irrigation products are very strong in all sectors of the landscape market.

Also, this winter contributed to a longer and stronger year for irrigation contractors. The National Climatic Data Center has called the 2005/2006 winter the “fifth warmest winter on record,” which has added two to three additional months to the construction season in many parts of the United States. As a result, national heating use was down 11 percent, Carowitz says. “This is a dramatic increase in work days for contractors,” he points out.

Are your irrigation services experiencing strong growth so far this year? If so, please tell us about it on the Lawn & Landscape Message Boards.