Which of the following is NOT typically a step in the pre-season check-up of an irrigation system?

• A. Replace missing heads
• B. Conduct soil tests
• C. Flush the irrigation system
• D. Clean filter screens on heads

Answer: (B)

To understand why conducting soil tests is not typically a step in the pre-season check-up of an irrigation system, it is important to recognize the primary focus of this check-up process. The pre-season check-up is aimed at ensuring that the irrigation system is functioning properly and efficiently before the main growing season. This includes activities such as checking for and replacing missing heads, flushing the irrigation system to remove any debris or blockages, and cleaning filter screens on the heads to ensure optimal water delivery.

Conducting soil tests, while important for determining soil health and nutrient levels, is generally considered a separate process that informs landscape management practices rather than an immediate component of the irrigation system maintenance. Soil testing is often done at different intervals throughout the year to guide decisions about fertilizers and other amendments but does not directly pertain to the operability of the irrigation system itself. Thus, it does not belong in the routine pre-season maintenance checklist specifically focused on irrigation equipment.