I've recently been doing an endorsement on GardenLine for the Texas-based maker of the Hover Sprinkler. As I was looking back at some email tips from past years, wondering what this week's tip might be about, I realized it's been a long time since I've done a "product introduction." And since I think the Hover Sprinkler is such an innovative gardening tool, I figured there is no time like the present.

First, let me say that if I had any kind of engineering background ... or for that matter, an aviation background ... I think I might have invented something like this myself. I'm not joking. If you are like I was around 15 years ago ... a died-in-the-wool "hose-dragger" ... you're always looking for an innovative way to disperse water in your landscape. Back in the day, I thought no irrigation system could water my small lawn as efficiently as I could by hand. I avoided installing a system at all costs. And "cost" was the driving force, when you got down to it. I thought that by hand-watering or moving a sprinkler head around in a perfect time frame I was being waterwise.

Turns out, I wasn't all that efficient. Not nearly as efficient as the Hover Sprinkler. If you've never seen this baby in action, you've got to check out the videos at their website or on YouTube. If you still like to irrigate by hand, it will change the way you think about watering your lawn and gardens.

It was invented by Grant Pitzer of San Antonio, and he does have an aviation background. He is also a "hose-dragger." Grant has designed the Hover Sprinkler for precision water placement, and that can help save up to 65 percent on water usage. Plus, it's fun and easy to use.

The upward thrust from 16 water jets produces a hovering effect that makes the sprinkler virtually weightless. It floats just inches above the grass, delivering water to your lawn far more efficiently than other sprinklers. Water from the powerful jets easily penetrates the grass down to the soil. And evaporation is minimal, too, because water from the jets is barely exposed to the air as it travels vertically downward. You'll see that it pays for itself rather quickly in water-cost savings.

So, if this sounds like something you could use, order it on their website or get one at Southwest Fertilizer, either Plants for All Seasons location, or at any of the four "BackYard" HEBs in town.

I suspect that as word gets out about the Hover Sprinkler, many other GardenLine partners with nurseries or garden centers will be carrying this tool as well.