The present invention relates to a method for controlling and monitoring in particular irrigation of localized areas of soil. The method comprises providing a water pipeline (16) and a first plurality of controllable irrigation valves (42). The method further comprises providing a second plurality of localized irrigation control units (18), each comprising a line decoder (44). The specific controllable irrigation valve (42) comprises a solenoid connected to the valve control inputs, a core operable between a first position and a second position, and a piston connected to the core. The method further comprises defining in the line decoder (44) an inrush DC voltage level signal for forcing the core into the second position and a hold DC voltage level signal for retaining the core in the second position. The method further comprises determining the first position or the second position of the core and measuring a self inductance value and a resistance value of the solenoid.
