Strategies and Helpful Hints for Setting Up an Underground Irrigation System in Your Garden - Essential Information and Advice
Title: DIY Underground Irrigation System: Tips and Tricks for Your Greener Lawn
11 October 2022
You're doing a bang-up job keeping your lawn looking lush and green, but those manual watering sessions are getting a tad tedious, aren't they? Enter the world of DIY underground irrigation systems! We've got you covered with a step-by-step guide on planning, installing, and maintaining your very own system that'll save you time and conserve water.
Prep Time: Get Your Data in Order
Before diving headfirst into a world of dirt and pipes, here's what you need to know:
- Layout of Your Garden Draw a detailed diagram of your garden, including its dimensions and any key features such as flower beds or trees.
Example:
- Water Supply
- Water Volume (Flow Rate): Measure the amount of water your garden needs to effectively irrigate. Fill a known-volume container, such as a 5-gallon bucket, and note the time it takes to refill using your water source.
Example:
Bucket volume: 5 gallons Filling time: 20 seconds Flow rate: (5 gallons / 20 seconds) x 60 = 75 gallons per minute (GPM)
- Water Pressure: Check the water pressure with a pressure gauge attached to an outdoor spigot. Aim for a pressure of 40-60 PSI for most irrigation systems.
After gathering the necessary information, you're ready to move onto the planning stage. Take a peek at our article, Understanding Irrigation System Components, to get familiar with the lingo and terms used in this guide.
Installation Time: Sweat Equity for a Greener Lawn
Follow these easy steps to get your DIY underground irrigation system up and running:
- Choosing Your Sprinklers Select sprinklers suitable for your lawn's layout. For smaller lawns, look for sprinklers with a coverage radius matching the length of your garden. Explore the differences between static, dynamic, and low-pressure sprinklers in our article, The Differences Between Sprinkler Types.
- Arranging Sprinkler Placement Place the sprinklers head-to-head, ensuring each one waters the area in front of its neighbor for an even distribution of water.
Example:
In our example, we used 6 rotating, gear-driven sprinklers with a 10-meter radius and 4 pop-up sprinklers with a 3-meter radius.
- Creating Zones If your lawn is larger, divide the sprinklers into zones to manage the flow and pressure. Divide the total flow of sprinklers by the available supply while accounting for a 10-15% reduction for proper operation.
Example:
In our example, the sprinklers consume a total of 20 L/min, while the available flow rate is 15 L/min.
- Excavations Time to put on your gardening gloves and roll up your sleeves! Dig the pipe trenches (30-40 cm deep) and the valve box near the water source.
- Component Installation Lay the pipes in the trenches, connect the sections with connecting pieces, and install the sprinklers according to the plan.
- Installing Solenoid Valves Set the solenoid valve manifold by connecting the inlet to the water source and the solenoid valves to the zone lines.
- Test Run Turn on the water and verify that each zone is working correctly and watering evenly. Make any necessary adjustments as needed.
With a little elbow grease and some strategic planning, you'll have a fully functioning DIY underground irrigation system that saves you time and helps your lawn thrive!
So, what are you waiting for? Embrace your inner handyman and take the leap into an easier and more efficient way to water your lawn!
FAQ
- What size pipes should I use for my underground irrigation system? Select a pipe size that balances the cost and pressure loss. Common pipe sizes for home irrigation systems are 1/2, 3/4, and 1-inch as detailed in our article, Understanding Irrigation System Components.
- Can I use rainwater in my underground irrigation system? Absolutely! Connecting a rainwater storage tank to your irrigation system is an effective way to conserve water and save money. Check out our article, Rainwater Harvesting: Top Tips and Systems for Homeowners, for more details.
- How do I know if my underground irrigation system is working efficiently? Monitor your water bills and analyze the health of your grass to detect any issues. Over- or underwatering can lead to yellowing, wilting, or patches of death in your lawn. Regularly inspect and adjust your system to ensure it's working at its best.
Previous Next Expert Advice on Selecting the Best Irrigation System for Your Garden.
Need Help?
Enhance your home-and-garden lifestyle by implementing a DIY underground irrigation system, as it can save both time and water while promoting a greener lawn. This life-changing addition to your gardening routine involves constructing zones to evenly water your lawn, sourcing suitable irrigation components tailored to your garden's layout, and adjusting for various factors like water volume, water pressure, and pipe size. By taking the initiative to education yourself about irrigation system components and gaining hands-on experience, you can reap the benefits of a streamlined irrigation system that contributes to your landscaping endeavors.
