Garden irrigation system installation is not complex, and can be successfully done if a few practical aspects are kept in mind. I found that taking shortcuts often results in additional work or repair. Some of what follows is common sense for the practical minded, but could easily be overlooked.
It all starts with a proper garden and lawn irrigation system design. Practical aspects of a good design would ensure that sprinklers spray away from buildings so that walls do not become wet. The capillary action of water in masonry will lead to damp inner walls. Some spray against garden walls is not serious. Where the garden is fenced, care should be taken to avoid over spray into the neighbors garden. The water lines should also be kept as short as possible keeping in mind that labor costs far outweigh the cost of irrigation pipes.
The route of the trenches in which the irrigation pipes will be buried should be carefully planned before digging starts. A large number of pipes can be accommodated in a single trench, so try and route pipes together to reduce trenching. The most practical route is to dig the trench just inside flowerbeds and right next to the edge of the lawn. This way only annual border plants are affected by the digging and the lawns remain unaffected.
Trenches should also take the shortest route to the sprinkler position inside flower beds to minimize damage to plants and roots of large shrubs and trees. It is also advisable to try and keep a good distance from the trench to the tree trunks. Tree trunks close to a sprinkler would affect the spray pattern. In cases where the sprinkler position is close to a tree, the sprinkler should be moved to a better position, even if the rest of the spray pattern is negatively affected. Try and find a good compromise, always remembering that in a good garden irrigation system, sprays should be positioned to spray head to head.
When digging inside a flower bed, existing plant positions should be carefully noted. Where possible try and trench around plants to minimize the number that has to be removed. If plants have to be removed, they should be removed carefully with sufficient soil attached to their root balls. Place removed plants on plastic sheeting preferably in the shade. While digging and installing the garden irrigation system, try and walk in the trenches to prevent undue damage to plants. Place plants back in their original positions after the pipes have been installed and the trenches filled.
Should severe frost and freezing occur where the garden system installation is done, great care should be taken to ensure that the trench bottoms are graded correctly and sufficiently to ensure that the lines drain out after each irrigation cycle to prevent the water freezing in the pipes. A suitable drainage sump should be constructed at the position of the flush valve.
I have seen many garden system installations ruined by dogs, and by forks while digging in the garden after installation. To minimize this from occurring, trenches should be dug to a depth of 400mm (1 and 1/2 foot) plus the diameter of the pipe. A good idea is to use pop-up sprays that are not easily accessible to pets. Dogs just love chewing on leaking sprinklers! This is another good reason to drain your system immediately after each irrigation cycle.
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Copyright reserved by Georg Rosenbrock of Gardening Links (www.directory.design-gardens.com). More practical tips on garden irrigation systems appear on the www.Design-Gardens.com website.
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