Strategies and Practical Advice for Creating and Implementing an Underground Irrigation System in Your Garden: Insights and Handy Hints
Take Control of Your Garden:Create and Install an Underground Sprinkler System: A Simple DIY Guide Post
October 1, 2023
Want to take your lawn maintenance to the next level? P thoughts about installing an irrigation system, but worried about screwing things up? You're in luck! This guide will show you the ins and outs of designing and implementing a functional irrigation system for your own garden.
Before you dive in, gather some essential information about your garden first.
Initial Info: The Garden Blueprint
Get a detailed sketch of your garden, noting its dimensions. Ideally, use graph paper with millimeter increments for precision.
Essential Data: Water Quantity and Pressure
Determine the flow rate (water volume per unit time) and water pressure, crucial factors in ensuring your system works smoothly.
To figure out flow rate, fill a known-volume container (a regular bucket works fine) with water from your preferred water outlet, then record the time it takes to fill the container. A minimum flow rate of 25 liters per minute (l/min) is recommended.
Example:
Container volume: 5 liters Filling time: 10 seconds Flow rate: [5 liters / 10 seconds] x 60 = 30 l/min
To measure pressure, use a manometer. After connecting the manometer to the water outlet and turning on the faucet, take note of the reading. A pressure range between 2.8 and 3.0 bars is typically suitable, with a maximum not exceeding 5.5 bars.
Example:
Manometer reading: 3.2 bar
With these primary data collected, you're now ready to create your homemade irrigation system. To better understand the terminology, consider reading our article The Essential Characteristics of an Irrigation System.
Design and Installation: Breaking it Down
1. Selecting SprinklersChoose appropriate sprinklers based on the required distance. For instance, if your garden is deep enough (approximately 7 meters), opt for sprinklers with a range of around 7 meters. For more sprinkler types and their benefits, delve deeper with our post Differences and Advantages: Static, Dynamic, and Low-Power Sprinklers.
2. Sprinkler PlacementPlace sprinklers on the sketch according to the "head-to-head" arrangement; each sprinkler should wet the head of its successor, ensuring even water distribution.
Example:
In our example, we used 8 oscillating sprinklers with a 4-meter range and 7 pop-up sprinklers with a 7-meter range.
3. Zone DesignAs water flow may not cater to the entire lawn in a single go, watering needs to be divided into sections, or zones.
Calculate the total water consumption of each sprinkler type, then divide by the available flow rate (after reducing it by approximately 10%-15% for system safety).
Example:
Total water consumption by oscillating sprinklers: 47 l/minTotal water consumption by pop-up sprinklers: 40 l/minAvailable flow rate, reduced to 25 l/min: 25 l/minTotal irrigation sectors for oscillating sprinklers: 47 l/min ÷ 25 l/min = 2 zonesTotal irrigation sectors for pop-up sprinklers: 40 l/min ÷ 25 l/min = 2 zones
4. ExcavationWith the blueprint in hand, it's time to don work gloves and dig those trenches! Excavate the trench for the pipes to a depth of about 30 to 40 centimeters. Also, dig an inspection chamber near the water connection.
5. AssemblyOnce the excavations are complete, install the components: lay the pipes, sync them with fittings, and position each sprinkler as per the design.
6. Installation of Solenoid ValvesFinally, position the solenoid valve manifold by connecting the manifold inlet to the water outlet and the solenoid valves to the zone piping.
Here's to your new and improved lawn care routine! Enjoy your fresh, healthy garden!
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By implementing this DIY irrigation system, you'll be transforming your home-and-garden lifestyle, enhancing your gardening efforts, and ensuring a lush, green lawn all year round. Once installed, this system will significantly improve your irrigation capabilities, allowing for efficient water distribution in your home garden.
