Watering system

[Brian]

I've got a fairly large backyard. I dread every time summer comes around as I'm sure to lose some plants. Either that or I spend my entire evenings out their with a hose / moving the sprinkler around.

So if I want to put an irrigation system in what do I need to think about? Is it just a matter of measuring it out, then buying some hoses and connectors and a timer? I'm happy to put the hours in peicing it all together though be good to know what else I need to consider.

Thanks!

[GardenerJohn]

Yep, me, Jason. Keen to install a water irrigation system, but not sure what to do with the water flow test information? Presumably it dictates how many sprinklers and drippers I can have on a certain length of 19 cm polypipe. Do you know how this calculation works?

Thanks

GardnerJohn

[Jason]

That's great @GardenerJohn. I see you have also started a new discussion on this topic. I'm sure that Workshop community members will be happy to assist once you have done your water flow test. You might also like to share a sketch of your garden area. Please let me know if you have any trouble uploading a photo or getting the most from the Workshop site. 

Jason

[Jason]

How is your garden surviving in the hot weather?

Remember that when it comes to watering in February, do it first thing in the morning if you can. And a deep drink for your plants twice a week is better than more regular, shorter watering.

Jason

[buccarasta]

Hi Jason and other members...

I am just about to lay 100m of lawn, and want to retic it from a 40,000 litre water tank. The dimensions are 7m x 14m, and I have read heaps of articles on testing water flow, and how that dictates the number of sprinklers you can tun at one time, BUT I have not found a chart or table that shows the number of sprinklers related to the flow rate. IE if the flow rate is XX litres per minute (or hour) then you can run Y sprinklers.

Looking at pop ups not the driven ones. Could anyone point me in the right direction please for this info?

Thanks:)

[BIM_Engineer]

Hi @buccarasta
I wish sprinkler Fluid Dynamics was that simple

Start here

Sprinklers require a min of 200Kpa pressure

How to convert Litres per minute to KPa

[TheSaltyreefer]

@Brian we have just finished installing a cheap irrigation system on our property for 32 fruit tree's and 2 taps in 2 of our 4 paddocks, very cheaply done and works a treat, we run it 2 wats manually and or a timer, if you need a hand with parts etc let me know

[Jason]

Hi @buccarasta,

Just checking in to see how you are going with your watering system. Do you need a hand with anything? We are looking forward to seeing how your project progresses.

Welcome to the community,

Jason

[RohanMelb]

I wanted to install sprinkler heads on a 13mm poly main trunk. 

There are multiple types of heads that say say micro jet of full etc. How do I know how far the head will spray? 

I have a square area and was thinking of running a main trunk across the top and then t pieces and down into about 4 rows. The total area is about 5m x 5m. Not very large but we just planted and don't want them to die 

Thanks

[EricL]

Hello @Brian 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about building an irrigation system.

I suggest having a quick look at this discussion - How to build a lawn reticulation system? by @Malcolm12. I also recommend having a look at the DIY guides - Pope Irrigation and the Pope Irrigation Planning Site. There is also the Sprinklersystem planner GARDENA. Both these sites can guide you through the general steps you need to take to build an irrigation system.

For a more economic drip system here is a handy step-by-step guide:  How to install a drip irrigation watering system by @Adam_W.

Generally speaking, your irrigation system will be tailor made to fit the plants you currently have in your garden. This could include your lawn, small shrubs, climbers and trees. I propose drawing your garden on paper first identifying the plants that are present and identifying what type of watering it will need. There is drip irrigation, micro jet watering and pop-up sprinkler systems. It should then make it much easier to put the data into the irrigation planners.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric