Landscape Irrigation - Irrigation and Drainage
About Irrigation and Drainage
Irrigation and drainage go hand in hand to provide nutrition to the lawns and gardens within a landscape. The key to a successful landscape is a sufficient irrigation plan. A landscape requires water to keep the plants and grass healthy and vibrant. Therefore it is essential to have an irrigation system in place to ensure a beautifully kept landscape. An irrigation system will reduce the workload and more importantly, will protect the quality of your soil therefore providing a lifeline for your plants and lawns. This in turn will reduce the risk of pest and diseases effecting your vegetation.
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Irrigation Systems
The purpose of an irrigation system is ultimately for the survival of plants. Irrigation systems can be fairly complex, so it is best to consult a professional for advice. To do it yourself, you will require some sound knowledge of routing and concealing irrigation plumbing, water pressure, safety and water quality protection. Electrical wiring drains and valves, underground and above ground pipes are all components of a landscape irrigation system. Today, the majority of modern landscapes are using timers, which saves the homeowner turning the irrigation system on and off.
Sprinklers
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Sprinklers are the most common form of landscape irrigation. Sprinkler systems are best used for smaller areas that are regular in shape, perfect for the average residential backyard. They do not require much maintenance and can cover areas anywhere from one foot to fifteen feet. Even though sprinklers have low water pressure, they perform well and pressure boosters can be used for hillside landscapes. |
Rotary Sprayers
| Best used in larger areas of landscape, rotary sprayers can cover up to 100 feet. Rotary sprayers use gear driven or impact mechanisms to rotate the spray head. They use a high water pressure to distribute water; however they do require regular checking as the heads can stick in one place. Rotary sprayers must operate longer as they tend to use less water. |
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Flood Systems
Flood systems are used mainly for roses, fruit trees and ground cover plants. As these types of plants are prone to mold and diseases caused by dampness, the flood system eliminates this by flooding the ground instead of spraying the plants.
The Role of a Drainage System
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Irrigation and drainage is the life line of your landscape. Especially in the dry seasons, plants and lawns must have a regular water intake to thrive. A Drainage system will transport excess water from the surface and channel it away from the area. This is very important as the irrigation system will provide plenty of water, however too much water will have a disastrous effect on the vegetation. The perfect balance of irrigation and drainage will provide essential nutrients without over-watering plants which can retard the growth. |
Test for Drainage
| Before an irrigation system is implemented into a landscape, it is wise to test the water drainage of your landscape first. The condition of the water drainage will effect the irrigation so it is important to know how effective the drainage is. To test your landscape drainage, dig a few holes in different areas of your landscape. The holes should be around six inches deep, fill the holes with water. Leave for 24 hours and if there is no water in the holes, this means there is sufficient drainage. |
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