Garden and Flowers

Written on October 28, 2008 – 6:17 pm | by Staff |

If you have a big beautiful lawn but don’t have the time and energy to water it, garden sprinkler system is the answer. With a sprinkler system, you can have the beautiful lawn that you always dreamed of. There are two options on how to go over the installation, do it yourself or hire a professional. Whatever you choose, proper planning is the key to the success of your project.

The first thing to do is to contact your gas and electric company. They will tell you where the gas and electric lines are so that you can work around them when the digging for the sprinkler system starts. They will guide you to ensure the project goes easy and you remain safe.  Check also if a permit will be required. Finally, talk to your water utility company or city hall about your local watering ordinances.

Next step is to sit down and draw your plan. Include the location for each sprinkler and where will the piping be laid, taking note of the gas, electric lines, trees, shrubs, flowerbeds, sidewalks and other features of your lawn and garden. You can’t go wrong with a well-laid plan.

Since the sprinkler system involves water, the next things to consider concerns the water pressure, meter size, service line and flow rate. Water pressure should be checked with a special pressure gauge. This is to determine how much pressure you have in pounds per square inch (PSI). When taking the reading, be sure every faucet is turned off and the dishwasher, shower or washing machine are not running.

You can look on your existing water meter to determine the current size. If you cannot see it, either check on your last utility bill or contact your local water company. If your water comes from a well, you would need to get the size of the pump, which can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer.

When laying a sprinkler system, you will need to use the same size of irrigation pipe as what you have for a supply line. This can be done by taking a piece of string and wrapping it around the water pipe. For example, if the string measures 2 3/4-inches, you would need a 3/4-inch copper pipe. If the string were 4 inches, you would need a one-inch PVC or galvanized pipe. You can take your measurement to your local hardware or home improvement store and they can set you up with the appropriate pipe.

The flow rate is measured as gallons per minute. To determine this, you can use a container with a measurable capacity such as a bucket. Turn the water on outside and then using a watch with a second-hand, time how long it takes to fill the bucket to a measurable level. Then, divide the filled container in gallons by the time it took to fill it in seconds. That number is then multiplied by 60 seconds, which is your flow rate.

With all the above things considered and included in your plan, you will have your own sprinkler system installed in no time at all.

Watering Made Easy Sprinkler Station Squared #SS13: End the hassle of surface lawn sprinklers with the original Watering Made Easy Sprinkler Station Squared. This sprinkler waters a rectangular area 9×18′ 4×15′, or 4×30′. Perfrect for that little patch of grass w/o watering the concrete. It’s easy to install! Just dig a hole about the size of the box and bury the sprinkler. No trenching, no more fighting with traditional surface sprinklers.

Orbit Sprinkler System H2O-Six Gear Drive Sprinkler #58565: H2O 6 Gear Drive Sprinkler, 3 Position Diffuser, Allows Spray Distance Adjustments, 360&degree. Coverage, Easy To Adjust Tabs Make It Simple, 6 Spray Patterns To Choose From, Ideal For Shrubs & Flower Beds, Clamshell.

LR Nelson Simple Soaker Border Area Sprinkling System #2311: From LR Nelson, ground sprinkler system for border areas, flower beds, and other landscape. System consists of 50-foot poly tubing for up to 600 square feet of coverage; 5 plastic stakes secure tubing. Water flow is directed by 5 adjustable nozzles and 5 nozzle deflectors. System also includes 5 6-inch risers, end plug, and 8 goof plugs; 15 minute estimated installation.

Gilmour Deluxe 2-Arm High-Rise Garden Sprinkler #891: Two arm, rustproof, rotating polymer head. Spray tips adjust from mist to stream. Covers up to 50 ft. diameter, circular/square pattern. Adjustable aluminum pole (24″ to 40″) with reinforced polymer spike. Metal screen filter prevents clogging.

Orbit Lawn & Garden 3-Piece Port-A-Rain Tandem Sprinkler System #58092: The Port-A-Rain is a flexible watering system that features two 15 Ft. reinforced garden hose, 5 interchangeable nozzles, and 3 Port-A-Rain sprinkler heads. It attaches to any standard garden hose and conforms to the contour of lawns of any shape.

Gilmour Adjustable Tripod Impulse Sprinkler with Extra Large Coverage #999TP: Perfect for irrigating large lawns, the Gilmour 999TP impulse sprinkler features a canon-size, extra large sprinkler head and adjustable tripod for optimal irrigation coverage. The tripod legs extend up to 58 inches for clearing shrubs or broadening the spray diameter. Spiked feet resist the force of the sprinkler and stay put even in high winds. Weighing just five pounds, the sprinkler is easy to move from site to site. Made of a combination of brass and zinc, the metal head is built for years of reliable irrigation.

Melnor Classic Oscillating Sprinkler #3200H: This oscillating sprinkler from Melnor’s Heritage line is built with durable noncorrosive metal parts, comes with a 15-year warranty, and is designed for watering medium-to-large rectangular lawn and garden areas. The durable steel is heavily coated and sealed in black enamel, and the hose coupling and jet nozzles are made of brass, a metal known to hold up indefinitely to weather. This sprinkler waters a 46-by-70-foot area (3,200 square feet) and uses a multiposition control system to provide a variety of spray patterns. It can also be converted for stationary watering.

Gardena Circular Sprinkler Vario/Sled #31948-5: Circular Sprinkler. For watering circular or sector areas in the garden of up to 2400 square feet (225m). Indiviually adjustable spray direction for a simply positioning of the sprinkler. Special sprinkler-turning turbine for even water distribution. Several sprinklers can be connected in a row.

LR Nelson Pound Of Rain 30-Foot Circular Spray Sprinkler, Cast Iron #2151: Circular spray cast iron Sprinkler. Spot Rain stationary sprinklers are designed especially for small, hard to water areas such as flower beds and under plants and shrubs.

Melnor Lawn Rescue Traveling Sprinkler #4500: Save your lawn from dry air with the Melnor lawn rescue traveling sprinkler 4500. This unique fire-truck sprinkler follows the path of your hose across the lawn, watering areas up to 13,000 square feet. It is ideal for irregular-shaped lawns and has a 23-millimeter jaw opening. You can change between minimum and maximum spray depending on the watering job. For consumer confidence, this traveling sprinkler is backed by a 7-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.