How to install garden irrigation

A green lawn and full borders need a lot of water in dry periods. Walking around with the hose or a watering can every evening takes time, and you often give too much in one place and too little in another. With simple garden irrigation you spread the water much more evenly. In this blog you will read how to install a sprinkler system yourself with a garden hose, splitters and sprinklers, and what to look out for.

👷 Calling in a professional is never superfluous. If you want a permanent underground system with buried pipes and automatic zones, or if a new outdoor tap is needed, have it done by a landscaper or a qualified plumber. Work on the water supply in your home is not a DIY job.

Which type of garden irrigation suits your garden?

There are roughly three ways to water your garden automatically or semi-automatically:

• Separate sprinklers on the garden hose. The simplest solution: you place one or more sprinklers on the lawn and connect them to the outdoor tap. Ideal for small and medium-sized gardens.
• A fixed hose network with splitters. You lay the hoses in a fixed place, for example along the borders, and switch each zone with valves. This is the approach in this blog.
• An underground system. Pipes lie in the ground and pop-up sprinklers only come up when they water. It looks neat and invisible, but it needs a good design. If in doubt, have it installed by a professional.

What do you need?

Hoses and connectors

• A 3/4 inch garden hose for the main line from the tap. A thicker hose carries more water, which helps with several sprinklers.
• A 1/2 inch garden hose for short branches to separate sprinklers.
• An automatic hose reel to store the hose neatly when you are not using it.
• A hose splitter with valves to switch two zones on or off separately.
• A double hose connector to join two lengths of hose.
• A hose barb connector for quick coupling to swap hoses and sprinklers quickly.
• A pipe cutter to cut the hose straight and clean, so the connectors seal properly.

Sprinklers

• A rotating sprinkler on a spike for round areas of lawn.
• An adjustable oscillating sprinkler for rectangular lawns. You set the width and length of the spray.
• A turbine sprinkler for larger areas.
• An 8-function spray gun for watering pots and new plants by hand.

Tools and PPE

• A tape measure with auto-lock to measure the garden.
• A garden shovel and a hand rake to dig a shallow trench if you want to hide the hose.
• garden gloves with latex coating for grip and protection against dirt and sharp branches.
• A garden kneeling pad so you can kneel comfortably while laying and connecting.
• safety goggles when you test the hose under pressure or adjust sprinklers, because a connector that comes loose sprays hard.

Read more about the right garden tools in our guide to Stalco Garden tools.

Step 1: make a plan of your garden

Draw your garden on a sheet of paper and measure it. Mark where the lawn is, where the borders and vegetable patch are and where the outdoor tap is. Then divide the garden into zones that need roughly the same amount of water:

• the lawn, which needs a lot of water and is best watered with sprinklers;
• borders with perennials, which prefer water at ground level rather than over the leaves;
• pots and young plants, which are often better watered by hand.

💡 When planning, also look at the wind and the sun. In a windy spot, the water from a sprinkler is easily blown away, and watering in the full midday sun mostly evaporates.

Step 2: check the water pressure and the tap

How many sprinklers you can use at the same time depends on the water pressure and the amount of water coming from your tap. Test it simply: put a ten-litre bucket under the tap and see how quickly it fills. If it is slow, use only one sprinkler per zone at a time.

⚠️ Do you not have an outdoor tap yet, or does the current one leak? Have a new tap connected by a qualified plumber. An outdoor tap needs a proper vacuum breaker or non-return valve and a way to drain it for winter, so that garden water cannot flow back into the drinking water supply and the pipe does not freeze.

Step 3: lay the main line and the zones

1. Connect the splitter with valves to the tap.
2. Run a hose from each outlet of the splitter to a zone. Let the hose run without kinks and with wide bends.
3. Cut the hose to length with the pipe cutter and join lengths with the connectors.
4. If you want the hose out of sight, dig a shallow trench along the edge of the lawn or border with the spade. Lay the hose in it and cover it loosely with soil. That way you can easily find it again later.
5. Do not leave the hose lying loose across paths or walkways, so nobody trips over it.

Step 4: place and adjust the sprinklers

Place the sprinklers so that their reach overlaps slightly. That way the edge of each circle also gets enough water. Put the sprinkler on a firm, level spot or push the spike firmly into the ground. Then slowly open the tap and adjust the spray:

• aim the oscillating sprinkler so it does not spray against the house wall, the patio or the fence;
• check whether any dry patches remain and move the sprinklers a little if needed;
• check all connectors for leaks and tighten them slightly if necessary.

Step 5: water smartly

• Water thoroughly once or twice a week rather than a little every day. The roots then grow deeper and the grass copes better with drought.
• Water early in the morning. Less evaporates and the grass dries during the day, which helps prevent fungus.
• In a dry summer a lawn needs a good soaking about twice a week. Put an empty container on the grass to see how much water falls.
• Follow any rules from your municipality or water company during prolonged drought.

Common mistakes

• Connecting too many sprinklers at once, so none of them works properly.
• A kinked hose, which greatly reduces the water flow.
• Sprinkling in bright sunshine, so a large part of the water evaporates.
• Leaving the hose and connectors outside in winter. The water inside freezes and the parts crack.

Working safely

Wear gloves when digging and use a kneeling pad when you work on the ground for a long time. Lay hoses so nobody can trip over them and wind them onto the reel after use. If you dig a trench, check beforehand whether there are cables or pipes in the ground. If in doubt, or if something needs to be done to the water supply or the outdoor lighting, call in a qualified installer. Read more about the right gloves for the garden in our blog on gardening gloves and tools.

After the season

Turn off the tap and let the hoses and sprinklers drain. Disconnect the connectors and store everything frost-free. Have the outdoor tap drained for winter according to your plumber's instructions.

Frequently asked questions

How many sprinklers can I connect to one tap?

That depends on the water pressure. With an average tap, one or two sprinklers at a time work well. With more sprinklers, use a splitter with valves and water the zones in turn.

Can I lay the garden hose under the grass?

You can hide an ordinary garden hose in a shallow trench along the edge. A permanent underground system with pop-up sprinklers needs special pipes and a good design; have that installed by a professional.

Should I switch off the sprinklers when it rains?

Yes. After a shower, first check whether the soil is still moist. Too much water is just as bad for your lawn as too little.

Can I connect an outdoor tap myself?

Work on the water supply is best left to a qualified plumber. They make sure the connection is safe, with a non-return valve and a drain tap for winter.

Read also: How to get your garden ready for winter

Read also: How to trim a hedge: step-by-step DIY guide

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Read also: How to lay a new lawn: step-by-step guide for seed and turf

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.

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