HO-155
YARD AND GARDEN
HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907
DESIGNING
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR THE LANDSCAPE
by Lawrence D. Cammarata, graduate in landscape management, and David F. Hamilton, assistant professor of horticulture
The aesthetic value of turfgrass and landscape plantings is only part of their total importance. Living plants are essential to nature’s cycle of oxygen replenishment of the atmosphere. They are excellent sound insulators, effectively reducing noise levels. Plants also modify our environment in numerous other ways directly influencing daily activities.
Today, turf is recognized as being more than a carpet surrounding a home. In addition to lawns, turfgrass is the ideal surface for athletic fields and golf courses, a new way of life for decaying intercities and beautification of our nation’s streets and highways. Turfgrass and landscaping serves our parks and playgrounds making them functional and attractive.
Proper maintenance of landscaped areas requires supplemental watering in most areas. Irrigation in its various forms has been practiced for many years. However, only in recent years have these principles been applied to the growth of a nonagricultural product.
Recent developments in landscape irrigation include increased residential and commercial usage of sprinkler systems because of affluency and increased ecology awareness. The trend toward automated watering is due principally to increased labor costs and recognition of the need for more efficient water resources management. Landscape designers and/or contractors will find it very beneficial to incorporate irrigation into the landscape plan. With the increase in the landscape industry and the desire by the customers for quality work, an underground sprinkler will ensure the beauty of work for years to come.
An increasing number of underground sprinkler systems are being installed in residential areas. Demand for well-maintained lawns has helped increase the number of systems installed. Also, in some areas restrictions on water use have made it necessary to water at times that are inconvenient, calling for the use of automatic systems. Finally, many people have found that installation of an irrigation system will protect their valuable leisure time. Whatever the reason, residential irrigation systems have become important to the landscape industry.
Planning a system is important in ensuring an effective irrigation setup. The design and layout of an underground sprinkler system involves arranging sprinklers, piping, and controls in a system that best fits the conditions of the area to be watered (2). Accurate analysis of field conditions is necessary for a satisfactory system. The following paragraphs detail what information about the site must be obtained before an efficient system can be designed.
Gathering Site information
A plot plan is required to properly locate buildings as well as shrubs, trees, hedges, planting beds, walks, drives, parking areas, etc., which