GARDEN
Designing your irrigation system
Even if your garden is on the small side or you only want to irrigate your vegetable garden , it ’ s important to plan properly . Start by measuring out the area you want under irrigation , and draw a map of it , to scale , marking where beds , trees , pathways and other features are . By planning properly , you can gain an understand of how simple or complex the layout is , and therefore how simple or complex the irrigation system you need . This will help you determine whether you can install a system yourself or need professional help .
If installing it yourself , you can then decide where sprinklers , sprayers , bubblers or drippers should be placed . It may require some maths – for instance , sprinklers should be placed half the diameter they spray away from each other . In other words , if a sprinkler sprays a diameter of 6m , each sprinkler should be placed 3m away from the other . This way , there is no wastage and everything gets water . If you are connecting your piping to the tap in the garden , it ’ s a good idea to use a Y-connector , which will allow you to use the tap for both drip irrigation and whatever else you need it for .
If you have a large garden , a big lawn or a vegetable garden that you ’ re eating from and want to keep healthy , an irrigation system makes the most sense . Do you homework , then plan and prep , and before you know it , your garden will be given the right amount of water at the right time , without you having to do very much more at all . Like many things in life , it may involve an initial financial outlay , but in the long run , it will prove to be an investment and a saving of time – and water !
TIP : Always buy extras , whether nozzles , pipes or poles . This way , you can easily replace parts that are damaged .
GARDEN ZONE
Visit your local Agrimark Garden Zone for tools , feeds , fertilisers and seasonal plants .