Home irrigation specialist Chuck Coddington continues his overview of sprinkler head options, then moves on to xxx. Variable arc nozzle (figure A); adjustable head, turn open to whatever angle is needed; higher precipitation rate - constant spray - than the rotor sprinklers... almost twice as much more water in half the time since it doesn't rotate Some areas that need extra water ... or in regular areas part of the time... 15- foot throw, or radius 12" height for obstacles (figure B)... same throw as shorter, not nearly as far as 12" rotor head; better for beds... extra height allows for more clearance After reviewing some of the options for sprinkler heads, we chose three types for our installation: - 4-inch pop-up rotor sprayers (gear-driven), with a throw of about 40 feet (figure C); using in larger lawn areas
- 4-inch pop-up continuous sprayers, with a throw of about 15 feet (figure D ); using in smaller areas that include both lawn space and flowerbeds
- 12" continuous micro-sprayers, like the one shown in figure E for the shrubs and flowerbeds
After you've chosen the sprinkler head types, begin visualizing where to place them in your lawn. Tip: If your sprinkler has a throw of 15 feet, take a piece of rope and cut it 15 feet in length. Tie a loop in one end and drive a screwdriver through the loop and into the ground. Step back, pulling the rope taut (figure F), and walk the circumference to get an idea of where the sprinkler pattern will reach. The main goal for optimum water coverage is called "head to head" coverage -- that is, the sprinkler pattern from one head should reach the next sprinkler head. Steps: - Put your plan on paper and plot out there the sprinkler heads should go. After marking the lawn with landscaping flags to get a better idea of watering coverage, you're ready to begin drawing out the details.
- Next, divide your lawn into zones. Each watering zone will run independently from the other zones, so choose the zones that require the same water amounts and watering times. In our project, we divided our lawn into four zones:
- Zone 1 is the right side of the larger portion of the lawn
- Zone 2 is the left side of the learger protion of the lawn
- Zone 3 is the smaller area of lawn on the other side of the sidewalk
- Zone 4 consists of the shrubs and flowerbeds next to the house
- Start by placing the larger sprinkler heads with the greatest throw and patterns of 360 degrees. This will cover most of the lawn, but there are still areas that won't get water, so those areas will need to be "filled in."
- Start by placing smaller sprinkler heads along hard lines -- such as driveways, property lines and / or streets. These sprinkler heads will have a 180-degree pattern. Try to position these heads so there is a slight overlap. This ensures maximum watering coverage. Do the same thing for all remaining zones.
- Once all the sprinkler head locations have been finalized, carefully measure the distances between all of them using a measuring wheel and transfer than to the scale drawing. This now will become the blueprint for the installation.
RESOURCES :
Lawn Care for Dummies
Model: 0764550772
Author: Lance Walheim
Hungry Minds, Inc
(January 1998)
Handbook of Water Use and Conservation: Homes, Landscapes, Industries, Businesses, Farms
Model: 1931579075
Author: Amy Vickers
(2001)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
WaterPlow Press
Website: www.waterplowpress.com
Rain Bird Sprinkler Heads and Components
Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp.
Website: www.rainbird.com
GUESTS :
Chuck Coddington
Coddington Enterprise
6376 Fairview Road
Hixon, TN 37343
Phone: 423-847-9964
Home Irrigation Specialist
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