Garden irrigation systems

The best garden irrigation system will depend on the water restrictions that apply to your council area, as well as the type of garden you have.

Drip irrigation systems are suitable for use during drought under most council regulations. Drip systems reduce evaporation of water, delivering moisture directly to the roots of the plant. By specifically watering the plants you want to grow, any surrounding weeds will dry out. This irrigation method keeps the foliage dry, which can help to reduce disease problems.

When water is not restricted, sprinkler or spray irrigation systems can effectively distribute water to lawns, vegetable gardens, and ornamental gardens. Spray or sprinkler systems can be divided into zones to water a large area.

To irrigate your garden, you'll need to know the flow rate of the water supply.

Use a 10L bucket and time how long it takes to fill with the tap turned on full. Once you have the flow rate in litres per hour, you can divide your garden into watering zones. Each watering zone will contain plants that require a similar amount of water.

Choosing irrigation pipes with the appropriate drip rate, you can ensure that each garden zone receives the correct amount of water. The total amount of water used must be less than the flow rate of your water supply.

For young plants that grow quite big, like trees, choose a watering system that you can extend as the plant grows to full size.

Three common types of garden irrigation include:

Soaker hose irrigation consists of a porous hose and delivers water steadily to plants in the immediate vicinity. It's easy to install and delivers water reliably at ground level. Soaker hose irrigation is ideal for small gardens at ground level.

Drip irrigation is a more complex watering system that delivers water directly to the root systems of plants. These irrigation systems can operate on a timer, providing water to plants overnight, when it is least likely to evaporate.

Drip irrigation works well for bigger gardens, such as vegetable gardens, where plants are in long straight rows.

Sprinkler irrigation systems spray water through the air, mimicking the effect of rain. Sprinkler systems can be temporary or permanent fixtures.

The cost of an irrigation system and installation will depend on the type of watering system you choose and the area size that needs irrigation.

You can install an irrigation system yourself, or have a landscaper or gardener install it for you.