How To Design a Home In-Ground Sprinkler System

Measure the length and width of your garden or yard to calculate the total area you want to irrigate. Draw the representation of your yard on graph paper, using proportional dimensions such as 1 or 2 square inches to represent 10 or 20 square feet of space.

Add the locations of permanent fixtures, plants and structures to the graph paper. Walk outside to determine their exact locations before you transfer these to graph paper. Also mark the locations of underground utility lines on your sketch so you do not run into these while digging your trenches.

Divide the yard into individual watering units or zones based on the type of plants growing there and their irrigation requirements. Each unit features PVC pipes and sprinkler heads that vary in the amount of water they supply, based on flow rate and water pressure. Ideally, a water supply with a flow rate of 11 to 14 gallons per minute and water pressure between 30 and 40 pounds per second can support a sprinkler system. You can hire a professional to adjust the capacity so it falls within the ideal range.

Mark on the sketch the manifold’s location near the main water supply line. Draw straight lines to mark the locations of the underground PVC pipes. Also mark full, half or quarter circles to represent the coverage each sprinkler head can deliver, depending on the type you want to use. Overlap the circles slightly so you don’t miss any dry spots during irrigation.