Installing a Garden Irrigation System: A Guide from the Start

In 5 steps: 1) Area measurement and planning, 2) Water supply connection, 3) Main line laying (PE polyethylene pipe), 4) Distribution lines (hose/drip), 5) Sprinkler or dripper installation. In small gardens, only a hose + gun nozzle is sufficient.

100 m² area alone does not determine the system cost. A list of materials should be prepared according to row spacing, line length, dripper, filter, connection parts and water source. Check out the hose and pipe unit prices in our current price list.

PE polyethylene pipe (32-50mm) is used for the main line, 3/4 or 1" garden hose is used for distribution, 16mm polyethylene pipe is used for drip irrigation. Ertunç Plastik offers all these products under one roof.

Sprinklers distribute water over an area, while drip systems deliver it at selected points. Choose for the crop, soil, wind, water quality and maintenance conditions. Do not assume a fixed consumption or savings ratio; compare both against the same irrigation requirement.

Use the pressure requirement specified for the emitter or sprinkler model. Measure available source flow and pressure on site, and account for pipe, filter and fitting losses. Determine whether pumping or pressure reduction is needed from the system calculation.

Main line: 32-50mm PE polyethylene pipe. Side lines: 20-25mm PE pipe. Drip lines: 16mm. Pipe diameter is calculated according to water flow rate and line length.

Both are used. Perforated (dropper) pipe provides water at ready intervals, ideal for the vegetable garden. The non-perforated tube allows you to install your own droppers, offering more flexible layout. It is produced in diameters 16mm and 20mm.

Pump requirements depend on source flow, operating pressure, water level, elevation and total line losses. A mains or well source label, or one fixed run length, does not decide the issue. If a pump is needed, match its duty point to the system requirements and pump curve.

PE pipe is flexible, impact and resistant to UV; It comes in coils and can be buried underground. PVC pipe is in hard, straight length and is joined by gluing. PE polyethylene pipe is preferred for garden irrigation.

Elbow, tee, coupling, reducer, valve, clamp, adapter and filter are the basic additional parts. PE pipes are joined by mechanical fitting or welding. Ertunç Plastik supplies all connection parts.

Drain the system in winter: close the valves, open the plug at the end of the line, drain the water from the pipe. Freezing damages pipes. Disconnect the hoses and store them indoors. Drain water from sprinklers.

Verify required sprinkler flow and pressure in the selected model’s performance table. Calculate conditions at the sprinkler from measured inlet pressure after pipe, filter, valve and elevation losses. Assess changes to pipe diameter or pumping against that calculation.

Select dripline diameter and permitted run length together with the emitter model, emitter spacing and flow rate, inlet pressure, terrain slope and target irrigation uniformity. Use the design table supplied by the manufacturer of the selected dripline. Size the mainline for the total flow of the lines operating simultaneously and the allowable pressure loss; a 16 mm or 20 mm designation alone does not determine a fixed run length. Our pipe diameter calculator provides an initial estimate; it does not replace the emitter design table or a project calculation.

The service life of buried pipe and surface hoses depends on the project, pressure, UV exposure, temperature and installation. Check the selected product's technical information and warranty documents.

Drip irrigation: ~150-200 meters (16mm drip pipe + main line). Sprinkler: ~50-80 meters (32mm main line + side lines). Irrigation with a hose: 20-30 meters of hose is sufficient. Creating a garden sketch is essential for planning.