Landscaping Irrigation Design

Landscaping Irrigation Design

Overview

Water requirement calculation, sprinkler selection, zone design, and irrigation specification for landscape areas. Primary agent: 03000-002 Irrigation Design Agent.

Triggers

• Planting plan complete
• Irrigation design requested for zone
• Irrigation system upgrade required
• Water efficiency review requested

Prerequisites

• Planting plan with plant types and quantities
• Site topography and water pressure data
• Water availability and efficiency requirements
• Climate data (evapotranspiration, rainfall patterns)

Steps

Step 1: Water Requirement Calculation

Calculate water requirements for each zone:

• Reference evapotranspiration rates from climate data
• Plant factor calculation by plant type and growth stage
• Zone area and application rate calculation
• Seasonal water requirements
• Peak demand calculation

Step 2: Irrigation Method Selection

Select appropriate irrigation methods for each area:

• Sprinkler type by plant type (trees, shrubs, groundcover, lawn)
• Drip irrigation for feature planting and sensitive areas
• Rotary sprinklers for large open areas
• Consider wind patterns, topography, and microclimates

Step 3: Sprinkler Layout and Coverage

Design sprinkler head layout for complete coverage:

• Head spacing based on manufacturer specifications
• Coverage overlap for uniform distribution
• Zone division by water requirement and plant type
• Pipe routing and pressure calculations

Step 4: Controller Programming

Develop irrigation controller program:

• Zone scheduling based on water requirements
• Seasonal adjustments for climate variation
• Rain sensor and weather-based adjustments
• Cycle and soak for sloped or slow-drain areas

Step 5: Commissioning and Testing

Define commissioning requirements:

• Pressure testing and leak checking
• Coverage verification and uniformity testing
• Controller programming verification
• Water efficiency verification against design calculations

Success Criteria

• Calculated water requirements match site needs
• Sprinkler coverage provides uniform distribution
• Zones are divided appropriately by water requirement
• Controller programming meets seasonal requirements
• Commissioning procedures verify system performance

Common Pitfalls

1. Under-sizing water requirements → Verify plant factors and evapotranspiration rates
2. Poor overlap between sprinklers → Verify head-to-head coverage design
3. One zone for mixed plant types → Separate zones by water requirement
4. Seasonal adjustments not programmed → Ensure controller supports multiple programmes

Cross-References

• landscaping-planting-plan/SKILL.md — Plant types for water requirement calculation
• landscaping-maintenance-programme/SKILL.md — Irrigation maintenance from design specs