Lawn Thread - MEGA

[JfuckinC]

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i think they can use a thing that slices into the turf without actual trenching

Yah like a machine with a big blade, that just puts the tubing in behind it is what I’m picturing/remembering? Maybe I’m making that up though lol

[npham]

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Yah like a machine with a big blade, that just puts the tubing in behind it is what I’m picturing/remembering? Maybe I’m making that up though lol

I saw it on Clarkson's Farm and always thought that machine was so cool. Maybe that's where you saw it too?

[Buster]

Having irrigation is one of those things once you have, you would never go without. I'd just do it.

[AndyL]

Regency irrigation used to run a diy focused course

[nagooro]

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For anyone who has done irrigation recently what ball park prices did you pay? A buddy of mine had it done a few years back and said it was about $600/zone including the controller with the typical suburban house using 3 zones. Does that sound about right?

We had ours installed in 2019. 2 zones + the plumbing was $2300. We supplied our own controller (Rachio). Got a few different quotes, ranged from $1800-2300.

[lamp_shade_2000]

I put in irrigation at my place last year with a friend's help and experience doing it before. We rented the trencher from Rogers rental and sourced the material from emco I believe. Ended up using the wyze sprinkler controller so it tied into the same app as my cameras. 3 zones for grass plus bubblers for several areas throughout the yard. Took us a weekend of work and about $1200 in total. I'd say don't bother with half assing it with a temp solution and just do it once and do it right.

- - - Updated - - -


Obligatory pic. This is with 2 dogs who couldn't be bothered to use the gravel areas to piss. Put down some ez seed in some patchy areas last week hoping the rain will bring it back.

[JordanEG6]

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Has anyone DIY'd an irrigation/sprinkler system? I don't have a big yard, and there's no sod down yet.

I did it. It's easy and cheap. Non-pie lot, front/back yard total grass coverage is around 1000 sq ft. Cost me about $700-800 in hardware for 4 zones. The only thing I did not install was a rain sensor, so I have to manually pause it for rainy days.

[killramos]

An alternative to a rain sensor is use a a smart meter that can check the weather from the internet.

Bonus points is you can activate and program those form your phone.

Planning on installing irrigation probably next summer, there is some significant landscaping changes I want to make and it doesn’t make sense to run lines this year only to dig them up next.

[Tik-Tok]

Smart Wifi controller or bust.

A rain sensor will stop the system from turning on while it's actively raining, but if it had poured the day before and then the sun came out and dried the sensor (which is often in Calgary), then it's still going to come on.

[schurchill39]

I was just looking at the Rain Bird website and it looks like they offer a service that will design the system for you and give you a shopping list of everything you need if you get them a detailed layout of your yard, water pressure and flow rate, and a few more things. I think I am going to go that route if everyone is booking up for the year already. We already know what changes we want to make to the yard so putting in irrigation seems like a logical first step.

[sabad66]

Rain tech also does diy support:
https://raintech.ca/diy-packages/

I’ve got a guy coming to quote a job tomorrow but if it’s excessive I’ll probably try this diy design service.

[cet]

Regency Irrigation has the same kind of service. Send them your landscape plan, they design the system and give you a couple of options for the parts. You get the same type of plan with sprinkler locations and pipe layout. I used them a couple of years ago when I did mine. I did all the installation in the yard then had them connect the system to the water in the house.

[mo_money2supe]

I installed my own irrigation last summer. Front yard that's ~30' x 15' (posted a pic in this thread a few pages back) and a rear yard that's ~30' x 24'; 6 zones altogether including several flower beds and planters. Dug all the trenches by hand, which really isn't that hard; just make sure you water the lawn for an hour before. Hoses, adapters, heads, etc costs <$300. The backflow preventer (if you don't already have one) was another $300. I then bought a fancy wifi controller (Rachio 3), which I highly recommend for another $300. Wisest investment ever! For anyone contemplating irrigation, just do it. It's not as expensive as you think and it actually saves me money since it only waters each zone <10 mins a day (compared to hand watering and forgetting to turn off the sprinklers after 30+ mins) and I still have a lush green lawn.

[sk8r3124]

I used to install for Regency back in the day. Have moved twice since then, and have installed a new irrigation system in each place. Irrigation pipe technology has improved alot over the years. The Blu-Loc system is so easy, the hard work is really just digging the trenches. Now if you can get your hands on a trenching machine, DIY is crazy simple. When I bought my last place, the neighbor was adament that grass just wont grow cause of all the spruce tree's. Buddy is eating his words not. Like it has been said on here before....90% of getting a better lawn is literally just giving a shit about your lawn.

One thing that sucks now, is that since the flood, you technically have to get a permit from the city (I think) for the plumbing. No longer can get a simple ball valve installed. Have to get a fancy one, and it (should) be regularly tested..

[JfuckinC]

when will i know if my seed-a-thon on the 11th is viable? its obviously been well hydrated lol.. someone said 2 weeks for germination, when should i see sprouts?

[bjstare]

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when will i know if my seed-a-thon on the 11th is viable? its obviously been well hydrated lol.. someone said 2 weeks for germination, when should i see sprouts?

Last time I seeded, it took at least a couple weeks. Seemed like an eternity.

Even my EZ seed I put down this year didn't start to go until like day 9 or something.

[Kg810]

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when will i know if my seed-a-thon on the 11th is viable? its obviously been well hydrated lol.. someone said 2 weeks for germination, when should i see sprouts?

There are so many factors.

Was the seed properly planted and covered?
Has the amount of rain we've received washed any of the seed away?
Has your soil temperatures been high enough to allow germination?
etc

Some people can see germination within a week, but some can take 2-3 weeks. I'd say if you don't see anything after 3 weeks, you'll need to do it again.

[JfuckinC]

i did it in layers of seed, then dirt , then rake, a couple times... most of the seed was covered and there isn't enough slope i don't think anything washed away.. South facing yard, so hopefully the sun has kept the temp decent enough for proper germination...

Fingers crossed, if it doesn't work i'm telling my wife this Cardening forum is useful and at fault.

[88CRX]

Should have done sod lol

But yea give it another week or so. Feel like it hasn't been hot enough to get real strong growth yet this year. My Ez Seed sprouts are still all hairy looking, hasn't really thickened up at all yet.

[killramos]

Man. Sod would have taken so well with the rain we have been having.

My neighbour sodded some sections in May and honestly I can’t even tell the difference anymore.