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#1
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
I just got a quote for an irrigation system.
$3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. |
#3
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
I went to www.doityourself.com and there was nothing on irrigation.
You can do it yourself. Technically it's not that hard. Check your local bookstore for books on lawn and gardens. Also go to the L&G section of home improvement stores. Or - the library! You need to know how many gallons per minute your water source supplies - that will determine how many sprinkler heads you can run in each section. Then you want to map out each section, be sure to allow for plenty of overlap - I forget what the percentage is (maybe 100%), but you should have a significant amount of overlap between sprinklers. For instance if you have 2 sprinklers that each spray 20 feet, don't put them 40 feet apart thinking that that will cover everything. Probably 30' apart at most and 20' at least. (At 20' you should have 100% overlap) What kind of soil you have will determine if you "really" want to do this yourself. Digging in some areas can be backbreaking. I live in Florida where we have mostly sandy soils - so digging is relatively easy. You can also rent a ditch or trench digger that will save your back. G wrote in message ... I just got a quote for an irrigation system. $3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. |
#4
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
wrote:
I just got a quote for an irrigation system. $3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. http://doityourself.com/lawn/install...dsprinkler.htm |
#5
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
I look - but I did not find... Thanks for the tip.
"Doug G" wrote in message ... wrote: I just got a quote for an irrigation system. $3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. http://doityourself.com/lawn/install...dsprinkler.htm |
#6
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
I look - but I did not find... Thanks for the tip.
"Doug G" wrote in message ... wrote: I just got a quote for an irrigation system. $3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. http://doityourself.com/lawn/install...dsprinkler.htm |
#7
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
http://doityourself.com/lawn/install...dsprinkler.htm Thanks for that link...I didn't know about that site. Lots to think about. I know that I have to upgrade my well pump, and possibly the tank as well. So I won't know my final flowrate until then. Thanks again! |
#8
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
check out http://www.irrigationtutorials.com
very good site if you want to do it yourself. If you follow this guys advice you pretty much can't go wrong. wrote in message . .. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. |
#9
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Do-it-yourself irrigation?
I did my own 11 zone, 83 head sprinkler system 2 years ago and I would do it
again. I must tell you that being an engineer and a weight lifter helped on the upside but being 63 at the time was a liability on the down side. It also helps if you have a son or good friend willing to help. I think anyone with determination can do it. On the other hand, if you aren't handy with plumbing, electricals, are scared of ditch witches, and you don't have a strong back forget it. Forget using Toro tutorials. They are too simplistic. I highly recommend ttp://www.irrigationtutorials.com/index.htm which is run by a guy named Jess Stryker. The tutorial is very good but for a one-time $5 charge, Jess will answer any question you have during your design and installation. I used Visio Technical software to draw up my plot plan complete with location of house, trees, natural areas, sprinkler heads, valve boxes, etc. This takes a little crude surveying to accurately locate everything but it is worth it in the long run. Visio also has neat landscaping tools such as sprinkler heads that make the layout of your system easier. You can do it without CAD software but it is more difficult. You need to find out from your local government what their requirements are such as permits, water meters, plumbing codes, etc. and you need to notify your local gas, water, electrical people so they can mark where these are on your property so you don't destroy them during excavation. I bought most of my stuff from Home Depot but I bought a few items at the local Sprinkler wholesale supply house. They had better quality system controllers, rain gauges, and valves than at Home Depot. They also had better drip irrigation system components for your flower beds and shrubs. I saved a ton of money doing it myself. My system is as good or better than the ones on the local golf courses and much better than my neighbors systems. "pwr" wrote in message ... wrote: I just got a quote for an irrigation system. $3600 for my front lawn, and an additional $3800 for the back. I have about 1.8 acres, with a huge bhack yard, so I had him quote it both ways. I know that's a decent deal as far as irrigation goes, and this guy has put in systems for several neighbors, and they're happy. Other landscape companies were double the price. However, I was wondering how difficult it would be to do it myself, given that I will have the winter to read up and educate myself. Can anyone recommend books, sites about this? What do you think about Toro? Their site claims to spec out everything you need, although I'm not sure how accurately I can measure our pentagon-shaped lot and circular driveway. try http://www.google.com key words: irrigation systems do it yourself |
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