Zones

Dividing the landscape into "zones" means that you are going to make different areas which will be on their own circuits of the irrigation system. The reason you would do this is to water the different zones at different times and for different lengths of time. This may be due to poor water pressure not allowing the entire system to be on at once, or different areas needing more water because of plant type or location, or a number of other factors. It may be best to have a professional help you measure, layout, and design a system that will fit your budget and desires best. However, if you plan on doing this yourself, here are a few steps to follow:

	Start with a base map of the landscape that is drawn to scale and takes existing features into consideration especially any underground utilities that may be in the area. On this base map you will eventually layout the way your pipes will be and visually divide the system into zones.
	Site Analysis is the next step to take. You want to determine the drainage patterns of the landscape and consider where to place your heads to be the least noticeable. Also determine what areas receive the most shade and which ones receive no shade at all.
	Consider what plants will remain in the landscape and which areas will be replanted, the replanted areas will need more water in the beginning to become better established.
	Determine what ways you can "group" your plants together. The lawn should have its own zone or zones (depending on the size of the landscape) with no other plants being in that zone. The lawn will have a different water need that that of your beds and trees. Consider where you would like to install a drip zone, a lawn zone, a perennial bed zone, a shrub zone, a full sun zone, a full shade zone, and any other limiting factors you have.

Here is a typical plan to divide the area into a few different zones:

This is a basic idea of how you would begin to plan your zone layout. Remember to take all factors into account. Here is a link to a tutorial that will help you learn more about dividing you landscape into zones on your own. Consider going all the way through this tutorial from the start to get more in depth knowledge.

Jess Stryker's
Landscape Sprinkler Zone Design Tutorial

The full design tutorial will take you some time, but it is loaded with great content and information to allow you to learn all you will need to do this project yourself. So when you are finished with this web site introducing you to topic, try this other site which has a few links to other irrigation tutorial sites as well.

Jess Stryker's
Landscape Irrigation Design Tutorial