Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-06-13 Origin: jf-irrigation.com
Use a tape measure to carefully measure the length and width of the small courtyard lawn, and calculate the actual area. For irregularly shaped courtyards, divide them into multiple regular geometric shapes for separate measurement, then sum up the areas.
Clearly define the specific irrigation scope, such as the borders where the lawn meets flower beds and walkways, to avoid material waste from excessive irrigation areas or insufficient watering in parts of the lawn.
Based on the measurements, draw a floor plan of the courtyard on paper. Mark the lawn position, water source access point (usually a faucet in the courtyard), and potential obstacles like trees and landscape features.
Plan the pipeline layout starting from the water source, trying to arrange pipes in straight lines to reduce elbow usage, minimize water flow resistance, and facilitate subsequent installation and maintenance.
Rotary Sprinklers: Suitable for larger and flatter lawn areas. They spray water in a circular or fan shape by rotating the sprinkler head, with a wide coverage range (3-8 meters in radius per sprinkler), effectively reducing the number of sprinklers and costs. For example, 1-2 rotary sprinklers installed in the central large lawn can achieve full coverage.
Spray Sprinklers: Ideal for irregularly shaped, smaller lawn corners or edges in small courtyards. They spray water evenly in a scattered pattern, with a smaller coverage range (typically 1-3 meters in radius), ensuring precise watering of every corner to avoid irrigation dead zones.
PVC Pipes: Affordable and highly corrosion-resistant, they are commonly used in small courtyard irrigation systems. Pipe diameters can be selected based on actual needs: main pipes usually use 20-25 mm diameter to ensure sufficient water flow, and branch pipes use 15-20 mm. For example, a small courtyard of about 100 square meters using PVC pipes for the irrigation system may cost approximately 100-150 RMB for pipeline materials.
PE Pipes: Soft and flexible, easy to bend and lay, suitable for courtyards with complex terrain or obstacles. Although slightly more expensive than PVC pipes, they greatly reduce construction difficulty in special scenarios, making them a cost-effective choice overall.
If there is a certain topographic gradient in the small courtyard, use this feature to design the irrigation system. Set the water source at a higher elevation, allowing water to flow naturally by gravity, reducing the use of pressure equipment like water pumps. This not only cuts costs but also ensures stable irrigation water pressure. For instance, connect the water source on a small hillside in a corner of the courtyard and lay pipes reasonably to let water flow down to irrigate the lawn below.
Divide the lawn into different irrigation zones based on its location, lighting conditions, and water requirement differences. For example, areas with sufficient sunlight and high evaporation can be set with relatively higher irrigation frequency and water volume, while shady and humid areas can reduce irrigation appropriately. Each zone is controlled by a separate valve to achieve precise irrigation and avoid water waste.
The most basic type of smart controller, which automatically turns the irrigation system on and off according to preset times. For example, set irrigation from 5-7 am when the temperature is low and water evaporation is minimal, effectively improving irrigation efficiency. Adjust different time periods and durations to meet the lawn's water needs in different seasons and growth stages. They are relatively affordable, generally priced at 50-150 RMB.
These smart controllers integrate soil moisture sensors to monitor soil moisture in real time. When the soil moisture is lower than the set threshold, the irrigation system starts automatically; it stops when the moisture reaches the appropriate range. For example, set the soil moisture threshold at 60%-70%. When the sensor detects the moisture drops below 60%, the controller immediately activates irrigation to ensure the lawn roots stay in a suitable humidity environment. This controller enables on-demand irrigation, maximizing water conservation, with a typical price range of 150-300 RMB.
Using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology, they allow remote control of the irrigation system via a mobile app. Whether at home or out, as long as the phone has internet access, you can switch the irrigation system on/off and adjust irrigation time and duration anywhere. Some high-end remote smart controllers can also access weather data to automatically adjust irrigation strategies, such as pausing irrigation in rainy days. Although priced higher (generally 300-800 RMB), they offer unparalleled convenience and intelligent experience.
Install the controller in a dry, well-ventilated place that is easy to operate and view, avoiding direct sunlight and rain. For example, install it in a courtyard tool shed or a rainproof distribution box on the exterior wall. Ensure that the signal transmission between the controller and the solenoid valves of each irrigation zone is unobstructed, and the distance should not be too far (typically 30-50 meters for Wi-Fi controllers and 10-20 meters for Bluetooth controllers).
Follow the controller's manual to correctly connect power lines, control lines, and sensor lines (if applicable).
Power lines should be connected to a stable power outlet, ensuring the voltage meets the controller's requirements.
Control lines connect the controller to each solenoid valve, with solenoid valves of different zones separately connected to the corresponding ports of the controller for zoned control.
Sensor lines should be accurately connected to devices like soil moisture sensors to ensure accurate data transmission. When connecting lines, pay attention to insulation treatment to avoid short circuits and leakage risks.
When using a smart controller for the first time, set basic parameters according to the actual situation of the courtyard lawn, such as:
The number of irrigation zones and corresponding names for each zone (to distinguish lawns in different positions).
Irrigation duration for each zone, which can be estimated based on the lawn's water requirement and sprinkler flow (initially set to 10-20 minutes, then adjusted according to actual irrigation effects).
Irrigation frequency (e.g., 1-2 times a day in hot and dry summer, and once every 2-3 days in spring and autumn).
For smart controllers equipped with devices like soil moisture sensors, sensor calibration is required. Follow the manual's steps to insert the sensor into soil samples with different humidities, record the sensor feedback data, compare it with the actual soil moisture, and adjust calibration parameters to make the sensor measurements more accurate, ensuring the irrigation system operates precisely based on real soil moisture.
After completing the setup, conduct a test run of the irrigation system.
Observe the water spray of each sprinkler for uniform coverage and any leakage.
Check whether the controller can accurately control the irrigation system's start and stop according to the preset time, zone, and humidity conditions.
If issues are found, promptly troubleshoot causes such as wiring connections, sprinkler installation, and parameter settings, and optimize adjustments until the irrigation system operates stably and efficiently.
