• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• GETTING STARTED
• Introduction
• Garden Tours
• Garden Gallery
• Plants
• My List
• Watering Guide
• Resources
• DESIGN
• Introduction to Design
• Before You Design
• Questionnaire
• Principles of Design
• Creating the Design
• Drainage
• Plant Design
• Installing the Garden
• Working With Professionals
• IRRIGATION
• Introduction to Irrigation
• Plant Water Needs
• Before You Design
• Smart Controllers
• Types of Irrigation Systems
• Eliminating Run-off and Overspray
• MAINTENANCE
• Maintaining Your Garden
• Soil
• Mulch
• Irrigation Maintenance

Before You Design

To insure the most efficient irrigation system design, use a professional irrigation designer and installer. The Irrigation Association (IA) at www.irrigation.org certifies irrigation designers. The California Landscape Contractors Association www.clca.org certifies irrigation installers.

If you decide to do it yourself, follow the steps below:

• Determine the water pressure in your neighborhood, attach a pressure gauge to a faucet nearest the irrigation system’s point of connection to the home’s water supply. Pressure gauges are available at many hardware stores. Knowing the site’s static water pressure is very important in the design of an irrigation system that works properly. Check out Irrigation Tutorials.



• Determine the flow rate where the valve assembly will be connected.

• Know your soil type. Different soils have different watering procedures.

• For annual rainfall data, conservation materials, and many water-saving ideas for your garden, check out www.BeWaterSmart.info.

Next learn about Smart Controllers.