At Le Quattro Stagioni, we specialize in installing and/or adjusting irrigation systems so that they work both effectively and efficiently. On rare occasions, this element of a garden beautification or restoration project is so important that client approval of irrigation improvements will be a prerequisite before proceeding with a larger project.
Irrigation System
Often pre-installed irrigation systems do not address gardens as they evolve in design.
Sometimes some areas are over watered, and some are under watered. Both scenarios create
specific challenges.
It may be that your system needs only fine-tuning—cleaning the heads and filters, fine-tuning the time and days they function, and adjusting them to accurately reach the desired areas.
To successfully address—once and for all—more persistent problems that you may have been experiencing, a more in-depth irrigation assessment may be required. This is a three-step process:
1. Assessment and Report
Identifying and submitting a report on the following elements:
- Size of main pipe bringing water into the gardens
- Current functioning of all stations
- Any other issues, such as leaks, cracked piping, etc., that may be contributing to low pressure
- Most economical, least impactful approach available for resolving current problems
2. Recalibration
Ensuring that all areas of your garden are receiving adequate amounts of water (and not too
much—a common problem). When there are visible signs of dryness, often the most efficient and
cost effective way to address this (rather than changing the whole irrigation system in the
lawn) is to add one or more valves to the area with additional sprinkler heads.
3. Fine-Tuning
Regulating the irrigation system once (and sometimes twice) a month to respond to the shifting
environmental, seasonal, and meteorological conditions that often change at short notice.
Note: It can be challenging to accurately estimate the amount of time to complete a full assessment. If the time spent on an irrigation assessment is less than initially estimated, that will be reflected in a reduction in your final invoice.
Irrigation—Lawn
Often there are areas of lawns where that the coverage is less than sufficient, leading to
visible signs of dryness. Often, the most efficient and cost effective way to address this
(rather than changing the whole irrigation system in the lawn) is to add one or more valves
to the lawn area with additional sprinkler heads.
Irrigation—Trees
Sometimes, gardens have been designed with trees that are enclosed in stone or other beds
that have rotary sprinklers, which are connected with the main lawn sprinkler system.
Typically, we recommend changing rotary heads to bubblers and low emitters. This has a
beneficial, two-fold effect: avoiding the water hitting the trunks every time the system
is on; and isolating the irrigation of the trees to a different valve.
This enables a reduction in the frequency your trees are watered—ideal, since both the trees (as well as plants around them) typically need much less water than grass. This gives you reduced water usage and supports the health of the trees by avoiding exposure to the potential for trunk rot. Talk about a win-win!
Irrigation—Additional Valves & Timer(s)
When adding additional valves—in order to fine-tune irrigation to different plant communities
in your garden—it may be necessary to add one (rarely more) irrigation timer if the existing
one does not have additional stations available. This would incur additional one-time costs
that are itemized in any proposal. If it is determined as necessary, it will be emphasized
that the need for this additional timer and valves are foundational to the success of our work.
Client approval of this item may sometimes preempt any other work.
To schedule an evaluation and walk-through, or to learn more, please call us at: 310-452-5064 or contact us via email at info@lequattrostagioni.us
We look forward to the pleasure of visiting your grounds and learning more about your dream garden!
