Less water in August, without you having to think about it
A system that waters everything the same wastes water on one plant and starves another. The automatic irrigation we install is designed zone by zone, on top of the planting plan, so each plant gets what it needs at the time it can use it, early in the morning or late in the evening.
The design and installation are handled by Georgios Maravas, agricultural technologist with thirty years in Messinian gardens, where summer water is the first thing any garden has to solve.
Irrigation system design
Before a single metre of pipe is bought, we answer three questions:
How much water there is
We measure flow and pressure from the mains, the borehole or the tank. That decides how many zones can water at once and whether a pump is needed.
What each zone needs
The lawn is watered by sprinklers that cover it evenly. Trees, shrubs and flower beds get drippers, which deliver water to the roots without wetting leaves and walls.
How it will be controlled
A mains controller, a battery controller for spots with no power, or a smartphone connection for owners who are away.
The network plan is handed over with the design, so you know where every pipe runs for years to come.
Irrigation system installation
Main line
with filter, pressure regulator and a solenoid valve for each zone, in a valve box that opens easily.
Drippers
for trees, shrubs, flower beds and pots, with the flow set plant by plant.
Pop-up sprinklers
for the lawn, positioned to cover it without spraying water onto paths or walls.
Controller
set season by season, with a separate programme for each zone.
Working test
before handover: pressure in every zone, coverage, leaks.
Installation is ideally done together with garden construction, before any turf or paving goes down. In an existing garden we run the network with as little disturbance as possible to the plants and the lawn.
Seasonal adjustment, for Messinian water
An irrigation programme that stays the same from April to October wastes water in spring and falls short in August. We reset the controller at the start of each season and, as part of maintenance, check drippers and sprinkler heads so the system waters as designed. Your water bill comes down and the garden gets through the summer without yellowing.
Repairing and upgrading an existing system
A zone that will not open, a sprinkler spraying the wall, drippers blocked with limescale, pressure that drops at the far end of the plot. Most systems can be repaired and upgraded without starting again: we replace solenoid valves and the controller, add a filter and regulator, and redistribute the zones. We check first, then make a recommendation.
Water pumps
When the pressure is not enough, the answer is the right booster pump, chosen for the flow and the distance it has to cover. Installed with an expansion tank and dry-run protection, and repairs for pumps that have already seen better days. See this service on the services page.
Frequently asked questions about automatic irrigation
Does it need mains power?
Not necessarily. For spots with no power supply there are battery controllers that last the whole season. Where there is power, a mains controller gives you more zones and programmes.
Does it work with a tank or with low pressure?
Yes. With a tank or a borehole, the system is designed with a booster pump so every zone gets steady pressure. With low mains pressure, we make each zone smaller and choose drippers and sprinklers that perform at low pressure.
Can I control it from my phone while I am away?
Yes. Controllers connected to the internet can open, close and change programmes from your phone. It is the usual choice for holiday homes and villas, where the owner wants to see that the garden is being watered.
When is the best time to install it?
Before summer, ideally together with the planting, so the plants root with proper watering from day one. In an existing garden, spring leaves time for adjustments before the heat arrives.
Can my old system be repaired, or does it need replacing?
Most of the time it can be repaired. We check the pressure, the solenoid valves and the controller, find out what is not working, and tell you plainly what is worth replacing and what can stay.
One phone call and we are on our way
You tell us where the property is and what you have in mind. Ten minutes is enough for us to understand what is needed and arrange a visit.