Professional Irrigation. Delivered.

Sprinklers spray water through the air to cover open lawn areas. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots through tubing and emitters, ideal for garden beds and foundation plantings. Yes, you can run both from one controller, as long as each zone has its own valve and matching water pressure requirements.

Zone count depends on your yard’s size, water pressure, and plant types. As a general rule, group areas with similar sun exposure and water needs into the same zone. Use our Zone Capacity (GPM) Tool to calculate exactly how many heads or emitters your water supply can support per zone.

Most residential systems run on 40 to 65 PSI and need enough gallons per minute (GPM) to support the heads or emitters on each zone. Buying parts before checking your flow rate can lead to weak coverage or blown fittings. Use our Zone Capacity (GPM) Tool to confirm your numbers first.

Spacing depends on head type and nozzle radius, but head-to-head coverage (each head reaching the next) is the standard for even watering and no dry spots. Spacing too wide leaves gaps, and spacing too tight wastes water. Use our Head-to-Head Spacing Tool to calculate the right distance for your specific heads.

A rotor rotates a single stream back and forth to cover larger areas, typically 15 to 50 feet. A spray head sprays a fixed pattern over a fixed radius, usually under 15 feet, better for smaller zones. A nozzle is the interchangeable tip that sets each head’s spray pattern and range.

A standard timer runs on fixed schedules you set manually. A smart controller adjusts watering automatically based on weather, soil moisture, or season, and many connect to an app for remote control. Smart controllers cost more upfront but typically reduce water waste and cut down on manual reprogramming.

Controllers, valves, and heads from different brands generally work together, since most run on standard voltage and thread sizes. The main exception is proprietary smart systems or two-wire decoder setups, which often require matched components. Check compatibility before mixing brands on any wireless or app-connected system.

Electric valves open and close automatically, controlled by your irrigation controller, and are standard for automated zones. Manual valves require you to turn them on and off by hand, typically used for a single zone, temporary setups, or a backup shutoff. Most full systems use electric valves throughout.

Most local codes require a backflow preventer to keep irrigation water from contaminating your drinking supply. A PVB works for above-ground installs, a DCVA suits systems without chemical injection, and an RPZ is required where contamination risk is higher. Check your local code before choosing.

Drip irrigation works best for garden beds, foundation plantings, and containers, where water needs to reach roots directly without spraying sidewalks or foliage. It also uses less water than sprinklers. Sprinklers remain the better choice for open lawn areas that need broad, even coverage.

Emitter count depends on your water flow rate and the GPH (gallons per hour) rating of each emitter. Overloading a zone drops pressure and leaves plants underwatered. Use our Drip Emitter Planner to map your garden beds and confirm your zone can support the emitters you’re planning to install.

PVC fittings are rigid, ideal for main lines and permanent installations, and hold up well underground. Poly fittings are flexible, easier to install in rocky or root-heavy soil, and common in drip and lateral lines. Most systems use PVC for the main line and poly for zone piping.

Most residential systems run fine on municipal water pressure. A pump is typically needed when you’re pulling from a well, pond, or low-pressure source, or when your system’s zone demand exceeds what your existing pressure can support. Check your PSI and GPM before deciding.

Valve box size depends on how many valves you’re housing. Standard boxes fit one to two valves, and jumbo boxes fit manifolds with multiple valves. What’s underneath matters too: boxes need a gravel base for drainage so valves don’t sit in standing water and corrode over time.

Pro Pricing and Bulk Pricing are both available to any customer with a free Greenlist account, no contractor license required. Create an account, log in, and pricing updates automatically on eligible products. There’s no minimum spend or order size needed to unlock it.

You can order everything for a full system, sprinklers, valves, controllers, and fittings, in one checkout. Most orders ship together from our Wisconsin warehouse, though some items may ship separately depending on size. Orders placed before 12pm EST ship same day.