Irrigation or Planting- Which to do first?

[PNA]

On a existing house which has no irrigation, does it make more sense to complete all planting (trees, hedges, flowers, etc.) before installing the irrigation system? If the irrigation system is installed first, don't you run the risk of damaging some of the piping when digging holes for your plantings?

[Phil Nilsson]

On a existing house which has no irrigation, does it make more sense to complete all planting (trees, hedges, flowers, etc.) before installing the irrigation system? If the irrigation system is installed first, don't you run the risk of damaging some of the piping when digging holes for your plantings?

I've done it both ways ... and always felt better installing irrigation (after) all lawns were established, all plants in the ground.

Phil Nilsson Consulting
nilsson.assoc@snet.net

[lclandscapes]

Depends on what you are going to use for irrigation in plant beds and turf areas. Are you using drip, pop ups or misters for plant bed area's?

[PNA]

What irrigation heads would I use?

Depends on what you are going to use for irrigation in plant beds and turf areas. Are you using drip, pop ups or misters for plant bed area's?

I would use a variety. My main issue is the risk of damaging any of the piping...

[DoubleT]

If you are installing the system you should know where the piping is so that you can avoid it.

We always install the irrigation first, that way we are not having to work around the plants or repair the sod when the pipe is installed. Looks better as a finished product.

[Phil Nilsson]

I would use a variety. My main issue is the risk of damaging any of the piping...

That's how I see it too ... it would be great to deal with irrigation/install without digging ... (bare ground before topsoil) but later when tromping on the system when delivering soil, dumping materials, carting trees and shrubs across zones with a bucket ... too much chance for damage ... irrigattion parts are somewhat delicate.

[Scott]

That's how I see it too ... it would be great to deal with irrigation/install without digging ... (bare ground before topsoil) but later when tromping on the system when delivering soil, dumping materials, carting trees and shrubs across zones with a bucket ... too much chance for damage ... irrigattion parts are somewhat delicate.

Phil,
if you worried about breaking your pipes then you probably wheren't putting them in deep enough.

There are too many pros than cons to install your irrigation correctly first then come back with plants and sod.

[Ric]

If you are installing the system you should know where the piping is so that you can avoid it.

We always install the irrigation first, that way we are not having to work around the plants or repair the sod when the pipe is installed. Looks better as a finished product.

Double T

Good to see there is at least one person that knows what they are talking about.

PNA

Irrigation requires a permit and a Licensed Contractor to pull that permit and install the system for a final inspection. Landscape installation requires that the contractor have worker comp. Only a corporation can be exempt and then only two officers of that corporation can be exempt.

Now I am only quoting Florida Law not enforcing it. However as a licensed Contractor in Irrigation, Pest control and Commerial Landscape, I do frown on unlicensed companies. Now as hard as it is to get permits right now and final inspections, I am not so sure you couldn't get away with it very easy. However should you get caught contracting with out all the necessary paper work, You could face a big fine.

[Phil Nilsson]

[QUOTE=Scott]Phil,
if you worried about breaking your pipes then you probably wheren't putting them in deep enough. QUOTE]


No doubt .... LOL

[Ric]

Filbert

Do you have a pipe Long enough to get it deep??

[PNA]

License to do Irrigation....

Double T

Good to see there is at least one person that knows what they are talking about.

PNA

Irrigation requires a permit and a Licensed Contractor to pull that permit and install the system for a final inspection. Landscape installation requires that the contractor have worker comp. Only a corporation can be exempt and then only two officers of that corporation can be exempt.

Now I am only quoting Florida Law not enforcing it. However as a licensed Contractor in Irrigation, Pest control and Commerial Landscape, I do frown on unlicensed companies. Now as hard as it is to get permits right now and final inspections, I am not so sure you couldn't get away with it very easy. However should you get caught contracting with out all the necessary paper work, You could face a big fine.

Ric,
You are correct. You do need to be a licensed contractor. However, if you are doing it on your own property, in this case on a new house I just purchased but wasn't willing to pay the $2,500 the builder wanted for irrigaton, you can do it. I've heard enough stories about being caught w/o proper certification that I share your point of view; don't do it if you are not certified. Better safe than sorry, right?
PNA

[Ric]

Ric,
You are correct. You do need to be a licensed contractor. However, if you are doing it on your own property, in this case on a new house I just purchased but wasn't willing to pay the $2,500 the builder wanted for irrigaton, you can do it. I've heard enough stories about being caught w/o proper certification that I share your point of view; don't do it if you are not certified. Better safe than sorry, right?
PNA

PNA

I am going through the Owner builder permit thing myself right now for a Meter can and breaker box for my pump house. Everytime I turn around there is a problem with the county permit and I have not had it inspected yet. It has been ready to go for over 3 weeks now. The county doesn't want to work with owner builders.

I am not sure where you are but be sure to have Purple primer on all glue joints to meet code and of course over build the system so you can add on later. If you need help designing the system you can contact me. Trenching Machines rent for $95 a day and are well worth the money.

Now a well might no be cost effective for you now. But look into adding one later if you really want a cost effective system.

[lclandscapes]

Double T

Good to see there is at least one person that knows what they are talking about.

PNA

Irrigation requires a permit and a Licensed Contractor to pull that permit and install the system for a final inspection. Landscape installation requires that the contractor have worker comp. Only a corporation can be exempt and then only two officers of that corporation can be exempt.

Now I am only quoting Florida Law not enforcing it. However as a licensed Contractor in Irrigation, Pest control and Commerial Landscape, I do frown on unlicensed companies. Now as hard as it is to get permits right now and final inspections, I am not so sure you couldn't get away with it very easy. However should you get caught contracting with out all the necessary paper work, You could face a big fine.

Dont know if that's a cheap shot or not Ric, however I was going to make the point that if a landscape plan has been drawn, you always put irrigation down first no matter what. At least thats the way I do it. Generally when you work from a plan and have the irrigation drawn on it, you should know exactly where to put pop ups for plant material and rotors for sod. If your using drip for plants, then stub out pipe, plant materials, and then run your drip line around plants.

[Ric]

Dont know if that's a cheap shot or not Ric, however I was going to make the point that if a landscape plan has been drawn, you always put irrigation down first no matter what. At least thats the way I do it. Generally when you work from a plan and have the irrigation drawn on it, you should know exactly where to put pop ups for plant material and rotors for sod. If your using drip for plants, then stub out pipe, plant materials, and then run your drip line around plants.

lclandscapes

Your first post did not say Irrigation first. That was the orginal question.

[lclandscapes]

You are correct Ric, I didnt say irrigation first. Reason being if you had read the post, it was a question as to what was going to be used to water the planting area's.

Walt