Irrigation system for a large (still) empty plot

One more question to the group: In my circle of acquaintances, people have strongly advised me against an automatic irrigation system, as supposedly something always breaks, nozzles clog, valves stick, hoses become leaky/eaten away, and you end up spending more time on maintenance than you save. However, for them, this was already more than 10 years ago and they probably used Gardena. What is your experience? I have no problem cleaning nozzles occasionally and replacing parts if necessary, it just shouldn't get out of hand ;)

The irrigation was at least sufficient for our eucalyptus to grow to nearly 5 meters in height in 5 years :)

You lucky person, I always kill my eucalyptus... already the third attempt and again it is dying :(

A well-planned automatic irrigation system is great and enables meaningful and economical watering in the first place. We have several properties with automatic irrigation systems in the family. And we are talking about larger gardens here. In over 10 years, we have replaced two valves and one sprinkler… A car also needs maintenance… I will write to you separately regarding your other questions. I am currently on the go.

Damn, totally forgot: The cistern is planned in the "Innenhof" between the garage and the utility room, it couldn't be done otherwise because of the slope and location to the street. The rainwater is not allowed to be discharged into the sewer system here, it must all go into the cistern or infiltrate.

A plumbing company can connect the pipes but has no knowledge of irrigation. You need a deep well pump with a pressure switch for proper pressure (approx. 6 bar) and proper flow (approx. 5000-6000 l/h). Usually, you shouldn't go any stronger. In the worst case, you can reduce the pressure. However, at 6 bar this is not necessary. You don’t have that pressure at the valves anyway and they can also withstand 6 bar...

You can also do the level monitoring via your KNX and handle the refilling by logic and a solenoid valve. This saves the simple refilling which often causes problems and gets stuck.

You only need one Hydrawise controller. Pull all control lines to the right place. You can put it wherever you want. You need WiFi, power, and all control lines there. Use solenoid valves from Hunter or Rainbird (1"). They don’t care how you control them. With KNX, you would still need a power supply. With Hydrawise, everything is included.

Forget the surge protection. Connect control lines directly to the Hydrawise controller.

Valve boxes near the irrigation circuits. The supply line can also be done in DN32. With DN40, you have significantly less line loss. How long is the property?

The pool house doesn’t look very big right now. You will need space for pool technology and other things. Just bury the valve boxes. This also saves on making openings.

Pulling the conduits and lines across the property is not a big effort. The property is still empty anyway. Please just use one controller. From the cistern pump, branch once to the front and once to the back. In addition to the irrigation circuits, also consider 1-2 water outlets in the garden. But that rather comes up in the detailed planning.

Thanks a thousand in advance for the help!

A plumbing company can connect the pipes but has no clue about irrigation.
You need a deep well pump with a pressure switch for proper pressure (about 6bar) and good flow (about 5000-6000l/h).
You basically can’t go too strong. In the worst case, you can still reduce the pressure. But at 6 bar it’s not necessary. You don’t have more at the valves anyway and they can handle 6 bar as well...

Thanks, I will request the pump like that from the plumber!

You can also do the fill level monitoring via your KNX and control the refill by logic and a solenoid valve. Saves the simple refilling that often causes problems and hangs.

Alright, not a bad idea; do you have a suggestion for the appropriate KNX sensors (float? pressure gauge?). If not, I’ll research it myself,
I’m not the first to want to implement something like this.

How long is the property?

You only need a Hydrawise control. Pull all control lines to the right place. You can put them wherever you want. You need WiFi, power, and all control lines there.
Use solenoid valves from Hunter or Rainbird (1"). They don’t care how you wire them. For KNX you would also need a power supply.
With Hydrawise everything is included.

The property measures about 65m x 12.5m (The Hose™), from the cistern it’s about 35m to the garden shed.
Regarding the control lines: I would place the Hydrawise in the technical room or pool house and put the control lines (under the house) each in a box in the north and south areas of the property.
I assume that makes more sense than working with one box and running the water lines over half the property...

Forget the surge protection. Control lines directly to the Hydrawise controller.
Valve boxes close to the irrigation circuits. Feed line can also be done in DN32. With DN40 you have significantly fewer line losses.

Okay, will do. I will also try to place the boxes as close as possible to the garden shed/technical room.

The pool house doesn’t look that big now. You’ll need the space for pool technology and other things. Just bury the valve boxes. Saves also the breakouts.

Yes, it will only be about 5m². Instant water heater for outdoor shower must go in as well, space for a robot would be nice.

Pulling the empty conduits and lines across the property is not a big effort. The property is still empty. Please only do one control system.
From the cistern pump, split once to the front and once to the back. Besides the irrigation circuits, also think about 1-2 water outlets in the garden. But that will be more during detailed planning.

Currently we are planning one fresh water tapping point each (frost-proof faucet) on the terrace, balcony, front door, and pool house (system separator planned). If I understood the plumber correctly, the cistern water should also first come into the house via the technical room/floor slab and then be accessible again via separate faucets on the outside walls (analogous to fresh water).
The advantage here might be frost protection?
Question about the water outlets: Are these also available from Hunter/Rainbird, or do you have to switch back to Gardena? I immediately only find “quick coupling valves” but little info on that. Would you prefer outlets over faucets?

Thanks again and best regards,
Hausbaufaehig