How Many Sprinklers Per Zone? How To Avoid Sprinkler Overlap

Spray head sprinklers typically water 360 degrees of space, although you can make adjustments so they’ll only cover 90, 120, or 180 degrees. You can also use rotary head sprinklers, which can stream water over a great distance. They’re perfect for homes with large lawns or hilly yards. The large arc of the water helps prevent runoff from the sprinkler system.

Bubblers or drip irrigation is designed for small areas. They’re typically installed close to trees or shrubs as a dedicated source of water.

You can also use different types of sprinkler heads depending on the zone; for example, if one part of the yard contains trees, you can use a drip-type sprinkler head.

Dividing your Lawn

You can divide your lawn into zones by plotting out where each sprinkler head will go on a drawing. From here, you can create an imaginary spray of water covering each area. The goal is to make sure that each square space of your area gets water from the sprinkler head. Add and reduce sprinkler heads as needed. The goal is to cover all of the necessary areas while keeping sprinkler heads at a minimum. This is a trial and error stage that you can do on paper.

The shape of your lawn can also determine how you plot a zone. With rectangular lawns, you want to start by placing sprinkler heads along the perimeter. Place another head in the center, and then make calculations based on this basic layout. The same technique works for square-shaped lawns.

Irregular areas will need more planning. In these cases, sprinkler heads with adjustable coverage can help you plan within the irregular shape.

How Many Sprinklers Should You Have Per Zone?

The number of sprinkler heads you’ll want in each zone will vary depending on the water pressure and total volume per minute available. This is where you need to break out your calculators! Or, if you prefer, simply leave the irrigation design up to an installation professional, so you can be guaranteed head-to-head coverage.

Typically, though, a sprinkler system zone will boast 5 to 6 rotor heads and/or 8 to 10 spray heads.

Should Sprinklers Overlap?

Yes, sprinklers should overlap, but only up until the point where they’re reaching the next zone. This is called head-to-head coverage, and it’s what ensures your lawn receives plenty of water to keep it healthy and green.

Things to Consider When Adding a Zone to Existing Irrigation