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A drip irrigation system is watering a garden bed filled with green plants.

Overview

A well-designed irrigation system makes it easy to keep your garden healthy and thriving. Whether you need broad coverage for garden beds or targeted watering for individual plants, installing sprayers and drippers is a great way to ensure even and efficient watering. Follow these steps to set up an irrigation system that suits your garden’s needs.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Plan your irrigation layout

Before installing your irrigation system, decide where you want the water to go. Sprayers work best for larger garden beds as they distribute water over leaves and topsoil, making them ideal for plants with broad foliage. Dripper watering systems are a more efficient option for established plants with deep root systems and are especially useful in windy areas since they deliver water directly to the soil, reducing evaporation. Depending on your garden’s needs, you can use a dripper hose for broader coverage or install individual drippers or sprayers for targeted watering. Most irrigation systems are designed to be discreet, with tubing hidden under soil or mulch to maintain a neat garden appearance.
The image shows irrigation system accessories, including various types of drippers and sprayers.

2Measure and choose your tubing

To determine how much tubing you need, measure the distance from your tap to the farthest point that requires irrigation. The most common setup involves using 13mm poly tubing as the main water line and 4mm tubing for smaller branches that connect to drippers. Before installation, unroll the tubing and leave it in the sun for a while to soften it, making it easier to handle and install.
A person in a red T shirt is standing behind two coils of Holman irrigation tubing, to determine the required length.

3Lay out and secure the tubing

Once you have your tubing ready, lay the 13mm poly pipe across your garden, ensuring it reaches all areas that need watering. To navigate around corners or split the water flow, use elbows and tees. Elbows allow you to make smooth 90-degree turns around garden beds without kinking the pipe. Tees are useful when you need to branch off the main tubing to water different sections of the garden. Secure the tubing with garden pins to keep it in place and prevent movement over time.
A person in a red T shirt is holding and preparing to connect irrigation tubing using elbow and tee fitting.

4Choose the right coverage option

Before installing your irrigation system, decide whether sprayers or drippers are best suited for your garden. Sprayers are ideal for larger garden beds, as they distribute water over leaves and topsoil, providing coverage for plants with broad foliage. They come in full, half, and quarter-circle spray patterns, as well as different spray styles, from a fine mist to larger droplets.

Drippers, on the other hand, deliver water directly to the base of plants, making them a more efficient option for deep-rooted plants. They are also ideal for windy areas, as the water goes straight into the soil rather than evaporating or being blown away. Depending on your garden’s needs, you can use a dripper hose for widespread coverage or install individual drippers for targeted watering. Most irrigation systems are designed to be discreet, with the tubing hidden under soil or mulch to maintain a neat and tidy garden appearance.

A Bunnings Team Member is holding two packs of jet spray irrigation fittings.

5Install sprayers

To install garden sprayers, start by laying out the 13mm poly tubing along your garden bed, making sure it reaches all areas that need watering. Use a hole punch tool to make small holes in the tubing at the desired locations for your sprayers. Insert a rigid riser into each hole, then screw the sprayer onto the top of the riser. Sprayers should be positioned to provide even coverage across your garden bed, ensuring all plants receive adequate water.

If you need to navigate corners or split the water flow, use elbows and tees. Elbows allow you to make smooth 90-degree turns around garden beds without kinking the pipe, while tees let you branch off to different sections of the garden. Once your sprayers are in place, secure the tubing with garden pins to prevent movement over time.

A person wearing black gardening gloves is installing a sprayer in a raised garden bed among green leafy plants.

6Install drippers

For targeted watering, drippers are an excellent choice. To install them, start by punching a hole in the 13mm tubing and inserting a 4mm barb fitting. Attach a length of 4mm tubing to the fitting, then position the dripper at the base of your plant. Drippers are particularly useful for potted plants, vegetable gardens, and trees, as they deliver water directly to the roots.

If you have plants with varying water needs, consider using adjustable drippers. These allow you to control the water flow for each plant, ensuring they receive the right amount of moisture. Once all drippers are installed, cap the ends of the 13mm tubing using end fittings and connect the main line to your water source with a snap-on tap connector. Turn on the water and check for any leaks or dry spots, adjusting the drippers as needed.

A person wearing black gloves is holding a dripper irrigation component, attaching a green and black emitter to a tube.

7Connect to the water source

After installing all the sprayers and drippers, cap the ends of the 13mm tubing using end fittings. Attach the main line to your water source with a snap-on tap connector. Turn on the water and check the system for leaks or areas that aren’t being watered evenly. Make any necessary adjustments to the sprayers and drippers to ensure each plant gets the right amount of water.
A gloved person connects two pieces of irrigation tubing using a plastic fitting in a garden setting.

8Automate your watering

For added convenience, consider using a tap timer or an automatic tap timer. This allows you to schedule watering times, ensuring your plants stay hydrated without manual effort. An automated system can help maintain consistent watering, especially during hot weather or when you’re away.
A Bunnings Team Member is holding a Holman digital tap timer in a garden, allowing for scheduled watering.

9Now that you’ve installed irrigation sprayers and drippers…

Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.