SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Hello all,

I'm wanting to install a relatively cheap/inexpensive irrigation system for my grass runway, of which I have attached a photo of. The google map photo is old, as I have it completed as of now. I need all the help I can get, as this is my first foray into underground irrigation!

I'm not looking for any type of computerized/automated system right now, I plan on just having a on/off valve and no other electric valves at this time. I may go ahead and run the wiring when I dig my trench, but as of now I want to keep it all mechanical valves.

The line I'm tapping into has a PSI of right under 100. I know that's pretty high.

What sprinklers would be best for this setup? It's around 50ft wide and 1200 ft long. I honestly am not concerned if all of it is covered perfectly, just hopefully the majority of it. I'd prefer to install the line up the left side of the runway in the photo. Where I'm tapping into the main line is 250 feet from where runway is. I want to run PVC all the way, but what size do you recommend? Could I run the sprinklers directly off the 1200 ft pvc I am going to install in series, with the first 1/3 as a zone in line, second 1/3 (zone) in line, then turn on the last 1/3 (zone)

I spoke to the local Ewing store and they said they say it's possible by using 3 zones, but didn't specify how many sprinklers per zone or any details. As I said, I'd like to run the pipe and sprinklers up the left side of the runway and just have them set at 180 degrees, unless someone tells me otherwise.

Any help you can give is greatly appreciated!

I haven't been able to get the flow numbers yet, as I won't be there to measure until Saturday or so. It's on city water. I know the meter is 3/4, but not sure about the main line. I think the main is only an inch, but could be wrong.

I wouldn't be against placing the sprinkler heads in the middle also if they were somewhat tough and flush with the ground. It's not like it's going to see that many operations on a frequent basis anyway. The weight of the tire is only around 300 lbs and would cross over in a split secondif they were ever ran over.

Thanks for the help!

Sorry for taking so long to get back on here. I was able to get my flow rate and its right at 400 GPH, or 6.66 GPM.
There is actually a 6 inch water line running perpendicular across/through the strip right on the bottom side of the dried up pond in the previous photo. This would probably be my best bet but was trying to shy away from getting another meter installed, but that's not a showstopper.

Thanks again for your help so far in this!

The power source is almost at the same location as where I have the spigot marked.

There is actually a well (hand dug) only about 10 feet from where the spigot is marked also. It is 30 feet deep and used to feed the house back in the day. I don't have a clue on what the capacity or anything is in it, but we sometimes use a small submersible pump in the summer to water a garden and have never ran out yet. That was using a pretty low flow rate, so probably not a good indicator of what could come out.

Also, from only being 30 feet deep, it probably wouldn't take much to drill another one out much closer to the runway.

I'm in the southeastern portion of TN in a rural area, about half way between Nashville and Chattanooga. It still gets pretty chilly in the dead of winter, so freezing is of a slight concern. Codes wise...I haven't checked on anything with this but building codes wise, there's not a whole lot of it around here.