The cost of getting water management wrong
Hand-watering is not a long-term solution in La Rioja. It is time-consuming, inconsistent, and most gardeners give up mid-summer when temperatures are at their worst — which is exactly when plants need it most. Poor drainage is worse. Waterlogged soil kills plant roots. Pooling water on patios and paths creates slip hazards. Water that consistently sits against a wall or foundation damages structures over time. A system designed and installed correctly is working infrastructure. It does its job quietly in the background.
You're hand-watering through La Rioja's dry season — or you've watched plants die during the July heat despite your best efforts. You have areas that stay waterlogged after rain, or you're planning a new lawn or planting scheme that needs water support.
What this service covers
Site assessment and water source check
System design based on garden zones, plant types, and sun exposure
Drip irrigation installation for planted beds and trees
Sprinkler installation for lawns and larger areas
Connection to water supply and controller installation
French drain or channel drain installation where needed
Soakaway construction where appropriate
System testing before handover and controller demonstration
How an irrigation or drainage project runs
1
Site assessment
We visit the garden and assess the water management needs — irrigation zones required, existing drainage condition, and any structural water issues.
2
System design and proposal
We design the system for the specific garden — not a generic layout. The proposal specifies the system type, components, and cost.
3
Installation
Pipes, controllers, drainage channels, or soakaways are installed to the design. We work cleanly — beds and surfaces are reinstated after any trenching.
4
Testing and handover
Every irrigation zone is tested and checked before we hand over. We show you how to operate and adjust your irrigation controller, and leave written instructions.
What you get
- System designed for your specific garden — zone layout, plant types, and sun exposure
- Tested before handover — not just installed and left
- Drainage designed to solve the actual water problem, not just treated as a trench
- Written operating instructions for the irrigation controller
Questions about irrigation & drainage
Both have their place. Drip irrigation is more water-efficient and better suited to planted beds, trees, and shrubs. Sprinkler systems work better for lawns and large open areas. Many gardens use both. We'll recommend the right combination based on your specific garden layout.
Yes. We assess the existing garden, identify the irrigation zones needed, and design a system that works with what's already there. Trenching through an established garden requires care — we work to minimize disruption and reinstate surfaces after installation.
That depends on the problem. Surface pooling might be solved by re-grading or adding a channel drain. Waterlogged soil usually needs a French drain or soakaway. We assess the cause first — not just the symptom — before recommending a solution.
A standard residential irrigation installation takes two to four working days. A drainage project varies depending on what's required. We give you a clear timeline in the proposal.
They need a seasonal check — flushing emitters in spring, adjusting the controller, and checking for any damage from winter frost. We can include an annual service visit in a maintenance arrangement.
Related services
Stop fighting La Rioja's climate — let the system do the work.
Free site assessment — we'll look at your garden's irrigation needs, drainage situation, or both, and give you a written proposal. No obligation.