A good irrigation system keeps a Benoni garden green through the dry winter and hot summers. Set up well, it also uses far less water than a hosepipe. Here's what works on the Highveld.
Sprinklers or drip?
| Pop-up sprinklers | Drip irrigation | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Lawns | Beds, shrubs, veggie gardens, pots |
| Water use | Higher: some lost to wind and evaporation | Low: water goes straight to the roots |
| Visible | Pop down when off | Pipes hidden under mulch |
| Common faults | Broken heads from mowers, poor coverage | Blocked drippers, pipes damaged when digging |
Most gardens use both: sprinklers on the lawn, drip in the beds. Group areas with similar water needs on the same zone.
Set the timer for the season
- Summer (Oct–Mar): water early in the morning, deeply, 2–3 times a week. Switch off for a few days after a good thunderstorm, or fit a rain sensor that does it for you.
- Winter (May–Aug): kikuyu lawns go dormant after frost, so cut lawn watering right back. Beds still need water in the dry months.
- Always check the current City of Ekurhuleni water restrictions for allowed days and times.
Smart controllers adjust watering to the weather automatically. They pay for themselves on larger gardens.
Using borehole water
Many Benoni homes run irrigation off a borehole. Use a filter so sand doesn't block drippers and sprinkler heads, and size the pump for the number of zones that run at once. Iron-rich water can stain paving and walls, so aim sprinklers away from them. See borehole water smells, stains or looks brown.
Common faults
- A zone won't switch on: often a faulty solenoid valve or controller wiring.
- Low pressure across all zones: a leak, a blocked filter, or too many heads on one zone.
- Soggy patches: a broken pipe or a head that won't seal.
Many garden services repair and adjust irrigation, and some install new systems. See what a garden service includes, water-wise gardening and landscaping in Benoni.