Landscape Irrigation Design Process

“How do you eat an elephant?: One bite at a time.”  Irrigation design can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t need to be.  Explore the design process through a logical set of steps written to simplify irrigation design for beginners and experienced designers alike.  The key to the popularity of this course is its hands-on approach; Participants are given opportunities to perform practical exercises in irrigation design using an in-class site plan. (Note: A Rain Bird product catalog is provided in class, but students may bring any manufacturer’s catalog they wish to use)

Course Outline


Unit 1 Course introduction and classroom safety

Unit 2 Gather site information

Unit 3 Determine water supply

Unit 4 Measure Hydrozones

Unit 5 Select and place emission components

Unit 6 Total flow per hydrozone

Unit 7 Lateral pipe selection and placement

Unit 8 Valve selection and placement

Unit 9 Mainline pipe selection and placement

Unit 10 Pipe sizing

Unit 11 Electrical system component selection and placement

Unit 12 System function verification (Hydraulics calculations)

Unit 13 Final irrigation plan

Learning Objectives


Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Obtain accurate site information

2. Identify and lay out hydrozones

3. Select and lay out irrigation system components

4. Use hydraulic principals to establish zones and pipe layouts

5. Prepare a final irrigation design plan

Suggested Prerequisites


  • Working knowledge of basic irrigation system hydraulics
  • Understanding of basic irrigation system components
  • Location Information and Class Registration

    January 12, 2026
    Morgan Hill, CA
    January 12, 2026
    January 12, 2026
    January 15, 2026
    Morgan Hill, CA
    January 15, 2026
    January 15, 2026
    January 26, 2026
    Eugene, OR
    January 26, 2026
    Jefferson City, MO
    January 29, 2026
    Eugene, OR
    January 29, 2026
    Chestnut Hill, MA
    January 29, 2026
    Jefferson City, MO
    February 5, 2026
    Walnut, CA
    February 5, 2026
    Nashville, TN
    February 5, 2026
    Irwindale, CA
    February 9, 2026
    Orlando, FL
    February 10, 2026
    Orlando, FL
    February 12, 2026
    Orlando, FL
    February 26, 2026
    Hudson, WI
    February 26, 2026
    Spokane, WA
    February 26, 2026
    Idaho Falls, ID
    March 5, 2026
    Oakland, CA
    March 5, 2026
    St. Louis, MO
    March 5, 2026
    Chicago, IL
    March 12, 2026
    Portland, OR
    March 12, 2026
    Bozeman, MT
    March 12, 2026
    Billings, MT
    March 19, 2026
    San Jose, CA
    March 19, 2026
    Lansing, MI
    March 19, 2026
    Indianapolis, IN
    March 26, 2026
    Grand Junction, CO
    March 26, 2026
    Cortlandt Manor, NY
    March 26, 2026
    Seattle, WA
    April 2, 2026
    Detroit, MI
    April 2, 2026
    Plain City, OH
    April 2, 2026
    Columbia, SC
    April 9, 2026
    Long Island, NY
    April 9, 2026
    Oklahoma City, OK
    April 9, 2026
    San Antonio, TX
    April 16, 2026
    New Orleans, LA
    April 16, 2026
    Little Rock, AR
    April 16, 2026
    Durham, NC
    April 23, 2026
    Tuscaloosa, AL
    April 23, 2026
    Knoxville, TN
    April 23, 2026
    Savannah, GA
    April 30, 2026
    Palm Springs, CA
    April 30, 2026
    Fresno, CA
    April 30, 2026
    Fort Walton Beach, FL
    May 7, 2026
    Chattanooga, TN
    May 7, 2026
    Clearwater, FL
    May 7, 2026
    Dayton , OH
    May 14, 2026
    Hollywood, FL
    May 14, 2026
    Redding, CA
    May 14, 2026
    Fort Meyers, FL
    May 21, 2026
    Daytona Beach, FL
    May 21, 2026
    Bakersfield, CA
    May 21, 2026
    Jacksonville, FL
    August 17, 2023