A lush garden without the effort, thanks to automatic irrigation
In Switzerland, increasingly hot and dry summers put lawns and plantings under serious stress. An automatic irrigation system frees you from the daily watering chore while delivering the right amount of water to every zone of your garden. Properly designed and installed, it also cuts your water consumption by 20 to 50 % compared with manual watering.
What is an automatic irrigation system?
An automatic irrigation system is a network of buried pipes connected to your water supply and controlled by a programmer. It delivers water precisely, at the most effective times of day, without any effort on your part. The main components and system types:
- Pop-up sprinklers (rotors and spray heads): they rise from the ground during watering, then retract. Spray heads cover small areas (1 to 5 m radius), while rotors handle larger zones (5 to 15 m radius). Ideal for lawns.
- Drip irrigation: a network of perforated tubing or individual drippers delivers water directly to the base of each plant. Perfect for borders, hedges, vegetable gardens and planters. Minimal water use with virtually no evaporation loss.
- Micro-sprinklers: small, low-flow diffusers that spray a fine mist over a 1 to 3 m radius. Suited to flower beds and planted borders.
- Smart controller: connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it automatically adjusts watering cycles based on weather data, soil moisture and evapotranspiration. Compatible with voice assistants and mobile apps.
- Sensors and probes: rain sensor, soil-moisture probe, local weather station — these accessories fine-tune water management and prevent unnecessary watering.
A well-designed system often combines several of these technologies across different garden zones: rotors for the lawn, drip lines for hedges and borders, micro-sprinklers for pots and balcony planters.
Why hire a professional?
A high-performing irrigation system depends on sound hydraulic design. Here is why a specialist installer makes the difference:
- Hydraulic study: the professional calculates the available flow rate and pressure at your meter, sizes the pipes and distributes the circuits (zones) to ensure even coverage without pressure drops.
- Layout plan: every sprinkler is positioned according to the shape of the terrain, shaded areas, plantings and surfaces that must not be watered (terrace, path, facade). A precise plan eliminates dry spots and waste.
- Trenching and pipe laying: polyethylene pipes are buried 20–30 cm deep. The professional takes care not to damage electrical cables, gas lines or existing drains.
- Connection and programming: hooking up to the water supply, installing the controller and configuring the watering cycles requires plumbing and low-voltage electrical skills.
- Winterisation: in Switzerland, purging the system before the first frost is essential to prevent pipe bursts. A professional will explain the procedure or offer an annual maintenance contract that includes winterisation and spring start-up.
- Landscape integration: an experienced installer positions sprinklers and pipework taking into account your landscaping, your terrace and your fencing, avoiding any conflict with existing structures.
- Water consumption optimisation: through a full audit of your site (soil type, aspect, gradient), the professional calibrates each zone to deliver exactly the right amount of water — no more, no less. This level of fine-tuning is virtually impossible without the right measurement tools.
Seasonal calendar for Switzerland
Automatic irrigation follows an annual cycle that should be respected to ensure the system’s longevity and the health of your garden:
- March – April: recommission the system after winter. Check sprinklers, solenoid valves and the controller. This is also the ideal time to plan a new installation, as the soil is loose after snowmelt.
- May – June: begin watering gradually. Adjust cycles according to lawn growth and plantings. Increase frequency if temperatures exceed 25 °C.
- July – August: peak demand period. Early-morning watering (between 4 am and 7 am) is crucial to limit evaporation. Regularly check that rain sensors and soil-moisture probes are working correctly.
- September – October: gradually reduce watering cycles. Use this period to make adjustments or extend your system (adding zones for new flower beds or hedges).
- Late October – mid-November: purge and winterise the system. This must be done before the first frost, the date of which varies by altitude (from late October in the mountains, mid-November on the Lake Geneva plain).
- December – February: the system is out of service. This is the ideal time to plan garden creation or landscaping projects that will incorporate a new irrigation network.
How it works
Step 1: Contact us
Tell us your garden’s area, the zones to be irrigated (lawn, borders, vegetable patch, hedges), the soil type (clay, sandy, rocky) and any special requirements (smart system, rainwater harvesting, green-roof irrigation). A plan or aerial photo of your plot helps with the design.
Step 2: We visit and provide a free quote
Our team visits your site to analyse your terrain and design a tailored layout plan. We provide a detailed quote specifying the equipment, number of zones, trenching work and total price, with no obligation.
Step 3: We carry out the work
Once the quote is accepted, our technicians install your irrigation system, programme the controller and walk you through how it works. We remain available for maintenance and winterisation.
Prices and rates in Switzerland
The cost of an automatic irrigation system depends on the area, the number of zones, the type of sprinklers and the complexity of the terrain. Here are indicative ranges:
| Service | Indicative price (supplied & installed) |
|---|---|
| Complete lawn system (100 m²) | 1,200 – 2,500 CHF |
| Complete lawn system (300 m²) | 2,500 – 4,500 CHF |
| Complete lawn system (500 m²) | 4,000 – 7,000 CHF |
| Drip irrigation for hedges and borders (50 lm) | 600 – 1,500 CHF |
| Smart Wi-Fi controller | 120 – 400 CHF |
| Rain sensor or soil-moisture probe | 60 – 200 CHF |
| Annual maintenance contract (winterisation + spring start-up) | 150 – 400 CHF |
Sloped terrain, rocky soil and gardens with many distinct zones increase the cost. Connecting to a rainwater harvesting tank (buried tank + pump) is an additional investment of 2,500 to 6,000 CHF but significantly reduces your water bill over the long term.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to install an automatic irrigation system?
Spring (March to May) or early autumn (September–October) is ideal, when the soil is workable and the garden is not in the middle of a drought. That said, installation is possible year-round as long as the ground is not frozen. Planning during winter often means better availability and more competitive pricing.
Does automatic irrigation use a lot of water?
On the contrary — a properly calibrated system uses 20 to 50 % less water than hand-watering with a hose or an oscillating sprinkler. The controller triggers watering early in the morning (when evaporation is minimal), the rain sensor shuts the system down during showers, and drip irrigation delivers water exactly where the plants need it.
Do I need to purge the system before winter?
Yes, this is essential in Switzerland. Water left in the pipes freezes and can cause cracks or burst fittings. Purging is done with compressed air (blowout method) and should be carried out before the first frost — typically between late October and mid-November depending on your altitude. Most installers include this service in an annual maintenance contract.
Can the system be connected to a rainwater harvesting tank?
Yes, and it is an increasingly popular option in Switzerland. A buried tank (2,000 to 10,000 litres) collects rainwater from your roof. A submersible pump then feeds the irrigation network. The system needs to be correctly sized (tank volume, pump flow rate) and fitted with an automatic switchover to mains water when the tank is empty.
Does the installation damage the existing lawn?
The trenches, roughly 10 to 15 cm wide, are backfilled and compacted immediately after pipe laying. On an established lawn, the marks are visible for 2 to 4 weeks before the grass grows back over the lines. An experienced professional minimises the visual impact by working carefully and reseeding affected areas if necessary.
What is the minimum water flow required for automatic irrigation?
A residential automatic irrigation system generally requires a minimum flow of 1,500 litres/hour (approximately 25 litres/minute) with a pressure of at least 2.5 bar. In Switzerland, most municipal connections provide sufficient flow, but properties at higher altitudes or at the end of the network may have reduced pressure. In such cases, a booster pump or buffer tank can be installed. Your installer will carry out a flow and pressure test before designing the system.
Is automatic irrigation suitable for a vegetable garden?
Yes, and it is one of the most effective applications. Drip irrigation is particularly well suited to vegetable gardens: it delivers water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage, which reduces the risk of fungal diseases. The controller can be set for short, frequent watering cycles — ideal for vegetables. If you are planning a vegetable patch as part of a garden creation project, include a dedicated irrigation zone from the design stage.
How long does an automatic irrigation system last?
A well-installed and properly maintained system has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years for polyethylene pipes and quality sprinklers. Electronic components (controller, solenoid valves) typically last 8 to 12 years. An annual maintenance contract including winter purging and spring inspection helps maximise the longevity of the entire system.