Efficient Irrigation System| Biodiversity Garden
Irrigation Works
Naturally, it’s water that contributes to both the present and future success of the Biodiversity Garden. Especially important, is well managed water resources. In brief, the site requires efficient irrigation.
The smart central control system and weather station plays a large role in water management on the entire Green Point Common and surrounds. In essence, it ensures the correct amount of water usage. Unlike traditional time based irrigation controllers, the smart irrigation controller monitors and uses site data (such as rain, wind, slope, soil, plant type, and more), in order to apply the right amount of water. Not too much and not too little—just enough to maintain healthy growing conditions.
The on site weather station collects and stores site weather data. This information is retrieved by the central controller daily, which then automatically adjust station run times according to each day’s ET (evapotranspiration). ET is the loss of moisture through the plants leaves (transpiration) and the soil (evaporation). By self-adjusting to changing water needs, weather based central control system irrigates only when the landscape requires it, ensuring efficient irrigation.
Drip tube irrigation, with pressure regulation, makes up the largest portion of the Biodiversity Garden irrigation system. So, water peculates slowly at or near the plant root zone. In short, the benefits of this method include increased water efficiencies as practically no water is lost to runoff or evaporation.
Irrigation Design | Irrigation Consulting | Cape Town, South Africa
Solving Challenges
One of the challenges of gardening in the Biodiversity Garden is the heavy clay soil and high water table. The Green Point Park area used to be a seasonal wetland. The design parameters also took the windy Cape Town weather conditions into consideration. So, to help mitigate the wind factor, the design calls for usage of rotors and rotary nozzles on spray heads in the open areas. These rotors and rotary nozzles feature low precipitation rates, high distribution uniformity and perform well in windy conditions.
Solenoid valves and pressure regulating devices regulate valve outlet pressure regardless of incoming pressure fluctuations, ensuring optimal sprinkler performance. This results in an efficient irrigation system.
Project
The Biodiversity Garden, Green Point, Cape Town, is a legacy project of the Green Goal 2010 programme. It is designed with the assistance of botanist and educationalist, Marijke Honig. The main objective is to showcase the extraordinary diversity of Cape plants, along with the insects, reptiles, birds and mammals related to various vegetation types. Six of these vegetation types are only found locally. The aim is educating city dwellers about the value of this biodiversity and to demonstrating responsible gardening practices.