Sunshower Blog

Looking forward... with a Positive Mindset!

Ryan Imlach 21/03/2020 0

--For us, March started as "edible garden" month which seems – firstly, a decade ago, and now – slightly more relevant than intended...And while we can't be sure of what lies ahead exactly, we see ourselves in an important position to support those of you at home, and the many small businesses that are still responsibly functioning, while practising the Government and WHO recommendations of: Essential travel only, social distancing, 20-second soap handwashing and disinfecting.While we'r...

Benefits of Using Articulated Risers with Pop-up Sprinklers

showeradm 22/03/2019 0

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects when using Pop-Up Sprinklers is how deep the trench should be. The depth of the trench is important as it will affect the position of the pop-up in the ground. If your trench is too shallow, the pop-up sprinkler will sit too high and as many people have experienced, the lawn mower will not tolerate it. If the trench is too deep, grass eventually will grow over the sprinkler, blocking it. It's also possible, if the trench is too deep, the pop-up sprinkl...

Choosing the Right Lawn Grass

showeradm 30/11/2018 0

Different varieties of grass have different strengths and weaknesses. If you are in the market for new turf, here are the factors to consider: ShadeShade is a critical factor to consider. If your garden receives full sunlight, you can go grow all types of lawn. However many houses these days cast a shade over the lawn area and this will affect grass growth.Grass varieties like Santa Ana Couch and Kikuyu, thrive only in full sun conditions. If they are located in a shaded area, the lawn w...

How to Measure BSP Threads and PVC Pipe

showeradm 21/05/2018 0

Most sprinklers have a 15mm or 20mm female thread at the inlet of the sprinkler. For most people who aren't familiar with thread sizes, it's easy to assume that measuring the thread with a ruler will indicate the size of the fittings needed. Unfortunately doing this will result in ordering fittings that are not the correct size (usually too big). If you have a fitting or pipe that you need fittings for, manufacturers will usually have the size printed, stickered or embossed on the fitting itself...

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Garden Tap Timer

showeradm 13/04/2018 0

There are many battery powered automatic tap timers on the market which vary greatly in price and reliability. A lot of the time you get what you pay for. These types of units have a reputation for not being a long term solution which are largely true. First thing to take note off is inlet pressure. Inlet pressure is critical. All units have a rating as to what water pressure they can handle going into them. This rating can vary from 600kpa to 900kpa. The home owner generally has no idea wha...

Effective Pond Filtration

showeradm 04/10/2017 0

For a myriad of reasons it is inevitable in most cases that pond water will not stay clear or clean. Algae is the most common presence in a dirty pond, turning the pond an undesirable blue green colour. Algae growth occurs for a multitude of reasons:Sunlight: Light is needed for all plant growth, algae is no different. In the warmer months, the increased water temperature aids in algae growth. Shallow ponds allow more light in, increasing algae growth. Fish: Overstocking of fish causes ...

How to Wire Solenoids Valves to an Irrigation Controller

showeradm 09/08/2017 0

All mains powered (and some battery controlled) controllers require solenoid valves to be wired into the controller. For many first timers it may not be as obvious what to do, so we're here to help out! Once you've worked out how many zones you require to water your garden, you'll know how many solenoid valves are needed. [The maths for those who don't know: Number of Zones = Number of Solenoid Valves]Based on the number of solenoid valves, you can determine what size Irrigation Cable you...

Comparison Between Web Based Irrigation Controllers and Conventional Irrigation Controllers

showeradm 03/08/2016 0

As time goes on, smartphones and the internet have been slowly integrated into practically every facet of life. With the potential to adjust your watering program from anywhere, at any time, it was inevitable that it too would find new ground in the digital age. What are Irrigation Controllers?Whether web based or conventional, irrigation controllers come in various sizes and models, but are all generally built for similar goals. Meant as an electronic, user friendly way to control the...

Water Saving Tips: Benefits of Pressure Regulation

showeradm 21/06/2016 0

There are many factors to take into consideration when setting up an irrigation system for your garden. An often missed but key characteristic of any effective watering system is having optimal pressure available for each sprinkler. Why spend time and money on an irrigation system with a non-uniform spray pattern and inconsistent water placement? A well pressure-regulated irrigation system will mean your sprinklers will spray consistently and evenly, while placing water in the desired areas, red...

Make it Better: 4 Lighting Design Tips from the Pros

showeradm 24/02/2016 0

As the days get shorter, so does the opportunity to view your garden in all its glory. Here are some helpful tips to get your garden glowing in the cooler months:Work with Shadow, not Against It.Contrast is king in lighting, and it is just as much about the feature you are lighting as it is about the shadow surrounding. So make sure you choose lighting that highlights specific features, but doesn’t spill on to other aspects of your garden. This will help make the feature stand out even mo...

Product Feature: WaterMe Wireless Irrigation Controller

showeradm 23/02/2016 0

Over the last couple of years, irrigation manufacturers have started to introduce web-based controllers to the market. Targetting the tech-savvy DIY consumer, we’ve seen a number of options looking to capture that growing interest in smartphone operated home automation. The theory is, if you can control your T.V, lights and air-conditioning from your phone, you should be able to control your irrigation too! The reality however, is that the products offered until recently were expensive, requ...

Here Comes The Sun: Preparing Your Garden For The Warmer Months

showeradm 23/02/2016 0

The days are growing longer, which means spring is on it’s way. But don’t wait until you see your neighbours garden flourish in September before you do anything about yours. August is the best time to start planning and even planting as the garden will appreciate the increasing sun exposure with the remaining Winter rain. But as the months get warmer, it can be hard to stay on top of your watering, so we have prepared some tips on how to make the most of your garden irrigation at each stage so i...