How To Get Started
Click the links below to find out how easy it is to get started with Mister Landscaper.
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It’s Simple
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Drip Irrigation
or Micro Sprays -
Getting
Started -
How to Retrofit
a PVC System
It’s So Simple
It’s easy to see why switching from high-volume irrigation to low-volume irrigation makes sense. But what makes Mister Landscaper the best choice? Here’s just a partial list of what makes us stand out from the crowd, and why getting started with micro spray and drip irrigation couldn’t be easier.
Mister Landscaper low-volume irrigation uses up to 80% less water than traditional irrigation!
Connects to any outdoor faucet
Up to 50 landscape stake assemblies can be run from a single outdoor faucet.
Requires no gluing
Fittings are easy to assemble and seal without any priming or gluing.
Requires no digging
The 1/2-in poly tubing is made to withstand the elements. Leave the tubing on top or cover it with mulch.
Installation is fast
Most kits can be installed in under 30 minutes.
Flexible and expandable
Add on to your system as your landscaping grows. Redesign and reconfigure as your needs change.
Parts are reusable
1/2-in poly locking collar fittings are all removable and reusable.
Commercial-grade materials
Mister Landscaper parts are made of commercial-grade materials that will last in all climates, through all seasons.
Success and experience
For more than 30 years our products have been performing successfully in the field, residentially and commercially.
Drip Irrigation or Micro Sprays
Getting started with Mister Landscaper is easy to do whether you choose drip irrigation, micro sprays, or a combination of the two. All you need is an outdoor water faucet and a little bit of time—typically less than an hour. That said, there are differences between drip irrigation and micro sprays that one should be aware of to design the very best system possible. Below are the lists of advantages and potential disadvantages to each.
Drip Irrigation Pros
- Drippers tend to have a lower profile compared to micro sprays. They are not as conspicuous in the landscaping.
- On average, a dripper uses only 1-2 gallons of water per hour. That is less than a micro spray.
- Drippers can be used where some micro sprays cannot, as in the case of smaller potted plants and hanging baskets.
- Drippers can be more efficient at watering individual plants.
Drip Irrigation Cons
- Because by design drippers emit such a small amount of water, it can be difficult to see or know when a dripper is clogged. In some cases a plant may go into wilt or die before a problem is detected.
- Drippers are not as easily unclogged as micro sprays.
- Because they emit less water, an increased number of drippers are potentially needed to cover the same amount of area as a single micro spray. This could lead to increased installation time and cost.
Micro Spray Irrigation Pros
- Micro sprays are significantly more adjustable than drippers, from size and shape of spray pattern to gallons per hour used.
- A single micro spray can easily cover multiple plants, while a dripper is much more limited in scope.
- Because micro spray patterns are clearly visible, detecting a clog or a problem with the line is much easier.
- Clogged micro sprays and flow controllers are easily cleaned for simple, hassle-free maintenance.
- Micro sprays can cool plants and efficiently water them at the same time.
Micro Spray Irrigation Cons
Soil Type Considerations
- Micro sprays have a larger profile and may be more visible in the landscape.
- Micro sprays are not ideal for certain applications, like small potted plants and hanging baskets.
One thing to consider when choosing between drip irrigation and micro spray irrigation is soil type. Some soils are better suited for drippers, and some soils are better suited for micro sprays. Here is a simple jar test to help determine your soil type. Begin by taking a soil sample from the area you wish to irrigate. Take that dirt and fill a glass jar approximately halfway (Fig. A). Now fill the jar the rest of the way with water (Fig. B). Finally, place the lid and shake the jar well (Fig. C).
Now let the jar rest for 24 hours. Once the soil settles, the results can be classified in one of three ways: sand, loam, or clay. Use the chart below (Fig. D) to help determine your soil type and which kind of irrigation might be best for your situation. Note: Contact your local county extension agency for best watering practices in your area.
Clearly, there are some applications where one type is more suitable than the other. But, there are a number of applications where either is perfectly acceptable. At the end of the day, it’s all about creativity. Know and understand the benefits of each micro spray and dripper and design a system that works for you and your garden or landscape.
Micro Sprays
With micro sprays, one of the big advantages is coverage. With a single starter kit (MLK-81) you can cover up to 250 square feet! But within that coverage there is a lot of flexibility, especially in the way of spray pattern selection. Some of the micro sprays are great for large and small area general purpose watering. But there are several micro sprays designed with specific purposes in mind (Fig. E).
Note the various options and their potential uses.
Diameter: Up to 12-ft
Large Full-Circle Spinner
Ideal for general purpose watering in large open areas.
Diameter: Up to 6-ft
320º Fan Spray
Suitable for general purpose watering in small areas.
Radius: Up to 5-ft
End Strip Spray
Used in small confined areas or to limit overspray in adjoining spaces.
Diameter: Up to 7-ft
Small Full-Circle Spinner
Ideal for general purpose watering in more compact areas.
Radius: Up to 5-ft
180º Half-Circle Spray
General purpose. Idealy used near the edges of landscapes and gardens.
Radius: Up to 5-ft
Center Strip Spray
Highly directional. Perfect for long, narrow areas of landscaping.
Diameter: Up to 16-ft
360º Stream Flat Spray
Large spray pattern is great for broad, open areas.
Radius: Up to 5-ft
165º Half-Circle Spray
Half-circle spray keeps water off siding and side walks.
Diameter: Up to 6-ft
360º Stream Down Spray
Ideal for rose gardens. Keeps water off foliage and petals.
Radius: Up to 5-ft
90° Quarter Circle Spray
Ideal for use in tight interior 90º corners.
Drippers
Drippers tend to be a bit more specialized. Use them in places where a micro spray may be overkill or where you prefer a lower profile. Mister Landscaper Add-A-Drippers (MLD-AAD) are perfect for creating tree rings (Fig. F). Adjustable dripper stakes (MLD-STA) are excellent for potted plants of all sizes (Fig. G). PC (pressure compensating) drippers (MLD-.5PC, MLD-PC1, MLD-2PC) are great for hanging baskets and general use (Fig. H). And drip tubing works well in row gardens (Fig. I).
Whatever your irrigation needs, Mister Landscaper is sure to have a solution. And help is always just a phone call or email away
(863-439-3200, Email Mister Landscaper).
(863-439-3200, Email Mister Landscaper).
Getting Started
By far, the easiest way to get started with Mister Landscaper is by installing a kit. Whether you have landscape flowers, patio plants, or a row garden, there is a kit to help you get going (MLK-INTRO). The Micro Sprinkler Landscape & Shrub Kit, available with green stakes (MLK-81) or tan stakes (MLK-82T), covers up to 250 square feet of landscape and garden area (Fig. A). Your patio plants can benefit from micro spray or drip irrigation with one of the kits designed for potted plants: The Patio & Potted Plant Drip Watering Kit (MLK-PWK) or the Micro Spray Pot Stake Kit (MLK-POT) (Fig. B). And row gardens are easily irrigated utilizing the 1/4-in in-line drip tubing found in the Vegetable Garden Drip Kit (MLK-VEG) (Fig. C). But don’t stop there. Most kits are expandable, and they really are just the beginning!
Micro Sprinkler Beginner’s Kit
MLK-INTRO
Micro Sprinkler Land scape & Shrub Kit
MLK-81
Micro Sprinkler Land scape & Shrub Kit (Tan)
MLK-82T
Patio & Potted Plant Drip Irrigation Kit
MLK-PWK
Micro Spray Pot Stake Kit
MLK-POT
Vegetable Garden Drip Kit
MLK-VEG
Starting From Scratch
Regulators, Filters, and Timers
Connecting to PVC
Of course, if you are the adventurous type, here are the basics for getting started without a kit: Begin with a Backflow Valve (MLF-31) (Fig. D). Next install a 1/2-in Poly Faucet Fitting (MLF-33) for use with 1/2-in poly tubing (MLT-72) (Fig. E), or a 1/4-in Vinyl Faucet Adapter (MLA-FAS) for use with 1/4-in vinyl tubing (MLT-B30) (Fig. F). From there, use 1/2-in poly fittings (MLF-34, MLF-35, MLF-36) and/or 1/4-in vinyl fittings (MLT-ATE) to customize the layout of your system. Finally, end a 1/2-in poly line with an End Crimper (MLA-50) (Fig. E)
With 1/2-in poly tubing: Micro sprays, micro spray pot stakes (Fig. G), drippers, adjustable drippers, adjustable dripper stakes, and drip tubing can all be run (Fig. H).
With 1/4-in Vinyl tubing: Drippers, adjustable dripper stakes, drip tubing, and micro spray pot stakes can be run (Fig. I)
We highly recommend the use of our Pressure Regulator (MLD-25PR) and Faucet Filter (MLFF-41) when installing drip irrigation. And for automatic watering, we recommend our Electronic Mister Timer (MLWT-TIMER). Sometimes, when a number of accessories are used, the order of installation can be confusing. Here’s a quick guide to help: At any faucet, always begin with the timer (Fig. J). Next, install the backflow prevention valve (Fig. K). Then the pressure regulator is installed, followed by the filter (Fig. L). From there, installation is standard: Use either the 1/2-in Hose Fitting to connect 1/2-in poly tubing or the 1/4-in Faucet Fitting to connect 1/4-in vinyl tubing. For a printable guide, download the What Goes First PDF.
Connecting to PVC
If you currently have an underground PVC system and would like to use Mister Landscaper with that system, go to How to Retrofit a PVC System.
How to Retrofit a PVC System
Even if you have an existing high-volume PVC system in place, Mister Landscaper has made it easy to convert to low-volume irrigation. There are two basic ways to retrofit your system. Option one allows you to replace a single sprinkler head with a sprinkler converter. With this option, you are swapping one sprinkler for up to nine micro sprays or drippers. In option two, a single sprinkler head is replaced by a system converter. With this option, you are swapping one sprinkler for an entire micro spray or drip irrigation system. Here’s how it works:
Option One: Sprinkler Converters
Select the appropriate adapter—From one to four outlets (Fig. A)—and replace your existing high-volume irrigation head with drippers or micro sprays (Fig. B).
For up to nine outlets from a single PVC riser, use the MLA-RA9 (Fig. C). The MLA-RA9 has a built-in 25 PSI pressure regulator, and each outlet has its own shut-off valve. Unused outlets can also be capped if desired.
One of our unique adapters is the MLA-SPR1. The MLA-SPR1 actually works in conjunction with a high-volume sprinkler head. This adapter allows a single 1/4-in line to be run from a PVC riser where a high-volume sprinkler head is also being used (Fig. D).
Available Products
Select the appropriate adapter. Replace the existing sprinkler head (Fig. E), then connect 1/2-in poly tubing (Fig. F) Now run micro sprays through your landscape or garden (Fig. G).
For drippers, we recommend adding a pressure regulator (MLD-25PR) and faucet filter (MLFF-41, MLFF-150). Retrofitting with these accessories requires a 1/2-in PVC to 3/4-in Hose Thread Adapter (MLA-P2HTE). Replace the existing sprinkler head (This may require a PVC threaded coupler)(Fig. H). Next, connect the pressure regulator and filter (Fig. I). Now connect a 1/2-in Poly Faucet Fitting and run 1/2-in Poly tubing and drippers through your landscape or garden (Fig. J).
