Slope garden irrigation: designing a system without run-off

Check valves and cycle and soak

On slopes above 10% use pop-up heads with built-in check valves (SAM / anti-drain) to prevent gravity drain-down after the valve closes.

Cycle and soak: programme multiple short cycles (e.g. 4 × 5 min with 30 min pauses) instead of one long run. Rotor heads (5–15 mm/h) are preferable to fixed spray on slopes.