Irrigation System Design & Planning for Agriculture, Landscape and Golf

By: Gerad VandenBussche, VP of Vanden Bussche Irrigation

20 January, 2026

Planning an irrigation system is about more than selecting equipment. It starts with understanding how water moves across your site, how your crops, turf, or landscapes actually use that water, and how the system will perform not just this season, but for years to come.

At Vanden Bussche Irrigation, we work with growers, landscape professionals, and golf course teams across Ontario to plan new irrigation systems and improve existing ones. As a distributor and design partner with decades of experience supporting irrigation projects, our team sees first-hand how early planning decisions directly impact system performance, efficiency, and long-term reliability.

Why Irrigation System Planning Matters

Most irrigation problems are not caused by poor products. They are caused by systems that were never properly planned for real-world conditions.

Issues such as uneven coverage, pressure loss, excessive water use, or ongoing maintenance challenges often trace back to early design decisions. When irrigation planning is rushed or overlooked, those problems tend to repeat season after season, regardless of the equipment being used.

Ontario conditions make planning even more important. Variable weather, differing water sources, and a wide range of applications mean irrigation systems need to be designed with flexibility, efficiency, and long-term operation in mind from the start.

What Goes Into Irrigation System Design and Planning

Every irrigation system is different, but effective planning consistently considers the same core factors. Good design balances technical requirements with how the system will actually be used day to day.

A more detailed breakdown of irrigation system design principles is covered in our expert guide to irrigation system design. At a high level, planning focuses on the following considerations.

Water Source and System Capacity

Understanding water availability, flow rate, and pressure is foundational. Whether the source is a well, surface water, or municipal supply, these factors influence system layout, zoning, and overall performance.

Application Requirements

Crops, turf, and landscape plants all have different water needs. Root depth, spacing, and growth cycles affect how water should be applied. Planning ensures irrigation matches actual demand rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Soil Conditions and Elevation

Soil type, drainage, and elevation changes all affect how water moves and is absorbed. These factors influence zone design and emitter placement, especially when planning larger or more complex systems.

Seasonal Demand and Climate

Peak water demand, changing weather patterns, and operating windows all impact irrigation performance. Planning allows systems to adapt throughout the growing season without unnecessary strain on equipment.

Long-Term Operation and Maintenance

Irrigation systems should be practical to operate and service over time. Planning for accessibility, manageable zone sizes, and future upgrades helps reduce downtime and supports long-term reliability.

Irrigation Planning by Application

Different applications place different demands on irrigation systems. Effective planning starts by recognizing those differences.

Agriculture Irrigation Planning

Agricultural irrigation systems must support crop health, yield consistency, and efficient field operations. Planning typically considers crop type, field layout, crop rotation, water source capacity, and how irrigation needs change throughout the season.

System approaches such as drip irrigation systems in Ontario, subsurface drip irrigation for agriculture, and pivot irrigation systems each serve different production goals. Proper agricultural irrigation system planning ensures the system supports the operation rather than forcing the operation to adapt to the system.

Crop management decisions can also influence irrigation planning, particularly when considering crop rotation and irrigation best practices

Commercial Landscape Irrigation Planning

Commercial landscapes typically include a mix of plant materials, sun exposure, and usage patterns. Irrigation planning focuses on proper zoning, pressure management, and water efficiency to support healthy landscapes without unnecessary water use.

Smart controllers, soil moisture monitoring, and weather-based scheduling are often considered during the planning stage so they can be integrated smoothly and managed effectively over time. In many projects, irrigation planning also intersects with broader site considerations such as landscape lighting design.

Golf Course Irrigation Planning

Golf course irrigation systems are complex and highly visible. Planning must account for course layout, high traffic areas, elevation changes, pressure management, and system reliability to maintain consistent turf conditions.

Golf course irrigation planning often involves evaluating existing infrastructure and identifying upgrades or improvements that will have the greatest impact. Resources such as our expert guide to golf course irrigation and subsurface drip irrigation for golf courses provide additional insight into how different approaches support long-term performance.

New Irrigation Systems vs Upgrading Existing Systems

Not every irrigation project requires a full system replacement. In many cases, upgrading components of an existing system can significantly improve performance.

Planning helps determine whether improvements such as updated controls, improved zoning, or targeted component upgrades will address performance issues, or whether a full redesign is the more effective long-term solution. Articles such as is it time to update the irrigation system for your farm and updating the irrigation system for your farm explore common triggers for irrigation system upgrades.

Addressing common irrigation system performance issues early through proper planning helps reduce ongoing maintenance challenges.

The Role of Professional Design and Ongoing Support

Irrigation systems evolve over time. Crops change, landscapes mature, turf expectations increase, and technology advances.

Professional irrigation system design helps reduce risk, improve efficiency, and ensure systems are planned to handle real-world conditions. Ongoing technical support, product guidance and system optimization play an important role in keeping irrigation systems aligned with changing needs and operating conditions long after installation.

Vanden Bussche Irrigation has supported irrigation planning and system performance across Ontario for more than 70 years. Learn more about our approach to professional irrigation system design and support and our history of supporting Ontario’s farmers and landscapers.