Smart Water and Light Management
Two elements transform good gardens into great ones: reliable irrigation that keeps plants healthy, and thoughtful lighting that extends your outdoor enjoyment into the evening hours.
At John French Landscape Design, we install irrigation and lighting systems that are efficient, reliable, and easy to manage. Using quality products and smart technology, we create systems that work for you—not the other way around.
Irrigation Systems
Why Irrigation Matters
Melbourne’s climate demands irrigation:
- Summer heat: Gardens need consistent water
- Water restrictions: Efficient systems use water wisely
- Plant establishment: New plantings require reliable watering
- Peace of mind: Automated systems work while you’re away
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots:
Benefits
- 90% water efficiency (vs. 50% for sprinklers)
- Reduced weed growth
- Less disease (no wet foliage)
- Works with mulch
Components
- Inline drippers at regular spacing
- Adjustable drippers for specific plants
- Subsurface or surface installation
- Quality fittings and connections
Best For
- Garden beds
- Shrub areas
- Vegetable gardens
- Native plantings
Pop-Up Sprinklers
For lawns and large areas:
Features
- Retractable heads (hidden when off)
- Adjustable patterns and throw
- Matched precipitation rates
- Durable construction
Types
- Rotary heads for large areas
- Fixed spray for small areas
- MP Rotator for efficiency
- Specialty heads for narrow strips
Smart Controllers
Modern irrigation is smart irrigation:
Hunter Hydrawise Our preferred smart controller offers:
- WiFi connectivity
- Weather-based adjustment
- Smartphone app control
- Water usage tracking
- Predictive watering
Features
- Automatic rain shutoff
- Seasonal adjustment
- Zone-by-zone control
- Watering history and reports
System Design
Effective irrigation requires good design:
- Zones: Grouping plants by water needs
- Head spacing: Correct coverage overlap
- Pressure: Adequate for system size
- Pipe sizing: Avoiding pressure loss
- Valve placement: Accessible for maintenance
Garden Lighting
Transform Your Garden After Dark
Well-designed lighting:
- Extends outdoor living hours
- Creates ambiance and mood
- Highlights garden features
- Improves safety and security
- Adds property value
Low-Voltage LED Systems
We exclusively install 12V LED systems:
Benefits of LED
- 80% less energy than halogen
- 50,000+ hour lifespan
- Cool operation (safe around plants)
- Compact fixtures
- Consistent colour temperature
Benefits of 12V
- Safe to install and maintain
- No electrician required for changes
- Easy to relocate fixtures
- Reliable transformers
Lighting Techniques
Uplighting
- Feature trees illuminated from below
- Architectural elements highlighted
- Dramatic shadow effects
- Various beam angles available
Path Lighting
- Safe navigation after dark
- Low-level fixtures
- Subtle glow, not glare
- Various styles available
Downlighting
- Mounted in trees or structures
- Natural moonlight effect
- Illuminates areas below
- Dining and entertaining areas
Accent Lighting
- Specimen plants featured
- Sculpture and art highlighted
- Focal points emphasised
- Water features illuminated
Quality Fixtures
We install premium lighting products:
Materials
- Solid brass (lifetime durability)
- Marine-grade stainless steel
- Powder-coated aluminium
- Copper (natural patina)
Features
- IP67 waterproof rating
- Adjustable beam angles
- Integrated LED modules
- Quality connections
Lighting Control
Modern lighting systems offer control:
Options
- Timer control (dusk-to-dawn)
- Astronomical timers (season-adjusted)
- Smart home integration
- Zone control
- Dimming capability
Installation Standards
Irrigation
- Proper trenching and backfill
- Quality connections (no leaks)
- Controller programming
- System testing and adjustment
- User training
Lighting
- Correct cable sizing
- Protected cable routes
- Quality connections
- Transformer sizing
- System demonstration
Maintenance Recommendations
Irrigation
- Seasonal controller adjustment
- Filter cleaning
- Dripper inspection
- Sprinkler head maintenance
- Leak detection
Lighting
- Lens cleaning
- Fixture adjustment
- Vegetation trimming (around lights)
- Timer adjustment
- Lamp replacement (rare with LED)
Ready to Upgrade Your Garden Systems?
Contact us to discuss irrigation and lighting for your garden. We’ll design systems that work efficiently and enhance your outdoor living experience.
