Prepare your irrigation system before the frost season in your area: check the water supply and drainage procedure in the instructions, remove frost-sensitive components and store them appropriately. Not every system is prepared for winter in the same way. A general checklist therefore cannot replace the instructions for the equipment installed.
Start by taking stock
Work your way from the water connection to the last watering device. Make a note of the tap, controller, manifold, hose, sprinkler and permanently installed pipes. Photograph model names and connections before removing any parts. This makes it easier to put everything back in the right order in spring.
Have the manuals for your existing components ready. Look for storage, shutdown or winter preparation instructions in each one. If your installation combines different products, the controller may have different requirements from the hose box. The instructions for each individual model are what matter.
Divide the work into three groups
| Group | What to check now | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Portable hoses and watering attachments | Drainage and storage conditions | Make space to lay out the parts and store them somewhere dry |
| Controllers and tap accessories | Frost sensitivity and battery instructions | Prepare labelled storage and have the instructions ready |
| Permanently installed pipes | Specified drainage procedure | Check the system plan and manufacturer's instructions |
Drain portable parts and store them neatly
In its general winter storage guidance, GARDENA recommends draining hoses, spray guns and nozzles and storing them in a dry place. The manufacturer also refers users to the instructions for the relevant system. Do not assume this guidance applies to every product without checking. GARDENA: Winter storage for irrigation equipment.
Use the opportunity to carry out a visual inspection: are any connections damaged, are seals missing or does any part of the hose look unusual? Note any replacements needed, including dimensions and the system name. Label small parts that belong together and store them together. A bag of unidentified couplings is less useful in spring than a short note linking them to the relevant hose.
Handle water computers separately
For its tap-mounted water controllers, computers and timers, GARDENA gives clear instructions: remove them before frost arrives and store them in a frost-free place. This is manufacturer guidance for this product group, not a blanket statement about every controller. Also check the instructions for your model on handling disposable or rechargeable batteries. GARDENA: Winter storage for irrigation controls.
Label removed parts with the location where they were used. If needed, make a note of the programmed watering times. When you reinstall the system in spring, you can then review the programmes properly instead of reusing an old schedule without checking it.
Read “frost-proof” claims carefully too
GARDENA describes its newly manufactured connectors as frost-proof in general, but still recommends frost-free storage. This example alone shows why a marketing claim and the recommended storage conditions should be considered together. The statement does not automatically apply to other manufacturers' products or older versions. GARDENA: Frost guidance for connectors.
Also check whether a statement applies only to the housing or to the complete system ready for use. A component with its own frost rating does not automatically make other connected parts suitable for winter use.
Follow the specified procedure when draining permanent installations
For underground pipes, automatic valves and pumps, the procedure depends on the specific installation. Check the system plan for designated drainage points. If the layout or procedure is unclear, have it clarified before winter. This checklist deliberately provides no generic compressed-air instructions or guessed blow-out pressure.
Leave yourself a short checklist for spring
- Which parts were removed and where are they stored?
- Which connections or seals need checking?
- Which model manuals apply to the installation?
- What steps does the manufacturer specify for restarting the system?
Relevant ranges: Hose storage, Irrigation controls, Hose connectors and Garden and irrigation. Replace parts based on identified needs; the end of the season is no reason to replace equipment in good condition.
