Drip Irrigation Installation in Fresno & Clovis

Watching your water bill climb every summer while your shrubs still look stressed? In the San Joaquin Valley, traditional spray heads waste a huge amount of water to evaporation and runoff – and with ongoing California water restrictions, that’s money and plant health going down the drain. Longhorn Landscapes designs and installs drip irrigation systems across Fresno, Clovis, Madera County, and Santa Clara County that put water exactly where roots need it. Local crews, clean installs, and a system tuned for our hot, dry climate.

What drip irrigation installation involves

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone of each plant through a network of flexible polyethylene tubing, emitters, and micro-spray heads. Instead of throwing water into the air like a pop-up sprinkler, drip applies it at low pressure – usually 0.5 to 2 gallons per hour per emitter – so almost none is lost to evaporation, wind drift, or runoff onto the sidewalk.

A typical Fresno install starts at your existing valve or hose bib. We add a pressure regulator, a backflow preventer, and a filter (essential with our hard Central Valley water), then run mainline tubing through planting beds, around trees, and along shrub borders. Emitters are sized and placed based on each plant’s water needs – a young citrus tree gets more flow than a lavender, and a row of boxwood gets a continuous drip line. Everything is buried under mulch for a clean look and UV protection. We also tie the system into a smart controller so it adjusts run times based on the season and current ET (evapotranspiration) data for our region.

Why Longhorn Landscapes for drip irrigation

• Local crews who understand San Joaquin Valley soils, water pressure, and summer heat – not a one-size-fits-all template
• Smart controllers and weather-based scheduling that comply with California water-use guidelines
• Filters and pressure regulators included on every install to handle Fresno’s hard water and protect emitters from clogging
• Clean, hidden tubing routed under mulch – no spaghetti of black tubing crossing your beds
• One-stop shop: we can pair drip with sod, artificial turf, landscape lighting, or a full landscape redesign

Our drip irrigation installation process

1. On-site consultation. We walk the property, look at your existing irrigation, water pressure, and plant material, and talk through goals – lower bill, healthier trees, drought-tolerant conversion, or all three.
2. Design and quote. You get a clear written estimate showing zones, emitter counts, controller options, and timeline.
3. Permitting and materials. We source quality tubing, emitters, and a smart controller, and schedule the install when it works for you.
4. Installation. Crews trench cleanly, tie into the existing valve system or add new zones, install the regulator/filter assembly, lay tubing, and place emitters at every plant.
5. System programming and walkthrough. We program the controller for current season run times, then walk you through how to adjust it, winterize, and add emitters as plants grow.
6. Follow-up check. We come back after a few weeks to fine-tune flow, check for leaks, and make sure plants are responding well.

What drip irrigation typically costs

Drip system costs in Fresno and Clovis vary based on the size of the planted area, how many zones you need, whether we’re tying into existing valves or adding new ones, the controller you choose, and how accessible the beds are. A simple front-yard shrub-bed conversion is very different from a full property with trees, vegetable garden, pots, and multiple zones on a smart controller.

Estimates range based on square footage, number of plants and emitters, controller type, and whether you’re converting from existing spray to drip or starting from scratch. Every quote includes the pressure regulator, filter, tubing, emitters, programming, and walkthrough – no surprise add-ons. Most homeowners see noticeable savings on their summer water bill, which helps the system pay for itself over time. Request a free on-site quote and we’ll give you a firm number.

Service areas we cover

• Fresno
• Clovis
• Madera
• Sanger
• Selma
• Kerman
• Kingsburg
• San Jose and surrounding Santa Clara County
• Sunnyvale
• Gilroy

FAQ

How much water can drip irrigation actually save?
Compared to spray heads, well-designed drip systems typically cut outdoor water use by 30-50%. The exact savings depend on your old system, plant types, and how the new controller is programmed.

Can I convert my existing sprinkler system to drip?
Yes. In most Fresno yards we can retrofit existing spray zones to drip using a conversion kit at the valve – no need to re-trench the whole property. Mixed zones (some drip, some lawn) are also common.

Will drip work for my trees and lawn too?
Drip is ideal for trees, shrubs, perennials, vegetable beds, and pots. For lawn areas, we usually keep rotors or MP rotators, or recommend artificial turf or a drought-tolerant alternative if you want to retire the grass.

Do drip emitters clog in Fresno’s hard water?
They can if you skip the filter – which is exactly why we install a filter and pressure regulator on every system. With basic seasonal flushing, a good drip system runs reliably for many years.

How long does installation take?
Most residential drip installs are completed in one to three days, depending on the size of the property and whether we’re adding new zones or controllers.

Does drip irrigation meet California water restrictions?
Yes – drip is one of the most water-efficient methods available and is encouraged under current state guidelines. Pairing it with a smart, weather-based controller keeps you well within local watering rules.

Ready to stop overwatering and start seeing results? Longhorn Landscapes installs drip irrigation throughout Fresno, Clovis, Madera County, and Santa Clara County. Call (559) 826-9545 for a free on-site quote and we’ll design a system that saves water, protects your plants, and stands up to Central Valley summers.