We install new systems and rebuild old ones as part of larger design-build projects.
What we build
- Drip irrigation for beds and containers
- Rotor and spray zones for lawns
- Valve manifolds and zone separation by hydrozone
- Smart, weather-based controllers
- Backflow and pressure regulation
- Yard drainage, area drains and outlets
Documented buildBuilt by us · Real project
Flagstone Patio & Tropical Beds
Point Loma
A yard that used to sit empty is now the most-used space at the house — the stone, the planting and the walkway all speak the same language from the moment you step outside.
See This ProjectZoned by water need, not by convenience
Mixing succulents and thirsty shrubs on one valve guarantees something is being over- or under-watered. We group plants by hydrozone so each zone can be scheduled correctly.
Drainage belongs in the same plan
Where water goes when it rains matters as much as where it comes from. Area drains, swales and outlets are designed alongside irrigation.
Irrigation installation and system rebuilds
New drip and spray systems, valve manifolds, hydrozoned zoning, backflow and pressure regulation, and smart weather-based controllers. We also rebuild old systems as part of a renovation, which is usually cheaper than chasing failures through mismatched decades of parts.
Yard drainage solutions
Area drains and catch basins, French drains, channel drains at hardscape edges, dry wells where there is nowhere to discharge, swales and regrading. The goal is always the same: move water away from the house and off the yard on a designed path.
Why San Diego yards flood
Two winter storms find every mistake — grade sloping toward the house, downspouts dumping at the foundation, hardscape built without a fall, and clay soil that holds water for days. Fixing the grade and the water path comes before anything new is installed on top.
Read first
Before you start your irrigation project
Planning and cost guides from our own build experience.
Plants, Trees & Drought
How to Build a Pollinator Garden in San Diego
Bloom succession, host plants and the small design moves that make a habitat garden look designed rather than wild.
3 min readIrrigation & Water Savings
Low-Water Landscaping in San Diego Without the Desert Look
Cutting water use by more than half without turning your yard into gravel and boulders.
3 min readIrrigation & Water Savings
Drip Irrigation Done Right in San Diego
Emitter counts, pressure regulation and the maintenance details that keep drip from silently failing.
3 min readServing San Diego County
We take on irrigation projects in La Jolla, Del Mar, Carmel Valley, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Poway, Scripps Ranch, Point Loma, Coronado, North Park, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Escondido, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe, Mission Hills, Clairemont, University City and surrounding communities. See all service areas.
Licensed C-27 Landscape Contractor — CSLB License #1159370
Common questions
- Should I convert spray to drip?
- For planting beds, almost always. Drip cuts water use substantially, keeps foliage dry, and is frequently required to qualify for water agency rebates.
- Are smart controllers worth it?
- Yes. Weather-based controllers adjust to actual conditions instead of a fixed schedule, and several San Diego water agencies offer rebates on them.
- How often should I water in San Diego?
- Deep and infrequent beats short and daily. Established water-wise planting typically runs once or twice a week in summer and can often be shut off entirely in winter.
- Do you fix drainage problems, or only install irrigation?
- Both. Yard drainage — area drains, French drains, channel drains, dry wells, swales and regrading — is designed alongside irrigation on every project.
- What causes standing water in a San Diego backyard?
- Usually grade falling toward the house or a low spot with no outlet, made worse by clay soil and downspouts discharging at the foundation. The fix starts with the grade, not with more drains.
- Can you install drainage without redoing the landscaping?
- Often yes. Drain lines can frequently be trenched through planting and restored, though hardscape may need cutting where a line has to cross it.
- Are you licensed for irrigation work in San Diego?
- Yes. Staples Landscaping holds California contractor license #1159370, carries liability and workers' compensation coverage, and pulls permits on any work that requires them. You can verify the license directly with the CSLB.
- Do you serve my part of San Diego County?
- We work across San Diego County — coastal, central, inland, East County and South Bay. Each area has its own soil, climate and permitting reality, which is why we publish neighborhood-level pages rather than one generic service area list.
