Integrating Raised Garden Beds with Your Existing Sprinkler System

Want To Grow a Beautiful Garden Without Hand-Watering Every Day? Here’s How To Make Your Beds and Sprinklers Work Together

If you’ve spent any time in a Denver garden center lately, you’ve probably noticed that raised beds are on trend. And for good reason. They look sharp, make weeding easier, and keep your back from staging a full protest every time you pick a tomato. But when it comes to watering, that’s where things can get tricky—especially if your yard already has a built-in sprinkler system. The last thing you want is to spend all summer dragging a hose over to your new beds while the rest of your lawn gets pampered with perfectly timed irrigation.

The good news is that it’s absolutely possible to integrate your raised garden beds into your existing sprinkler setup—no hose dragging required. But it does take a little planning and the right hardware. Sprinkler systems are designed for wide, even coverage across flat ground. Garden beds need more precision. You don’t want your leafy greens getting the same blast your front lawn gets. What works for grass might drown your lettuce. That’s where drip lines and micro-sprayers come in.

We’ve helped plenty of Denver homeowners tie their raised beds into their sprinkler zones, and it always starts with looking at the current system. Most yards are divided into zones controlled by valves, each responsible for watering a section of the lawn. If one of those valves is located near your raised beds—or has extra capacity—you can usually tap into it and run a dedicated line for the garden. That way, the system still waters your grass like normal but also includes your beds on a separate path with better control.

Once you’ve got a water source figured out, it’s time to think about delivery. The best way to water raised beds is with a drip irrigation setup. These low-pressure systems let water seep directly into the soil, exactly where the roots need it. That means less evaporation, less runoff, and way fewer weeds. You can install a drip line that runs the length of the bed with emitters spaced based on what you’re planting—closer together for lettuces and herbs, a little wider for tomatoes or squash. The tubing is easy to tuck under mulch so it stays out of sight and out of the way.

If your sprinkler system runs on a timer—and it should—then the trick is matching the run time to your new garden line. Grass typically needs a heavy soak once or twice a week. Veggies, on the other hand, prefer more frequent, lighter watering. That’s why we often recommend putting your raised beds on their own dedicated zone if possible. That gives you the freedom to water the garden on its own schedule without affecting the rest of the yard. If you only have one valve left, it’s still doable, but you’ll want to be careful with timing and flow rate.

Now, let’s say your raised beds are nowhere near the existing sprinkler system. That’s not a deal breaker—it just means you might need to get a little creative. One option is to run a new polyline from the main valve box or the nearest connection point out to the beds. These lines can be trenched just a few inches underground and are perfect for low-pressure drip setups. If you’re not sure how to navigate your yard layout or plumbing, give us a call. We’ve routed lines through tight corners, under sidewalks, and around fences more times than we can count.

Smart controllers also make a big difference here. If you’re already using a Wi-Fi-enabled timer, it’s easy to program different watering schedules for your lawn and your raised beds. Most of them also adjust automatically based on the weather, which is a lifesaver during Denver’s unpredictable spring and fall seasons. One minute, it’s 80 degrees and dry; the next, you’re getting a surprise hailstorm. Smart timers help your plants survive the mood swings without you having to babysit the settings.

It’s also worth thinking about what you’re growing. Some plants like a lot of water, some barely need a sip. Mixing high-water crops like cucumbers with drought-tolerant herbs in the same bed makes even watering a challenge. If possible, group plants by water need and run separate drip lines for each type. That’s a level of detail your sprinkler system can absolutely handle—it just takes a bit of planning during installation. A few extra emitters and a simple Y-connector can go a long way in keeping every plant happy.

If you’re concerned about water pressure or flow, we’ll help you size everything correctly. Most sprinkler systems run on higher pressure than drip systems need, so we install pressure regulators where needed. These little gadgets make sure your drip tubing doesn’t pop off like a soda can on a hot day. We also add filters to keep debris from clogging up the emitters. Colorado water isn’t exactly known for being crystal clear, and even a little grit can gunk up a small line if left unchecked.

The end result? You get a raised garden bed that waters itself, using the same system that’s already keeping your lawn green. That saves time, water, and backaches. You’re not out there every morning with a hose wondering if you overdid it or underwatered your basil. Your plants get consistent, reliable watering on a schedule, and you get more time to enjoy the actual gardening part—harvesting, pruning, and maybe even sitting down to admire the view.

At CS Sprinklers, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners in Denver make the switch to integrated raised beds. Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading existing irrigation, we’ll walk you through the layout, pressure needs, and timing. We’ll even label the lines so you don’t have to guess what’s what next season. Raised beds are a great way to bring beauty, food, and fun into your yard—don’t let watering them become a chore.

If you’re thinking about adding raised beds or want to make your garden setup more efficient, give us a call. We’ll help you connect the dots between your lawn and your garden so everything runs smoothly. Whether it’s a weekend project or a full-season game plan, we’re here to make it easier. Sprinklers are kind of our thing—and we’re not bad at gardens either.

Give us a call today at (303) 627-4190 or email us at sprinklers@cssprinklers.com.