sub-surface irrigation installation

Water Your Flower Beds the Smart Way

About six summers ago, I got a call from a homeowner in The Heights. She was tired of fighting with her sprinkler system. “I water every morning,” she told me, “but my flower beds still look dry—and my water bill’s through the roof.”

I showed up, dug a little into the soil, and saw it right away. Her sprinklers were barely getting water to the roots. The topsoil dried out fast in the Houston heat. That’s when I told her about sub-surface irrigation—and honestly, it changed everything for her.

What Is Sub-Surface Irrigation?

Sub-surface irrigation (sometimes just called drip or in-ground irrigation) sends water directly to the roots—right where your plants need it. Instead of spraying water on top, it uses small tubing buried beneath the surface. Think of it like giving your plants a drink through a straw—clean, slow, and straight to the root.

It’s especially good for flower beds, shrubs, native plants, and even vegetable gardens. In a city like Houston, where our summers feel more like ovens, it helps save water and keeps your plants healthier.

Why Houston Lawns & Beds Need It

If you live in places like Katy, Bellaire, or Meyerland, you already know our heat is no joke. Between May and October, the sun here doesn’t just burn—it bakes.

Now, if your irrigation is above-ground, half of your water probably evaporates before it even reaches the roots. That means more watering, higher bills, and worse—plants that stay thirsty.

I’ve worked on lawns all across the Houston area—from Spring Branch to Pearland—and I can tell you: sub-surface irrigation just works better here. Flower beds especially love it.

Benefits of Sub-Surface Irrigation

Here’s why a lot of our customers are switching to sub-surface irrigation in Houston:

• Less Water Waste
      You’re watering the roots—not the sidewalk or the air.
• Healthier Plants
      Water at the root means less fungus and fewer diseases.
• Lower Water Bills
      Most of our customers say they save about 30% compared to old systems.
• No Muddy Mess
      No puddles, no wet shoes when you’re walking through your beds.
• Great for HOA Rules
      If you live in neighborhoods like West University or Sugar Land, where yards need to stay tidy, this system helps you keep it clean.

Where We Install in Houston

We’ve installed sub-surface irrigation in all kinds of homes across the city. Some of the spots we work in a lot:

• The Woodlands – Lots of native landscaping and large flower beds.
• Montrose – Smaller city yards that need smart water use.
• Clear Lake – Sandy soil that drains fast, so roots dry out quickly.
• River Oaks – High-end gardens that can’t afford yellow spots.

Whether you’ve got a big backyard in Kingwood or a narrow flower bed in Midtown, we’ll take a look at your layout and figure out the best setup.

How the Installation Works

If you’re worried it’ll tear up your yard, don’t be. It’s actually simpler than most people think. Here’s what we do:

1. We check your soil – Clay, sand, or a mix. Each needs a slightly different setup.
2. We map the beds – We mark where your plants are, and where the roots need water.
3. We dig shallow trenches – Usually 4–6 inches deep, so the tubing stays protected.
4. We lay the tubing – Each line has small holes (emitters) that slowly drip water into the soil.
5. We hook it to a timer – So you never forget to water.

If you already have an irrigation controller, we can usually tie into it.

A Story from Memorial

A couple in Memorial Park area had been losing their azaleas every summer. They thought they had a bug problem. Turns out, the water was never getting deep enough.

We pulled out their old spray heads, laid in some sub-surface lines, and two months later, the wife called me back laughing. “We didn’t change the plants,” she said, “just the watering—and they’ve never looked better.”

That’s the kind of thing we see again and again. It’s not always the plants—it’s how we care for them.

Questions We Get a Lot

Does this work with native plants?
Absolutely. Plants like Texas sage, black-eyed Susans, or Turk’s cap all do great with it.

Can it handle Houston flooding?
We install with proper grading and drainage in mind. If you’ve got a soggy area, we’ll fix that first.

What about roots growing into the tubes?
It’s rare, but we use tubing with anti-root guards for protection.

Can I use it for my lawn too?
You can, but we mostly recommend it for beds. Lawns often do better with rotor or spray heads unless you’re redoing the whole yard.

News You Should Know

As of early 2025, the City of Houston is rolling out new water conservation incentives. That may include rebates for switching to water-efficient irrigation—like sub-surface systems. You can check with the Houston Public Works for updates or ask us when we stop by.

Also, many neighborhoods are tightening watering rules during the summer. If your HOA is cracking down, a buried system is less likely to get flagged.

Why Choose Us?

We’ve been installing sub-surface irrigation systems across Houston for years. This isn’t a side gig—we specialize in flower beds, lawn care, and irrigation. And because we live here, we know how Houston soil behaves, how the weather shifts, and what plants actually make it.

We don’t just install and bounce. We show you how to use it, when to run it, and what to watch for.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve got a flower bed that never stays green—or a water bill that makes you sigh—sub-surface irrigation might be the fix.

We’re happy to take a look, talk through your options, and give you a plan that works for your home and your yard.

Give us a call or send us a message, and we’ll swing by for a free quote.

Service Areas

We proudly serve:

• Houston 
• Sugar Land
• Katy
• The Woodlands
• Cypress
• Tomball
• Kingwood
• Bellaire
• Pearland
• Spring

Need smarter watering for your flower beds? Sub-surface irrigation installation in Houston is what we do best. Let’s get your yard working with the heat—not against it. Give Ava Landscape a Call 832-651-4072.