I did buried pvc sched40 using pop up rainbird rotor sprinklers. Buried the pipe about 6-7 inches deep. I ran the pipe up toward my garden hose spigot. Attached a garden hose to the pvc using an adapter. Connected garden hose to a battery operated timer. The most expensive thing was the timer.

The pvc pipe and connectors were dirt cheap; pennies on the dollar compared to an equivalent amount of garden hose. The popup sprinklers were about $10 each, a bargain compared to above ground sprinklers. Most importantly, I don't ever have to move the hose or sprinkler. 100% best thing I've ever done for my lawn.

Looking back, I would used poly pipe instead of pvc. A little more expensive but it probably would have been easier to work with. Also, I would have used spray heads instead of rotors.

if your GPM is low, rotors might be better. You can buy low GPM Nozzles to replace the stock ones.

What did you not like about the two timers?

I used this one for watering during seeding and it's done great for me: http://lawniac.com/orbit-4-zone-watering-system-review

Also, I just noticed you're in Charlotte, be ready for a tough time growing a cool season grass down there. Charlotte is pretty much warm season grass(Bermuda, Zoysia) territory nowadays, though a lot of people still grow fescue.

I agree with j4. With the world warming up, the transition zone is moving north. You will be fighting the summer heat year after year with a cool season grass. Bermuda might not be the best that far north, but it will certainly grow. St Aug loves the cooler temps and will continue to spread while it's between 65 and 80.

@dchall

Can SA take a couple of months of nights in the high 30s and the occasional freeze/snow? It might be an option for me in the shade if so.

@j4c11 I had high hopes for the Orbit 3-zone timer since I had I single Orbit model a few years ago and loved it, but this one sucked away all the pressure and would only spray water a few feet! The other one leaked pretty badly.

I always thought Charlotte was a place for Fescue! I hate the look of St Augustine and Zoysia seed is pretty damn expensive compared to Fescue, but if I keep having to reseed it may be worth it! I just read that Zoysia is planted in spring? I may put down some of that as well this spring and see how that does.

I don't know that seeding Zoysia is a good idea. Sod is typically the way to go. It grows very slowly. Even with plugs spaced one foot apart it takes years to fill in.

What about Bermuda? It's virtually indestructible.

Yes, St Aug can handle that weather. We get that weather in Texas, too.