Lawn Watering Tips
How Much Should I Water?
Each week the amount of water your lawn needs will be listed in quarter inch increments of 0", 0.25", 0.50", 0.75" or 1.0" in the right hand "Quick Links" box. Use the table below to implement the Weekly Watering Advice.
| 0" |
No watering is necessary. Simply turn your sprinkler system to the “OFF” position. |
| 0.25” |
Set your controller to water for two consecutive watering cycles on your Watering Day: 6 minutes for each spray zone and 9 minutes for each rotor zone. |
| 0.50” |
Set your controller to water for four consecutive watering cycles on your Watering Day: 6 minutes for each spray zone and 9 minutes for each rotor zone. |
| 0.75” |
We recommend using your Watering Day to achieve a combination of the two previous programming schedules, the 0.25" and 0.50" examples. |
| 1" |
We recommend using your Watering Day to achieve a combination of two programming schedules using the 0.50" example. Set one schedule to begin during the permitted early hours and the remaining last schedule of 0.50" during the late evening hours. |
Preventing Water Runoff
- Watering in shorter sequences allows the soil to absorb water even deeper, giving you a healthier lawn.
- Instead of running each sprinkler zone for 12 minutes, adjust each zone to water so that it operates for only 6 minutes. This is typically when clay soil reaches its saturation point.
- Program your controller to run the recommended number of sequences with about three hours between each sequence's start time. This will allow the ground to better soak up the water applied.
To apply 1/2", use a schedule similar to this:
General Tips
Here are several quick and easy ideas for reducing outdoor water consumption and lowering your water bill with little negative impact to your landscaping, but a positive impact on your pocketbook:
- Water your lawn and landscaping early in the morning before 10 AM, or in the early evening after 6 PM, to efficiently water your lawn. Up to 30% of the water emitted from sprinklers is lost to evaporation during the hottest hours of the day.
- Regularly inspect your irrigation system, and fix or replace any broken or missing sprinkler heads.
- Do not water sidewalks, driveways or any pavement.
- Avoid sprinkling when it is windy.
- If there is a freeze in the forecast, install a rain and freeze sensor so you do not risk causing a hazard. At a minimum, check that the irrigation system is turned off during colder weather.
- Water your lawn deeply and less often to establish deep roots. Follow the Weekly Watering Advice. If it is raining regularly, consider delaying irrigation for at least three weeks in the winter.
- Soil depth is important for the watering needs of plants and grass during the winter. Soil at least 6 inches deep holds moisture longer, requiring little to no supplemental water. Turf areas with soil less than 6 inches deep may require additional irrigation.
- Add a 3 to 4 inch layer of organic mulch to your landscaping beds to retain moisture and inhibit weed growth.
- Keep your grass taller during very hot months to retain more moisture.
- Leave grass clippings on your lawn. These add nutrients to your lawn.
- Avoid pruning, fertilizing, planting, or transplanting during hotter periods of the year.
- Native and adapted non-native shrubs and trees require much less water than grasses in winter.
- Sewer bills are calculated based on water usage during the winter months. The less water you use during this period, the lower your sewer bill will be for the following year. For additional information, visit the Utility Billing Department page.
For Programming Information and Manuals, visit Adjusting Your Irrigation Controller.
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