The ideal watering schedule depends on several factors, including your water budget, the purpose of your landscaping (whether for plant and turf survival or lushness), and the time of year. The weather plays a significant role as well—hotter temperatures increase water loss, requiring more frequent watering.
General Guidelines:
- Hot Weather: Apply 1 inch of water per week.
- Spring & Fall: You can reduce watering to ½ inch per week.
- Grass: Water less frequently but for longer periods to encourage deep root growth.
- Flowers & Vegetables: These typically require more frequent watering.
Sprinkler Types:
- Rotary Sprinklers: Typically apply ½ inch of water per hour.
- Fixed Spray Heads: These apply between 1 to 1.5 inches per hour. It's important to keep these on separate zones from rotary sprinklers due to the difference in application rates.
Choosing a Schedule: Using the above guidelines, you can create a watering schedule with the appropriate number of days and watering durations. If you prefer not to adjust your schedule as the seasons change, take advantage of the seasonal adjust feature, which allows you to modify watering time by a percentage each month.
Best Time to Water: For optimal results, water during the early morning hours, typically between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. This minimizes evaporation and ensures the water reaches the roots.
Additional Tips:
- Clay Soil or Steep Slopes: In these areas, water tends to run off more easily. To avoid this, use the multiple start time feature. This divides your total watering time into two or three cycles, allowing the water to soak in gradually rather than run off.