How To Irrigate Effectively Without Wasting Water

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When is the best time to water?

Early morning watering ensures adequate water is available for uptake by the plant during daylight hours before much of the water drains through the soil below the root system. (Please do not water during peak usage times 5 a.m - 9 a.m.)

Only water when your lawn is thirsty.

Overwatering promotes shallow root growth making your lawn less hardy. (To determine if your lawn needs to be watered, simply walk across the grass. If you leave footprints, it's time to water.)

Water in several short sessions rather than one long one.

For example, three ten minute sessions spaced 30 minutes to an hour apart will allow your lawn to better absorb moisture than one straight 30 minute session.

Don't over-water.

It doesn't take a lot of water to get sufficient moisture the roots.1 to 1-1/2 inches every five to seven days (including rainfall) is fine for most lawns.

Use efficient irrigation hardware:

Drip or soaker hoses are excellent in planted beds. Low volume direction spray heads work well for grass areas.

Make your own drip irrigation device:

Place holes randomly in a water hose 2-3 inches apart using a nail or ice pick. Snake the hose through the bed and turn the faucet to about 1/2 open, just enough for a small flow.

It doesn't take a lot of water to get sufficient moisture the roots.

1 to 1-1/2 inches every five to seven days (including rainfall) is fine for most lawns.

Water your lawn instead of the street.

When you wash your car, park it over your lawn so the wash water doesn't drain off into the street.

Promote a healthy root system.

Raise the mowing height of the lawnmower to help keep the soil cool, and allow the grass clippings to remain as mulch.

What else can you do to help retain essential ground moisture?

You can promote a healthy root system by 1) raising the mowing height of the lawnmower to help keep the soil cool, and 2) allow the grass clippings to remain as mulch.

Check the position of your sprinkler heads periodically.

Make sure you are watering your lawn and garden and not the sidewalk or street.

Check out the weather before you water.

Shut off sprinklers if it's raining or windy.

Did You Know?

Homes with in-ground sprinkler systems use 35% more water outdoors than those who do not have an in-ground system. One reason may be that system controllers are not adjusted according to seasonal irrigation needs. You don't need to water as frequently in the spring or early fall as you do in the middle of the summer, and generally not at all during the winter.

Water Wasters:

A 3/4 inch line (hose) to a sprinkler uses between 5 and 8 gallons per minute (GPM). That's between 300 and 500 gallons of water in only one hour!

Fix the drips - a leaking hose-bib can waste over three gallons a day.