Even with sprinklers correctly targeted at the lawn, many people water until—or even after—water begins to run off the grass and into the street or driveway. How saturated is the soil in your yard? You can also observe the same tip if you’re living in an area where the climate is cooler. Additionally, the moist soil can be a breeding ground for parasites and harmful fungi – and you certainly don’t want that in your backyard. This means making sure that the grass is regularly trimmed, the soil is free from weeds, and that the area received enough water. www.greengardenist.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can also set how long the water will be sprayed across your lawn, so you’re sure that the soil and the grass are never parched. As a tip, observe and take note of the time when the soil seems to be absorbing more moisture. Waste not, want not – The early morning hours tend to be cooler and have fewer winds than later in the afternoon. Diligence is still required with automatic sprinklers, however, because the sprinkler heads change position over time, and could water the street instead of the lawn. Wintill says keeping your grass watered in the wee hours of the morning will keep the lawn healthy and happy and you don't have to leave the water on a long time… Most homeowners would say that the best time to run sprinklers is early in the morning. Experts recommend setting your sprinklers for a 4 am shower.. At that time, the air is usually still, which We all want our lawn to look attractive as it compliments the home. However, this is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. If you’re new to sprinkler systems, you might be wondering what is the best time to run sprinklers. With that out of the way, we can now answer this question. RELATED: The Best Things You Can Do for Your Lawn Divide weekly sprinkler duration by weekly watering frequency to calculate how long to run your sprinklers each watering session. Brown or damaged grass looks unsightly. If the cans contain ¾ inch of water, you know you need to run your irrigation for 30 minutes. How Long Should Sprinklers Run In Each Zone Calibrate Your Sprinkler If you want to calibrate your sprinkler system then what you have to do is determine the amount of water it tends to provide or generate over time and there is a very simple way to achieve that. If your lawn is not getting enough water, the grass will look discolored, and will not spring back up when stepped on. For this purpose, we highly recommend getting a rain gauge and installing it where it is exposed to rainwater and water from your sprinklers. In general, rotating, pulsating attachments are best because they shoot water sideways, covering a large area quickly and evenly. And watering in the morning keeps the turf cooler during the hottest … '” While my answer is always the same, “Right now,” it's often looked at with a bit of a jaundiced eye because I sell sprinkler systems for a living. But while we can agree that the best time to run your sprinklers is in the early morning, bear in mind that this may not apply during the cooler winter seasons. Lawns that are oversaturated present problems because the roots don’t grow very deep, causing them to get thirsty very quickly. I often get asked “When is the best time to get a sprinkler system? Sprinkler-related reasons for brown spots include heads that have sunk into the ground, broken heads, sprinklers that are not aimed properly, water pressure issues and poor coverage. Copyright © 2020 | www.GreenGardenist.com | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. So what is the right way to water a lawn? Having your sprinklers turn on early in the morning is the best time to water your lawn. First of all, there’s no denying that the temperature around that time is still cool, even during the summer months. Maintaining a healthy lawn requires taking care of your turf. Run the sprinkler system during pre-dawn hours for most efficient watering, as the lawn will lose less moisture to evaporation from the sun and heat. Thus, this is the best time if you don’t want to waste water. Believe us, you don’t want either of those two. In-ground sprinklers usually run on a timer, so most people just set them and forget them. They can also become clogged or oversaturate your yard. The area you live in and the type of grass you have will be the two most important factors. This little bit of diligence can give you a healthy lawn through all seasons and for years to come! Thus, you should check the water requirement for each plant first before you decide the time to run your sprinklers and for how long you’re going to let it run. The best time is at dusk. If they contain half an inch, you’ll need to This is where lawn sprinklers come into the picture: in addition to helping you save precious time and energy, you can make sure that your plants will get the right amount of water. However, soil that is oversaturated can also be a problem, as it creates runoff and can harm your lawn, as well as your water bill. Once you determine the amount of water your lawn needs, you can now look for a way to determine if it gets what it needs. Setting your sprinkler system to run on 10-minute intervals for a total of 60 minutes per week will help your soil absorb more water and can help create a healthier lawn, says Hyatt. by Michelle Le Strange, UC Master Gardener Spring is the best time to prepare the lawn for summer heat because mild temperatures favor root growth and roots supply water to leaf This means that minimal evaporation can take place so that the water being sprayed by your sprinkler gets absorbed by the soil. All of these factors are equally important, otherwise, you might end up with a lawn with cracked soil or one with an overgrowth of fungi. Check first for dryness, however, because watering too quickly will seem like runoff when more even distribution will create absorption. To know if you’re overwatering your lawn, the first growth that you have to look out for are mushrooms. Healthy grass has deep roots that extend about 6 inches into the ground, while unhealthy grass has shallow roots. Most of the watering will be done during the summer. Aside from determining the best time to run your sprinklers, you should also determine how long you have to run how, how often you have to water your plants and determine whether you’re already overwatering your turf. While watering at the right time is important, all the other factors must be tended to in order to get the most efficient use of your water. But let’s be honest – doing all these will take a lot of time and not all of us have the luxury of time. Both come with benefits and drawbacks. You can as easily cause browning and damage to your lawn by watering it improperly as by not watering at all. With the help of your rain gauge, you can easily skip turning on your sprinklers if it appears that your lawn is well-watered. Leaf Vacuum vs. This means that you can choose to run your sprinklers a few minutes before or after sunrise. Areas subject to drought might have restrictions on water usage. This is because native grasses are acclimated to the long term patterns of weather in the locale, which means the lawn will need minimal watering, or will survive on natural rainfall. Type of Landscape and Plants Depending on the type of flowers, plants, and other landscaping one may have, helps to determine the recommended run times necessary. The soil should be moist enough that you can stick a screwdriver in it easily. If you have seasonal color or flowers, setting your sprinklers to come on twice a week at low times (5-8 minutes) should be sufficient. Having a beautiful lawn is not complicated. The right time to water also varies depending on your climate and your local water usage restrictions. One of today’s most useful inventions includes the sprinkler system, which reduces the need to manually hose down your lawn. Your goal is at least 1″ of water a week for your lawn. Grubs are identified by the dead brown patches they leave in your lawn. As to how often you have to run your sprinklers, this would also depend on whether it rained on the days prior. There seems to be a lot of opinions about what time to set your sprinklers to come on...and everyone seems to have a total different idea. In fact, your lawn should be watered before 5 AM when the sun begins cresting over the horizon. While the traditional sprinklers require you to turn the water manually, newer models can be set to turn on automatically at a given time. Lawn Mower – Which one is best for Mulching Leaves. A lawn in a cold climate won’t need as much water, especially if there is snow most of the winter, as the water will add to the freeze rather than saturate your soil. How Long Should I Run the Sprinklers? With that out of the way, we can now answer this question. It only requires that you pay attention to a few things a couple of times a week. Mushrooms are the most common of fungi, so having them grow on your lawn should alert you. You can put a cup or other measuring device in the yard while watering to check your water levels. There also seems to be a stillness in the breeze during this time. And second, watering your lawn early in the morning allows the water to be absorbed by the soil within the day. You can use this as your sprinkler time window to make sure that the soil gets the water it needs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some people have in-ground sprinklers while others use a hose and attachment. This may happen because you are watering too quickly, not giving all the water time to absorb. Lawn Sprinkler System Parts List: The Essentials | Grean Gardenist. Some types of grass can endure any climate, while others need special care in some climates. Trying to run sprinklers during the day when the sun is at it's hottest will only scorch (and possibly kill) your grass. Conversely, some plants require more water to survive. Explanation: Time of day running a sprinkler system is best at night, but some systems do come on during the day if the water requirement is needed, system such as weather based systems, can run during the day. On average, it is advised to water your turf for about 2 to 3 times per week. Alternatively, you can use a remote-control one that allows you to turn the system on with a press […], Your email address will not be published. A great method to maximize your run time is to do the spray and soak method which is that you will let your sprinklers Drier climates may require more water than humid climates. Signs of oversaturation include runoff (when the water overflows from your lawn) and mushroom growth. The best option is to go with a lawn using grass native to your area. This can waste a lot of water, and it isn’t doing your lawn any good. •Your sprinkler number determines how long to run the sprinkler system •Can test results: .3” applied every 15 minutes Average can measurement (inches) Minutes to run sprinklers Table A: Run Time of Sprinklers to Apply .75 Typical systems come on a 3am and run for as long as there are zones and what time requirement was entered into the controller In most cases, you want to water early in the morning, either just before or just after sunrise. Oscillating attachments are better for new grass, but since they shoot water straight up, they cover less area and need to be moved more frequently. If you notice a mushroom growing on your lawn, simply cut back on your watering amount and schedule, and the fungus will just die out and disappear. Hose attachments may be a little extra work but it’s harder to avoid being diligent with them. 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