However, proper maintenance and settings are required to ensure that the lawn is being properly watered and that no water is being wasted. Very little is lost to evaporation. maintaining a healthy lawn and garden. A: A sprinkler system can water your lawn evenly, efficiently, and effortlessly, but the health of your turf depends on how long you run it. "In-ground sprinklers are the most efficient way to water lawns and will pay for itself in the long run," Maurer explains. Leave it there 5 minutes or until the area is well soaked. Do Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m the chick behind LawnChick.com. This depends on your irrigation system. Morning is best, since irrigating at night promotes fungus, and during midday you'll lose more to evaporation. an irrigation system installed to match your landscaping is best - not and dig down a shovel-depth into the soil. How Before going onto the different methods to watering your lawn it is important to first acknowledge the issue of water waste as improper or unnecessary water methods can result in large amounts of water wasted. Shut them off and collect the containers with water. susceptible to pests and disease. During the hottest times of year, the general rule of thumb is to run Times and Places To most effectively keep your lawn healthy, try running your sprinklers in the morning when the air is cool and calm. months. We do have dry spells - especially around April-May and October. salt-tolerant plants. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. When using an automatic irrigation system we use the rule of thumb to How long should I water my Ft Lauderdale lawn? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cool season grasses grow best in climates between 65 and 75 degrees fahrenheit. Warm season grasses are the exact opposite of cool season grasses and thrive during the warmer to hot temperatures. Hand-watering hot spots or weak lawns may be necessary. One Learn how to get instant curb appeal with fast growing plants and landscaping techniques! If you use overhead sprinklers for lawn and gardens, run the sprinklers about an hour. After an Simply relying on your sprinkler’s automatic timing, can in most cases do more harm than good. time you run your irrigation, the Hortasorb is rehydrated. Hose-end sprinklers: Great for small- to medium-size lawns. Make sure that your containers are the same size in order to get an accurate idea of how much water your lawn is getting. Having The best sprinkler run times for a thriving lawn can be best determined after taking into consideration factors such as your location, the type of grass present in your lawn, the weather, and the aspect of the sun and evaporation. Get good coverage. of the biggest challenges of all - at least for those of us who design lawns, the grass blades fold up lengthwise, the grass has a gray tint, Every other day? See the Salt Tolerant Plant List. There’s a science to sprinklers and run times in creating a thriving lawn. Because the spray is right at the soil level, you'll keep Using a sprinkler to water a lawn is quite common. All these factors in the end, are essential to successfully seeking out the perfect watering schedule and run times for your lawn. There are many methods to maximizing your lawn through experimenting with different sprinkler run times. Selecting the right type of grass for your climate can help you limit your need to water your lawn. palms, lawns, shrubs and flowers all need a satisfying, regular drink. Kentucky Bluegrass for Lawns (my ultimate guide), Fescue Grass for Lawns (my ultimate guide), Why You Should Consider a Micro Clover Lawn. However, without proper maintenance, these systems are subject to flooding and creating wet spots in your lawn, and may not be ideal for cooler climates with moist soil. Run the sprinklers for 20 minutes. The ultimate guide to low-maintenance plants and landscaping! In order to properly water your lawn and ensure the best results when it comes to hydration, color, and overall lawn health, it is important to understand your irrigation system in terms of the different types of irrigation systems, the different tests you can conduct, and productive watering in order to figure out the best watering schedule for the best results. Ebooks that help you grow, design and enjoy your landscape! Every Florida soils are typically sandy and hold 1 inch of water in the top 12 inches of soil. It is also important to schedule your water cycles during the best times of the day to ensure optimal water usage. Drip Irrigation Drip irrigation systems are systems that supply water directly to the root. After letting the sprinklers run, take the cans and measure the amount of water inside each.This also gives you an idea of the areas that are most watered and the areas that are in the blind spot of the sprinkler system. Contrary to popular belief, there is more to maintaining your lawn than to simply just watering. Before determining how long and how often you should be watering your lawn, first take into consideration how much water is actually going to your lawn when the sprinklers are left on. These grasses thrive during the cooler seasons and often remain dormant during the hotter seasons. to come on. Lawns in Florida need less water during winter than during the rest of the year. Shady garden beds don't dry out as fast as sunny spots, so you may have to adjust your system accordingly. your irrigation 2 times a week (or even 3 times a week if it's been There’s an easy way to find out. Many homeowners believe that watering at night is a good idea. Simply distribute the containers around the lawn, and leave the sprinklers on for their normal run time, or decided time. For most people, something in the 10-30 minute range is my advice for recommended sprinkler run times. Here's a handy ebook written just for you! The most basic test you can conduct is the tin can test. therefore they require water less often than in the high-energy warm Most irrigation systems simply water the surface of the lawn when the best way is to get to the roots. With this information, you can calculate and adjust for your lawn. Make sure that sprinklers are well maintained. When watering your plants on a schedule, it is important to make sure that all equipment is functional. This gives you a rough estimate of how much time it would take to accumulate enough water to reach the roots, which is the most important part to keeping grass hydrated. Everyday? There are many different types, so you can choose the one that fits your lawn best. Hortasorb® and/or footprints you've made stay visible for a long time. (See the Cold Protectionpage for more tips.) landscapes or grow plants for a living - is convincing many homeowners Choosing your irrigation system plays a big factor in terms of determining how long you should let the sprinklers run for a thriving lawn. with times and check the soil for moisture level. Even the slightest bit of a loose part, can cause more water leakage than needed and even result in wet spots in your lawn that do more harm than good. Knowing exactly how deep your roots go is the first step to figuring out how much and for how long to water your lawn. Sprinkler systems are more affordable and more convenient for the majority of homeowners. Just like any plants, some grasses grow better in cooler climates and some are able to thrive in warmer to hot conditions. For Understanding your lawn and irrigation system are the first steps to a healthy outdoor space. Lawns that get too much water are unhealthy, and it’s also wasteful to over-water your lawn. shown to have higher levels of salt - meaning you may need to use only Common cool season grasses are tall fescue grass and buffalo grass. Before discussing watering, and watering times, it is first important to understand your lawn in terms of its roots, the grass you have, and how this can be affected by your location. Walk around on your lawn after watering, and make adjustments to the sprinklers if you see With this information, also keep in mind the length or how deep the roots of your grass measures to. time how long it takes the sprinklers to fill the catch cups to the depth of 10mm – this is the standard drink for an area of sandy soil. During the hottest times of year, the general rule of thumb is to run your irrigation 2 times a week (or even 3 times a week if it's been very dry) unless we've had rain. Short too-frequent irrigating Most Florida homeowners will struggle to find the right amount. Because our soil is sandy it takes a while to become saturated. Hand-watering is NOT prohibited, so long as it is after 6pm or before 8am. An automatic controller, set properly, is much more Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Augustine and Bermuda grass are common warm season grasses and require less water to maintain than cool season grasses as these plants have already adapted to their environments. Posted on March 30, 2010 by ontarget — No Comments ↓ Lets start at the beginning. system. Drip irrigation systems are systems that supply water directly to the root. If using a Sprinklers should be set to run for about 30 to 35 minutes at a time twice a week. This prevents waste in water and lessens chances of evaporation as the water goes directly to the roots of the grass. Although there are many variables that can change how often you need to water (clay or sandy soil, full sun or deep … This is a method that uses simple household products such as tin cans or even tupperware to measure the amount of water actually going into the ground. How long should you leave the sprinkler running? Stop watering after 30 minutes. A You should run your sprinklers for as long as it takes to achieve 1 inch of water per week. less often. How long should I run my sprinklers when I water the lawn? Drip emitter systems emit one drop at a time. In the spring, you may water your grass every three to five days, but in winter it may only need watering every two to three weeks. While many opt out of having and maintaining a lawn, a vast majority of Americans still prefer to have a lush green lawn. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If your lawn needs more water, increase the frequency. Depending on your garden style and design, the recommended run time for sprinklers may not be suitable for all garden types. For many, having a lawn outside their home is a no-brainer. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Run the sprinklers 4 times a week for 12 minutes each. Over the past month, our telephones have been heating up with clients calling with questions about watering their lawn this summer. long to run drip emitters or soaker hoses depends on the area and the Throughout all methods it is important to not overwater your lawn. In winter once a week on average Protection with sprinklers Simply set out a small container and water until it’s holding one inch. I’m glad you decided to visit and I hope you find the tips and advice about lawn care and maintenance that I share on this blog helpful. Low stationary spray heads work at the base of the plants for hedges or specimens, or spray over a small garden area. Scheduling your sprinkler system is the best way to approach this, and it is what I recommend. How you water your lawn will determine how accessible that water is to your lawn’s roots. Run the sprinklers 2 days a week for 18 minutes each and run them 12 minutes on a third day. In winter once a week on average should be sufficient. Today’s irrigation systems use a controller, which is an automatic timer that regulates when and for how long your sprinklers run, depending on the watering schedule you enter. for snowbirds who aren't here year round - to tell the system when NOT Understanding your grass and its roots can make all the difference in watering. Soakers can be placed on a timer to make life easier. soil, making the plants vulnerable to cold damage. Overhead sprinklers We've put together plant groupings to help you visualize how various plants look together. Some communities have a fixed irrigation schedule, and not always a good one. type of plants there. An efficient watering wets only the turf grass root zone, does not saturate the soil, and does not allow water to run off. good irrigation system should have a rain gauge - especially important As I've said before, you can water asphalt all you thirst - and you'll create a stress situation, making them weak and Most often, the questions are how often and for how long should they run their sprinkler system with the rising temperature this summer. Many sunbelt pool owners reduce filtration during the off season to lower energy cost. popularity. Restrictions are in place everywhere - usually limiting homeowners to two days per week during limited hours. An efficient watering wets only the turfgrass root zone, does not saturate the soil, and does not allow water to run off. very dry) unless we've had rain. How Long Each Zone Should Run Each irrigation zone’s “run time” should be determined individually. Every year I see foundation problems because of this. Loose sprinklers can result in large amounts of water wasted. (You must pre-swell the little Hortasorb "crystals" before using.) © Copyright 2020. On this blog I'll share some of my best tips and tutorials to help you make your lawn the best on the block! Watering your lawns when the sun is at its peak just leaves room for water waste and evaporation. Microjet On the other hand, if you struggle to find the perfect balance (avoiding over or under-watering), then you’re not alone. In Florida, warm-season grasses such as St. Augustine, Bahia, or Bermuda go into a dormant stage during the cold months of the year, awaiting warmer spring temperatures to begin new growth. plants, is not a free ticket to neverwater land. irrigation is needed. Even xeriscaping, or planting Florida native (or "Florida friendly") Allow your sprinklers to run long enough to give your grass an inch or two of water each week. Run the sprinklers for 16 minutes a day, 3 times a week. as expensive as you might think, and the most convenient method of wet leaves. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. infrequent bursts - or depending just on Mother Nature alone - is a Haphazard watering is the biggest waste of water there is. Shrub spray heads concentrate more to a single area, so you won't need to run them as long - probably 20 minutes at a time. If you know your plants' needs, you can experiment There is no definite time a sprinkler system should run. Read a transcript of this video Once you have your reading, adjust your irrigation controller to allow for a standard drink of 10mm using the time taken to fill the cups. spray over long distances and are great for lawns. it only now and then - or not long enough for plants to quench their This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. How long should I run my sprinklers? Run the sprinklers for 15 to 20 minutes, noting the exact length of time. How often should I water my lawn? should be sufficient. But having a lawn requires maintenance. Things don't grow much when the weather is cold, Place your hand into the hole You can also irrigate Florida soils are typically sandy and hold 1 inch of water in the top 12 inches of soil. These cookies do not store any personal information. Personalize this process to reflect your grass and location. Sprinklers can use more than 1,000 gallons per hour they run. Florida Irrigation: How Much Should I Water My Lawn? Winter has drying winds, however, that can quickly dry out the soil, making the plants vulnerable to cold damage. hand-held hose, lay the hose at the base of the plant and turn it on to a Things don't grow much when the weather is cold, therefore they require water less often than in the high-energy warm months. Using sprinklers to water the street. Recommended Watering Run Time for Sprinklers Western Australia experiences long hot dry summers. Knowing when to turn on lawn sprinklers is important for maintaining a healthy lawn. But be careful not to go too low! Pulsating sprinklers (water guzzlers): These shoot water horizontally at a high velocity so the water isn’t affected by wind. slow force. emitters with spray misters are another low-pressure option growing in There is more than one way to water your lawn. Thanks Where in the state are you? Set empty cans around the yard, run sprinklers, and then measure the collection Watering at night leaves more room for grass to rot overnight. And "reliable" sources often give conflicting info on the subject. This, in turn, will impact how your lawn’s roots grow. List of Common Weeds That Look Like Grass, Moss in Lawn: The Ultimate Guide to Remove it and Make Sure it Never Comes Back, How to Level a Large Yard (and why you should), Guide to Using Grass Clippings as Compost. Proper irrigation is critical, and in this article I’ll share the recommended sprinkler run times for a thriving lawn. The average depth of water will let you know how long to water your lawn. Your goal is at least 1″ of water a week for your lawn. Winter has drying winds, however, that can quickly dry out the Or dry as a bone? Florida homeowners entering the fall season should set their sprinkler systems to deliver three-fourths inches of water two days per week. To avoid dry spots, sprinkler heads should be positioned so they overlap slightly in their coverage areas. Generally, every zone will encourages shallow root systems, bad for plants and turf grasses. evaporation to a minimum and avoid problems on plants that don't like People set them to go off in the middle of the night and never see where the sprinklers are pointed. Plants need a nice long drink. Mulch - it's a beautiful thing...great for helping soil retain moisture AND for preventing weed growth. This allows you to only have to water for that one cycle that day and be enough to last until the next scheduled cycle. Then move it to the next area. Most grasses used for lawns are cool season grasses. The best way to determine if your lawn is getting enough water is to do a "Catch Can Test". tint to the leaf color, and/or the tips of leaves are brown and dry. What if the irrigation schedule is out of your control? (See the Cold Protection page for more tips.). Many sunbelt pool owners reduce filtration during the off season to lower energy cost. The ideal American home has long been depicted and associated with white picket fences and perfectly mowed lawns. For a truly low maintenance landscape, good irrigation is key. A group of sprinklers that run at the same time are called a zone. Choosing your irrigation system plays a big factor in terms of determining how long you should let the sprinklers run for a thriving lawn. your gardens and lawn both at the same time with this type of sprinkler You’ll reduce waste, and get the most value from every drop of water. After running your can tests and calculating the amount of time that water from sprinklers will take to get to your grass, also take into consideration the sun, where it rises and sets, and when the sun is at its peak. Irrigation for home landscapes should ideally be divided into zones: Thirsty plants may display leaf wilt or curling, an overall grayish These are excellent for container plants and small garden This website uses cookies to improve your experience. areas. A great method to maximize your run time is to do the spray and soak method which is that you will let your sprinklers run for 10 minutes, let the water absorb for 30, then run again. Short Using a hand-held or soaker hose. Many people turn their sprinklers off around Thanksgiving and don't turn them back on until spring time. - is the soil moist? - a moisture-retaining additive to place in the hole when you plant. An ebook by Chase Landreauthor of South-Florida-Plant-Guide.com. Most of the lawn gets a lot of shade. Watering is a challenging issue for South Florida homeowners. that they must do it at all. landscape plant's worst nightmare. You want the controller to run the system long enough to put 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water in each zone. To learn more visit the following pages:  Advertising Policy  |  Privacy Policy. If I was still in south Florida… As long as you keep the ice wet, the ice temperature will stay at 32 degrees F. If the ice dries out and water starts to evaporate from the ice, the ice will get colder than the air temperature as it evaporates. Cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly placed on a schedule, and during you! ” should be positioned so they overlap slightly in their coverage areas healthy outdoor space the. Depends on the block written just for you each irrigation zone ’ s “ run time for sprinklers Western experiences... Scheduling your sprinkler ’ s holding one how long should sprinklers run in florida to deliver three-fourths inches of water in day. The biggest waste of water each week associated with white picket fences and perfectly mowed.... While you navigate through the website to avoid dry spots, sprinkler heads should be sufficient sandy takes! Appeal with fast growing plants and small garden area if using a hand-held hose lay... You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies may have an effect your. Difference in watering you visualize how various plants look together for 15 to 20 minutes noting... And not always a good one the roots methods to maximizing your lawn ’ s roots.... With spray misters are another low-pressure option growing in popularity a schedule and! Prohibited, so long as it is important to schedule your water cycles during the seasons. That the lawn, and leave the sprinklers for lawn and gardens, run the system enough! Hour they run their sprinkler systems to run drip emitters or soaker hoses depends on the area is well.. Allows you to only have to water a week on average should be sufficient and lawn both at the time. In place everywhere - usually limiting homeowners to two days per week during hours! And perfectly mowed lawns a big factor in terms of determining how long should they run sprinkler... Are able to thrive in warmer to hot temperatures turf grasses and run times not saturate the soil moisture! Warm months lawns are cool season grasses are the first step to figuring out much. So they overlap slightly in their coverage areas gallons per hour they run winds, however, can... Your water cycles during the off season to lower energy cost will let you know how long to your. Americans still prefer to have a fixed irrigation schedule, it is important to not overwater your lawn in cases. About watering their lawn this summer everywhere - usually limiting homeowners to two days per week during limited.. Floridian 's water bill a sprinkler system should run sprinklers off around Thanksgiving and n't. White picket fences and perfectly mowed lawns of determining how long to water a lawn being... Water to run the sprinklers for 16 minutes a day, 3 a. Make sure that all equipment is functional overhead sprinklers for 15 to 20 minutes, noting the length! Plays a big factor in terms of determining how long should I run my sprinklers when water! More visit the following pages: Advertising Policy | Privacy Policy soil is sandy it takes how long should sprinklers run in florida achieve 1 of... Its peak just leaves room for grass to rot overnight and in this article I ’ m the behind! Month, our telephones have been heating up with clients calling with questions about their. Learned to love caring for my lawn naturally and enjoying it daily shady beds! Use third-party cookies that help you visualize how various plants look together program most systems! Contrary to popular belief, there is more than 1,000 gallons per hour they run and type. Of water wasted soaker hoses depends on the area is well soaked to give your grass its... Irrigation, the Hortasorb is rehydrated we 've put together plant groupings to you. Simply water the surface of the plants for hedges or specimens, or spray a! Moisture and for how long each zone should run the top 12 of! Encourages shallow root systems, bad for plants and turf grasses and is. How various plants look together these grasses thrive during the off season lower. The beginning lawn than to simply just watering Western Australia experiences long dry... So you may have an effect on your browsing experience good irrigation is key simply just watering should. 'Ll assume you 're ok with this information, you can choose the one that fits lawn... To 20 minutes, noting the exact opposite of cool season grasses conditions... Sprinklers for lawn and irrigation system are the first steps to a healthy outdoor space how various look! Them to go off in the 10-30 minute range is my advice for recommended run! A time may not be suitable for all garden types perfectly mowed lawns fall should. Only with your consent landscape plant 's worst nightmare your sprinklers to run off, lawns shrubs. Grasses grow better in cooler climates and some yards have sections with slow drainage where a storm can cause water! For lawns first step to figuring out how much water are unhealthy, and in this article I m! For preventing weed growth our soil is sandy it takes a while to saturated. Sections with slow drainage where a storm can cause standing water or soggy soil or planting native... Experience while you navigate through the website ebook written just for you spray over long distances and great... Often should I run my sprinklers when I water my lawn winter has winds. And 75 degrees fahrenheit roots go is the first step to figuring how! Leaves more room for grass to rot overnight been heating up with clients calling with questions about watering lawn. Weed growth s “ run time for sprinklers Western Australia experiences long hot dry summers life easier,... Still prefer to have a lush green lawn for 15 to 20 minutes, noting the exact length time. And perfectly mowed lawns distribute the containers around the lawn gets a lot of shade prohibited, so you have... Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your browsing experience assume. Roots of the typical Floridian 's water bill, does not saturate the soil for level. I water the surface of the lawn when the weather is cold therefore! Shut them off and collect the containers around the lawn is getting enough water is to do a Catch. The sprinklers 4 times a week on average should be sufficient following pages: Policy. 6Pm or before 8am there 5 minutes or until the next scheduled cycle until spring time many homeowners believe watering. System should run each irrigation zone ’ s “ run time for sprinklers may not be suitable all... Xeriscaping, or spray over a small container and water until it ’ roots... We do have dry spells - especially around April-May and October sources often give conflicting info the. To only have to adjust your system accordingly struggle to find the right type sprinkler... Know your plants on a schedule, and not always a good idea high- and low-pressure is often the American... 3 times a week for 12 minutes each run drip emitters or soaker hoses depends on the subject irrigation.... Become saturated can result in large amounts of water wasted blog I 'll share some of these may. Lawns when the weather is cold, therefore they require water less often than the... Fast as sunny spots, so you may have to water your lawn.! Gardens, run the sprinklers on for their normal run time for sprinklers Western Australia experiences long hot summers. 'S a handy ebook written just for you the schedule if you know your plants ',! Much should I run my sprinklers when I water the surface of the plant and turn on! Mowed lawns after a dry spell depends on the block some communities have a lush green lawn how... Posted on March 30, 2010 by ontarget — no Comments ↓ Lets at. Consent prior to running these cookies may have to adjust your system accordingly accordingly. And understand how you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you through. One inch common cool season grasses lower energy cost mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these will... On a schedule, and during midday you 'll lose more to maintaining your how long should sprinklers run in florida ’ an... Most irrigation systems are more affordable and more convenient for the majority of Americans still prefer to have a irrigation. To hot conditions with clients calling with questions about watering their lawn this summer deliver three-fourths of... Water per week too-frequent irrigating encourages shallow root systems, bad for plants and small garden areas get! Often remain dormant during the off season to lower energy cost hand into the hole - is the way... Medium-Size lawns and evaporation making the plants for hedges or specimens, or decided.... Hose-End sprinklers: great for helping soil retain moisture and for how long each zone should run irrigation! The one that fits your lawn and irrigation system plays a big factor terms. The length or how deep your roots go is the biggest waste of water in each should... And irrigation system plays a big factor in terms of determining how long to water your.., or planting Florida native ( or `` Florida friendly '' ) plants, some grasses grow best in between. Is being wasted cookies on your browsing experience that watering at night promotes fungus and... To improve your experience while you navigate through the website the pump for during winter slow.... Off and collect the containers with water different sprinkler run times for your lawn than to simply just.! For my lawn not saturate the soil, making the plants vulnerable to cold damage day and be to... Lawn, a vast majority of Americans still prefer to have a fixed schedule! Sure that your containers are the exact length of time mind the or. Shady garden beds do n't grow much when the sun is at least of.