Watering the Lawn is Easy as 1, 2…Zero!
Summer is here and your landscape may be looking a little thirsty. So, when it’s time to water the lawn, think 1, 2…zero!
Use sprinklers on one day of the week if your lawn just needs a little water.
Use two days if it has been hot and dry.
And zero days if it’s been raining or it is in the forecast. It’s as easy as 1, 2…zero!
Follow these tips to save more water this summer:
1.Know your schedule. Cities and water providers have defined watering schedules. They include no watering between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm and using sprinklers up to 2 days per week. Check your city website if you don’t know your days or times to use sprinklers!
Example watering schedule:
2.When to water. Before 10 am and after 6 pm but middle of the night to early morning is best. You also want to water with the season. Summer temperatures and lack of rainfall mean our full-sun lawns can use up to 2 days of watering during the week. Spring and fall need maybe one day. Leave sprinklers OFF during winter and after heavy rain.
3.Cycle and soak. Many lawns in North Texas have clay soils and this makes it difficult for water to reach deep into the soil without causing runoff. It is best to use short sprinkler run-times and let the water slowly soak in before watering again. After an hour, start another short cycle to allow the water to move deeper into the soil. Examples of short cycles could be 6-minute run-times for fixed sprays and 13 minutes for rotors. Multiple cycles, or start times, should add up to the amount of water your lawn needs that week.
4.Sign up for watering updates. It's tough to know how much water your lawn needs every week. Sign up for free Weekly Watering Advice or Water My Yard! They are great tools that will let you know what your lawn needs that week every Monday through email or text. The below table provides recommended sprinkler controller settings for a full-sun lawn.
5.Check for Problems. Watering in the early morning is best but you may not be aware of issues that need correction. Do 1 sprinkler check every month it is running. Run each sprinkler zone for 2 minutes. Redirect sprays that are watering concrete and fix any leaks. Zero waste! Many adjustments and repairs can be done quickly. Watch our DIY Sprinkler Check & Minor Irrigation Repair video to learn how!
Water, from our lakes, through the underground pipelines, and with the workers that keep it flowing, is essential for supporting public health, fire protection, the economy and our quality of life here in North Central Texas. And water conservation is an important water supply strategy to help meet the needs of a growing population. Use it. Enjoy it. Just don't waste it. Water is awesome.
