Watering recommendations for each part of the season
April/May – This is when your system should be started and adjusted properly to ensure best coverage. Now is a good time to measure output for each zone and calculate time. Sprinkler zone analysis and calculation information can be found here on our website. Your system should be set to water as needed 1 – 2 times per week with a total water amount (from irrigation and natural precipitation) of 1 inch of water.
June/July – Temperatures in mid June through July will start to rise above 88 degrees and we will see less rainfall. During June and July we recommend watering deeply but infrequently. This means to water for long periods of time but never more than 3 times per week. DO NOT WATER DAILY. The idea is to water 3 times per week (MWF, TThSa, or something similar) for about .333 – .5 inch per day totaling 1.0 – 1.5 inches per week. When you water daily or even every other day the lawn's roots will shallow or not grow down deep into the soil but stay close to the surface where the water is easy to get. When you water deeply and infrequently or space your watering days 2-3 days apart the lawn's roots will grow deep to where the water is. The deeper the roots the healthier the lawn will stay over the hot summer months. If you start seeing your lawn or areas of your lawn turn a gray/blue, it needs more water. Browning areas need to be checked for correct sprinkler coverage. If your system is not able to properly cover the dry or brown area it is recommended to water the area by hand until repairs or upgrades can be made to your system.
August - This is a transitional month. If high temperatures (above 88 degrees on average) and low humidity or moisture are still around we recommend continuing with the June/July watering plan. When temperatures start to decrease or when get regular afternoon rainfall we recommend removing a day or two from your water schedule. The goal is to water 1.0-1.5 inches per week when temperatures are still high but when they drop you will only need about 1.0 inch per week (from rainfall or irrigation).
September/October - September is a great month to complete your seeding services. Temperatures are typically cooler and your lawn is starting it's second growth season. Water as needed being sure to keep at least 1 inch of water per week on the lawn.
November through March (winter watering) – During the colder winter months your lawn will still need regular moisture. Keep hand watering your lawn if there is no snow or rain fall for 2 or 3 weeks. Keeping the lawn watered over the winter will help keep lawn mites and lawn disease down.
Watering and Lawn Care Recommendations for Individual Services
Aeration – We recommend watering prior to this service for deeper plugs. After we complete this service we do recommend adding a seasonal fertilizer and grass seed. Water in deeply after this service.
Double Play - We recommend watering prior to this service for deeper plugs. After we complete this service we do recommend adding grass seed. Water in deeply after this service.
Triple Play - We recommend watering prior to this service for deeper plugs. Water in deeply after this service daily for 2-3 days and then return to your normal watering schedule.
Power Seeding - We recommend watering prior to this service for deeper plugs. Keep the lawn watered multiply times per day. The goal is to keep the soil damp 24 hours a day for 10-21 days. This will mean setting your sprinkler to water 3-5 times per day for short periods of time. Make sure no area has standing water. If you do see standing water after a watering cycle cut back the time until there is no standing water. You may need to add more times per day to ensure the soil stays damp all day long. Too much water (standing or pooling water) will drown the seeds and they will not germinate. Letting the seed dry by not watering enough will cause a lower germination rate. Once the seed starts to sprout you can cut back watering to 2 times per day. Once the new grass has grown long enough to mow it is safe to return to your normal watering schedule.
Lawn Patching and Reseeding - Keep the lawn watered multiply times per day. The goal is to keep the soil damp 24 hours a day for 10-21 days. This will mean setting your sprinkler to water 3-5 times per day for short periods of time. Make sure no area has standing water. If you do see standing water after a watering cycle cut back the time until there is no standing water. You may need to add more times per day to ensure the soil stays damp all day long. Too much water (standing or pooling water) will drown the seeds and they will not germinate. Letting the seed dry by not watering enough will cause a lower germination rate. Once the seed starts to sprout you can cut back watering to 2 times per day. Once the new grass has grown long enough to mow it is safe to return to your normal watering schedule.