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RESIDENTIAL
LAWN WATERING GUIDE
DO YOU KNOW YOU COULD USE LESS WATER AND HAVE A HEALTHIER LAWN?
Click
here to download a brochure for your area
Most
of us use drinking water to grow our lawns, flowers and other plants.
On average, we use about two-thirds of our water out doors, most of which
goes on lawns. As much as one-half of the water is wasted through incorrect
watering.
If you can answer
these questions, you are probably watering correctly.
1. Do you know how
much water you apply each time you irrigate your lawn?
2. Are you applying
the water to your lawn evenly?
3. Do you know when your lawn needs water?
If you cannot answer
these questions, the following three simple steps will help you find the
answers and put you on the path to irrigate your lawn correctly.
STEP 1. Check Distribution
Uniformity (Pattern) of Your Sprinklers
Remember,
not all sprinklers apply the same amount of water. This is true of automatic,
manual, or hose systems. To check the distribution pattern, you will need
at least 4 containers. Straight-sided containers like soup cans or milk
cartons are great, but shallow tuna cans are too shallow and water splashes
out. You may also use special water measuring cups (available from local
Utah State University Extension Offices).
A) Place the 4 or
more containers in a grid pattern over the lawn area to be checked.
B) Run your sprinklers for a period of time (at least 10 minutes) over
the lawn. If you have overlapping sprinklers that run at different times,
run both sets of sprinklers. Check each container and see if the amount
of water in each is about the same. Make a note of those containers (areas)
that have more or less water than average. Try the following suggestions
to apply water more evenly:
- Set the sprinklers
to run for longer or shorter periods of time if they are on different
valves.
- Check and repair
clogged, damaged, or broken sprinkler heads. Also look for sprinklers
that may be set into the ground too deeply or tilted. Sprinklers should
be vertical and should not be obstructed by surrounding grass, plants,
or other objects.
- Sprinklers running
on the same line or valve should be the same model and have the right
nozzle to cover the desired area.
C) After making adjustments,
empty the containers and try the test again. Continue to make adjustments
and run the test until the system is applying water as evenly as possible.
STEP 2. Determine
how long you should run your sprinklers to apply the right amount of water
Most areas of Utah have average high temperatures of 90° - 100°
F. The suggested irrigation application is ½ inch of water (and
5/8 inch in Southern Utah) each irrigation.
 A)
In your 4 containers, measure and mark a ½ inch depth. Note that
the ½ inch line on the special water measuring cups is just above
the measured markings on the side.
B) Turn on your sprinklers and time how long it takes for water to reach
the marks in each container. With overlapping sets of sprinklers, split
the run time equally between both sets of sprinklers. Figure the average
run time for all containers.
C) If you see water running off your lawn, three or more soak cycles are
recommended. Irrigate for three or more cycles allowing 1-hour in between
each cycle. This will prevent water from running off the lawn.
Example:
If your sprinklers take 21 minutes to apply ½ inch of water, you
would use three 7-minute cycles. Run your sprinklers for 7 minutes each
cycle and wait one hour in between each cycle.
STEP 3. Set Your
Watering Schedule
Now that you know how long to water each time you irrigate, you need to
know how often to irrigate. The following schedule shows how often to
irrigate during the growing season.
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Irrigation
Schedule - Northern Utah
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| Month
|
Interval |
| Startup
until April 30 |
Once every 6
days |
| May |
Once every 4
days |
| June |
Once every 3
days |
| July |
Once every 3
days |
| August |
Once every 3
days |
| September |
Once every 6
days |
| October
1 to Shutdown |
Once every 10
days |
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Irrigation
Schedule - Southern Utah
|
| Month
|
Interval |
| Startup
until March 31 |
Once every 8
days |
| April |
Once every 5
days |
| May |
Once every 4
days |
| June |
Once every 3
days |
| July |
Once every 3
days |
| August |
Once every 3
days |
| September |
Once every 5
days |
| October |
Once every 7
days |
| November
1 to Shutdown |
Once every 10
days |
This
schedule is based upon average or normal weather conditions. Unusual warm
conditions may
require
an occasional irrigation a day earlier than scheduled. Rain storms or
cool periods may allow
postponing or skipping an irrigation.
By following the above
suggestions, you will apply the maximum amount of water required by the
lawn. You will also use about half of the water the average Utah homeowner
uses. This schedule could save you as much as one-fourth of your yearly
water usage. Even so, you may still be using more than is necessary.
To use even less water,
you will need to make your sprinkler system more efficient or reduce the
total number of irrigations you apply during the growing season.
Each
unnecessary irrigation that can be eliminated will save enough water for
about 104 showers, 52 baths, 52 loads of laundry, or 312 toilet flushes.
Every
minute counts!
For additional tips
on how to irrigate more efficiently, contact you water supplier, local
Utah State University Extension Horticulture Specialist, or one of the
following organizations:
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