Creating A Watering Schedule

For most consumers, it is much easier to plan your specific watering schedule onto paper before actually programming the information into the controller. It’s also handy to have a written record of your programming information for easy reference.

There are some guidelines that should followed when determining when and how long to water. These factors are, the soil type, the part of the landscape being watered, weather conditions, and the types of sprinklers being used. Since there are so many different variables that can determine your individual watering schedule; it is impossible to give an exact schedule to follow. However, we have included some guidelines to help you get started.

NOTE: It is usually good to water one or two hours before sunrise. Water pressure will be at optimum levels during the early morning and the water can soak into the roots of the plants while evaporation is minimal. For most plants, watering during mid-day or in the evening may cause plant damage or possibly mildew.

NOTE: Keep an eye out for evidence of under- or over-watering. Over-watering is most commonly indicated by pools of water that take a long time to soak in or evaporate, while under-watered landscapes will show signs of discoloring and dryness. Make programming changes immediately when evidence is present.