Run times depend on your sprinkler type. Lawns typically need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, applied in deep, infrequent sessions.
Most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The exact duration for each sprinkler zone depends on your sprinkler head type and the season.
The “three times rule” found in NFPA 13 states that “sprinklers shall be positioned away from obstructions a minimum distance of three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.” For example, if a ceiling fan hub measures 4 inches by 7 inches, the sprinkler must be positioned at least 21 inches away from the hub.
Run your sprinkler system for 15 minutes in each watering zone.
On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, “deep watering,” produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.
Water in the early morning (4am to 10am). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Change the time that your system runs monthly, or at least seasonally.
In lawn care, the "150 Rule" is a helpful guide used to predict when a lawn will experience rapid growth or become highly susceptible to fungal diseases, depending on weather. The calculation and its two main applications depend on whether you are looking at temperature and humidity or high and low temperatures.
A common rule that is followed for obstructions within 18 inches of the sprinkler deflector is the “three times rule”. This requires sprinklers to be positioned away from obstructions a minimum or three times the maximum dimension of the obstruction.
Generally, most lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. This typically means running your irrigation system for about 1–2 hours per week, depending on its type and delivery rate.
Timing makes a big difference to how effectively plants use water.
Typically, a single zone can support 4 to 6 rotor heads or 8 to 10 spray heads. However, the exact number depends strictly on your home's water pressure (PSI) and flow rate (Gallons Per Minute / GPM).
The 18-inch rule for fire sprinklers requires maintaining a minimum 18-inch vertical clearance between a sprinkler head’s deflector and the top of any stored materials, equipment, or furniture. This ensures the sprinkler can distribute water evenly without obstruction.
The number of sprinklers you can run on one line depends on your pipe size\ flow rate, PSI water pressure, as well as the type and number of sprinkler heads. Generally, you can run between 4 rotors or 10 sprinkler spray heads per zone ,depending on GPM gallons per minute.
For lawns, 20 minutes can be enough, but only if your sprinkler system puts out a high volume of water quickly. Lawns generally need about 1 inch to 1.5 inches of water per week. For other plants and gardens, the requirements are vastly different.
Most healthy lawns can survive in a dormant state for 4 to 6 weeks without rainfall or irrigation. Healthy lawns allowed to go dormant will green up again with little to no damage when the turf receives sufficient water, either from rain or irrigation.
Lawn experts generally agree that property owners should continue to water their lawns well into late fall. In fact, in areas that receive very little precipitation, say an inch or less during a week's time span, then you may need to continue watering throughout the winter months, as well.
Most lawns need 25 to 30 minutes of water per session, twice a week, to deliver the recommended 1 inch of water. Water in the early morning (between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.) to prevent evaporation and reduce the risk of fungal disease.
No, 4 a.m. is not too early; in fact, it is considered the ideal time to water your lawn.
Water Wisely
Many of us water too often and too long. Most lawns need to be watered no more than three days a week in the spring as well as in the summer and two days a week in the fall. This watering schedule is recommended under normal water supply conditions.
Most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. The exact duration for each sprinkler zone depends on your sprinkler head type and the season.
Most sprinkler systems are designed to run in zones rather than all at once, as homes usually lack the water pressure to power all sprinkler heads simultaneously. If you need to run the entire system, you can use your controller's Manual All Stations feature to cycle through zones sequentially.
The "small room rule" is a fire sprinkler design exception in the NFPA 13 standard that allows sprinklers to be placed further from walls than standard spacing permits. It applies to light hazard occupancies with unobstructed ceilings that are 800 square feet or less in size.
You should stop mowing your lawn when the grass stops growing, typically when consistent daily temperatures drop below 𝟓𝟎∘𝐅 (𝟏𝟎∘𝐂) for warm-season grasses and 𝟒𝟎∘𝐅 (𝟒∘𝐂) for cool-season grasses. Always perform your final cut about one week before the first expected frost.
Disease Prevention: Aerated lawns are less prone to fungal diseases because they create an environment where fungi struggle to thrive. By promoting a drier, well-ventilated soil profile, aeration reduces the moisture levels that fungi require to reproduce and spread.
If you applied a moss killer in March, now is the time to remove it (hopefully you'll start having a lawn worthy enough of an award). April would also be a great month to give your lawn its first fertiliser feed to keep it looking healthy and happy. Our April Top Tip – fill in any patches.