Water is life for your landscape, but too much or too little can cause serious problems. Understanding proper irrigation practices saves water, money, and keeps your landscape healthy.
Best Time to Water
Early morning, between 4 AM and 9 AM, is ideal for watering. The air is cooler, winds are calmer, and water has time to soak into the soil before the sun's intensity increases. Evening watering can promote fungal diseases as grass blades stay wet overnight.
How Much Water?
Most lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Use the tuna can test: place empty tuna cans around your lawn and run your sprinklers. When cans have 1 inch of water, you've applied enough.
Watering Frequency
Deep, infrequent watering is better than shallow, frequent watering. This encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more drought-tolerant. Most lawns benefit from 2-3 waterings per week rather than daily watering.
Signs of Overwatering
- Mushrooms or fungus growing in the lawn
- Spongy, soft areas when walking
- Yellowing grass with wilted appearance
- Thatch buildup
- Increased weed growth
Signs of Underwatering
- Grass blades fold or curl
- Blue-gray tint to the lawn
- Footprints remain visible after walking
- Slow growth rate
Adjusting for Weather
Modern smart irrigation controllers automatically adjust watering based on weather conditions. They can reduce or skip watering when it rains and increase duration during hot, dry periods.
Zone Considerations
Different areas of your landscape have different needs. Sunny slopes dry out faster than shaded areas. Newly planted areas need more frequent watering than established landscapes. Program your system accordingly.
Seasonal Changes
Adjust your irrigation schedule throughout the year. Spring and fall require less water than summer. In Colorado, reduce watering significantly after September.
Need help optimizing your irrigation system? Weston Landscape & Design offers professional irrigation services including system audits, repairs, and smart controller installation.