When do I water? Water during the coolest part of the day on your trash day and again three days later if necessary; this allows the ground to absorb the water before it evaporates. Watering is not allowed between 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. from April 1 to Oct. 31. More than 50% of water is lost to evaporation, wind and runoff during those times. If you have traditional sprinklers that throw water in the air, the water droplets that land on your grass can act as magnifiers and burn your grass.
Worried about your home’s foundation? Use a drip irrigation system or soaker hose approximately eight inches from your home’s foundation to keep the soil at a consistent moisture level. Maintain the moisture in the soil around your foundation and not the concrete of the foundation itself. Soil moisture meters are a low-tech tool that can help. Gently push the meter probe into the soil and it immediately indicates the level of moisture.
How long should I water? Water each station in two or three short cycles rather than one long cycle. Short cycles with at least one hour in between allow the soil to absorb water and avoid run-off.
Want more watering advice? The Water My Yard program uses local weather data to provide free weekly watering advice. This data is collected from an extensive network of weather stations and rain gauges, and allows experts to send customized weekly water advice for your specific lawn and irrigation system