Spring is almost here, and at this time, we get the common question, which is, “When should I turn my sprinklers back on?” Most people in Utah call us to get a generic answer like, “on the first day of spring” or “the first day when night temperatures are above freezing.”
Are your sprinklers turning on too early in Utah?
This leads many Utah residents to make mistakes when turning on their sprinklers too early and damaging their sprinkling system, mostly when their lawn was not ready to be watered. The biggest problem is how erratic weather can be here in Utah.
When is the best time to start sprinklers?
An easy way to tell when it’s safe to water your lawn is by watching the weather. When your area is consistently keeping temperatures above freezing–day AND night–you’re in the clear to begin your sprinkler start-up. Don’t forget the inspection!
How do I know when to turn on my sprinkler system?
Nowadays, it’s easy to check the weather on your phone’s app. If you feel it’s near the time to turn on your sprinkling system, check your app and make sure that the weather permits you to turn it back on. Make sure that you’re checking both daytime and nighttime temperatures.
Is your sprinkler system ready to water your lawn?
Your sprinkling system will never know when it’s the right time to water your lawn. It will turn on whenever you turn it back on. This leads many Utah residents to make mistakes when turning on their sprinklers too early and damaging their sprinkling system, mostly when their lawn was not ready to be watered.
When should I turn my sprinklers back on?
Experts will tell you that the correct time to turn that irrigation system back on is: whenever the frost thaws. Winter weather can be hard on your sprinklers (this is why we go through all those winterization steps every year).
When should I start watering my lawn in spring Utah?
You may even being watering once a week by the end of April. You won't need to water several times a week until the hot weather hits in the summer months. Another thing to keep in mind is the variable spring weather in Utah. Utahns joke about blinking and the weather changing.
When should I turn off my sprinklers in Utah?
“Whether you have a secondary system or a culinary system, October 1st is a good time to turn it off,” said Joshua Palmer with the Utah Division of Water Resources. But why October 1st? “The days are shorter, the nights are cooler, the plants and grasses will go into dormancy anyway really soon,” Palmer said.
When should you water your lawn in Utah?
It's ideal to water in the morning, preferably before 10 a.m., because it's cooler and the roots have more time to absorb the water before the sun evaporates it. If you can't get it done in the morning, try not to water any later than 6 p.m. because you want the blades of grass to dry before night comes.
What are the watering restrictions in Utah?
- Outside watering is limited to the equivalent of 20 minutes of pop-up sprinkler watering per station and 40 minutes of rotor sprinkler watering per station per week.” - No restrictions on days of week watering. - No watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 10% reduction in indoor water usage.
What temperature should you start watering your lawn?
In the summer months, most lawns need one to two inches of water every week. The colder weather does not evaporate moisture from the lawn as quickly as it does in the warmer weather. Most lawn experts recommend watering your grass until the soil or ground temperature reaches the 40-degree Fahrenheit mark.
How long should I run my sprinklers Utah?
Set watering time to achieve 1/2 – 3/4 inch of water per station per day. For fan-style pop-up spray heads, the average time is 25 to 35 minutes per station (your watering time could vary dramatically). Rotary-style systems average 40 to 60+ minutes per station (your watering time could vary dramatically).
When should I turn off my sprinklers in Utah 2021?
When Do I Need to Turn Off My Sprinkler System? You need to drain your sprinkler system and then shut it down completely before the first freezing temperatures arrive. Don't risk freezing pipes by waiting too long. Keep an eye on the forecast once temperatures start to dip.
What month Should I turn off my sprinkler system?
As long as there is at least an inch and a half of rain per winter month, you don't need to supplement it with your sprinklers. When you start seeing rain around October or November, that's usually a good time to shut off the sprinklers.
Should you water lawn every day in hot weather?
You must water your lawn in hot weather at least three times per week, as long as you soak the soil to a depth of at least 6 to 8 inches. Akin to normal conditions, watering your lawn daily will create a shallow root system, which dries out fast and weakens your lawn.
How long should I run my sprinklers?
A watering session should be long enough to soak the area sufficiently so all the roots receive a beneficial drink. Sprinklers should be set to run for about 30 to 35 minutes at a time twice a week. Your goal is at least 1″ of water a week for your lawn.
Is it better to water grass everyday or every other day?
You might think that watering a little bit every day is a smart approach, but you'd be wrong. It's better to water “deeply and infrequently,” Cutler says. About a third of an inch every two to three days is a good goal.
Why do I need to wait until spring to start my sprinklers?
Experts will tell you that the correct time to turn that irrigation system back on is: whenever the frost thaws. Winter weather can be hard on your sprinklers (this is why we go through all those winterization steps every year).
Your Sprinkler System vs Cold Weather
Freezing temperatures can cause the water in your supply lines to freeze, which puts major strain on your sprinklers as they try to start-up in the morning.
