A beautiful lawn is what everyone wants and to have that. It requires a lot of work and care. You need to mow regularly, trim weeds, fertilize, and water the yard. This will become your routine, and you get to spend more time when spring and summer arrive because the growth of your lawn runs out of control.
In regards to watering your plants, it’s best to install a sprinkler system. Used it carefully and make sure that your system is well maintained for it to run through the years. It is also essential to determine what is the best time to turn on your sprinklers and it depends on the climate and the specific plants.
One of the factors considered in keeping a healthy lawn is knowing when to turn on your lawn sprinklers. Running your sprinkler system for the season, watering the right period, and choosing the best time of the day has a significant role in your yard. To prevent wasting water and making sure that your lawn and plants receive the right amount of water, plan your watering schedule with detailed information.
What time of the day should I start my sprinklers?
Typically, you turn on your sprinklers early in the morning just before sunrise or after. There are some reasons why this the ideal time to let your sprinklers run.
Early hours in the morning are more likely to be cooler and have a little wind compared to the afternoons. And with this you can look forward to less evaporation of the water spraying in the air, leading to lesser waste and greater coverage, faster than making the system run longer.
An hour before sunrise is the best time to water your lawn; it gives the water enough time to soak into the ground but leaves blades of grass damp for a shorter time. And also, the damp night air softens the soil making it easier for the water to soak in.
If you water at night, there is a tendency that it will affect the health of your grass. One of them is having a fungus or other illness because of the constant wetness of the yard, which contrasts the advice of people who waters at night. However, watering your plants early in the morning assure that your lawn has time to dry even when it is cool and cloudy.
There are exceptions to keep in mind; one is when you live in a cool environment. You may want to wait until later in the day when the sun's heat is at its peak. This ensures that your lawn is saturated, and it can be able to dry without the concern of freezing water that won't soak into the ground.
Another one is the winter season; temperatures may be below freezing. You want to ensure that you are watering at the right time when the yard is most likely to receive moisture and primarily to be able to dry even when the temperatures are dropping.
In general, when you know what is the best time to water your lawn; you will get the result that you have always wanted. Green, beautiful, and healthy yard!
FAQs
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.
What is the best time of day to turn on sprinklers? ›
When to water. Summer: Water overnight or around dawn to minimize the amount of water lost to evaporation. For example. 5, 6, and 7 a.m. And remember to add watering days gradually as temperatures get hotter.
Is it better to run sprinklers at night or morning? ›
Watering your lawn early in the morning is tremendously better than watering it at night, for completely opposite reasons. While watering during the day causes water to evaporate too quickly, watering in the evening allows water to cling to the grass for too long.
What is the best schedule for lawn sprinkler system? ›
As for how long to leave the sprinklers on, it varies. However, the average time to water lawns so that they are properly hydrated is 60 minutes per week. So, turning on your sprinkler for 30 minutes twice per week is a good starting point for creating your own custom schedule.
Is 4am too early to water a lawn? ›
Best time of day to water the lawn
Always water your lawn in the early morning, between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. In the morning, temperatures are still cool, and your grass will have time to absorb the water before it evaporates under the hot sun of midday. Don't water your lawn at night or in the evening.
What is the best time to run sprinklers in the summer? ›
Watering in the morning also helps your lawn stay cooler throughout the hottest parts of the day, decreasing the amount of heat stress for the turf. If you are unable to water in the mornings, early evening (between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM) is the next best time.
Is it better to irrigate morning or night? ›
Current assumptions are that nighttime irrigation is more efficient due to less evaporative demand (more humidity, lower temperature, no solar radiation, less wind. etc). However, watering in the afternoon could be more efficient because it coincides with peak photosynthesis and has microclimate cooling effects.
Is 7am too late to water grass? ›
To water well, timing is everything. Water in the early morning – between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Midday watering leads to wasteful evaporation, while nighttime watering causes droplets to cling to grass overnight, increasing the chance of lawn diseases.
How many minutes should I water my lawn? ›
Just to give you an idea, it's typically somewhere in between 10 to 35 minutes per zone (depending on the type of irrigation heads your sprinkler system has). Rotor heads must run around 25 to 35 minutes per zone whereas spray heads can typically do the job in 10 to 15 minutes per zone.
Should I water my lawn at 5am? ›
The best time of day to water a lawn is early morning, between 4:00 and 8:00 a.m. The cooler temperatures and minimal wind allow water to soak deeply into the soil without much evaporation. Also, during this window, there's not as much demand for water on municipal systems, which can impact pressure.
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.
How many minutes should I run my sprinkler per zone? ›
In the late spring, rotor irrigation zones typically need to run 30-45 minutes per zone, and spray irrigation zones typically need to run 8-12 minutes. We recommend watering 2-3 days a week during late spring. In mid to late summer with extreme heat, your lawn will need more water.
How much water does a sprinkler use in 30 minutes? ›
The average system uses approximately 15-16 gallons per minute, per station. Here is an easy formula to help you calculate the approximate amount of water you are using each month.
Is it OK to water lawn at 2am? ›
It's a common belief that watering your grass at night will save you water and allow the water to soak into the ground more. However, the opposite turns out to be true. Watering at night can promote ideal conditions for fungal growth.
How early should I start sprinklers? ›
The ideal time to water, therefore, is early in the morning between 4 am and 8 am. Your lawn will have time to absorb the moisture deep down to promote root growth, but will not be too damp by dark that it encourages fungus and other problems. The number of hours of continuous wetness should be kept to a minimum.
How hot is too hot to water the lawn? ›
Is it OK to water the lawn in very hot weather? Yes, it's acceptable to water the lawn in very hot weather, but you should try to water between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. for best results. However, watering when the temperature is above 95 degrees is ineffective.
How long should I run my sprinklers per zone? ›
In the late spring, rotor irrigation zones typically need to run 30-45 minutes per zone, and spray irrigation zones typically need to run 8-12 minutes. We recommend watering 2-3 days a week during late spring. In mid to late summer with extreme heat, your lawn will need more water.
What is the best time of the day for irrigation? ›
The best time to water is in the early morning hours. Allow 30 to 60 minutes between watering cycles so water has a chance to soak in the soil. The heavier the soil, the longer the soak time needed. As water needs increase, don't add time to the cycles, or you will get runoff.
At what temperature will most sprinklers be activated? ›
An automatic sprinkler is typically activated when the temperature reaches within the range of 135-165 degrees Fahrenheit, saturating the fire below it. Sprinkler heads have a small glass plug containing a glycerin-based, colored liquid that expands with temperature.
What to do before turning on sprinklers? ›
Close off the sprinkler valve. Next, check all sprinkler heads to make sure that there is no debris clogging them and that there is no damage. Open the main valve—slowly. If you quickly turn on your lawn sprinkler, you'll be releasing too much air pressure and water into the sprinkler system.
