Ordinances and Resources

• Before designing a sprinkler system and creating a watering schedule, check local ordinances for water restrictions and watering guidelines. Municipalities may have specific settings residents must use for sprinkler and irrigation systems. Officials also may have detailed information about weather conditions and lawn and garden watering needs.
  
  

Design a System

• Ideally, the sprinkler system would be designed and installed with the landscaping, laying piping down before sod and plant materials are planted. If a sprinkler system is needed in an existing landscape, sod and possibly sections of walkway and landscaping must be dug up. Planning the design takes a little research on sprinkler manufacturer's websites or consultation with sprinkler system professionals. Getting two to three quotes on sprinkler systems will give you an idea of the best design for the location. Spray heads, rotor heads and drip systems all apply water differently and are suited to particular landscape watering situations. Generally, spray heads apply large amounts of water quickly and are best used with well-drained soil that can absorb water well, such as sand and sandy loam. Rotor heads are slower than spray heads, and their slower water application is suitable for all soil types. Drip irrigation is best for non-turf areas to apply water directly to the soil and avoid overwatering or water loss from spraying onto non-landscaped areas. A system with spray or rotor heads for lawn areas and drip irrigation for gardens, shrubs and trees will put water where needed in the most efficient way.
  
  

Timing and Timers

• Timing watering for the most efficient use of water and to avoid waste is important. Only water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. for maximum efficiency and to avoid wasting water from evaporation. Use a timer for automatic watering and set it correctly to water in the early evening or early morning--never at mid-day. Keep timer batteries fresh or use a solar-powered timer. Using a timer with a rain delay feature will save water by preventing sprinkler use during rainfall.
  
  

Water Application

• Sprinkler system owners should know how much water is applied each time the sprinklers go on, if the water is being applied evenly to the lawn and when the lawn needs water to plan efficient use of a sprinkler system--all part of an irrigation audit. Check the distribution uniformity by setting out four containers throughout the area to be watered and run sprinklers for 10 minutes. The water in all containers should be about the same. If not, the sprinkler system should be checked for damaged or clogged heads and heads that may be dispersing different amounts of water. Make adjustments and run the sprinkler system again until the water is being applied relatively evenly. Figure out how long to set the sprinklers. First, find the correct irrigation application for the site. This should be in the manual or on the manufacturer's website. Use this amount to test the system using the four containers. For example, if the irrigation application is half an inch of water per application, measure half an inch on the four containers, then run the sprinkler system and note how long it takes to reach the half-inch mark. The time it takes to reach the mark divided by three cycles is the amount to set the system to water in three cycles, one hour apart, to avoid runoff and allow for maximum absorption. Lastly, set up a watering schedule based on normal weather conditions for the area, and adjust as needed for warm temperatures or rainy conditions.
  
  

Maintain Sprinkler Systems

• Proper watering with sprinklers can be achieved through attention to detail and maintenance of sprinkler systems. Regularly check sprinkler heads for clogs and damage, test the timer monthly to ensure proper timing and water application, and adjust for abnormal weather conditions. Set a watering schedule and monitor it with a simple irrigation audit and log book for optimal performance and water use.