In-Ground Sprinkler Systems

[dmurray14]

Does anybody know what the best time to turn on the sprinkler system is? I have heard that it's best to do it during the night, but I've also heard dusk and dawn. When is the best time for the grass to be watered? Thanks...

Dan

Edit:

Also, how long should I run each zone for? Is it better to run them for a long time once per night, or shorter times a few times per night? Any general suggestions?

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: dmurray14
Does anybody know what the best time to turn on the sprinkler system is? I have heard that it's best to do it during the night, but I've also heard dusk and dawn. When is the best time for the grass to be watered? Thanks...

Dan

Either of those are fine, as long as the sun is beating on the water negating what you are trying to do. My parents do theres around 4-5 AM if that helps.

 

[Linflas]

I have always heard that morning is the best time to water a lawn. I think doing it in the evening promotes fungus and the like.

 

[Kelvrick]

I hear morning is best, but in the winter if you do it at night, the ice that forms protects the blades.

 

[bunker]

4-5am around 15-20 minutes per zone.

 

[TechnoKid]

early morning is best, or very late night when it has cooled a bit.

it best to water for long period because that way the roots will grow deeper, instead of being a surface feeder. shorter watering times make the roots closer to the surface.

I water my lawn for about 20-30 minutes every other day, average temp lately has been in the upper 80s.

also, watering when it is sunny out or when it is really hot can be bad for your grass. like someone mentioned, the sun will evaporate water when you water when the sun is out, and the heat will promote fungus and disease in the lawn.

 

[dmurray14]

Got it...

So I'm gonna say like 45 minutes per zone (they are pretty big zones) and with 9 zones, that should take almost 7 hours, so I'll start it at like midnight every night. Sound good?

 

[JC]

I think 45 minutes is too long. 15-20 minutes per zone is plenty. Any more and you'll have water running off down the street, wasted.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Morning.

 

[rh71]

I asked the irrigation guys that came to fix a bad zone once... they said twice a day, 15-20 minutes each zone, once in the morning (6am) and once after work (7pm).

Now, when do you start watering your lawn ? I haven't seen any neighbors start this season yet...

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: JC
I think 45 minutes is too long. 15-20 minutes per zone is plenty. Any more and you'll have water running off down the street, wasted.

Yeah, 45 minutes is like using a sledgehammer to hammer in a nail.

 

[Amorphus]

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: JC
I think 45 minutes is too long. 15-20 minutes per zone is plenty. Any more and you'll have water running off down the street, wasted.

Yeah, 45 minutes is like using a sledgehammer to hammer in a nail.

ARR ARR ARR 😀

 

[ElFenix]

just before the sun comes up. the plants don't really use much water when the sun isn't up, iirc my biology classes

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
just before the sun comes up. the plants don't really use much water when the sun isn't up, iirc my biology classes

Actually, they do most of there photosynthesizing when the sun is down. A lot of the plants that are used domestically have evolved to store the products from the light reactions, to do the dark reactions at night. C4 plants have evolved to do the C4 PAthway in the mesophyll cells, and the Calvin Cycle in the Bundle Sheath cells. They evolved to do this because of photorespiration where O2 and CO2 compete to bind to Rubisco. When the Calvin cycle is done at night, there are lower temperatures, which lowers the competitions between O2 and CO2.

 

[Mallow]

3-5AM!

 

[FreshCrabLegs]

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: dmurray14
Does anybody know what the best time to turn on the sprinkler system is? I have heard that it's best to do it during the night, but I've also heard dusk and dawn. When is the best time for the grass to be watered? Thanks...

Dan

Either of those are fine, as long as the sun is beating on the water negating what you are trying to do. My parents do theres around 4-5 AM if that helps.

Yep, this is true. Watering at night promotes pest growth. I'll look for a link or I'll get off my lazy arse and find then scan my Lawn Care Handbook. [Yep, I've got a handbook. 🙂]

G/L

 

[drnickriviera]

Every system is going to be different because evaporation rates are different. You need to find out what it is in your area. Then find out how much water you can put down. A rain gauge or a flat pan will do.