The best time to water is between 2:00 AM and 7:00 AM.  This promotes a healthier lawn.  Watering during the heat of the day will heat your lawn up and burn the grass.  Watering between 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM tends to promote fungus growth and bug infestation.  Try to water your property before the sun comes up. 

How many days per week should I water?

There are many different soil conditions in southern Minnesota (sand, clay, loam, and let’s not forget bedrock) that you will need to pay close attention to.  It is best to water your lawn deeper (more) in a day but less frequently per week.  This promotes a thicker, healthier lawn.  Watering everyday is not good for your lawn as it creates root rot.  The roots of your grass won’t have a chance to grow deep and will look yellow (this yellow IS NOT DUE TO A LACK OF WATER.  IF YOUR LAWN IS YELLOW (not brown) DO NOT INCEREASE THE AMOUNT OF WATER GOING IN TO YOUR LAWN).  It is very important to watch your lawn and watering needs.

How long should I water a particular zone?

You have two main types of sprinklers in your yard:

1. Gear driven rotors that sweep back and forth.  These rotors apply on average 2 gallons of water per minute.  These sprinklers cover larger areas and take longer to sweep back and forth to cover that area.  On average you should water these zones between 30 and 45 minutes. (depending on location, soil, light, and weather conditions)
2. Fixed spray pop-ups which spray constantly in one direction.  These spray heads are actually throwing more water in a given minute than the gear driven rotors.  Spray heads apply an overage of 1.5 gallons of water per minute.  This is deceiving because the pattern of spray is fixed.  It is normally watering smaller areas on your property.  (like the area between your house and your neighbors house)  On average you should water these zones between 5 and 15 minutes. (Again depending on location, soil, light, and weather conditions)  THESE WATERING TIMES THAT WE SUGGEST ARE AVERAGES ONLY.  YOU WILL KNOW YOUR PROPERTY NEEDS BETTER THAT WE WILL, AND YOU SHOULD ADJUST TIMES AS NECESSARY

If an area of your yard looks dry, increase the amount of time on that zone or zones.  If it is soggy and wet, decrease the amount of time.  The same scenario will apply to high sun areas and shady areas.  We have supplied you with the information, now it is up to you to understand your property and get accustomed to it.  If we are called out to reset a clock or change the program there will be a service charge associated with the call.

Are my trees, shrubs, and perennials irrigated?

No!!  Unless specified by homeowner to do so during the initial sales call.  Some sprinkler heads may throw over a portion of your landscape to reach odd grass shapes.  Most sprinklers can be adjusted to cover some of your landscape, but it is not highly recommended.  Too much water will kill your trees, shrubs, and perennials.  You must talk to your landscaper about how to water in your specific area.  Sprinklerman is not liable for any dying of trees, shrubs, perennials, or annuals.

Why are my sprinklers throwing water on curbs, streets, and driveways?

We do this to cover curved or odd shaped driveways, streets and sidewalks to cover grass lines, and to cool down cement and tar.  If we adjust it to not throw on cement or tar, it will burn out along these edges, so a little water run off will occur, and is completely acceptable. 

How do I water new sod?

We set your controller to water new sod twice a day, everyday.  Once every morning and evening.  After 10-14 days, you should cut it back to once a day or every other day depending on soil conditions and how wet the ground is.  The grass needs to dry out a little bit so it can begin to root.  Talk to you sod company about what they require.  It is up to you to do this.  If we have to come out to adjust the controller, there will be a service charge.  If you don’t cut back on watering, your sod will not have a chance to root because of too much water.  Watch it closely!  Talk to your sod company, this is
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

How do I water new grass seed”

It is best to water grass seed 3 times per day but in VERY light amounts.  Keep the seeds moist, but not flooded.  Talk to the company that you bought seed from about what they require. 

Please refer to the Watering Card for more information on watering.

What are the green boxes in my yard?

These are where your sprinkler valves that actuate the flow of water to a particular zone are located.  These boxes give us access to the valves in the event of a malfunction to a particular zone or valve.  If you cover them up with dirt, sod, rock, mulch, or anything else, it makes it tougher to service your sprinkler system.  If they are covered you will be charged a fee for the time it takes us to find the box.  It is recommended that you do not cover them up.

Steps to take before scheduling a service call

If your system isn’t working, please try these steps first.

1. Make sure the water is on and both valves at the backflow are open to the irrigation system. (valve handles should be in line with the pipe, not perpendicular)  The backflow is generally located on the side of your house.  Homeowners should know where the backflow is located in the event you need to turn the water off.
2. Make sure the controller is plugged in and has power.  If it doesn’t, check the outlet for GFI reset buttons.  Reset and check the controller again for power. 
3. Check to see if the controller has a rain or weather sensor (it should).  If there is, and it has rained lately the system won’t run. 
4. Make sure the controller is not in the off position.
5. Make sure the controller is programmed correctly.
1. Time and date are set correctly.
2. Start time (when system is supposed to turn on) is set correctly.
3. Days when system is to run is set correctly
4. All zones have specified run times set correctly
6. Manually turn on a zone at the controller and walk out of the house or garage to see if it is running
7. Set up a start time at the time you are checking the controller to see if it will startup. 

These steps could save you money by not having us come out.  If these steps do not work we will be happy to come and fix the problem.  Call the office at 507.282.4400

Established Lawns:

Spring:

Summer:

As the summer days are longer and temperatures rise so should the amount of water you apply to your yard.  Add more run time to your zones, and if absolutely necessary add another day or two to the watering schedule (this is generally not recommended).  While we may be the experts on sprinkler systems, you are the expert on your own yard and its particular needs.

Rotor Zones: 45-60 minutes on average

Spray Zones:  10-20 minutes on average

Late summer/Early fall

Rotor zones: 25-30 minutes on average

Spray zones: 10-15 minutes on average

Newly Sodded Yards:

We set your controller to water new sod twice a day, everyday.  Once every morning and evening.  After 10-14 days, you should cut it back to once a day or every other day depending on soil conditions and how wet the ground is.  The grass needs to dry out a little bit so it can begin to root.  Talk to your sod company about what they require.  It is up to you to do this.  If we have to come out to adjust the controller, there will be a service charge.  If you don’t cut back on watering, your sod will not have a chance to root because of too much water.  Watch it closely!  Talk to your sod company, this is
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!

Newly Seeded yards:

It is best to water grass seed 3 times per day but in VERY light amounts.  Keep the seeds moist, but not flooded.  Talk to the company that you bought seed from about what they require.