When to water?

[KahanaReef]

Hey everyone I live in So-Cal (high desert) and I would like to know when I should turn the sprinklers on, at night or during the day or both? And for how long. It has been at least 90degrees or better the last few weeks and I have noticed the grass becoming a little more crispy, just wanted some suggestions~Chris

Early morning. I have mine set to go off at 5:00 am for 10 minutes. Depends on your water pressure and how your sprinklers are set up. You want the soil moist but not puddled.

For the last 5 days or so, we've been putting up a new privacy fence and had the lumber sitting on the front lawn. I turned the timer off so the sprinklers didn't go off, and in just that amount of time, our lawn is now a bit crispy too.

But, it will be back to normal in a few days It's been hot!

[67CamaroRSSS]

Crispy? Try growing a lawn here in Phoenix. It's been over 100 during the day (mid-70's at night though) for the last 2 weeks already. I gave up the front yard and did "desert landscaping" (read: rock and cactus). I still water the back yard cuz I have plants as well as half a lawn, mostly around the cool deck of the pool (balance is rock).

I find that late evening to early morning (or anywhere in between) works just fine. Like hamburger68 stated, water it during the day and it's like puting a magnifying glass on the blades of grass.

[Nhra Firebird]

I water my lawn when i get home from the bars... usually around 2:30 in the morning

[redracer1]

Use what we call a cycle/soak system.
Start by watering 7 days per week
Set each station for 10min.
Set your overall % at 50% so you'll water each for 5min.
Program your start times for 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am for a total of 20min.
Thats your cycle/soak 5min every 2 hrs.
Check the lawn in the morning to how wet it is. adjust your % up or down depending on how damp it is and what it looks like before sundown.
Fertilizer is key to healthy lawn and use less water. Use a 1:1:1 ratio of Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium like a 15-15-15. Use a granulated Sulfur in the spring will also balance out your PH in the soil and make all your water and fertilizer work much better.
Over time try taking out a days watering perferabley a weekend day so you can watch it. You'll save water and money.
As it gets hotter just turn up the % it's that easy and down as it gets cooler.
As you get closer to fall and winter lower the % and remove days but keep your base program then just ramp it back up as you start the spring and summer.

[clg82]

No more than an hour, twice a week, in the early morning.

Is that enough for 90 degree heat all summer every day?

[clg82]

Use what we call a cycle/soak system.
Start by watering 7 days per week
Set each station for 10min.
Set your overall % at 50% so you'll water each for 5min.
Program your start times for 12am, 2am, 4am, 6am for a total of 20min.
Thats your cycle/soak 5min every 2 hrs.
Check the lawn in the morning to how wet it is. adjust your % up or down depending on how damp it is and what it looks like before sundown.
Fertilizer is key to healthy lawn and use less water. Use a 1:1:1 ratio of Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium like a 15-15-15. Use a granulated Sulfur in the spring will also balance out your PH in the soil and make all your water and fertilizer work much better.
Over time try taking out a days watering perferabley a weekend day so you can watch it. You'll save water and money.
As it gets hotter just turn up the % it's that easy and down as it gets cooler.
As you get closer to fall and winter lower the % and remove days but keep your base program then just ramp it back up as you start the spring and summer.

Thanks for the input, I also forgot to tell everyone that I have dogs as well, but since fertilizing, they haven't torn up the grass nearly as much from running back and forth like idiots. And if I turn on the sprinklers during the day the dogs try to eat the sprinkler heads so it has to be during the night or early morning.~Chris

[redracer1]

Thanks for the input, I also forgot to tell everyone that I have dogs as well, but since fertilizing, they haven't torn up the grass nearly as much from running back and forth like idiots. And if I turn on the sprinklers during the day the dogs try to eat the sprinkler heads so it has to be during the night or early morning.~Chris

Glad I could help, dont worry about the over night watering, just fertilize it about every three weeks that should combat any disease pressure. For the dogs use a hose and flush the pee spots by flooding them that should help.

I'm a golf course Superintendent btw. pm me if you need any other help.

[clg82]

Glad I could help, dont worry about the over night watering, just fertilize it about every three weeks that should combat any disease pressure. For the dogs use a hose and flush the pee spots by flooding them that should help.

I'm a golf course Superintendent btw. pm me if you need any other help.

Thanks again for the help~Chris

[Y2KSS1363]

Here in SoCal we're on mandatory water rationing. My address ends in an odd number, so my watering days are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only, no watering on Sunday allowed. Watering is supposed to be not more than 15 minutes.

My front yard is nearly square, about 50 x 50 feet. I have two rainbirds at opposite corners pointing at each other, there's a small overlap in the middle. I have to run for about two hours to get a good amount of water on the lawn. I usually water once a week, twice if the weather gets real hot. I have to turn the water on an off manually, don't have a timer. I hope the water cops don't get after me for having the sprinklers on too long.

[SiggyZ]

You're better off watering in cooler temps, morning or evening. Watering during the hottest point in the day, can damage your grass.

[langss]

When I had a lawn,I watered at night when I got home from work.I never had a problem with any kind of mold or disease and everybody is a asleep so nobody is watching.I work days now so its dead weeds and I only have to mow it when it looks really bad.Don't ya just love living in So.Cal.

[KahanaReef]

Here in SoCal we're on mandatory water rationing.

That is why I cut my time down to 10 minutes

But, it seems to be doing well for now. Later on in summer may be a different story though

[Sarge]

Early morning. Water at night and you create mold in your grass.