Thursday, July 2, 2020 | noon
Soaring summer temperatures may entice you to water your landscape more than necessary. Err on the side of conservation to keep your yard healthy and to ensure you’re following the mandatory seasonal watering restrictions. Plants, shrubs and trees need less water than grass, and how you set your irrigation system can make the difference between having a water-smart, or water-wasting yard. The Southern Nevada Water Authority offers landscape irrigation tips to help you hydrate correctly and conserve water during each season. Visit snwa.com for additional suggestions, a plant search tool and helpful how-to videos.
Summer watering restrictions
Until September. 1, landscape watering is prohibited from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. when temperatures soar and winds are stronger. Sunday watering is never allowed. Southern Nevadans can save billions of gallons of water each year by following the mandatory seasonal watering restrictions.
Lighten up on plants, trees and shrubs
Running drip irrigation for too many days is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Plants don’t need as much water as grass, so lighten up on the watering. In the summer, run drip irrigation three days a week for a single long cycle, depending upon how much water your emitters drip. High-flow emitters tend to stream water while low-flow emitters drip water slowly. Follow this guide:
High-flow emitter 5-20 gph* 1 cycle 20-40 minutes/cycle
Low-flow emitter Up to 4 gph* 1 cycle 30-90 minutes/cycle
Most drip emitters have the gallons per hour (gph) printed on them.The higher the gph, the less time you need to run your drip irrigation system.
Water grass in shorter sips
Use the “cycle and soak” method to irrigate grass. Sprinklers should run for three short cycles each watering day. Run the short cycles about an hour apart so the water soaks down into the soil, reaching deeper roots while helping prevent wasteful water runoff. SNWA recommends the following “cycle and soak” schedule for summer, fall and spring:
Watering 1: 5 a.m. for 4 minutes
Watering 2: 6 a.m. for 4 minutes
Watering 3: 7 a.m. for 4 minutes
In winter, follow the same time intervals, just start later in the morning to avoid freezing. For example, water at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Don’t fear your clock!
Irrigation controllers (also known as sprinkler clocks) can be intimidating, but a simple internet search of the make and model of your controller will likely result in plenty of helpful videos to get you on your way. Keep an eye on your yard and adjust your watering as needed. Sprinklers and drip irrigation need to run on different programs of your clock because they require different types of watering.
Set Program A for sprinklers and grass areas, which run frequent, short cycles on your assigned watering days. Set Program B for drip irrigation, which runs in longer cycles but on fewer days each week.
Remember to adjust your watering days and times to comply with the seasonal watering restrictions and to avoid a water waste fine. Find your watering days at snwa.com.
Get a smart irrigation controller
Keep landscape irrigation simple — upgrade to a smart irrigation controller, which can automatically adjust to weather conditions and is easily programmed via your mobile device. SNWA offers a rebate of 50% off the purchase price up to $100. Visit snwa.com for details.
Report Water Waste
When you see water flowing into the street or spraying off a property, you can help. Reporting water waste allows local water utilities to inform the property owner of the water waste violation. If the property is a frequent water waster, they may receive a water waste fee. Check with your water provider about how to report water waste in your area.
More tips to stay Water Smart
• Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda, require about one-third less water.
• If you have rotating sprinklers, water for 12 minutes each watering, rather than 4 minutes.
• Don’t water when it’s windy or rainy.
• Modify spray patterns from sprinkler heads by readjusting for better direction or installing variable arc nozzles.
• Check your sprinkler system for malfunctions monthly.
