1986 Irrigation Schedules
April
Hi, all you mad waterers ... Guess what it is time to stop watering and man, LET'S IRRIGATE!
Statistics have shown that you homeowners waste more of that water than anyone. I know how we love to sip on a beer and water the yard or how some of you want to just water every day because if you feel hot, then your plants must be hot.
Well, let's change that attitude. Let's learn how to be residential farmers and control our watering like we control our diets. I'm going to give you some simple watering ideas in the hopes they will save you time, effort, and most important-money.
Let's learn to water by temperature and by the season, and not what we've been told to do by every Tom, Dick, and Harry. Plants start to expire their water when the ground temperature reaches 65- 85 degrees. At that time we will start irrigating. It is also important to remember that the longer dryout time between irrigations will increase your plant's root zone area. The ground dries, causing water levels to lower making those roots fight and go deeper for water. By doing that, your plants will become more drought tolerant and therefore they will be on a diet and take only what they need, eliminating waste.
Let's say that in Contra Costa County during April and May, the temperature fluctuates between 65-85 degrees. You'd want to water your lawn 30-45 minutes every 5th day, depending upon your system. If you live on a hill, you may want to water 10 minutes on----30 minutes off, repeatedly, 3 to 4 times. If you come across a dry area in your lawn, hand water with a sprinkler. It is easier to water one dry spot than to turn on the whole system and waste all that water.
Established landscapes (not lawns) might need heavy irrigation every 15 days. Follow same instructions for lawns. Remember, plants like deep irrigation, not just a little sprinkle here and there. Lawns need more, landscape doesn't.
If you are satisfied with your lawn and you feel that your watering habits are good, stay with them! But always say to yourself, "Can I go one day less?" Let's remember that less watering, now, means deeper roots and a better fight when the heat is on. If you have any questions, just ask THE HAPPY GARDENER.
July
Your lawn sprinkler system should be checked bi-weekly because it is mechanical and can get out of adjustment.
For the next 90 days it is favorable to water your lawns every third day. Two days off, one day on and add 5 minutes to your watering time. This should work on all lawns except those that might have and irrigation problem.
All you residential farmers should have a manual aerator and a garden hose sprinkler to deal with the dry areas. And man, use them! Remember no watering between summer peak hours--11:00 AM - 7:00 PM. It will keep your water bill lower and you will not get the water vapor syndrome which can cause diseases, sunburn and stress to your lawn. As always, if you have any questions, please contact THE HAPPY GARDENER.
October
This is the time of year to start reducing irrigation time. Here is a schedule for you to follow for the next 30-45 days:
For those who watered:
a) every day-now change that to every other day
b) every other day-now change that to 2 days off, 1 day on
c) every third day-now change that to 3 days off, 1 day onKeep the same amount of watering time. For those of you with special programs I will notify you for your changes. Landscape areas can be watered every 5th day.
December
We will water lawns once every 7 days for 30 minutes and we will turn off all landscape water for the entire winter except for isotoma, which will follow the same schedule as the lawns. Now watch your T.V. weatherman. When Contra Costa County has received one inch of rainwater we will shut all systems off, including lawns.
1987 Irrigation Schedules
January
Hooray! Contra Costa County has received its 2 inches of rainfall. Now we can all save money by turning off our irrigation for the next 90 days, and I mean OFF. The only time you will water will be when I leave you instructions to do so on one of our door tags. Now let's remember we are responsible residential farmers.
February
Well did you have your irrigation off for the whole month? Your January water bill should be the lowest ever. If you think its not such a big deal, ask your neighbors and see how much they watered during January, and I bet your watering time was less. We're going to enforce a basic rule: During the winter months, we will water lawn s for 30-45 minutes, only if we do not have rain within 13 days. There is no reason at any time to water the landscape during the winter since those plants have deeper roots. Isn't this fun?
March
Now we've gone 60 days into the year without watering, so let's go another 30. March doesn't have a lot of rain but we do have low temperatures. Plants will expire their water at a slower rate which will encourage deeper roots. If you feel you need to water, call first.
May
Those of you whose clocks I've personally set-leave them alone. Those of you who are doing your own successfully, I'd like to give you the setting for May and June:
- Irrigate lawns every 5th day, once that evening and again the next morning. Put isotoma on a lawn schedule. Put all other landscape on a ten day schedule.
- Popups or standard sprinkler heads need a minimum of 20 minutes running time. Impulse or birds need a minimum of 30 minutes running time, so let's all get away from this 5 minute watering habit.
- In general, most yards went through this hot spell very well.
July
Let's talk irrigation for July and August. It is a pretty well known fact that Contra Costa County will receive its hottest temperatures within the next 60 days. During this time we will be consuming the most of our irrigation water, but then again not wastefully. There will be two settings for you to choose from. For the Residential Farmer who is stretching his or her irrigation water to the maxmum, follow this setting:
- Water lawns every 4th day for 15 minutes at 8:00 PM and then water again for 15 minutes the very next morning at 4:00 AM.
- For landscape, water once a week for 25 minutes at 8:00 PM and then water again for 25 minutes at 4:00 the next morning.
For Residential Farmers who feel they need more water, follow this schedule:
- Water lawns every 3rd day (using the same procedure as above).
- For landscape, water every 5th day on a 20 minute schedule, night and morning.
We are going to enforce a basic rule: When daytime temperatures exceed 101 degrees, water the lawn for 10 minutes that evening. This is to replace the water that your lawn has lost through transpiration. Let's remember to keep your eye on your irrigation and check for such things as clogs and adjustments.
August
Keep your lawn and yard watering schedule as is. If there is anyone having problems, please call immediately so we can correct it before the August summer heat is on.
October
Please take one day off of the landscape areas and leave the lawns as is, for they will make their adjustments after the first rain.
November
Lawns- If you have pop-ups, change the running time to 25 minutes and if you have impulse or birds, change the running time to 30 minutes. Fingerheads need a running time of 35 minutes. We will irrigate lawns every 5th day. Put isotoma on the same schedule. If it rains that week, then don't irrigate.
Landscape area- The watering time is the same as the lawns, but instead we will irrigate every 10th day. Those of you on a hill and those who want to control run-off may want to cut the watering time in half and run it twice instead. No Nighttime Watering.
When the yellow tag says, "Water", be sure to water because it's part of a treatment.
December
All systems off! It's winter and there is no need to waste the water. All we need to do is remember the Golden Rule For Lawns: "If 10 days pass without any rain during the month of December, irrigate Lawns Only for 30 minutes. To control run-off, cut the time in half and run it twice. Like always, put isotoma on the same schedule." Remember, when the yellow tag says, "Water", be sure to water because it is part of a treatment.
1988 Irrigation Schedule
January
All systems off! The rains are regular and the amount we are getting is going down deep. Check all potted plants, especially ones underneath eaves to see if they need a a drink, then hand water them. Do not waste water by turning on the irrigation system.
February
Keep the system off! We made it through Dec. and Jan. without turning on tb e water, so let's do the same for Feb. Remember to hand water those plants underneath the eaves. Water lawns for 20 minutes ONLY if a 13 day stretch passes without any rain. Turn offthe panic button! If your neighbor tells you to water, don't follow that advice. We'retrying to get those roots down deep now, so we will have a better fight when the heat is on during the summer.
March
February's lack of rain allowed the lawn and landscape to put down deeper roots. Too many of you turned on the irrigation unnecessarily so let's try to break that habit before summer arrives. Water lawns and isotoma for 25 minutes every 8th day if we don't have rain. The landscape areas can remain dry.
April
Due to drought, we have developed anew system for watering the yard. We will cut our time into 3 parts. For example: if you water lawns for 24 min, divide that by 3 and water for the first 8 min. at 1:00 A.M., the second 8 min. at 2:00 A.M. and the third 8 min. at 3:OOA.M. This allows our clay soils to absorb the water and eliminates runoff. Since most people water between 4-6 am, these wee morning hrs. will allow you to receive greater water pressure. Put isotoma on the same schedule.
April Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), every 5th day.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Water the landscape for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 15th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
The first three apply to lawns only.May
Follow the same April schedule. Continue to cut the watering time into 3 parts. Those who prefer to using the clock's manual setting have the option of adding or skipping a day according to the condition of your yard.
June Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), every 5th day.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
The first three apply to lawns only.
July Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 1-2 hours per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.When daytime temperatures exceed 100 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
August Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), 3 times weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Water the landscape for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals) every 7th day.September
It turned out that august was cooler than we expected. Hopefully Sept. will continue the trend. Follow the August Schedule and if the cooler weather persists it's perfectly ok if you choose not to water that one extra day. Eliminate evaporation and water at night if you can.
October Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 39 min. (3, 13 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.November
Follow the October Schedule. Be wise; if it rains, don't irrigate until 2 or 3 days afterward. When we receive 2" of rain, we'll shut off all the irrigation until spring. If 10 days pass without any rain, go ahead and water the entire yard.
December
The rainy season is upon us and it's now time to begin our Deep Root Program. Turning off the irrigation allows our plants to dry out and forces them to grow deeper roots as they search for water. Follow this basic rule: If a 10 day stretch passes without any rain, water the lawns for 15 min. If there's no rain for 20 days, water the landscape for 20 minutes.
1989 Irrigation Schedule
January
All systems off! If a 10 day stretch passes without any rain, water your lawns for 15 min. and if there's no rain for 20 days then water lawns for 20 minutes. If you're afraid to go that 10-20 day stretch, take a shovel and dig up some soil. You'll find that it's full of moisture. The sun's warmth just isn't drying out the ground like it did during the summer. Let's encourage deep root systems that will give the plants the edge they'll need if the drought goes into its 3rd year and we're faced with consumption cutbacks.
February
All systems off! This allows the plants to dry out and forces them to grow deeper roots as they search for water. If a 10 day stretch passes without any rain, water your lawns for 20 min. and if there's no rain for 20 days then water the landscape for 20 minutes. Use some some "Gardening Sense" and create similar conditions to live roots living in the shade. Hang a soaking wet towel on a tree branch in the shade. You'll be amazed that the towel barely ever dries, but it will dry out quicker than the roots because it gets more air circulation.
March
All systems off! If a 10 day stretch passes without any rain, water your lawns for 15 min. and if there's no rain for 20 days then water the landscape for 20 minutes.
April
Last April we began to cut our watering time into 3 parts. This year we'll do the same. For example: If you water lawns for 24 min., divide that by 3 and water for the first 8 min. at 1:00 A.M., the second 8 min. at 2:00 A.M. and the third 8 min. at 3:00 A.M. This allows our clay soils to absorb the water and eliminates runoff. Most people tend to water between 4:00-6:00 A.M. You'll receive better pressure if you water during the wee morning hours instead. In some cases you may have to run it manually. We urge our newer Residential Farmers to abandon their old irrigation habits and start to follow our Water Mgmt. Program closely. This is offered to you for free, and in the end will save your lawn and landscape.
April Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3,12 min. intervals), every 10th day.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Water the landscape for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 15th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.May
Choose and set your clock accordingly. The first schedule is for for those who want to continue stretching their water use a little farther and the second one if for those who need to use a little more. Call THG if you'd like us to set your clock and ring your irrigation heads.
May Schedule 1
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), every 5th day.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Water the landscape for 45 niin. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day
The first three apply to lawns only.
May Schedule 2
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.June
We'll be watering a little more often this month. Remember to divide your watering time into thirds. For example: If you're watering for 24 min., water for 8 min. at 1:00 A.M., the 2nd 8 min. at 2:00 A.m. and the 3rd 8 min. at 3:00 A.M. In some cases you may need to operate your clock manually. Minimize evaporation and receive the best pressure by irrigating during the late evening or early morning hours. If you cannot see your sprinkler heads then we must assume they aren't hitting their target areas. Clean the sprinkler heads and cut around them with your weed eater to expose them.
When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 6 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
June Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.July
July is one of our warmest months. This time we can use a little more water than last year, so again,there are 2 schedules to choose from. Start with Schedule 1 and switch toSchedule2 when the days become hotter. Help minimize evaporation and receive the best pressure by irrigating during the late evening or early morning hours. Check your lawn and landscape sprinklers for adjustments. Call THG and we will check the system for you.
When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
July Schedule 1
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 rain. intervals) twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.
July Schedule 2
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 27 min. (3, 9 min. intervals), 3 times weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run drip 1-2 hr-s. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.August
This August we can give our lawns more water than we did last year and still remain within EBMUD's guidelines. I'm still coming across clocks that haven't been set. Call if you need assistance.
You must ring your irrigation heads. "Ringing" is simply taking your weedeater and cutting the grass around the sprinkler heads and giving them a ring shape. The heads on the edge ofthe lawn should have a half ring and the heads in the lawn should have a full ring. The diameter should be approx. 6- 8" to allow the sprinkler head to pop up without interference.
When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
August Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 27 min. (3, 9 min. intervals), 3 times weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.SEPTEMBER
August was cooler than expected. Hopefully Sept. will continue the trend. It's perfectly fine to water less if you can. To eliminate evaporation, all irrigation should occur at night. When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
September Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Run Impacts orbirds for 27 min. (3, 9 min. intervals), 3 times weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly.
Water the landscape for 30 rain. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.OCTOBER
October's cooler climate allows us to begin cutting back our water use so please follow the schedule as closely as possible.
October Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hn. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.November
Turn your clock off for 5 days after a good strong rain. When our county receives 2" of rain, we'll turn off the clocks more frequently. However, when we leave you a yellow tag with instructions to water, then do so. Remember, overwatering encourages rust in the lawns and mildews in the landscape.
November Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 15 min. (3, min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run Impacts or Birds for 21 min. (3, 7 min. intervals), twice weekly.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 21 min. (3, 7 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hri. per week.
the first three apply to lawns onlyDecember
All systems off! The rainy season and the cool temps will keep the ground from drying out. Let's take advantage of this and save the water for when we really need it. Longer dryout periods between irrigations encourages our plants to grow deeper roots as they search for water. Avoid making your grounds muddy. The only times you'll need to water are when we leave you a yellow tag instructing you to do so or if there's been a lack of rainfall.
If a 10 day stretch passes without any rain, water lawns for 10 minutes. If 15 days pass without any rain, water the landscape for 15 minutes.