Set your water sprinkler timer to water between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

• Check for broken and/or misaligned sprinkler heads after mowing. (Be sure that you are not watering the building, driveway, sidewalks or street).
• Repair or replace damaged sprinkler components with original parts.
• Use DRIP IRRIGATION to water trees, shrubs, and landscape beds.
• Level all sprinkler heads to grade to prevent spray blockage or tripping hazards.
• Fine tune watering times for each station to account for different watering requirements due to exposure, shade, sprinkler output, and plant requirements.
• Water deeply but infrequently to develop deep root structure.
• To eliminate runoff, cycle your sprinkler timer for graduated start times to allow water absorption - i.e. 3 cycles of 5 minutes instead of one 15 minute cycle.
• Develop a separate watering schedule for trees, shrubs and flowerbeds.
• Amend soils with organic materials to encourage better water absorption and storage.
• Mulch beds and trees with organic or inorganic materials to reduce moisture evaporation from soil by up to 50%.
• Choose drought tolerant or native plants which require less water to maintain.
• Avoid over-fertilizing which creates excessive growth and water needs.
• Use slow-release fertilizers in the spring/summer and quick release fertilizer in the fall.
• Adjust mowing heights of grass in the summer to:
  • Bermuda grass - 1 1/2"
  • Zoysia - 2"
  • Fescue, St. Augustine and Buffalo grass - 3"