Irrigation

Irrigation systems make it easier, more efficient and less time consuming to water. Installed in zones (a group of irrigation heads or emitters), they are generally separated into categories: planting bed, seasonal container and lawn zones. Due to site variations and fluctuating weather conditions, there’s no true “set it and forget it” irrigation setting. The times listed below are guidelines. You should adjust to your specific landscape needs. Under certain conditions, weekly adjustments may be necessary.

SPRINKLER DEVICES

There are three main sprinkler devices in a sprinkler system.

Rotors: Shoots a direct stream.
Sprays: Sprays a fan-like pattern.
Low-Volume Emitters: Saturates the soil, commonly called a drip tube.

Irrigation system

ZONES & RUN TIMES

Rotor Zone: 12 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of shade, the soil conditions and drainage.

Spray Zones: 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of shade, the soil conditions and drainage.

Low-Volume Emitters: 30 to 90 minutes depending of the amount of shade, the soil conditions, drainage and the length of the runs.

SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS

Rice’s recommends using the seasonal adjustment feature on the controller to avoid both underwatering and overwatering. The following recommendations are for established plants —those older than two years. Newer plantings require much more frequent watering.

Lawn Zones

Month	Seasonal Adjust	Suggested Weekly Cycle
January	Timer off	Off
February	Timer off	Off
March	Timer off	Off
April	70%	Once every 4 days*
May	100%	Once every 4 days
June	100%	Once every 3 days
July	175%	Once every 3 days
August	175%	Once every 3 days
September	100%	Once every 4 days
October	70%	Once every 4 days*
November	Timer off	Off
December	Timer off	Off

*weather dependent

Bed Zones

Month	Seasonal Adjust	Suggested Weekly Cycle
January	Timer off	Off
February	Timer off	Off
March	Timer off	Off
April	100%	Once every 7 days*
May	100%	Once every 7 days
June	100%	Once every 4 days
July	175%	Once every 4 days
August	175%	Once every 4 days
September	100%	Once every 4 days
October	100%	Once
November	Timer off	Off
December	Timer off	Off

*weather dependent

WINTERIZATION

We recommend blowing out irrigation systems in the fall to remove the majority of water. If not, the remaining water won’t have enough room to expand, which can cause pipes to rupture and lead to costly repairs. If you intend to winterize your irrigation system yourself, use an air compressor set to 50 to 70 psi. Please note: The smaller the air compressor tank size, the longer this process will take.

Systems that are blown out in the fall will need checked and restarted in the spring once temperatures stay above freezing.

Rice’s Estate Landscape Management offers a full-service maintenance plan individualized for your needs. Contact us today to get started.