Irrigation and climate

The general target most landscapes need is about an inch of water a week including rainfall, but that's an average across a year, not a fixed weekly instruction. Actual demand swings enormously between a cool wet May and a hot windy August, which is precisely the gap a weather-based controller closes.

The savings are documented. EPA WaterSense estimates that replacing a standard clock timer with a WaterSense labeled controller can save an average home up to 15,000 gallons a year, and that if every U.S. home with automatic sprinklers used one, the country could save 390 billion gallons and $4.5 billion in water costs annually.

On restrictions, we won't tell you your rule and neither should any national site. Drought stages, permitted watering days, allowed hours and exemptions for new plantings are set by your city, water district or state and are revised as conditions change. Find your water provider's conservation page, and check whether restrictions are currently in effect before you program anything.

Climate-appropriate planting does more than any controller. WaterSense's landscaping guidance emphasizes choosing regionally appropriate plants, grouping plants with similar water needs into separate hydrozones — turf and shrubs should always be on different zones — and mulching 3 to 4 inches deep to slow evaporation.

How to choose

Find your provider's current drought stage

Search your water utility or district's conservation page. Stages change mid-season and the rules are legally enforceable in many places.

Let weather data drive the schedule

A WaterSense labeled weather-based or soil-moisture controller adjusts automatically. EPA estimates up to 15,000 gallons a year saved per home versus a clock timer.

Separate turf and shrub hydrozones

WaterSense is explicit that these have different water needs and should never share a zone.

Mulch 3 to 4 inches

WaterSense's recommended depth to cut evaporation and stretch the time between waterings.

Ask about rebates before buying a controller

EPA's rebate finder lists utility programs, but EPA doesn't provide rebates itself — contact your water provider directly.