Seasonal irrigation guidance

Spring startup is more than turning a valve. Pressurize slowly, check every zone, look for winter damage at the backflow assembly and shallow heads, then set a schedule for actual spring conditions rather than restoring last August's program. Most of the season's waste is baked in during this one visit.

Summer is a programming problem. Landscapes generally need about an inch of water a week including rainfall, so schedules should step up and back down through the season. EPA WaterSense advises against midday watering, when much of the water evaporates before reaching the plants, and recommends cycle-and-soak — splitting a runtime into shorter intervals — on clay soils and slopes where water pools and runs off.

Fall winterization is the non-negotiable one in freezing climates. LawnStarter's per-zone pricing runs from about $50 to $75 for one or two zones up to $150 to $250 for seven or eight, and lists compressor rental at $30 to $60 a day for the DIY route. Be careful with DIY blowouts: compressed air at the wrong pressure damages heads and valves, and a hose or fitting failing under pressure is a genuine injury risk.

Some climates don't freeze, and there the seasonal work is different — schedule adjustment, checking for pressure changes, and staying current with local watering rules, which utilities and water districts change with drought conditions. Watering restrictions are local and can change mid-season, so check your own water provider rather than trusting a general guide.

How to choose

Book winterization before the first freeze forecast

Good contractors fill up in the two weeks before the first hard freeze. Schedule early rather than gambling on a warm October.

Reprogram at startup, don't restore

Spring conditions aren't August conditions. Restoring last year's schedule wastes water for six weeks.

Avoid midday watering

EPA WaterSense advises against it — much of the water evaporates before it reaches the roots.

Use cycle-and-soak on clay and slopes

Splitting a runtime into intervals lets water soak in instead of running off. WaterSense recommends it specifically for those conditions.

Check your utility's current restrictions

Watering rules are set by your local provider and change with drought conditions. Never assume last year's rule still applies.