Create a lush lawn, not a moat
Keeping your lawn well hydrated means it receives the nutrients it needs for proper growth and appearance. One of the best ways to save time and conserve water is to use a sprinkler system. If you’re new to using them or need a refresher, our guide will help you learn how to set a sprinkler timer. We’ll also provide tips to keep your sprinkler running well.
Your lawn requires frequent watering to strengthen roots and help the grass grow. As such, having a sprinkler system installed allows your lawn to receive the water it needs with minimal effort required on your part. Best of all, it distributes the water evenly for a more symmetrical appearance.
There are several ways you can go when considering a sprinkler system. The average sprinkler system installation cost is $2,540, but you can save money by building a DIY sprinkler system. Either way, you’ll need to examine the different types of sprinkler systems, such as:
Oscillating: applies water in a wave (back and forth motion)
Pulsating: whips water in a quick motion, covering a larger area
Traveling: a more expensive option that sends water back and forth evenly
Stationary: applies water in a circular pattern from a pole
Rotary: rotates and sprays water in a circular motion
Before learning how to set a sprinkler timer, let’s dig deeper into the different parts of the sprinkler system and their terminology.
The valve is the most important part of the sprinkler system, as it allows water to pass through or shuts it down. The valve receives a signal from the timer, directing it to open for water flow. When learning how to install a sprinkler system, create a map of all the valves on your property. That way, you can inspect them regularly to ensure they’re operating well.
The station is the section of valves controlled by the timer. On most sprinkler systems, each valve has its own station. However, on larger properties, it isn’t uncommon to find one station covering multiple valves. When setting up your timer, you’ll need to designate when to water specific zones. This is beneficial if you have a yard where some parts of the yard require more watering than shaded areas.
When you look at your sprinkler timer, you’ll notice programs. These programs remember when to water each zone and for how long. To demonstrate, you could set Zone A as your lawn, programming it to water two to three times weekly. Zone B could be your flowerbed, programmed to water once daily, and so on.
First, you’ll want to consult your sprinkler system manual to learn how to program the timer, as some directions might differ based on the type of system you have. Below is a general step-by-step guide on programming your sprinkler timers.
Start by making sure the time is right on your sprinkler timer. If it’s not right, consult with your owner’s manual to program the right time. If you don’t have the right time set up, the sprinkler timer will go by the time it has. Make sure to set the right time so that you don’t receive an unexpected cold shower while you’re sunbathing in the yard.
Next, set up which program (typically designated as A, B, or C) you want to do, these are the same no matter the sprinkler type you choose. After selecting the program, prompts will come up for the water schedule, days to water, start time, and how long to run each station.
Select the schedule function to choose which days you want to water that specific zone. To illustrate, if you set your lawn to the A program and want to water it on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you can specifically set these on the timer.
Next, select the start time for watering. The best time to water grass is early in the morning before the sun and heat evaporate it, so choose something like 5 a.m. Just make sure it’s at a time when no one will be in the yard to get soaked.
Now that you’ve chosen a time for your sprinkler to run, select how long you want the sprinkler to stay on, also known as run time. If you want to water your lawn for 30 minutes, you can program this into the timer. Keep in mind different kinds of grass and plants require differing amounts of water, so pay close attention to watering instructions and set your timer to coincide with them.
After you have selected the days to run, start time, and run times for your sprinkler system, you’re good to go. For the first few applications, check that the sprinkler’s operations coincide with the schedule you set. If all is well, congrats! You’ve successfully learned how to set a sprinkler timer.
There are several things you can do to maximize the use of your sprinkler system. The first is to install a freeze/rain sensor, which reads the weather and shuts off when the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or when it rains. You’ll also want to spot-check sprinkler heads every month or two and wipe away debris with a cloth.
Meanwhile, you’ll need to replace your sprinkler heads occasionally. For more affordable models, you might have to replace them every two to three years, while more expensive sprinkler head types can last upwards of 10 years.
Your local sprinkler installer can help you program your timer at the time of the installation. Meanwhile, if you bought a home with one installed, or you’re learning how to install a sprinkler system, you’ll need to learn which system and model you have, then consult with the guidelines offered by your manufacturer. Many of them have instructional videos online that can show you how it’s done.
Most grass needs a minimum of one inch of water per week. To determine how often to water your grass, start by setting your sprinkler system to run for 20 to 40 minutes in your lawn zones each week. After application, examine your grass to ensure the blades are green and lush. If not, it needs more water.
To test how much water your sprinkler applies, place a bowl in the zone you want to test and turn the sprinkler on for 30 minutes. After, turn off the sprinkler and measure the water in the bowl. If it’s less than half an inch of water, it means you need to water the area more (or increase the pressure of your sprinkler). If there’s more than half an inch of water, the opposite applies.
