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Irrigation advice
Posted on 10/22/18 at 5:44 am
Posted on 10/22/18 at 5:44 am
Two weeks ago I got on YouTube and figured out how to run an irrigation system. It has 3 zones with 4 heads per zone and rolls pretty good. My question is how much are you guys watering established lawns in south la and as it gets colder are you all slacking off? I am currently running one zone at a time starting at 4:30 am every Monday Wednesday and Friday for 10 minutes per zone
Posted on 10/22/18 at 9:11 am to kennahbra
I let the turf tell me what to do. Water deeply, and infrequently. 10 min per zone could be too much, but more than likely too little...depends on what size nozzle you installed on the heads.
Posted on 10/22/18 at 11:24 am to kennahbra
Figure out how much water is being put down in 10 minutes by either putting 3 or 4 cups on the grass and see how much water is collected in each and average that out. Or your heads have a precipitation rate associated with them and you can do the math. Here is an article. You should water less often and for a longer period to encourage deeper root growth but you don't want to water so long that you have runoff. It will take some observation and trail & error to find the right amount of time. In general, a total of 1" per week is what you want to put down but you need to subtract whatever rainfall you get from that 1".
LSU Ag Center article on how much to water
LSU Ag Center article on how much to water
This post was edited on 10/22/18 at 4:05 pm
Posted on 10/22/18 at 11:38 am to kennahbra
Which videos did you use? I'm interested in doing the same.
Posted on 10/22/18 at 3:23 pm to kennahbra
Are they spray or rotary? If Spray that's likely enough if rotary not enough for summer but plenty for now.
In the summer I was going T TH S because those were the days that was easiest for me to turn them off if it didn't need it.
I have all spray heads so the entire area is sprayed every second. Rotary sprays mush less water per second per area as they cover more ground so you need more time.
With spray heads I'd cycle the zones once through for 5 minutes then come back for 10-15 minutes more. Not sure if that was necessary as just doing 15 minutes is likely fine. But that was plenty.
As said, you want to water just enough for your grass to not start wilting before the next water. Don't over water or they won't grow as long of roots. But honestly don't sweat it too much its not that hard.
In the summer I was going T TH S because those were the days that was easiest for me to turn them off if it didn't need it.
I have all spray heads so the entire area is sprayed every second. Rotary sprays mush less water per second per area as they cover more ground so you need more time.
With spray heads I'd cycle the zones once through for 5 minutes then come back for 10-15 minutes more. Not sure if that was necessary as just doing 15 minutes is likely fine. But that was plenty.
As said, you want to water just enough for your grass to not start wilting before the next water. Don't over water or they won't grow as long of roots. But honestly don't sweat it too much its not that hard.
Posted on 10/22/18 at 8:32 pm to LEASTBAY
Here are videos I used:
wire timer to manifold
how to install manifold
directions from rainbird
I did a 3 zone system...two of the zones have 4 32sa rotary heads at the four corners and cover whole yard across front. Then I used the 1800 series spray heads to cover the two sides of my house (3 heads one side two on the other but connected to single zone). I used 400 ft of 3/4" pvc pipe total to run the system. Was not a hard job took me a couple days but i was one man with some help can do it in a day hardest part for me was that I had to tunnel under a 4' walkway 3 times!! Twice for water pipes and once for power from wifi controller to valve manifold
wire timer to manifold
how to install manifold
directions from rainbird
I did a 3 zone system...two of the zones have 4 32sa rotary heads at the four corners and cover whole yard across front. Then I used the 1800 series spray heads to cover the two sides of my house (3 heads one side two on the other but connected to single zone). I used 400 ft of 3/4" pvc pipe total to run the system. Was not a hard job took me a couple days but i was one man with some help can do it in a day hardest part for me was that I had to tunnel under a 4' walkway 3 times!! Twice for water pipes and once for power from wifi controller to valve manifold
This post was edited on 10/22/18 at 8:35 pm
Posted on 10/22/18 at 8:45 pm to kennahbra
Don't irrigate!!! It cost money in a higher water bill. And the worst part is it will make your lawn grow faster. Which means you will have to mow more frequently. Just a lose-lose situation.
Posted on 10/24/18 at 11:12 am to omegaman66
Well there's an interesting response.
1) it's already done, I am just looking for best way to set the rotors
2) it wont cost any more money in water. I was already watering with above ground sprinklers. The benefit of this is that its automatic so takes none of my time and can run early in morning before daylight which is better for the grass
3) during peak season I cut every 3 to 4 days. It's what it takes to have a beautiful lawn
1) it's already done, I am just looking for best way to set the rotors
2) it wont cost any more money in water. I was already watering with above ground sprinklers. The benefit of this is that its automatic so takes none of my time and can run early in morning before daylight which is better for the grass
3) during peak season I cut every 3 to 4 days. It's what it takes to have a beautiful lawn
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