January
With the fear of drought for 1990 we must always conserve water and we at THG make water management techniques one of our priorities. Even though Dec. didn't bring rain, we won't need to irrigate this month. The only times you'll need to water is when we leave you a yellow tag instructing you to do so or if you have potted plants under some eaves. If you start to panic, call THG. Remember, longer dryout periods between irrigations encourages our plants to grow deeper roots as they search for water and due to the cold temps, plants are absorbing water at a much lower rate.
February
All systems off! Jan. brought us some rain and hopefully Feb. will do the same. The only times you'll need to water is when we leave you a yellow tag instructing you to do so after a lawn feeding. Let's continue allowing our plants to grow deeper roots as they search for water.
March
All systems off! February produced a considerable amount of rain and March is usually counted on for one or two storms. Plus, the lawn fertilization and Pre-emergent application this month will require two separate irrigations, at least 2 weeks apart. One good rain should suffice for the landscape. I know it's hard to keep the water off. but let's do it for another month. Remember there's only enough water to use and not enough to waste.
April
We'll begin to water more frequently this month. First, check your irrigation for clogged heads and target adjustments. Ring the irrigation heads. Use your weed eater to cut around them and expose them. Call us whenever you have a question concerning irrigation. We're in your yard from season to season, we know the location of your plants, the type of irrigation you have and our Water Management Program has proven to be very successful over the years.
In April, water lawns once on a 7 day schedule. If temps exceed 82 degrees, water lawns for 6 min. that evening. Cutting our watering time into thirds allows our clay soils to absorb the water and eliminates runoff.
May
The 1st irrigation schedule is for those who want to continue stretching their water use and the other one is for those who feel they need to water more. Choose one and set your clock accordingly. Call if You want us to set your clock.
May Schedule 1
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 Min. (3, 12 min. intervals), every 5th day.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Water the landscape for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.
May Schedule 2
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts or Birds for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals), twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3,12min.intervals)once a week, Sat.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.
June Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 42 min. (3,14min.intervals) once a week, Sat.
Run drip 1-2 hrs.every 10th day.
the first three apply to lawns only.July
July is one of our warmest months so we can continue to expect high temps for the next 90 days. These schedules will allow you to water the yard properly and help keep your water cost down. We recommend that you try Schedule 1 for a week and if you feel like you need more water then switch over to Schedule 2. Help minimize evaporation and receive the best water pressure by irrigating during the late evening or early morning. When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
Last month I came across common irrigation problems that could have easily been prevented or solved by following these simple procedures. If you or your gardener cannot do them, give us a call. Set your irrigation clock according to the schedule. I came across too many "made up" schedules that won't work. This one works if you follow it. Ring your lawn irrigation heads. I've seen too many dry spots developing. If you don't see the head than don't assume the water is hitting its target area.
July Schedule 1
Run Pop-ups for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts or Birds for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals), twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) once weekly, Sat.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.
July Schedule 2
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Impacts or Birds for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals), 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues.. Fri.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) twice weekly.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.August
As you know, we're entering into one of our warmest months. The August schedule is designed to give our lawns and landscape more water.
When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 10 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
August Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Impacts or Birds for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals), 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
the first three apply to lawns only.September
August was cooler than expected and it was a pleasure. Hopefully Sept. will follow this pattern. If we have some cooler days and nights, simply water less. When daytime temperatures exceed 95 degrees, water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
September Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Impacts or Birds for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals), 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., Fri.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.October
October's cooler climate allows us to begin cutting back our water usage so please follow the schedule below as closely as possible.
October Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts or birds for 36 min. (3, 10 min. intervals), twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only.November
Turn your clock off for 5 days after a good strong rain. However, when we leave you a yellow tag with instructions to water, be sure to do so.
November Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 10 min. (2, 5 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon and Thurs.
Run Impacts or Birds for 24 min. (2, 12 min. intervals), twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Single and Multi Stream Rotors for 28 min. (2, 14 min. intervals)twice weekly,Mon and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) every 7th day.
Run drip 1-2 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns-onlyDecember
All systems off! The rainy season is here so there's no need to use any extra water. The winter's cold temps and whatever rainfall we may receive will keep our soils from drying out. Remember, longer dryoutperiodsbetweenirrigations encourages the plants to grow deeper roots as they search for water. Being responsible now will save your plants from having problems during the critical summer months. The only times you'll need to water are when we leave you a yellow tag instructing you to do so after a treatment. Let's all hope for plentiful rain in Dec.
1991 Irrigation Schedules
January
Keep the water off. The only time you'll need to water is when we leave you a yellow tag instructing you to do so after a treatment. Plants in pots or under eaves that haven't been rained on may need a drink.
February
As you know we are entering into our fifth year of drought. You should feel confident that the minimal water you're giving to your plants this winter will help them to develop a strong root system that they will need to depend upon when the heat is on in the summer.
Turn off the panic button! Remember, just because your neighbor is watering, doesn't mean that you need to and just because the soil is dry on top doesn't mean the soil is dry below. Check it out! Probe the soil 6" below the surface and you'll be amazed how wet it is.
We recommend that you water your entire yard twice for 45 minutes in 3, 15 minute intervals. For example, water lawns and landscape for 15 min. at 6:00 P.m., then at midnight and once again at 7:00 A.m. This method eliminates runoff and allows the water to penetrate deeply. When we're lucky enough to receive a good rain, keep the water off.
March
As we enter into our 5th year of drought, we'll find that one of our biggest challenges is the ability to maintain our turf areas. Again, let me emphasize that the minimal water we gave to our plants this winter has definitely helped them to develop those strong root systems they'll need to depend upon when the heat is on during the summer. Lawns require more water than other parts of the landscape and some of you might find it more economical to let your turf go for now and attempt to bring it back when the drought is over. However, you can maintain your turf areas during the drought, but only if you're committed to following strict water management procedures during the growing season and we will be working with all of you very closely to help you save as much water as possible. If you're used to following our Irrigation Schedules, then in a sense, the roots of your turf have already been "primed" and ready for action. Again, we'll split our watering time into thirds but the dryout periods in between will be even longer to allow a deeper saturation and eliminate runoff. For example: water the lst interval at 6:00 P.m., the 2nd interval at 12:00 A.m. and the 3rd interval at 4:00 A.M.
March can still bring us one or two more storms. As a matter of fact, a major storm is brewing just as the newsletter is being written.
April
Luckily, March turned out to be a very wet month and completely saturated our soils. Let's use this to our advantage and avoid a rigid irrigation schedule for April. You will have 2 opportunities to water your yard and a 3rd option is available to you. The Pre-emergent application to the landscape during the first part of April will need to be watered in. So will the Complete Yard Fertilization during the second half of the month. If you feel the need to irrigate a third time, allow the running time to be for 30 minutes (3, 10 min. intervals). Set the intervals for 6:00 P.M., midnight and 4:00 A.M. This allows a deeper saturation and eliminates runoff.
Inspect your irrigation. Turn it on, check to see if the heads are hitting their target areas and unclog them if necessary. Ring the irrigation heads. Take a weed eater and cut a ring around each sprinkler bead to ensure the water will be hitting its target areas.
May
Each May we start off with two schedules. The first one is for those who want to continue stretching their water use and the other one is for those who feel they need to water a little more depending upon the rationing within your water district. Choose one and set your clock accordingly. Call for an appt. if you want us to set your clock.
Split your watering time into thirds to allow a deeper saturation and eliminate runoff. For example: water the lst interval at 6:00 P.m., the 2nd interval at 12:00 A.M. and the 3rd interval at 4:00 A.M.
May Schedule A
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Water the landscape for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only
May Schedule B
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 6 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3,10 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 36 minutes (3, 12 min.) every 7th day.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlyOur schedules have been in use for many years and are compatible with clay soils. However, in some cases you may need to add a little more or get by with a little less. A pop-up is not the same as a single or multi stream rotor, so be sure to match up your sprinklers up with the proper instructions. Call us if you have any doubts.
Split your watering time into thirds to allow a deeper saturation and eliminate runoff. For example: water the lst interval at 1:00 A.M., the 2nd interval at 3:00 A.M. and the 3rd interval at 6:00 A.M.
When daytime temps exceed 90 degrees, you must water your yard for 6 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
June Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 18 min. (3, 16 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 36 min. (3, 12 min.) every 7th day
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlyJuly
July kicks off the hot weather season where temperatures often reaching 100 degrees are not unusual. So giving some well deserved attention to your irrigation to make sure that the system is working properly is time well spent. Dry spots in the lawns and landscape are frequently caused by common irrigation problems that can be solved almost immediately.
A dry spot on the lawn is often due to a clogged pop-up. Look for an insect or foreign object in the nozzle. Or, the grass around the nozzle is too high and obstructing the pop-up from getting above the grass blades. In many cases, the pop-up is just out of adjustment and missing its target area.
Lawn impacts tend to be only 1 1/2" above the ground surface, so it's very important that you ring the heads around each one 2-3" in diameter in order to give it room to get over the top of the grass blades. When impacts are out of adjustment they tend to just water point A and point B without watering the space in between and this creates an umbrella effect.
In the landscape it's not uncommon to find risers covered with ground cover that has twisted itself around it. Pop-ups can be obstructed by a shrubbery that has grown in front of it. Single and multiple stream rotors tend to have an umbrella effect like the impacts do so they need to be be adjusted. Their patterns should cross each other, for example rotary 1 should hit rotary 2 and vice versa.
We come across these things in your yards on a daily basis. So make time to take a stroll through your yard while the sprinklers are running and make observations. Please call if you need assistance.
Each July we offer 2 irrigation schedules. We recommend that you follow Schedule A first and when the weather heats up and your yard needs more water switch over to Schedule B.
When daytime temps exceed 90 degrees, you must water your yard for 8 min. that evening to replace the water it lost during transpiration.
July Schedule A
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3,8 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) every 5th day. day.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 5th day.
Water the landscape for 45 min. (3, 15 min. intervals) every 10th day.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. per week.
The first three apply to lawns only
July Schedule B
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min.) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns only.August
We all know that August is one of our hottest months. August's Irrgation Schedule is the same as July's Schedule B. It is designed to give your lawns and landscape the amount of water it needs to keep them in the state of healthiness which allows them to survive our varied environmental impacts
We see the same problems at the same places year in and year out. They could simply be eliminated by just following the irrigation schedule that's placed before you. It never fails to amaze me why so many people insist on watering their yard for 10 minutes every other day at 6:00 Am. The most useless schedule of all is watering every day for 4 minutes. I can understand giving a little more water than the schedule allows asks for but I cannot understand why you'd want to give it less ... unless your yard shows that it can survive it and there aren't any dry areas. When you see a dry spot, turn the water on and investigate. Ring the sprinkler head, clean it and get the water back to where it belongs instead of letting it run aimlessly.
Does a 10 minute summer rain actually saturate anything? Does the ground really get wet? Compare your irrigation schedule to a long rain, so when you start watering at 12 AM and the last interval comes on at 8 AM, it simulates an all night rain. You tell me which one is better.
Don't forget to call if you need assistance. We can help you decide what kind of irrigation improvements your yard may need.
August Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3,12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min.) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlySeptember
Due to September's Indian summer, the schedule will remain practically the same as last month. The difference will be in the shorter running time. In the case of some cooler days and nights, simply water less.
Setting your irrigation clock to come on at 3 separate intervals, 12:01 Am, 3:00 Am and 5:00 Am will allow the water to come on periodically throughout the night therefore simulating alight steady rain.
Remember, when you see a dry spot, turn the water on and investigate. Ring the sprinkler head, clean it and get the water targeted back to where it belongs. These are very simple tasks but unfortunately there are those who just ignore this advice. Don't forget to call if you need assistance. We can help you decide which kind of irrigation improvements you may need.
September Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 30 min. (3, 10 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) 3 times weekly, Sun., Tues., and Fri.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min.) twice weekly, Mon. and Thurs.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlyOctober
For now, continue following last month's schedule. When October's cooler climate kicks in, change over to the above schedule.
October Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 24 min. (3, 8 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 36 min. (3, 12 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 42 min. (3, 14 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min.) every 5th day.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlyNovember
Turn off your clock for at least 5 days after a good strong rain, but make sure to water when our yellow tag instructs you to do so.
November Schedule
Run Pop-ups for 12 min. (2, 6 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Run Impacts and Single Stream Rotors for 24 min. (2, 12 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Run Multi Stream Rotors for 28 min. (2, 14 min. intervals) twice weekly, Mon., and Thurs.
Water the landscape for 30 min. (3, 10 min.) every 7th day.
Run drip 2-4 hrs. twice weekly.
The first three apply to lawns onlyDecember
Face The Facts! The winter's cold temperatures and the rains we (hope to) receive will keep our soils from drying out. So, turn off all systems and operate your clock manually. Remember, longer dryout periods between irrigations actually encourages the plants to grow deeper roots. Being responsible now will pay off during the summer months when watering is more critical, The only time you'll be required to water is after we complete a treatment and the yellow tag instructs you to water it in. Other than that, use the garden hose to water your potted plants and those underneath the eaves.
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