Irrigation Basics: What Every Homeowner Should Know

“Irrigation… my favorite!” said nobody ever. But if you live in the South, irrigation is a necessary evil. Love it or hate it, irrigation is one of the biggest factors in whether your lawn looks healthy or stressed, especially during long stretches of heat.

Whether you’re a homeowner trying to make sense of your sprinkler controller or a contractor brushing up on fundamentals, this article covers the basics in plain English. And if you already know some of this, feel free to skip around – no quizzes at the end.

Do I Need Irrigation?

The most honest answer is: it depends. Region, grass type, and expectations all play a role. If your goal is a consistently green, healthy lawn, most grass types across the United States require supplemental water at some point during the year.

Homeowners in northern states tend to have it easier. Established lawns with cool-season grasses like rye, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescue can often survive on natural rainfall alone, only needing irrigation during extended dry periods. In these areas, irrigation is helpful but not always essential.

Southern states are a different story. Warm-season grasses such as St.Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia typically need between one and two inches of water per week to remain healthy. Even Bahia grass, which requires less water,will thin out and turn brown over time without irrigation. If you expect your lawn to look good year-round in a southern climate like Florida, an irrigation system is less of a luxury and more of a requirement.

Common Irrigation Types

At its simplest, irrigation is just the act of applying water to plants, but there are several ways to do it. Some homeowners still rely on hosewatering, which can be effective for smaller lawns, tight budgets, oroccasional dry spells. While this approach works in a pinch, it’s difficult to be consistent, and coverage is rarely even.

Most properties rely on in-ground irrigation systems, which are far more efficient and convenient. These systems use a controller to schedule watering, solenoids and valves to control water flow, and underground piping to deliver water to spray heads, rotors, drip lines, or micro-irrigation. When properly designed and maintained, in-ground systems provide better coverage, automation, and peace of mind – but they do require periodic adjustments and upkeep.

How Do I Program My Irrigation System?

Programming your irrigation system starts with knowing how much wateryour grass actually needs. For example, St. Augustine grass requires about an inch and a half of water per week under normal conditions. The next step is determining how much water your system is putting out.

One of the simplest ways to measure this is the tuna can test. Place several shallow containers around a zone, run the irrigation for ten minutes, and measure how much water collects in each container. Average those measurements and multiply by six to determine how many inches per hour yoursystem applies.

If your system applies about one inch per hour, reaching an inch and ahalf per week means running that zone for roughly thirty minutes, three timesper week. This approach ensures deep, consistent watering instead of shallow daily cycles that promote weak root systems.

Seasonal Adjustments Matter

Your lawn’s water needs change throughout the year, even if your controller stays the same. When temperatures are cooler, water evaporates more slowly and turf requires less irrigation. When temperatures climb, evaporation increases and water demand goes up. Because of this, seasonal adjustments are typically made by changing the number of watering days, not drastically increasing run times.

In Central Florida, St. Augustine grass usually needs more frequent watering during late spring and summer, tapering off in fall and winter. As temperatures rise above the mid-80s, three to four watering days per week is common. During cooler months, one to two days per week is often enough. Making these adjustments helps prevent stress, disease, and wasted water.

Problem-Inspired Adjustments

Not all irrigation changes are seasonal. Sometimes the lawn itself tells you something isn’t right. Dry patches, uneven color, standing water, orrecurring fungus are all signs that your irrigation system may need attention.

These problems are often caused by misaligned heads, clogged nozzles, broken components, or improper scheduling. Ignoring them doesn’t save water or money – it usually leads to higher repair costs and turf replacement down theroad. Small adjustments made early can prevent bigger issues later.

Irrigation After New Plantings

Newly installed sod, trees, and shrubs require a very different watering approach than established landscapes. New sod needs frequent, light irrigation to keep the root zone moist until it begins to knit into the soil below. Trees and shrubs benefit from deeper, targeted watering focused on the root ball rather than the surrounding turf.

As roots establish, watering frequency should gradually decrease. This transition period is critical. Too little water can cause failure, while too much water can lead to shallow roots and long-term stress.

Irrigation After Fertilization

Watering after fertilization is part of the process, not an optional step. Light irrigation helps move fertilizer off leaf blades, prevent burning,and activate nutrients in the soil. Skipping this step can reduce effectiveness and increase the risk of damage.

At the same time, heavy irrigation immediately after fertilizing can wash nutrients past the root zone and into storm drains or waterways. The goal is controlled watering that supports nutrient uptake without runoff.

Rainfall and Water Conservation

In Florida, irrigation systems are required by law to have rain sensors to prevent overwatering and unnecessary runoff. These devices automatically pause irrigation when sufficient rainfall occurs, protecting both your lawn and local water resources.

If your system doesn’t have a functioning rain sensor, paying close attention to weather conditions is critical – especially during the rainy season. Overwatering is one of the fastest ways to damage turf and waste water at the same time.

Final Thoughts

Irrigation doesn’t have to be complicated, frustrating, or something you only think about once your lawn starts going downhill. A properly designed, programmed, and maintained irrigation system saves water, protects your landscape investment, and keeps your lawn looking the way it should.

If you’re not sure your system is set up correctly, you’re seeing dryspots or overwatering, or you just want a second opinion, we’re happy to help. Call or text “Caddyshack” to 727-506-2180 and one of our irrigation pros will walk you through your options, answer questions, or schedule a service if needed.

Your lawn works hard enough. Your irrigation system should too.