To determine if you need to cycle, turn on your system and time how long it takes for water to start running off.  This is the maximum amount of time you can water in one cycle.  Divide the recommended minutes by this to give you the number of cycles to run.  For example, if water begins to run off after 7 minutes, divide the suggested number of minutes (21) by 7.  This gives 3 cycles, which can be scheduled as shown:

Cycle	Run Time	Soak Time
1	7 min.	1 hour
2	7 min.	1 hour
3	7 min.	---

 

How do I water plants other than grass?

If your lawn and decorative plants are watered by different sprinkler zones, you will be able to save even more water.  Shrubs, flowers, and other decorative plants require 25 to 50% less water than the lawn.  If possible, water these zones a few minutes longer than the lawn but half as frequently.

 

What if I already water less than recommended?

The recommendations are based on average conditions.  If you already water less and are satisfied with how your lawn looks, don't increase you watering time.  Instead, try decreasing the time!  Turn down the minutes until you begin to see stress in your lawn, then turn it back up a bit and leave it.  As you fine-tune your schedule, you will save even more water and money than this schedule suggests!

 

What if the recommended times are not enough?

If this schedule does not seem to be enough water for your lawn, please check your system for inefficiencies and maintenance issues before increasing your run times.  Watering the whole lawn to green-up just a few brown spots is an inefficient use of water.

 

Information courtesy of www.conservewater.utah.gov/Monthly