How long should I run my sprinklers?

Lets start at the beginning.

A group of sprinklers that run at the same time are called a zone. Next, you need to have like heads running at the same zone. Example, the heads that spray a Fixed area and do not move should run for a different amount of time than the ones that rotate as they spray. The ones that spray a fixed area are the fixed arc spray heads or “Spray’s”. The heads that rotate as they spray are called “ROTORS”. Because the rotors rotate, they need to run for a longer amount of time. The heads  themselves need to be spaced so that the spray of water hits the head next to it. This is called head to head coverage.

You need head to head coverage and the same type of heads running on the same zone.

OK we have head to head coverage and rotors on rotor zones and sprays on spray zones and nothing mixed! A good average of a well built irrigation system is 20 minutes on the spray zones and 1 hour on the rotor zones. Typically rotors run 3 times longer than sprays.

20 minute on the sprays and 1 hour (60 mintes) on the rotors will deliver about a half (1/2) inch of water. So if you water 2 times a week and 4 weeks in a month for 8 waterings that is 4 inches of water. That is about the amount of water you need for April and May.

Best Regards

Bruce Hage- Bruce Hage Irrigation is a full service irrigation company that specializes in installation, maintenance, & sprinkler repairs in Orlando and surrounding cities.