Irrigation question

#1
CanadianVol

CanadianVol

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#1
We're moving into our new house next week and it has a irrigation system that was just installed. The grass is Bermuda. Any tips on what to set the system at would be appreciated!
 
#2
#2
CanadianVol said:
We're moving into our new house next week and it has a irrigation system that was just installed. The grass is Bermuda. Any tips on what to set the system at would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

What to set the system at?

Watering times? Duration?
 
#3
#3
CanadianVol said:
We're moving into our new house next week and it has a irrigation system that was just installed. The grass is Bermuda. Any tips on what to set the system at would be appreciated!
Click to expand...

The best time for watering the lawn is at night. Pretty much between 10pm and 7am.
 
#4
#4
Obsessed said:
What to set the system at?

Watering times? Duration?
Click to expand...

Yeah that's what I'm looking for. I stopped by the house yesterday and the guy who was rolling out the lawn said it was too wet and duration needed to be cut down, but I have no idea what to cut it down too or how to figure out what to set it at.
 
#5
#5
CanadianVol said:
Yeah that's what I'm looking for. I stopped by the house yesterday and the guy who was rolling out the lawn said it was too wet and duration needed to be cut down, but I have no idea what to cut it down too or how to figure out what to set it at.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if you're learning an irrigation control panel for the first time it can be a real pain. If the previous owner didn't leave an owners manual you should be able to google the model and find a user manual online. I had to learn how to use my sister's irrigation system. Clear the area in front of your control panel, grab a chair and just start playing with the thing.

The first step is to figure out how many zones they have setup and where those zones are. I think most systems allow up to like 10 zones but depending on how it was set up you may only 4 or 5 zones actually being used. This basically requires you to turn each zone on manually one at a time, walking out to the yard and figuring out which part of the yard matches up with which zone. Once you figure out the zones you can set up the timer.
 
#7
#7
Coug said:
The best time for watering the lawn is at night. Pretty much between 10pm and 7am.
Click to expand...

huh?
unless you like fungus problems.
just prior to sunrise is the optimum.
Bermuda is a drought tolerant grass, so if you irrigate, you will be mowing frequently.
I would visit a forum on Bermuda upkeep. a lot of people invest in special mowers to cut it extremely low. If the yard is sand leveled then you can have it looking like a showcase.
 
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#8
#8
Roustabout said:
huh?
unless you like fungus problems.
just prior to sunrise is the optimum.
Bermuda is a drought tolerant grass, so if you irrigate, you will be mowing frequently.
I would visit a forum on Bermuda upkeep. a lot of people invest in special mowers to cut it extremely low. If the yard is sand leveled then you can have it looking like a showcase.
Click to expand...

I read that bout watering at night. I'm not sure it was sand leveled. It's a new build, so I think they just slapped the sod down. They were rolling it out yesterday at my request, so not sure how much they really put into putting it down. I'll take a look into what you posted.
 
#9
#9
CanadianVol said:
Yeah that's what I'm looking for. I stopped by the house yesterday and the guy who was rolling out the lawn said it was too wet and duration needed to be cut down, but I have no idea what to cut it down too or how to figure out what to set it at.
Click to expand...

Depending on the zones, I would cut it 12-15 mins each zone. Depending on the number of zones I would set my watering times to start around 3:30 or so. No one else on your neighborhood will be up and using the water (showers,washer,etc) so you will have peak water pressure. 3 waterings a week should be fine.

Just keep an eye on it and see how it looks. Adjust it accordingly.
 
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#10
#10
Roustabout said:
huh?
unless you like fungus problems.
just prior to sunrise is the optimum.
Bermuda is a drought tolerant grass, so if you irrigate, you will be mowing frequently.
I would visit a forum on Bermuda upkeep. a lot of people invest in special mowers to cut it extremely low. If the yard is sand leveled then you can have it looking like a showcase.
Click to expand...

Depends on his type of Bermuda. Most is common and should be kept at 3-31/2".
Any shorter and you risk burning it up.
 
#11
#11
So true about night watering. I have improved fescue blend, but I had serious turf mold problems several years ago from night watering and it was $$$ to get it under control.

Contact the sod company your builder bought from. They shoulf be able to tell you all you need about watering schedule.

Coug's advice about learning how to operate the sprinkler system is good also. Since it's a recent system, look for the irrigation installer's sticker on the controller or ask the builder and give them call.
 
#12
#12
Also, don't get crazy with the fertilizer or any chemicals until after the roots are good and established.

Too early of an application of either can cause the roots to grow in to knots and kill the grass.
 
#13
#13
Orangedogsrule said:
So true about night watering. I have improved fescue blend, but I had serious turf mold problems several years ago from night watering and it was $$$ to get it under control.

Contact the sod company your builder bought from. They shoulf be able to tell you all you need about watering schedule.

Coug's advice about learning how to operate the sprinkler system is good also. Since it's a recent system, look for the irrigation installer's sticker on the controller or ask the builder and give them call.
Click to expand...

We have our new home orientation on Monday, so they should walk me through operation then. I tried watching the guy updated it yesterday (it was set for 25-30 minutes in all three zones, he reduced to 12-15), but he was efficient and I couldn't really follow. I'll justh ave to mess with it.
 
#14
#14
CanadianVol said:
We have our new home orientation on Monday, so they should walk me through operation then. I tried watching the guy updated it yesterday (it was set for 25-30 minutes in all three zones, he reduced to 12-15), but he was efficient and I couldn't really follow. I'll justh ave to mess with it.
Click to expand...

Just 3 zones?

If he's already adjusted the duration in each zone, just look to see what the start time is...

I would set it up to start at 4am
 
#15
#15
Obsessed said:
Just 3 zones?

If he's already adjusted the duration in each zone, just look to see what the start time is...

I would set it up to start at 4am
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's three zones. Not a huge lot, so didn't seem to need more than the builder suggested.
 
#16
#16
If it's new sod, you will need to water it multiple times a day, esp in this heat. Our last house was on 3x a day water for the first couple of weeks after the sod went down. That was an expensive water bill!
 
#17
#17
Updated question:

Been in the house a week and a half, sod has been down for ~a month. Currently three zones running twice a day (5AM and 7PM) for between 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the zone. How long should I keep up two runs a day? I'm scared of this water bill
 
#18
#18
Red Hen Turf Farm - Sod Care

Most of the watering suggestions are true for you. Pay attention to keeping the soil below the sod wet now, setting out a pan or rain guage of some kind to find the time it takes for each zone to run the needed depth for for root establishment program. The mowing height is based on Red Hen's grasses, but the frequency, especially to force new sod rooting, is as described. You use your sod vendors recommendations on height. Oh, and keep the blade sharp. Fuzzy ended new grass from where a dull blade whacks it off instead of cutting is much more subject to turf diseases.
 
Last edited:
#19
#19
CanadianVol said:
Updated question:

Been in the house a week and a half, sod has been down for ~a month. Currently three zones running twice a day (5AM and 7PM) for between 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the zone. How long should I keep up two runs a day? I'm scared of this water bill
Click to expand...

If it's good and established, cut it back to once a day. Unless you want to mow it twice a week. Most of my installs were set to water 3 times a week.
 
#20
#20
CanadianVol said:
Updated question:

Been in the house a week and a half, sod has been down for ~a month. Currently three zones running twice a day (5AM and 7PM) for between 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the zone. How long should I keep up two runs a day? I'm scared of this water bill
Click to expand...
Did you find out what kind of Bermuda?
Hopefully it isn't common as it is yellowish, stringy and doesn't mow as well at lower setting. It they used a Tifton then it will grow more dense cutting to the lower heights. You always want to cut before any seed heads have appeared.

oh, and if it's an established Bermuda lawn, you likely won't have to water it every day
 
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