Professional landscapers point out that healthy plants and lawns have deep roots. Deep roots for lawns can be achieved by applying a half-inch of water each day you water. We have been assured by several landscape professionals that a three-day-per-week watering schedule provides sufficient irrigation to maintain a healthy and attractive lawn.
Sometimes, getting to the half-inch irrigation goal can’t be achieved in one watering session. In these cases when your lawn cannot absorb water as fast as your sprinkler system puts out water, the cycle-and-soak irrigation method is recommended.
To illustrate the cycle-soak method using Berlin’s situation, the sprinkler controller can be set to turn on for a number of minutes before runoff would occur (cycle) and then turn off for approximately 30 to 60 minutes (soak) to allow time for the soil to absorb the water.
The sprinkler then turns on again for the remaining minutes needed to apply a half-inch of water. This cycle-soak approach can take place any number of times needed to allow your lawn to soak up the half-inch of water, provided that the watering doesn’t occur during the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the total irrigation time does not exceed 15 minutes per station.
Burbank Water and Power has just introduced a new program called the Green Home House Call. Part of this service includes programming irrigation controllers for residents and uses the cycle-and-soak method where appropriate.
Residents who wish to save water and energy can call (866) 365-7358 to have an energy and water expert come to their home and install water- and energy-saving products, including a sprinkler check and irrigation controller programming.
