How should I set irrigation for spring?
 

Remember to gear up irrigation for growing season. Here is the calendar where you may locate an event to have questions answered by the Sumter UF/IFAS Master Gardeners and ag extension staff....


Link to Sumter Master Gardener events

UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Great information!!

Florida Friendly Irrigating - Sumter County Extension Office

Here is a wealth of info on irrigation. Agent Lloyd Singleton provides an orientation at VCDD for new residents on turf, and proper irrigation is key to conserving water and wise spending on your bill.

I was told that you don't have to water in the winter because the grass is dormant. Big mistake. I lost a big area of grass. Then I'm told to water twice a week in the summer which makes no sense to me at all. It rains almost every day in the summer. It seems to be a complete waste of water and money to water in the summer months. I would say that it's good to water twice a week in the fall, winter and spring.

Florida-Friendly Irrigating: It just makes sense

This is advice from your local uf ifas team on summer watering...

This part of Florida is unique. The advice you seek and follow should come from an expert in the field, with a LOT of experience in TV area.

Some winters, you could get away with not watering at all (depending on when you think winter starts and ends in this area). Not this winter.

Some summers do have a LOT of rain. But never would I turn off an irrigation system.
Most of us have a rain gauge, turning off the system after a rain. This gauge can be adjusted as well.
Rainfall comes in a variety of volumes, "daily rainfall" may be so light the summer sun burns it off before any water gets to the roots.


If the advice you are following is hearsay from a neighbor, that they heard from their lawn guy.. that moved down here 5 years ago and used to be in construction... or a dog groomer... or worked at a nursery in South Florida, where the zone is TROPICAL.... you are getting bad info.

I turn ours off in the summer when we have lots of rain if I see our system run the day or three after we just got and inch and a half. I then know my rain sensor has failed. I always make sure it's on when we are gone for a period of time.