[evluoma]

Being new The Villages I am not familiar with lawn watering. How often should I run our sprinkler system? Are there certain days that I am suppose to restrict watering to? About how long to water each time? Any advice appreciated.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by evluoma

Being new The Villages I am not familiar with lawn watering. How often should I run our sprinkler system? Are there certain days that I am suppose to restrict watering to? About how long to water each time? Any advice appreciated.

Have you checked on the inside of your water control panel??........probably a sticker with recommendations. But...........better to water less three times per week than the recommended twice per week.

[dewilson58]

Village Community Development Districts

[retiredguy123]

The rule is that you are supposed to water no more than two times per week, and only at times after dusk and before dawn. If you water for less than about 10 minutes per zone, it will probably be sufficient, but it may need to be adjusted as needed. You can monitor the amount of irrigation water used per month on your water bill. The amount of irrigation water used should be between about 2,000 and 5,000 gallons per month, depending on the size of your lawn. These are just estimates, based on my experience. I think a lot of people tend to overwater their lawn.

By the way, water bills are public information. So, you can view your neighbor's water bill by entering their address onto the utility website and compare their water usage to your usage.

[Dond1959]

On our sprinkler box in the garage has the days for watering. Typically it is 2 days a week, spaced 3 to 4 days apart. You are trying to get about an inch of water on the lawn each week. The length of time you water each zone should adjust throughout the year (at least in the newer areas). Watering more in summer and less in winter. This is a seasonal or solar adjustment. If you have a rain sensor then the system will turn off when it has recently rained.

I recommend finding a neighbor to assist you or calling a professional if you are unsure how to operate the system. There should be online manuals you can google for your system. If you are handy around the home you will have no issues. Look at the grass often, if it is nice and green the system is probably working fine, if brown areas it could be a problem with sprinkler heads.

If you are south of 44, I can assist if you like to check the system. Pretty easy and quick to do. I used to work on sprinkler systems just after high school.

[rjm1cc]

The number of days changes with the season. It will depend on the water district you are in.
In general, in the summer, you probably want 2 days a week with about 3/4 of an inch to an inch of water each time for new lawns. You want the roots to grow down into the ground. In the rainy season (yes in the summer) I turn my system off unless the grass shows signs of stress. Saves a lot of water. I would not cut back on water on a new lawn.

[Topspinmo]

If you see river of run off Water running down the storm drain you’re watering too much, plus you’re wasting water watering the storm drain. You may need adjust you’re sprinkler heads so you’re not watering the street, driveway or the neighbors house or yard?

[davem4616]

2 x's a week (unless you have new plantings) try to program to water before 7am....watering earlier may cause fungus to develop....avoid watering in the heat of the day as it will evaporate rather than soak into the ground

[Dgizzi]

Originally Posted by evluoma

Being new The Villages I am not familiar with lawn watering. How often should I run our sprinkler system? Are there certain days that I am suppose to restrict watering to? About how long to water each time? Any advice appreciated.

I water as much as I want. When I first got my plants and palm trees went in I watered every other day. Our front yard faces the sun much of the day. So I water when I want I don’t want my stuff to die. We have cut it down now. But my plants and grass look great.

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Dgizzi

I water as much as I want. When I first got my plants and palm trees went in I watered every other day. Our front yard faces the sun much of the day. So I water when I want I don’t want my stuff to die. We have cut it down now. But my plants and grass look great.

Use a hose and sprinkler, lot cheaper

[Carla B]

It depends on rainfall. Just got water bill today and we used zero gallons this past month, due to LOTS of rain.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The rule is that you are supposed to water no more than two times per week, and only at times after dusk and before dawn. If you water for less than about 10 minutes per zone, it will probably be sufficient, but it may need to be adjusted as needed. You can monitor the amount of irrigation water used per month on your water bill. The amount of irrigation water used should be between about 2,000 and 5,000 gallons per month, depending on the size of your lawn. These are just estimates, based on my experience. I think a lot of people tend to overwater their lawn.

Wow, just Wow.

Advice is worth less than you pay for it, case in point. Not all of us reside in CYV or patio villas some stone or no stone so simply disregard a 2k to 5 k gallons per month recommendation. Some parameters need to be addressed first OP like what type of grass you have, size of lot, do you have the original sprinkler controller or a smart controller and any other relevant details.

I have developed a spreadsheet of several neighbors water usage, 23 I believe, I can tell you unequivocally I could not draw any conclusions except no one used as little as 5,000 gallons per month during the growing (non rain) season, no one.

[Plants]

Using your irrigation system is best - do not shut it off in the winter. 1 day a week- your lawn is a living plant

[HiHoSteveO]

You'll likely find the link below helpful in answering your questions. It is the irrigation schedules, but go the main front page to see more info.

The Villages Water Wisdom.
https://www.thevillageswaterwisdom.c...tion-schedule/

[randykw]

We moved here June 15. (Just N of BV & 466) Ran the system 2 times the end of June. It's been off since then. If we get one good rain per week I keep it off. I'm sure your grass type will have something to do with your frequency. We used less than 3000 gals, in July & Aug. Same as when we lived in MN.
I checked the neighbors water bills before we moved to get an idea of what the water/sewer would cost. They use 8000-13000 gals/mo.