Lesson Five

by Tom Lanier, Sprinkler Pros

Lesson Five: Programming the Controller. This lesson includes ‘get to the point and don’t confuse me’ sentences in bold.

There is a myriad of controllers (sprinkler timers) on the market. I can not teach you in this lesson how to actually program your specific controller. I can, though, give you concepts—rules of thumb—to use when programming.

Firstly, it’s best to water during the wee hours of the morning before the coastal winds begin to blow with the rising of the sun. Be sure that the water doesn’t conflict with shower times if that’s an issue. Sudden scorching or freezing showers can be a real bummer.

Nextly, the easiest and quickest way to regulate the varying watering needs throughout the seasons and temps is to set the amount of run time per station and leave it alone. Just change the number of days per week to water.

Thricely, know what type of irrigation method is being used on each sprinkler line (station). Whether it be drip, drip sprays, standard sprays (non-rotating), rotor sprays, etc. Each station should be dedicated to just one method. Also are each station given to mostly sun or shade, in the morning or afternoon?

Now for the rules of thumb:  

Standard sprays and drip sprays: 10 minutes. 

MP Rotators and RainJets: 20 minutes. 

Drip and rotors: 30 min. 

Add one day of watering for each 10 degrees of increased sustained temperature beginning with 2 days of watering for temps in the mid to high 60s. Add a day for the 70s, another for the 80s, etc. Excessive winds should be taken into account as they will dry things out quickly.If you have lost your owner’s manual, try going to the manufacturer’s website. Most have the owner’s manuals on their sites now for download.

If you have trouble programming your controller it may be time to replace it with one that’s easy to use. Refer to last month’s lesson.

My cell phone is 878.5449. I hope you have been enjoying your summer.

All content is copyright Tom Lanier.

This article was originally published in the Orcutt Pioneer www.orcuttpioneer.com.