InstaBidsWhat is irrigation?
Irrigation means supplying water to plants in a lawn or garden. A clock-based controller follows a schedule; weather-based and soil-moisture-based controllers respond to conditions. EPA identifies 2 types of WaterSense controllers. Match the watering method and schedule to the plants, rather than leaving a timer unchanged through the seasons.
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At a glance
- one inch of water a week, including rainfallU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
- a half inch of waterU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
- ANSI/ASABE S627 Weather-Based Landscape Irrigation Control SystemsU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
What this means for your home project
- Observe where sprinkler water lands; flag pavement receiving spray for an aiming adjustment. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
- Inspect the irrigation system each month; keep a dated note of the inspection. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
- Request a written zone layout identifying sprinkler type, sun or shade exposure and plant groups. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, read 2026-11-06.
- For a lawn drip installation, ask the designer to state whether planting happens before or after the irrigation work. Source: Washington State University Extension, read 2026-11-06.
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What kind of irrigation system should I put in?
Irrigation choice depends on what needs watering. EPA (read 2026-11-06) recommends microirrigation for gardens, trees and shrubs: water goes "slowly and directly to the plants’ roots". Sprinklers distribute water over the landscape; their aim should keep water off pavement. (source)
“Install a microirrigation system for gardens, trees, and shrubs.” (source) “Microirrigation applies water slowly and directly to the plants’ roots where the water is needed most.” (source) “Set sprinklers to keep the water on the landscape and off the pavement.” (source)
When do I turn my water on in the spring?
Spring irrigation should follow actual plant needs rather than a fixed calendar date. EPA (read 2026-11-06) says watering needs "can vary depending on where you live, recent weather, and the plants". Its typical one-inch weekly amount includes rainfall, so rainfall counts toward that total. (source)
“Your landscape will typically require one inch of water a week, including rainfall, and that can vary depending on where you live, recent weather, and the plants in your landscape.” (source)
How much water am I putting on?
Sprinkler output can be measured instead of guessed. EPA (read 2026-11-06) suggests empty tuna cans and timing how long sprinklers take to deliver "a half inch of water". Measuring that depth gives a starting runtime; observe the landscape response and adjust for weather. (source)
“Place a few empty tuna cans around your lawn while you're watering and measure how long it takes your sprinkler to fill them with a half inch of water.” (source) “Then, try watering that amount of time twice a week, gauge how your landscape responds, and adjust based on weather conditions.” (source)
How should I set my timer?
Irrigation timer settings should change with the season. EPA (read 2026-11-06) says "Irrigation schedules should be adjusted based on seasonal changes." A WaterSense controller uses weather or soil moisture data to decide when watering is needed, while a clock-based controller follows a preset schedule. (source)
“Irrigation schedules should be adjusted based on seasonal changes.” (source) “A WaterSense labeled irrigation controller uses weather or soil moisture data to determine when to water.” (source) “Clock-based irrigation controllers set a schedule that turns your irrigation system on and off.” (source)
What features should I look for in an irrigation timer?
A weather-based irrigation controller uses local weather and landscape conditions. EPA (read 2026-11-06)’s WaterSense Specification 1.1 uses a test method adopted as "ANSI/ASABE S627 Weather-Based Landscape Irrigation Control Systems". Ask for the controller’s product specification and whether it responds to weather or measures soil moisture. (source)
“The WaterSense specification test method has since been adopted into a consensus-based standard, ANSI/ASABE S627 Weather-Based Landscape Irrigation Control Systems.” (source) “By using local weather data and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules, weather-based irrigation controllers determine when and how much to water.” (source) “WaterSense labels two types of irrigation controllers that can help homeowners and businesses make their irrigation scheduling more water-efficient: weather-based irrigation controllers use local weather and landscape conditions to tailor watering schedules, and soil moisture-based irrigation controllers (also known as soil moisture sensors, or SMSs) monitor moisture levels in the soil to prevent irrigation when water is not needed.” (source) “In September 2021, EPA released a revised version of the WaterSense Specification for Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers (Version 1.1).” (source)
Can I design irrigation, or should I have professionals do it?
Irrigation self-design can take more time and money than professional design, WSU cautions (read 2026-11-06). For lawn drip, WSU advises installation "before the grass is established"; retrofitting involves digging up the lawn. Request the planned lawn disturbance in writing before choosing an installation approach. (source)
“If you plan to put in a drip irrigation system for a lawn, it should be installed before the grass is established.” (source)
Sources
- Watering Tips — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; published 2026-03-11; read 2026-11-06.
- WaterSense Labeled Controllers — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; read 2026-11-06.
- Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; read 2026-11-06.
- FAQs for Residential (Lawn and Garden) Irrigators — Washington State University Extension; read 2026-11-06.