How long should i let my sprinklers run? i live in phoenix az we dont get rain?

Question

i have a backyard with nothing but dirt in it, i decided to go ahead and landscape it and part of it will be a lawn. right now i just have one of those moveable pulsating sprinklers i got from a hardware store , it doesnt have any instruction. the grass type will be bermuda. any tips or suggestion are welcome but for the most part i just want to know how long to run them if if there is a certain rule of thumb for how much water (in inches) a lawn needs.

Answer 1

Hi Twist, Fellow Arizonan here from Cochise County.

Bermuda grass is a quick grower this time of year.  If freshly planted, water it deeply every few days so that the roots can absorb the water.  Once established Bermuda grass is more resilient than other grasses here in AZ.  The first three inches are the most critical.

You may have to water it for 30 minutes every few days, but with the rains forecasted this weekend, you should lay off for the duration and let Nature do her work.

It's always best to water early in the morning.  Watering at night can allow mildew to form in the soil, which brings in other pests.

Although drip irrigation is best in our arid climate, if using a sprinkler make sure all parts of the lawn are watered.  Sprinklers tend to water in circular manners and tend to overlook corners.

Answer 2

I live in Los Angeles and we never get rain to. I puty my sprinklers about 10 minutes, but not daily , every 2-4 days, its cooler here then Phoenix , I would water about 10 minutes every 3 days or 2.

Answer 3

It depends on the soil type - sandy dries faster than rich humus.

Get a cheap rain gage or use a straight sided open topped container like a can and put it out in the middle of the area being watered. Then time how long it takes to collect a half inch of water.

I find most of mine take about 2 hours for a half inch. I always try to go a half inch minimum at a time to encourage the roots to grow deep.  Once a week  well watered is usually better than more often with less, which encourages shallow roots that dry up easily.

I just shut mine off. It's been two hours. It's evening so it will soak in with very little evaporation.

Answer 4

it depends how much grass u have. if u have a lot 10 min. and if it is a small area then u should water it 5 min. once in the morning n once at night or in the afternoon hope this helps