One of the best ways to water your lawn efficiently is to cycle and soak. Watering in increments gives soil time to soak up the necessary water and allows water to travel further into the soil where the grass roots are, creating a healthier lawn.

Using the scheduling features on an irrigation controller, add multiple start times and reduce each zone’s watering time. Allow for up to an hour between start times to allow for the last cycle of irrigation to soak into the soil. Water, rest, water.

Use these charts as a starting point. Actual watering needs vary based on weather, soil type, sun exposure and plant health, so adjust as needed.

Kentucky bluegrass

Suggested watering times per irrigation zone for Kentucky bluegrass (twice a week).

2 days per week watering	Minutes per session — 3 irrigation cycles per watering day
Month	Image Fixed spray heads	Image Rotor heads	Image Rotary/high-efficiency nozzles	Image Manual sprinklers
May	4	7	9	5
June	7	13	17	10
July	7	14	18	11
August	7	13	17	10
September	5	11	13	8

Low to moderate perennials and shrubs

Suggested watering times per irrigation zone for low to moderate perennials and shrubs (once a week). 

1 day per week watering	Minutes per session — 3 irrigation cycles per watering day			1 continuous irrigation event per watering day
Month	Image Fixed spray heads	Image Rotary/high-efficiency nozzles	Image Manual sprinklers	Image Drip system
May	4	9	5	33
June	7	17	10	60
July	7	18	11	65
August	7	17	10	60
September	5	13	8	48

See tree care guide for specifics.

Native grass and very low water use perennials and shrubs

Suggested watering times per irrigation zone for native grass and very low water use perennials and shrubs (once a week).

1 day per week watering	Minutes per session — 2 irrigation cycles per watering day
Month	Image Fixed spray heads	Image Rotor heads	Image Rotary/high-efficiency nozzles	Image Manual sprinklers
May	3	7	8	5
June	6	12	15	9
July	6	13	16	10
August	6	12	15	9
September	4	8	10	6

Learn more about the cycle-and-soak method from Colorado State University Extension. 

There are two basic types of sprinkler heads, pop-ups and rotors.

• Pop-up spray heads deliver 1.5 to 2 inches of water per hour in a fan-shaped spray, or sometimes in a full-circle spray. 
• Rotor spray heads deliver about a half inch of water per hour in a rotating jet of water.

Pop-up systems that spray a steady fan of water can water four times as fast as rotor systems. Most soils in Denver can absorb about a half-inch of water per hour. If the soil is getting too much water too fast, water will run off and be wasted.

Save water by adding a smart irrigation controller. Like a thermostat for your sprinkler system, it automatically adjusts watering schedules by determining when your system should turn on and off based on conditions.

• During Stage 1 Drought Restrictions: Smart irrigation controllers may run no more than 2 days per week and must not operate between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Because some controllers rely on local weather data and may attempt to operate more frequently, they must be programmed to comply with these limits.

Auditing your sprinkler system and fine-tuning its performance can help save water. Thoroughly check your system each spring when you first turn it on. After each mowing, check to make sure sprinkler heads haven’t been broken or knocked out of alignment.  

Still need help? Try a professional sprinkler audit.

There are three types of hose-end sprinkler attachments, two that move and one that doesn’t.

• Oscillating sprinklers roll back and forth and spray vertically, which may lose a lot of water to evaporation.
• Impact sprinklers spin slowly around or from side to side and apply water at a slower rate than oscillating sprinklers. They lose less to evaporation.
• Pop-up sprinklers move only up and down while applying water. They can irrigate faster than some soils can handle, regardless of the spray pattern. These sprinklers should be re-positioned and re-aimed often to avoid wasting water. 

• Set your irrigation clock to water only on your assigned watering days.
• Set your irrigation clock to water only what each zone needs.
• Be sure your rain sensor is working correctly and replace it if it's not.
• Check irrigation heads after mowing to be sure they are not damaged.
• Realign any irrigation heads that are spraying too high in the air, across pavement or into tall grass.
• Check for system leaks and repair them as soon as possible to avoid wasting water and damaging foundations or landscape features. As part of Denver Water’s annual summer watering rules, sprinkler system leaks must be repaired within 10 days.
• Consider installing soaker hoses, sub-surface piping or drip irrigation for your flower beds and shrubs. 

ColoradoScape yards typically use significantly less water than bluegrass lawns. Learn more about resources to help you transform your yard.

Not only does ColoradoScape save water, but it will also beautify your landscape, attract pollinators and provide valuable wildlife habitat.

Newly planted vegetation needs a little more assistance until the plants are established. In year one, plants will “sleep.” As they are established, they require a little more maintenance before they can become drought resistant. Request a watering establishment permit for new plants.

In year two, plants will “creep” and show signs of growth. A more established root system means more blooms.

In year three, the plant will “leap.” They are fully established and require less water and maintenance.

Watch this video for more information on watering your ColoradoScape.