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To determine how long to run your sprinklers, place several empty, straight-sided cans or cups at different distances within one zone. (Uniform coffee mugs work well.) Run the sprinklers for 15 minutes and measure the amount of water collected in each can. Calculate an average water depth and determine how long it will take to apply a Â½ to Â¾ inch of water. Example: Â· Â¼â average depth of water after 15 minutes â water 35-50 minutes in that zone. Â· Â½â average depth of water after 15 minutes â water 20-30 minutes in that zone.
Overhead sprinklers waste a lot of water due to evaporation, but if yours is adjustable, be sure to aim it at the base of plants. Allow a garden hose to run a pencil thin stream of water at the base of trees and shrubs for 30 minutes to an hour. This small stream of water soaks slowly and deeply in the soil to the roots. To test how deeply the water goes, stick a trowel, spade, knitting needle or soil probe into the ground.