The winter months mean the leaves are off the trees, the flowers are all gone, and the grass is brown and dormant, especially in cold climates. Here in South Carolina, with our mild climate, things may look similar. Understanding what to do with your irrigation controller can be a game changer come spring.
Prepping Your Irrigation System
While the grass in your landscaping may look dead, it’s anything but. Popular grasses in the south include Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine, and Zoysia, all of which become dormant in the winter. And to the casual observer, they do appear dead, but they’re still alive. And they need occasional irrigation, so you shouldn’t completely shut down your irrigation system.
The Right Irrigation Controller Settings for Winter
It’s a challenge to set your irrigation controller for the winter because watering your grass depends on many things, including the weather. For example, if the winter is wet with lots of precipitation, your grass won’t need as much watering. Instead, you can set it to “rain” and adjust it as needed. Another option is investing in a “smart” controller. With soil moisture sensors and weather stations, the system turns itself on when the grass needs water. The controller runs the irrigation cycles based on need, saving you time and money on water while keeping your grass alive and healthy so it can thrive in the spring.
Reach out to W.P. Law, Inc. for more information on sprinkler controllers and how to prep your irrigation controller for winter.
