Basic Gold Country Watering Information

What Time of Day Should I Water?

In the Sacramento Region, we recommend watering between midnight and 6 a.m. if possible. Watering early in the morning generally means relatively low wind conditions and less water lost to evaporation.

How Long Should I Water?

In the Sacramento Region, landscapes with clay soils are common. In many cases running an irrigation system on a lawn for more than five minutes will result in run-off. Precise watering times vary depending on the type of irrigation equipment, soil type, slope and plant type.

How Often Should I Water?

This is a general guideline as actual conditions may vary.

In the Sacramento Region, water in the early morning hours between midnight and 6 a.m. as follows:

SUMMER (May 15 – September 14) NO MORE THAN 3 TIMES PER WEEK	FALL (September 15 – November 14) NO MORE THAN 2 TIMES PER WEEK
SPRING (March 15 – May 14) NO MORE THAN 2 TIMES PER WEEK	WINTER (November 14 – March 14) NO MORE THAN 1 TIME PER WEEK*

* Winter – During unseasonably dry winters or extended dry periods, water one time per week; during typically wet winters, water 0 times per week. Do remember that plants under patio covers and eaves may need water more regularly, even during winter.

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