Samples of Irrigation Schedules

Many homeowners request irrigation schedules to help them program their traditional controllers. Any schedule provided needs to be adjusted based on the type of watering device, soil, slope and plants.

The tables below are samples of controller settings that may be successful in the Napa Valley. These tables assume that your irrigation system works efficiently, and that you have resolved any common irrigation issues.

Keep in mind that, "cycling and soaking," turning the controller on for a recommended number of minutes several times an hour apart, results in deeper watering and a healthier root system.

Sample Controller Settings - Napa Valley

Turf Grass (Pop-up Spray)
  Spring Summer Fall Winter
Days per Week 3 4 2 Off
Start Times per Day 3 3 3 Off
Minutes per Station 5 5 5 Off
Total Minutes per Day 15 15 15 Off
Total Minutes per Week 45* 60** 30*** Off

*In the Spring, you can water at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. for five minutes three times a week.
** In the Summer, you can water at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. for five minutes four times a week.
***In the Fall, you can water at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. for five minutes twice a week.

Sample Controller Settings - Napa Valley

Shrubs (Pop-up Spray)
  Spring Summer Fall Winter
Days per Week 2 3 1 Off
Start Times per Day 2 2 2 Off
Minutes per Station 3 3 3 Off
Total Minutes per Day 6 6 6 Off
Total Minutes per Week 12 18 6 Off

 

Sample Controller Settings - Napa Valley

Drip (Moderate Water Use Plants)
  Spring Summer Fall Winter
Days per Week 2 3 2 Off
Start Times per Day 1 1 1 Off
Minutes per Station 20 20 20 Off
Total Minutes per Day 20 20 20 Off
Total Minutes per Week 40 60 40 Off

A drip system can run during the middle of the day so you can check that emitters are working and see that the ground is wet. However, 6 a.m. is an ideal time for a drip system to turn on so you can perform an early morning check-up on its functionality.