When it comes to irrigating your lawn and garden, it's important to consider your local environment. The climate, weather patterns, soil type, and even local regulations can all affect the best irrigation strategies for your space. Read on for tips on customizing your watering schedule based on where you live.

Check Your Area's Climate Zone

The climate zone you live in gives you clues about how much water your plants realistically need. For example, cooler mountain regions need less frequent watering than hot, arid deserts. Look up your area's zone online or check with your local extension office. Then you can tailor your sprinkler maintenance company's schedule to match. Overwatering wastes this precious resource in moderate climates, while underwatering stresses plants in extreme heat. Know your zone for optimal irrigation.

Factor in Rainfall Patterns

Along with climate, your area's annual rainfall also guides smart watering practices. Places like the Pacific Northwest get steady precipitation all year, meaning sprinkler systems mostly stay off. But drier spots rely heavily on irrigation to compensate for little rain during summer. Again, your sprinkler maintenance company can track local averages and increase or decrease watering accordingly. More rain means you likely don't need as much sprinkler time.

Evaluate Your Native Soil Type

Soil matters when it comes to effective watering! According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, areas with hard soil or clay can split their irrigation into three sprinkler cycles to prevent runoff and give the ground enough time to absorb the water. Meanwhile, sandy soils may require more frequent watering as moisture drains fast. Have your sprinkler maintenance company assess your native soil. Then they'll suggest run times and cycles to match.

Know Local Watering Regulations

Many municipalities have rules about when and how much you can irrigate. These are especially common in drought-prone regions. Your area may ban watering during the hottest daylight hours, limit you to certain days per week, or have special emergency restrictions. Make sure your sprinkler maintenance company takes into account these local regulations. The last thing you need is fines for overwatering.

Optimizing your irrigation schedule for where you live ensures your lawn and landscaping get the right amount of water when they need it. Consider climate, weather, soil, and regulations for custom watering that works in your specific environment. Proper irrigation keeps plants healthy and complies with local laws. Whether you're looking to install a new irrigation system or get help maintaining an old one, reach out to Oregon Sprinkler today to learn how we can help.