Conserve water in your garden by using cycle and soak irrigation schedules

July 31, 2013 / Ecoyards
Sprinklers water a green lawn near a sunlit sidewalk, with sunlight streaming through tree branches and water droplets in the air.

We’ve shared many ways to conserve water in your landscape, and one of the simplest is using a technique called cycle and soak. Instead of watering for one long stretch—like 20 minutes straight—you break it into shorter cycles. For example, water for 10 minutes, wait about an hour to let the water absorb, then water for another 10 minutes. This helps prevent runoff and allows water to soak deeper into the soil.

Deeper watering encourages roots to grow farther down, creating a stronger, healthier lawn. Most sprinkler systems can be programmed to follow this method. The exact timing will depend on your soil type and yard slope—clay soil absorbs slowly, sandy soil more quickly. Aim for the soil to be moist 6–8 inches deep; a soil probe should push in easily to that depth.

Each landscape zone may need a different schedule. If you’d like help optimizing your irrigation system, contact Ecoyards for a consultation.

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