A sprinkler system isn’t something most homeowners think about... until something goes wrong or their water bill spikes. But small seasonal changes to your watering schedule and system settings can make a big difference.
Summer, especially, calls for more precise timing, better coverage, and smarter tools. That means rethinking when to water lawn in summer, how to adjust sprinkler heads, and how your lawn watering schedule should change as temperatures rise.
Why Seasonal Changes Matter for Sprinkler Systems
Your sprinkler system was probably set up during mild weather. But by the time summer heat rolls in, that same setup can miss the mark. Water might evaporate before it even touches the roots, or parts of your yard may stay soggy while others dry out. Heat stress, shifting soil moisture, and changes in water pressure all affect how your watering system performs.
"If your irrigation system is not in prime condition, chances are you are paying much more than necessary to water your lawn,” explains Heather Todd, brand president for Conserva Irrigation.
And that’s just the start. The water flow from sprinkler heads can get misaligned from being knocked around by lawn mowers or foot traffic. Spray patterns can drift over time. A once-perfect arc might now be soaking your driveway instead of your grass. It happens! Seasonal recalibration is about getting your system back on track, and any homeowner who invested in irrigation has to think about it.
The Right Way to Adjust Sprinkler Heads
Before you mess with automatic timers or smart devices, get hands-on with the basics. Adjusting sprinkler heads can make the biggest difference... and it's usually easy and fast.
- Start by turning on your system zone by zone. Watch the spray pattern. Look for signs like: Water spraying sidewalks or driveways, dry patches between sprinkler zones, pooling water around certain heads, and grass blades bending under heavy streams.
- Fix the arc or direction. For pop-up sprinklers, check for dirt blocking the nozzle. Impact sprinkler heads may need more forceful cleaning. Adjustment tools for these repairs are usually included with your heads.
- Notice for issues with your MP rotator nozzles. Look for clogs or tilted rotor heads.
- Make sure your heads are exposed. If they're buried too deep or stuck too high, a flexible riser or pipe extension can help reposition them correctly.
Update the Timing of Your Lawn Watering Schedule
Timing is everything, especially in summer. Most lawns need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, but when you water matters just as much as how much.
Stick to early morning hours. Watering between 4am and 9am helps water soak into the soil before heat and wind speed up evaporation. Avoid nighttime watering; it raises the risk of fungus and disease pressure.
If you live in an area with warm-season grasses, adjust your watering schedule to deeper but less frequent sessions 2-3 days/week.
Cool-season grasses may need lighter, more consistent watering during hot spells to prevent heat stress, so aim for 3-4 days/week, but shorter durations.
And keep the soil in mind, too. Clay soil usually needs a longer soak. Sandy soil is quicker to absorb the water, but needs more frequent watering.
We Do Love Smart Technology...
You don’t need a brand-new system to get smarter with your watering. Adding tech is where it's at.
“[You can add] smart irrigation devices with your irrigation system,” notes Todd. “Rain sensors, smart controllers, and soil sensors help communicate important weather and soil information to the irrigation system, which can help determine which zones need water.”
If your controller is more than five years old, look into upgrading to a weather-based irrigation controller or a Rachio controller that adjusts to real-time conditions. Soil moisture sensors also take out the guesswork.
Many smart controllers allow seasonal adjustments without resetting your entire system. You can tweak watering times by month, or even week, which is super convenient during hot spells.
Remember: System Inspections Are Important!
You can adjust heads and timers yourself, but a deeper inspection might catch issues that are draining your wallet (literally).
“[Request] a System Efficiency Score (SES),” recommends Todd. “During your sprinkler inspection, a technician will walk you through your property and inspect each aspect of your irrigation system. You would be amazed at the common problems we have found! Leaking sprinkler lines, broken sprinkler heads, misaligned sprinklers, dry or wet spots, you name it.”
Catching leaks or worn-out parts before peak summer watering can reduce water waste and keep your lawn looking better.
FAQ
How can I tell if I'm watering my lawn too much?
Look for soggy spots, mushrooms, or consistent runoff on sidewalks and driveways. Grass that feels spongy underfoot may also be getting too much water.
What’s the best sprinkler head type for irregular-shaped lawns?
MP Rotator heads are a good fit for tricky angles and uneven layouts. They deliver water slowly and evenly, which helps with water conservation and better absorption in hard-to-reach corners.
