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With the prolonged drought in Northern Illinois, I thought I’d share some watering advice with you all so that your lawns can flourish this summer!
Watering can be tricky in these weather conditions. This article goes over when to water, how long to water, how to measure your watering, how to program your controller, types of sprinklers available and municipal watering restrictions.
–Lucy

What Time of Day to Water

-The ideal time to water is between 4am and 8am so that your lawn has time to absorb the moisture, but not be so wet by dark that it encourages fungus or other problems.

-The amount of time that your lawn is wet should be kept to a minimum. It is assumed the lawn will be wet overnight from dew. Be sure that your lawn is completely dry before sunset.

-DO NOT WATER AFTER 4:00PM – This is the most dangerous time to water! Avoid watering on hot, humid days when the risk for disease is higher.

How Long to Water

-The watering session should last long enough to sufficiently soak the area so that all roots can absorb enough water.

-Sprinklers should be set to run for 30-35 minutes at a time, twice a week.

-The goal is to get at least 1″ of water a week on the lawn. This will ensure deep root growth.

-When it’s hot or dry outside, double the watering time while still watering 2 or 3 days a week.

-It is worse to overwater and drown your lawn than it is to underwater and dry out. Drowning is death, but drying out is dormant!

Please note: Turfgrass also benefits from a four-week period of drought stress. Drought conditions induce the plant to grow deeper roots — I’ll have more on that later!
How to Measure Watering Sessions

-Place a container, such as a tuna can, in the range of a sprinkler during a session and measure the amount of water in the container at the end of the session.

-For example, if after 30 minutes you have a half an inch of water in the container, your irrigation rate is 1 inch per hour.
YouTube link: How To Program Your Irrigation Controller

What Type of Sprinkler Should I Use?

-An underground irrigation system is the best option because it can be programmed and you don’t have to be there.

-A fully adjustable oscillating sprinkler is a good option because it distributes the water evenly in a rectangular pattern. Be sure to select models that have metal parts (plastic breaks too easily) and are fully adjustable. Each area should be overlapped by at least 10% including the edges of the lawn.

-Circular pattern sprinklers are known to leave gaps in the irrigation pattern. To get even coverage, overlap the area by 50%.

-Your lawn experiences the most heat and drought stress along the edges of the sidewalk, street and driveway. Be sure to use extra water in these areas if you see signs of drought stress!

Village Watering Restrictions – Click on your town for more details.

Brookfield: No watering between 12:00pm and 6:00pm.

Burr Ridge: No watering on Wednesday. Residents north of 83rd St. can water Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Residents south of 83rd St. can water Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Countryside: No watering between 12:00pm and 6:00pm. Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

ElmhurstEven numbered addresses can water 8:00pm Monday – 8:00am Tuesday, 8:00pm Wednesday – 8:00am Thursday, 8:00pm Friday – 8:00am Saturday. Odd numbered addresses can water 8:00pm Tuesday – 8:00am Wednesday, 8:00pm Thursday – 8:00am Friday, 8:00pm Saturday – 8:00am Sunday.

Hinsdale: Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

La Grange: No watering on Mondays. Even numbered addresses can water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

La Grange ParkWatering is permitted between 6:00am and 10:00pm. Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

Oak Park: Watering is permitted Monday through Friday. Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

Riverside: Watering is permitted from 6:00am – 10:00pm. Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

River ForestWatering is permitted from 7:00am – 6:00pm Monday through Friday and 8:00pm – 5:00pm on Saturdays. No watering on Sundays, New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Westchester: No watering between 12:00pm and 6:00pm. Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.

Western Springs: Even numbered addresses can water on even numbered calendar days. Odd numbered addresses can water on odd numbered calendar days.



For daily precipitation updates and watering instructions, visit our
When to Water page on our website.

Questions? Give us a call at 708-485-1234 or email us at [email protected]
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