Watering Guide

The Following Outdoor Water Uses Are Prohibited:

  • Washing down driveways and sidewalks with potable water.
  • Causing runoff as a result of excess outdoor watering.
  • Using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is recirculated.
  • Leaks must be fixed within 5 days.
Drip irrigation closeup

Monthly Watering Index

Many weather factors influence how much water plants need.  The most important is day length (the amount of solar radiation) - this is why plants need 40% less water in October than in the summer!  See the FAQ (Below) on how to use the watering index with your sprinkler timer to make simple - but important - changes to your watering times.

Watering index
  1. What is a Watering Index?
  2. How Do I use the Watering Index?
  3. What if my plants look stressed even though I'm using the recommended Watering Index?
  4. What is basis for the Watering Index?
  5. Is there anything else I can do to improve my watering practices and reduce my use of water?
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Recommended Watering Schedule:

  • Residents are encouraged to water 1 day per week in the winter (Nov – March).
  • Residents are encouraged to water 3 days per week in the summer (Apr – Oct).

Create a Watering Schedule:

Any schedule provided needs to be adjusted based on the type of watering device, soil, slope and plants.

The right controller, when properly scheduled, can result in significant water savings and lower water bills. The goal of an efficient watering schedule is to irrigate only the amount of water that is needed by the plant. Most landscapes are over-watered by as much as 50 percent more water than what the plants need.

Sample Seasonal Watering Schedules - San Diego

Turf Grass (Pop-up Spray)
 SpringSummerFallWinter
Days Per Week332Off
Start Times Per Day111Off
Minutes Per Station888Off
Total Minutes Per Day888Off
Total Minutes Per Week242416Off

Note: Your irrigation system may need more or less time based on weather conditions, soil type, slope and performance; distribution uniformity, precipitation rates (spray or drip).

Control your Controller

  1. Reset your Controller :Operating and controlling your controller can be confusing but it is important for plant health and watering efficiently.  Find your irrigation controller (or sprinkler timer) at the website above to find resources and videos on how to use it
  2. Create a Base Watering Schedule: 
  3. Adjust Water Schedules: After creating a base schedule, use the Watering Index to make simple monthly adjustments to apply water efficiently. Or, if you have a weather based irrigation controller it may make these watering adjustments automatically.
  4. Consider upgrading to a Smart Controller (Rebates Available!)
  1. Rachio (Smart)
  2. Orbit B-Hyve (Smart)
  3. Wyze, Toro, RainMachine
  4. Rain Bird ESP-Me (Add-On)

Rachio smart sprinkler controller can be easily set up and controlled from your smartphone!  This "smart" timer makes daily water schedule updates to make sure your plants receive the water they need.

Rachio's websiterachio