The sample lawn-watering schedule is based on sprinkler application rate of 2' per hour.
Lawns: This lawn schedule is for pop-up spray sprinklers. Divide your irrigation run times into multiple start cycles, one hour apart, to start in the pre-dawn. Instead of watering one 15-minute cycle, program your irrigation controller to water two 7-minute cycles at 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM, or three 5-minute cycles at 5:00 AM, 6:00 AM, and 7:00AM. This prevents runoff by allowing the water to efficiently soak in to the soil with each cycle. If your lawn is drying out or soggy, adjust the minutes per run time slightly or take a day off per week. Lawns with pop-up rotors or impact sprinklers may need more time per run cycle as sprinklers don’t put out as much water as pop-up sprays.
Shrubs: Shrubs on a drip system should be scheduled for 15-25 minute start times and will require 1-3 days per week on average. Spray sprinklers that water established shrubs are watered as the lawns above, with less days per week (existing shrubs will usually need less water per week.)
Note: Don’t turn your irrigation system on during the daylight hours or in the evening during hot summer weather. Existing lawns and shrubs watered with the above schedules should be able to withstand the hot weather, but if extra water is needed, add minutes to your run cycles or add an extra day for that week.