Reno’s dry climate, high-desert conditions, and seasonal temperature swings make a set-it-and-forget-it watering schedule a poor fit. Your landscape needs change as plants wake up in spring, face summer heat, and prepare for freezing weather. A few timely adjustments can help you water efficiently while spotting leaks, clogged heads, or exposed pipes before they cause trouble. Use this seasonal guide as a starting point, then adjust for your soil, plant types, sun exposure, and local weather.
Start Spring With a System Check
Wait until the risk of hard freezes has passed before pressurizing an irrigation system that was winterized. Open the main valve slowly, then activate each zone separately. Walk the yard while each zone runs and look for broken heads, leaks, blocked nozzles, low pressure, or water spraying onto pavement. Check drip lines for loose connections and emitters that do not flow. Repair problems before setting a regular schedule.
Remove debris around sprinkler heads and make sure each one pops up and retracts freely. Adjust spray patterns so water reaches planted areas rather than walls, sidewalks, or driveways. If you use a controller, confirm its date, time, and program settings; power interruptions can reset them. Begin with less frequent watering while temperatures remain cool, and increase gradually as plants grow and the soil dries.
Adjust for Summer Heat
During hot, dry weather, check soil moisture instead of relying only on the calendar. Probe the soil near plant roots with a trowel or screwdriver; if it is still damp, wait before watering again. When watering is needed, apply enough to reach the root zone, then allow the surface to dry between cycles. This encourages deeper roots and helps avoid constantly wet soil, which can stress plants.
Water early in the morning when possible, when less water is likely to evaporate or blow away. If runoff forms on slopes or compacted ground, split the watering time into shorter cycles with a pause between them so water can soak in. Group plants with similar water needs on the same zone, and review drip emitters and sprinkler coverage during hot spells. A controller’s seasonal adjustment can help, but inspect the landscape before changing the whole schedule.
Scale Back in Fall
As days get shorter and temperatures cool, plants usually need less supplemental water. Reduce watering time or frequency in stages rather than keeping peak-summer settings in place. Check the soil before each cycle, especially after rain or a cool stretch. Trees and shrubs may still need occasional deep watering while the ground is unfrozen, but lawns and established plants generally need less as growth slows.
Use fall inspections to find small issues before the system is shut down. Clear leaves and soil from sprinkler heads, check for leaks, and note repairs for spring. If your controller has a rain or freeze sensor, confirm that it works and is positioned correctly. Follow local watering rules and account for your landscape’s needs; a schedule that suits a sunny lawn may not suit shaded beds or drought-tolerant plantings.
Winterize Before Freezing Weather
Before freezing conditions arrive, turn off the irrigation supply and protect the backflow device according to its manufacturer’s instructions and local requirements. Outdoor pipes, valves, and exposed fittings can crack when water freezes inside them. Drain the system or have it cleared using the method specified for its equipment. Compressed air can damage components if used incorrectly, so leave this work to a qualified professional when you are unsure.
Disconnect and drain garden hoses, and check that exposed plumbing is protected. Do not assume a mild afternoon means the system is safe to leave full of water; overnight temperatures can fall quickly in the Reno area. Keep a note of shutoff locations and any repairs needed when warmer weather returns. In spring, restart slowly and inspect every zone before resuming normal watering.
Seasonal irrigation works best when you pair controller changes with regular checks of soil, plants, and equipment. Start up carefully in spring, respond to summer heat without overwatering, scale back in fall, and protect the system before freezing weather. For help checking a system or planning seasonal adjustments, contact Sagewater Irrigation.