Automatic Irrigation System Care
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
March
- General care: Run each irrigation zone briefly. Mark broken or tilted heads, valves that do not open, clogged emitters, connection leaks, spray onto the road or wall, and ponding on the surface. Skip if: there is still a risk of frost in the pipes or valves.
April
- General care: Run each irrigation zone briefly. Mark broken or tilted heads, valves that do not open, clogged emitters, connection leaks, spray onto the road or wall, and ponding on the surface. Skip if: there is still a risk of frost in the pipes or valves. Do not leave the run times on the controller fixed. Adjust zone run times according to recent rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total time into short cycles with waiting periods in between. Skip if: a weather-aware controller is working with the right sensors and its last check is up to date.
May
- General care: While the system is running, observe the zones; check for broken heads, leaks, clogging, dry spots, spray onto pavement/walls and pooling. Mark the problem spot and reduce or shut off the run time of the affected zone until the repair is complete. Skip if: the system is shut down for the whole season. Do not leave the controller run times fixed. Adjust zone run times according to the latest rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total run time into short cycles with waiting intervals. Skip if: the weather-based controller is working with the correct sensors and its last check is up to date.
June
- General care: While the system is running, observe the zones; check for broken heads, leaks, clogging, dry spots, spray onto pavement/walls and pooling. Mark the problem spot and reduce or shut off the run time of the affected zone until the repair is complete. Skip if: the system is shut down for the whole season. Do not leave the controller run times fixed. Adjust zone run times according to the latest rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total run time into short cycles with waiting intervals. Skip if: the weather-based controller is working with the correct sensors and its last check is up to date.
July
- General care: While the system is running, observe the zones; check for broken heads, leaks, clogging, dry spots, spray onto pavement/walls and pooling. Mark the problem spot and reduce or shut off the run time of the affected zone until the repair is complete. Skip if: the system is shut down for the whole season. Do not leave the controller run times fixed. Adjust zone run times according to the latest rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total run time into short cycles with waiting intervals. Skip if: the weather-based controller is working with the correct sensors and its last check is up to date.
August
- General care: While the system is running, observe the zones; check for broken heads, leaks, clogging, dry spots, spray onto pavement/walls and pooling. Mark the problem spot and reduce or shut off the run time of the affected zone until the repair is complete. Skip if: the system is shut down for the whole season. Do not leave the controller run times fixed. Adjust zone run times according to the latest rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total run time into short cycles with waiting intervals. Skip if: the weather-based controller is working with the correct sensors and its last check is up to date.
September
- General care: While the system is running, observe the zones; check for broken heads, leaks, clogging, dry spots, spray onto pavement/walls and pooling. Mark the problem spot and reduce or shut off the run time of the affected zone until the repair is complete. Skip if: the system is shut down for the whole season. Do not leave the controller run times fixed. Adjust zone run times according to the latest rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total run time into short cycles with waiting intervals. Skip if: the weather-based controller is working with the correct sensors and its last check is up to date.
October
- General care: Do not leave the run times on the controller fixed. Adjust zone run times according to recent rainfall, plant needs and soil texture; on heavy soils where surface runoff occurs, split the total time into short cycles with waiting periods in between. Skip if: a weather-aware controller is working with the right sensors and its last check is up to date.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
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