Dry Winter Watering Tips
Outdoor Watering Schedule
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Dry Winter Watering Tips

With the recent dry weather and warmer temperatures, Sacramento-area residents might be tempted to ramp up their landscape irrigation. But, SSWD is recommending restraint.

Plants don't need as much water this time of year, even without rain. Lower temperatures, shorter daylight hours and moisture from fog and rain all combine to reduce the water demands of a typical landscape. Often little, if any, irrigation is needed.

Here are some dry winter tips for typical landscape:

• Before turning on your irrigation system, check the soil to see and feel if it is still moist by using a garden trowel or shovel to dig down about three to six inches. If the soil is dry several inches or more below the surface, water the landscape one day per week, according to your water provider's schedule.
• Apply the "soak and cycle" method, which means to water your landscape on that one day and let the water soak into the soil for about an hour. Then use a trowel or shovel again to check the soil moisture. If the soil is moist to a depth of three inches or so, you've probably watered enough. If the soil is only moist down to a depth of an inch or two, you may need to irrigate for a little longer.
• Understand that if you have the type of lawn that is dormant in the winter, it will not likely need supplemental water.
• Once the rains begin, remember to turn the irrigation system off again.

The variations in rainfall from year to year are a constant reminder for all of us to use only what we need.

For more tips on using less water, call 972.7171 to sign up for a Water-Wise House Call.

Outdoor Watering Schedule

Indoor and outdoor water conservation tips to help you reduce water use.

SSWD has an odd/even outdoor watering schedule, which aligns with many other regional water purveyors. If your home or business address ends in an: 

• Odd number water Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Even number water Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Remember:

• Watering 3 days or less per week is encouraged.
• No watering on Mondays.
• Watering between Noon and 8:00 p.m. is not recommended.

The District's Water Conservation Regulation No. 15 lists the guidelines and restrictions for outdoor watering. For example, water that runs off lawns to adjoining properties or to a roadside ditch or gutter is prohibited. Violations are subject to enforcement procedures.

If you have questions regarding the odd/even outdoor watering schedule, please contact the Customer Service Team at 972.7171 during business hours.

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