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Lawn irrigation tips from UNL Extension Office Measure the amount of water applied in a 15-minute period using collection devices such as a tuna or coffee can. Adjust the run time to deliver the required amount. Contact a lawn care professional if you need help. *Change the run time monthly or at least seasonally. Kentucky blue grass lawns require 1 inch per week in April and May; 1.25-inch per week in June; 1.5-inch in July and August; 1.25-inch in September, and 1 inch in October. Water to the bottom of the roots. Use a screwdriver, small shovel or soil probe to determine how deep the roots are, and how far the water has soaked in. The soil should be kept moist to about a half-inch deeper than the deepest roots to encourage downward growth. When watering on a slope, use "delayed starts." Run your sprinkler until you notice runoff, then stop. Wait 3 hours, then resume. Aerate to increase infiltration. Water in the early morning, 4 to 10 a.m. This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in the morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Observe your sprinkler system once a month. Look for heads that don't turn, heads that spray the street or sidewalk, bent or damaged heads, clogged or worn nozzles or orifices, turf growth around heads that impede water delivery, compaction and run-off. Adjust heads as landscape plants grow larger and begin to block the spray pattern. New installations of benches, decks, etc., also can decrease irrigation efficiency. During hot weather, run your sprinklers 5 to 10 minutes per zone to cool the turf and reduce stress. This is called syringing, and it reduces the symptoms of summer patch disease. Create water zones by putting plants together that have similar water needs. Each turf species has a different water requirement. Ornamental plants can be grouped into low, moderate and high water users. Each zone of plants can be irrigated according to its needs. When overseeding, irrigate lightly and frequently. The new turf plants have a very shallow root system, so timing should be adjusted accordingly. Questions? Call the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, 444.7804.	Water use in Nebraska Summer water use in the Omaha metro area Water Alert Plan Diggers Hotline Water facts Water security and conservation information from the American Water Works Association Frequently Asked Questions about quality, treatment and testing Frequently Asked Questions about water service and repair