Utah Division of Water Resources

Last week, some parts of Utah received more rain than we anticipated, which means our recommendations were a little higher than needed in those areas. Hopefully, those of you who put out a rain gauge got to see firsthand how much precipitation your lawn actually received and adjusted accordingly.

As temperatures continue to climb, especially over the weekend, more areas of the state are moving to three watering days per week. It is also going to be breezy this week. Check the weather and avoid watering when it’s windy. Keep in mind that the breezy conditions create increased fire risk for those of you getting to enjoy our awesome public lands. Remember, nothing in your established landscape needs daily irrigation. Thank you for following the guide.

Your lawn needs water—but it doesn’t need waste. Efficient irrigation keeps landscapes healthy while saving water, money, and unnecessary runoff.

Water at the Right Time:
-Water during the early morning hours when temperatures are cooler and winds are calmer
-Avoid watering during the heat of the day when much of the water evaporates before reaching the roots

Water to the Needs of Your Lawn
Not every yard needs the same amount of water. Factors like:
-Sun vs. shade
-Soil type
-Slope
-Grass health
all affect how much irrigation is needed

Upgrade to a Smart Controller
A smart irrigation controller automatically adjusts watering based on:
-Weather conditions
-Rainfall
-Temperature
-Plant water needs (ET)
That means your sprinklers run when your lawn actually needs it—not just because the clock says so

Avoid Water Waste
-Fix broken sprinkler heads and leaks
-Keep water off sidewalks and driveways
-Use cycle-and-soak watering to reduce runoff
-Adjust schedules after rain or cooler weather

Grass you don’t walk or play on?
-Replace it with water-efficient plants, drip irrigation, and mulch
-This is a great year to get a rebate and replace those areas with a beautiful new waterwise landscape
-Get a rebate at SlowTheFlow.org

Some much-needed rain is in the forecast. If your area gets more or less than expected, adjust frequency as needed. If possible, hold off on watering until Monday and see how much rain is received locally.

Our weekly guide is based on real-time weather data and plant water use, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Sun, soil, slope, grass type, and sprinkler efficiency all play a role. Get to know your yard. Oftentimes, we irrigate to the driest area, which overwaters the rest of the landscape. Try spot watering those dry spots vs. running the entire system.

The goal of this guide is to help you understand lawn’s water needs, water more efficiently, and avoid overwatering. Landscapes don’t need daily watering (with the exception of things like potted annuals).

Want a more hands-off approach? A properly programmed smart irrigation controller can automatically adjust your schedule based on local weather. Rebates are available at SlowTheFlow.org.

We also host a monthly education event covering irrigation, plant needs, and waterwise landscaping. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop and get monthly updates.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezlJM_8PdPKcuepcqIs7M3shaO-57ey1yv5AeCo4GuUmh40A/viewform

Celebrate spring the waterwise way! 🌸 You're invited to the Conservation Garden Park Spring Garden Fair on May 30th. Join Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District for water-saving and nature-based activities for the whole family, including creating botanical works of art, touring a reverse osmosis water treatment plant, and chatting with waterwise experts for landscaping advice.

Please reserve a ticket in order to accommodate parking capacity:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/conservation-garden-parks-spring-garden-fair-tickets-1984986659533?aff=oddtdtcreator

This week’s lawn watering guide comes with a little extra nuance.

Conditions and restrictions are changing quickly across the state. Some areas received helpful rain last week, while others stayed dry. Some secondary irrigation systems still aren’t charged, and many communities are implementing watering restrictions.

Please remember that this is a guide, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.

Before turning on your sprinklers, check local watering restrictions and pay attention to what your landscape is actually telling you. Drought or no drought, irrigation controllers shouldn’t be a “set it and forget it” task.

If you do have access to irrigation water, now is a great time to:
💧 Check your system for leaks or broken heads and make needed repairs
💧 Adjust controller settings for current weather conditions
💧 Consider upgrading to a smart controller (rebates available)
💧 Schedule a Water Check to improve efficiency and programming

And while lawns often get the attention this time of year, remember to keep an eye on trees and established plants too. Mature landscapes are a major investment and provide shade, cooling, cleaner air, and long-term benefits to our communities.
Most of all, give yourself a little grace. We’re all navigating difficult water conditions together and doing our best to adapt as conditions change.

Want help preparing your landscape for drought? Join our upcoming webinar on building a drought-ready yard. Register to attend live or receive the recording and post-event resources afterward.

https://utah-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/4217782562701/WN_U3PJESLlSJWFxh66yaXB4Q

Your lawn is benefiting from recent rain and mild temperatures. No need to turn on your full sprinkler system just yet.

You might see a few dry spots pop up in hot, sunny areas, like along sidewalks, near hard surfaces, or those sneaky spots where the sun reflects off a window onto the grass. If needed, drag a hose and spot water those areas.

For everything else, you’re safe to wait. Holding off a little longer encourages deeper roots, so your grass can access water stored deeper in the soil and stay healthier through the summer.

Instead of thinking about your sprinkler system, focus on soil health. Consider applying compost, aerating, or both to reduce compaction and improve how your soil holds moisture.

Want to go deeper? Read more about training your grass for drought resilience below.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3636&context=extension_curall

Let the rain do the work. No irrigation is needed this week for most of the State. Spot watering may be necessary in the southern and southeastern portions of our state, depending on rainfall amounts.

With cooler spring temperatures and multiple chances of rain, your soil is already getting the moisture it needs. Running your sprinklers now would be like refilling a glass that’s already full. This is the perfect time to keep irrigation systems off and let nature take the lead.

This week, your best irrigation strategy is dancing in the rain.

Hold off on watering this week (except Washington County).
With cool temperatures and recent precipitation, your lawn doesn't need the irrigation system just yet. Turning it on too early can actually lead to shallow roots and wasted water.

According to this week’s Weekly Lawn Watering Guide, nature is currently doing the work for you! Here are some quick tips.

💧Save water and let the spring moisture carry you through.
💧Spot water only: If sunny spots or thin patches look dry, water them by hand rather than running the full system.
💧Upgrade your yard: If certain areas struggle every year, they might be perfect candidates for our Landscape Incentive Program.

Want more tips? Check out our upcoming webinar to keep your lawn healthy and efficient!

https://utah-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/9217764459761/WN_yh87HeALSD6yDRZYDplGQQ #/registration

West Jordan residents: Learn how to create and maintain a waterwise landscape with our new monthly DIY webinar series!

Join us virtually each month as industry experts share practical tips for planning, planting, and maintaining landscapes that use less water while staying healthy and attractive.

Upcoming sessions:
• April 29: Better Lawns, Less Water — Turf Choices, Technology, and Maintenance
• May 27: Build a Drought-Ready Yard Without Starting Over

Register here: tinyurl.com/WaterWiseDIYSeries

This free series is designed to help you save water, reduce maintenance, and make informed landscaping choices that work in Utah’s climate.

Utah’s snowpack is at a record low. This year didn’t just break the old record, it crushed it. Snowpack provides about 95% of our water, so this matters.

Add in record high temperatures, and it’s clear this isn’t a typical year. These aren’t the records we want to break.

This year feels different. Let’s do something different. Start by rethinking your yard. Grass replacement programs are open, but don’t forget to get pre-approved before you start your project.

Learn more at slowtheflow.org/rebates