As Minnesota moves from warm summer days into cooler fall weather, your lawn needs less water. Leaving a summer sprinkler schedule unchanged can waste water, keep the soil overly wet, and make it harder for your irrigation system to transition into winter.

Reduce watering as temperatures cool

Cooler temperatures and shorter days usually reduce evaporation. Begin by shortening run times or watering fewer days per week. Make changes gradually and watch the lawn rather than relying only on the calendar.

Check the lawn before each adjustment

Healthy turf should look evenly green and resilient. If footprints remain visible for a long time or the grass begins to lose color, the lawn may need water. If the ground stays soggy or runoff appears, reduce the schedule.

Inspect sprinkler coverage

Fall is a good time to look for clogged sprinkler heads, broken nozzles, tilted heads, and areas that receive too much or too little water. Correcting coverage problems helps prevent dry spots without increasing the entire system’s run time.

Prepare for irrigation winterization

Before freezing weather arrives, schedule professional winterization. Proper winterization removes water from the irrigation lines and components that could otherwise freeze and cause expensive damage. Learn more about Kelly Green Irrigation service plans and seasonal maintenance options.

Need help adjusting your system?

Every property has different soil, shade, turf, and sprinkler coverage. Kelly Green Irrigation can help fine-tune your system and prepare it for Minnesota’s changing seasons. Visit our irrigation services page to learn more.