How to Conserve

Watering

Plant watering needs vary from month to month. Regularly adjusting your irrigation schedule is an easy way to save water and money and helps ensure your plants get the right amount of water to thrive. Irrigation frequency should be adjusted at least four times a year to account for differences in seasonal watering needs.

Monthly Watering Schedule

Sign up to receive free monthly outdoor watering reminders from AMWUA by texting WHENTOWATER to 1-844-416-1428. It’s a new number but same helpful outdoor watering tips!

The following are general guidelines for scheduling irrigation this month. New plants require more water until they become established. Watch your plants for signs of stress, especially during the summer months. Visit Watering by the Numbers for detailed, step-by-step instructions for how much and how often to water.

Plant Type

Frequency of irrigation (how often to water)

Lawns

Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 7-10 days

Lawns

Overseeded cool season grass (rye) - 4x per day for 1st 7-10 days to germinate, (then once every 3 days)

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve

Desert Adapted - once every 21 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve

High Water Use - once every 10 days

Trees

Desert Adapted - once every 24 days

Trees

High Water Use - once every 12 days

Shrubs, groundcovers, and vines

Desert Adapted - once every 18 days

Shrubs, groundcovers, and vines

High Water Use - once every 9 days

Cacti and succulents

If needed

Annuals

Once every 5-7 days

Go Deeper

Looking for more information on irrigation systems and how to water? These guides have what you need.

Smart Home Water Guide

A step-by-step guide that helps discover typical leaks inside and outside your home, including your irrigation system, available in English y en Español.

Xeriscape: Landscaping With Style in the Arizona Desert

A step-by-step Online Guide for planning, installing, and caring for desert adapted landscapes, including general watering information and specifics on irrigation system design, installation, and maintenance.

Landscape Watering by the Numbers

An interactive online guide that walks you through how much and how often to water, how to set your irrigation timer, and how to troubleshoot your system. This guide resides on the Water—Use It Wisely website.