Lawn and Garden Care: Irrigation

Laurie E. Trenholm, Laurie Trenholm, J. Bryan Unruh, John L. Cisar, andJohn L. Cisar
Other Contacts: Marco Schiavon

Pierce Jones, Nicholas W. Taylor, Tricia E. Kyzar, Pierce H. Jones, andKaitlin Robb Price

F. S. Zazueta, A. Brockway, L. Landrum, and B. McCarty

Haimanote K. Bayabil, Kati W. Migliaccio, J. H. Debastiani Andreis, Clyde Fraisse, Kelly T. Morgan, andG. Vellidis

As freshwater resources become increasingly scarce, efficient irrigation scheduling methods that allow efficient irrigation water uses are required. Migliaccio et al. (2016) have developed an app called Smartirrigation Turf, an easy-to-use mobile tool that delivers information to improve irrigation scheduling for urban turf. The app was only available for Florida and Georgia, but recently, we have made improvements to the app and made it available to any location throughout the contiguous United States. 

Fedro S. Zazueta

Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas

This publication discusses turfgrass and landscape irrigation recommendations from UF/IFAS. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

George Hochmuth, Laurie Trenholm, Don Rainey, Esen Momol, Claire Lewis, and Brian Niemann

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet. Published by Urban Water

Marco Schiavon andKimberly A. Moore

Because water characteristics can affect soil and plant status, it is important to check water quality periodically. However, water analysis reports are often confusing and cumbersome to read, focused primarily on monitoring sodium contents and little else. This new 3-page publication reviews several important water quality properties that need to be assessed when water samples are sent for analysis. Written by Marco Schiavon and Kimberly Moore.

Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, andMarco Schiavon

This guide is meant to inform homeowners and landscape personnel about common mistakes to avoid and the importance of using appropriate watering procedures when irrigating turfgrass to further promote the vitality of lawns. Written by Anthony Halcyon, Mary G. Lusk, and Marco Schiavon, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, September 2025.

Anne E. Yasalonis, Michael D. Dukes, andBernardo L. Cardenas-Laihacar

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet for Homeowner audience(s). In support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Urban Water.

Thomas R. Olmsted, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas

This publication evaluates the frequency or number of times an irrigation maintenance problem occurs, as documented by Urban Mobile Irrigation Lab (UMIL) audits, and provides a list of the most common irrigation maintenance problems in residential irrigation systems. Written by Thomas R. Olmsted, Michael D. Dukes, and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised August 2024.

Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas

This publication aims to provide basic information about rain sensors when incorporated into automatic irrigation systems. Written by Michael D. Dukes and Bernard Cardenas, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Jacqlyn Rivas, Jacqlyn Rivas, Tiare Saracino, Luke B. Harlow, Lynn Barber, Jennifer W. Marvin, Esen A. Momol, Esen Momol, Tina McIntyre, andTerra Freeman

This publication is written for Florida gardeners, homesteaders and other horticulturalists interested in planting and establishing edible landscapes and improving those landscapes by conserving water. This publication will provide guidance for choosing the ideal irrigation system for edible cropping systems as well as general tips for conserving water in edible landscapes.

R. Klein, A.J. Lindsey, M. McMillan, J. B. Unruh, and M.D. Dukes

Florida Friendly Landscaping™ Best Management Practices (BMPs) for management of commercial and residential lawns and landscapes were developed by scientists with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). These BMPs assist homeowners and professionals in making management choices that will help sustain lawns and landscapes in Florida without impairing Florida’s water resources.

Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman

The purpose of this publication is to familiarize irrigation managers, contractors, Extension agents, homeowners, and other interested persons with programming guidelines for an irrigation timer in Florida. Written by Michael D. Dukes, Bernard Cardenas, and Dorota Z. Haman, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, revised July 2024.

Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas W. Taylor, Diedre Irwin, andJames Harmon

A new 5-page UF/IFAS numbered publication of the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication. The information presented here is intended to inform water management district personnel, utility staff, public employees, and other educators and communicators who are charged with developing policies, promoting water use efficiency, and enforcing irrigation restrictions as a water conservation tool. Written by Laura A. Warner, Michael D. Dukes, Nicholas Taylor, Deirdre Irwin, and James Harmon.