Getting Your Irrigation Ready for Florida's Dry Season

Why This Matters in Central Florida

If you've been away from your home here in The Villages, Mount Dora, or Lady Lake, your irrigation system may have drifted out of sync with the season. Florida's dry season runs roughly April through May, and even established landscapes can suffer without proper attention. A quick system review now means your property stays healthy while you're focused on other things.

Inspect Your System While It's Still Running

Walk your property on a day your system runs. Look for obvious issues: broken spray heads, heads pointing the wrong direction, or water pooling in unexpected spots. These problems compound over a dry season. If you see geysers instead of gentle spray, that's a broken nozzle that should be replaced.

Check that your timer is set correctly. Many people adjust their watering schedule in fall and forget to revisit it. Your controller should reflect current daylight hours and upcoming lower rainfall.

Check Your Rain Sensor

Often Overlooked, Always Important

Your rain sensor is a simple device that stops your system when it rains. Over months, sensors can get dirty, develop algae, or become sticky. A malfunctioning sensor means your sprinklers might run right after a rainstorm, wasting water and money. Clean it gently with a soft cloth and distilled water. If it sticks, it may need replacement.

Prepare for Seasonal Adjustments

What to Reduce

As we head into drier months, most people reduce irrigation run time or frequency. Rather than guessing, water your lawn normally for two weeks, then observe how it looks. Healthy grass should bounce back when you walk on it. If it's browning or thinning, you need more water. If it's squishy or moss is appearing, you're watering too much.

Shrubs and beds often need less attention than turf. A good rule here in Central Florida is to run established plantings twice weekly during dry season, adjusting based on recent rainfall.

Mulch Your Beds

Before dry season intensifies, refresh mulch in planting beds to a depth of 2-3 inches. This reduces evaporation and keeps roots cooler. Keep mulch a few inches away from tree trunks to prevent rot.

When to Call a Professional

If you're unsure about your system's pressure or coverage, or if you notice patterns of dead grass despite regular watering, have a licensed irrigation contractor evaluate it. They can run a complete system audit and adjust zones for efficiency. Most charge between $75 and $150 for an inspection, which often pays for itself in water savings.

For Seasonal Homeowners

If you split time between here and elsewhere, document your system settings now. Take photos of your controller settings and make notes about what works. Leave detailed instructions for anyone caring for your property while you're away. The Village Neighbor can handle that monitoring if you'd like—we keep detailed records of what we find and can contact your preferred contractor if issues arise.

Next Steps

Spend an afternoon checking your system this week. Spring will be here soon, and dry season comes fast. A small investment in attention now prevents stressed landscapes and water waste later.