When possible irrigate after rainfall.  Depending on the rainfall totals in your area, you may be able to irrigate less that week.  This practice will conserve water and can at times reduce the water bill.

To help you gauge proper irrigation for your situation, place empty containers (mason jars, empty tin cans, etc.) in the sprinkler zone and clock the time it takes for you to reach 1" to 1.25" in the container.  This process will help you know exactly how much time is needed to irrigate as recommended for the remainder of the growing season.  If water begins to run off before the 1" to 1.25" is reached, you may want to move to another area to allow time for absorption.

Those with in-ground sprinkler systems also need to determine how much water is used during each cycle and can also use the method above to gauge the time needed in each zone.  Once the proper irrigation time is known you can adjust your system to irrigate so that 1/2 inch is achieved during each sprinkler cycle.

Remember, it is better to irrigate deeply and fully once per week than irrigating lightly every day.  Deep irrigation encourages healthy root growth and prevents diseases and insects from causing extensive damage.

It is also better to irrigate early in the morning so your turf will have time to dry before nightfall again reducing the risk of turf diseases.