Your irrigation system is the lifeline of your Florida landscape. In Manatee and Sarasota counties, where water restrictions and sandy soils create unique challenges, a well-maintained system saves water, money, and keeps your landscape thriving.

Monthly inspections should be part of your routine. Run each zone for 2-3 minutes and walk the property. Look for broken or tilted heads, clogged nozzles, and areas of overspray hitting sidewalks or driveways. A single broken head can waste hundreds of gallons per month.

Adjust your controller seasonally. Florida lawns need significantly less water from November through March. Program your smart controller or manually reduce run times by 30-40% during the dry season. Many Bradenton homeowners overwater in winter, promoting fungal disease.

Check for pressure issues twice yearly. Low pressure causes poor coverage and brown spots, while high pressure creates misting that wastes water to evaporation. Install pressure regulators on zones that consistently run too high.

Consider upgrading to micro-irrigation for plant beds. Drip emitters and micro-sprays deliver water directly to root zones, reducing waste by up to 60% compared to traditional spray heads. This is especially valuable for coastal properties where sandy soil drains quickly.