Monsoon Season Tips: How to Adjust Your Irrigation System
Monsoon season in Tucson brings a dramatic shift in the weather—from dry desert heat to sudden bursts of heavy rainfall. While the rain can provide relief to your landscape, it also presents a new challenge: making sure your irrigation system doesn’t overdo it. For homeowners in southern Arizona, adjusting your irrigation setup during monsoon season isn’t just smart—it’s essential.
Why Adjusting Your Irrigation System Matters
During Tucson’s summer monsoon, rainfall can deliver inches of water in a matter of minutes. If your irrigation system continues running on its regular schedule, you could easily overwater your lawn, drown plants, and waste valuable water.
That’s not just bad for your landscape—it’s bad for your wallet and the environment.
Here’s what every Tucson homeowner should know when prepping their irrigation system for the rainy season.
1. Watch the Weather—And Use a Smart Controller
If your irrigation system is still running on a manual timer, it may be time to upgrade. A smart irrigation controller takes real-time weather data into account and automatically adjusts your watering schedule based on rainfall and temperature.
In monsoon season, this means your system will skip watering when rain is in the forecast—saving you gallons of water and reducing runoff.
✅ Conserva Irrigation offers professional smart controller installation—ask us how this can cut your water bill!
2. Reduce Watering Frequency
Tucson’s intense sun often requires deep watering in spring and early summer, but that should shift as soon as the monsoons arrive.
Reduce your watering days from daily or every other day to just once or twice a week. Native and desert-adapted plants will thrive with occasional deep soaks and natural rain, rather than frequent surface-level watering.
3. Time It Right: Water Early or After Rain
If you do need to water, the best time is early morning—typically before 6:00 a.m. This prevents evaporation loss and helps moisture soak into the soil before heat arrives.
Never water during or right after a rainstorm. This causes pooling, erosion, and root rot. Instead, check your soil’s moisture levels and wait until it's dry several inches below the surface.
4. Turn Off Zones Near Drainage Areas
In many Tucson yards, there are drainage channels, swales, or sloped areas that help divert stormwater. These zones typically receive natural water collection during rain and don’t need additional irrigation.
Temporarily turn off irrigation zones that are prone to flooding or heavy runoff during storms.
5. Inspect for Clogs, Damage & Runoff
After the first heavy rain of the season, inspect your irrigation system for:
Clogged sprinkler heads
Broken or leaning emitters
Areas of overspray
Water pooling or running onto sidewalks
These issues are often caused by debris, soil movement, or pressure changes due to shifting weather.
Conserva Irrigation offers mid-season inspections to help you spot and fix problems before they cost you.
Protect Your Yard & Conserve Water This Monsoon Season
Smart irrigation isn’t about watering less—it’s about watering right. In Tucson’s unique climate, the monsoon season is your chance to give your irrigation system a break, conserve water, and boost your landscape’s health.
If you’re unsure how to adjust your system, contact Conserva Irrigation Tucson for a professional audit or controller upgrade. We’ll help ensure your yard stays green—without going overboard on water.
📞 Schedule your monsoon readiness check today!
🌐 Visit ConservaIrrigationTucson.com
📍 Proudly serving the Tucson community with water-smart solutions
