Spring rain might seem like a free watering system, but Mother Nature can be fickle. Making sure your irrigation system is ready for use during spring is a good way to set your garden up for success.


Why Be Prepared?

The big issue with spring rain is that it can be unpredictable. As with any gardening tip, this depends a lot on where you are located. Some parts of the country - say, the mountain slopes of Hawai’i - get predictable rain nearly every day of the year. Others, like California, have a wet season that can be very hit or miss depending on a number of famous factors. Here in Arizona we have a pretty predictable wet season, but it doesn’t start until mid-June, when temperatures are already well into the triple-digits! Even if you know what your local seasonal weather usually looks like, there’s no guarantee that this year will be “normal,” so it’s best to be prepared.


What Can You Do?

As you might expect from the drip irrigation people, we think that having your drip system ready to go as soon as risk of freeze is gone is a great way to be prepared for unpredictable spring rains. You may be tempted to put off un-winterizing your drip system until summer is in full swing, but doing so leaves you vulnerable to the whims of seasonal rains. If your system is functional, all it’ll take is a quick button press or twist of your spigot to make sure your plants are watered when rain doesn’t fall. If you put it off, then a few dry days in a row could force you into rushing out to the yard to fix up your drip system in a hurry.


Spring Irrigation System Maintenance Tips

Once risk of freezing is over, it’s worth giving your irrigation system a bit of post-winter love.


  • Flush your system by running water through it at full pressure with all the ends of your mainline open. This will help remove any debris (or critters!) that found their way into your winterized drip system
  • Open up your filters and clean out the element inside them
  • Close up the ends and re-pressurize the system by turning the water on. Then check for: Leaking or spraying fittings or emitters Emitters or sprayers that aren’t working right, or aren’t working at all
  • If you have a timer, check the program to make sure it’s still what you want If you get rain during spring, it might be a good idea not to turn on your system automation, as watering while it’s raining is wasteful and may result in your plants getting overwatered

Check Your Soil!

Spring temperatures rise, plants bloom, and growth accelerates. That growth needs hydration, and it’s your job as steward of your land to make sure your plants get what they need. Looks can be deceiving, though, and getting your hands dirty will help give you an accurate idea of how much moisture rain is really bringing to your garden.


Rain and irrigation are basically the same thing at the end of the day. When you put in a drip system, it’s common practice to check the soil after you run it the first few times to get an idea of how deep the water penetrates into the soil. Consider this your reminder to do the same thing after it rains! Rain can be deceiving because it wets the top of the soil - the most visible part - and because it both looks and sounds like a lot of water. All that water is distributed evenly, though, which means it often doesn’t go as deep as it looks. Remember, a plant’s roots extend deep beneath the soil, so just because the top layer of soil is wet doesn’t mean there is any water around the roots.


After rainfall, it’s a good idea to go out and probe your garden areas to see just how much water the rain gave your plants. What looks like a squall to the naked eye may only wet the top of the soil and put some water on the leaves of your plants. When that happens, it’s time to turn your drip system on to compliment the rain. Very heavy rainfall may give your soil a deep soak that can persist for days afterwards (especially if you’re using mulch), which is a good sign that your drip system should stay off to avoid overwatering your plants.


Talk to a Drip Irrigation Expert Today

We know that keeping a garden healthy in the spring isn’t as simple as relying on a few rain showers. That’s where we come in. Whether you're running a small backyard setup or a large-scale garden, we can help make sure your irrigation system is working smarter—not harder. Our products are built to last, easy to use, and backed by a team that’s ready to help any time of year. Ready to get the most out of your garden this spring and beyond? Give us a call, shoot us an email, or schedule a consultation with one of our irrigation experts today!