With colder days and longer nights, we are quickly approaching winter. We will show you how you can prepare your Tap Timers, Irrigation Controllers and your Lawn for winter!
Before you get started, it is important to check with your local water authorities of any sprinkler or water bans that may commence over winter.
Adjusting your Irrigation Controller
If you have any of the Holman Irrigation controllers, you are able to turn the dial to the ‘Winter Mode’ or the ‘Off setting’. Our irrigation controllers retain the programming that you have input, so when you turn it back on for Spring, it will be right where you left off!
In really cold climates, or areas that receive frost, we recommend removing the battery out of your irrigation controller and replacing with a new battery when spring arrives.
Adjusting your Tap Timer
If you have a tap timer, we recommend either reducing the watering time or turning it off completely.
In really cold climates, we suggest that you remove the battery and make sure there is no water left inside the tap timer. If you live in an area that gets frost – we recommend taking off the tap timer completely and storing it away for the meantime.
If you are using our Digital Tap Timer, this tap timer has an ‘off’ button as well. Hold this down for 3 second and you will see a ‘no watering’ symbol appear. When it is time to use your tap timer again, simply hold the ‘off’ button for another 3 seconds, and your scheduling will commence as set before.
If you have a smart tap timer, such as a WX1 Tap Timer, we suggest that you remove the timer from the app before removing the batteries, as the tap timer will be listed as ‘offline’ if left on the app. You can still continue to use the smart socket that is included with the Wi-Fi Hub, but you’ll need to pair the WX1 Tap Timer back onto the Wi-Fi Hub once the new season starts.
If you have a Smart Moisture Sensor and wish to use this over winter, you can simply remove the WX1 Tap Timer off the tap and leave the batteries inside. Be sure to store the WX1 Tap Timer in a location within the Smart Moisture Sensor range, usually within 15-20 metres.
Lawn Care & Tips
Over Winter, you won’t need to provide your lawn with as much water, which means you can switch off your tap timers and water on an “as-needed schedule”. You don’t want to put excess moisture into the soil if you can avoid it, as this will only encourage compaction.
If you are super keen to keep as much colour as you can, you can give you lawn a very light hand watering just before the sun comes up in the morning, this will help to remove any frost that may have built up. You can also perforate your lawn, as this will help avoid compaction and encourage root growth.
Another tip is to let your lawn grow out so you can reap the benefits of having a longer leaf. By having extra surface area, your lawn will be able to take advantage of photosynthesis, which will help keep it healthy while reducing the chances of weeds popping up.
Doing these few simple steps will help you maintain a lush lawn and keep it healthy and green when Spring rolls around!
