When to turn off drip irrigation for the winter? (Santa Fe: house, contractor)

[beezle1]

I have a second home in Santa Fe, and we try to get down there once a month at least, for a long weekend or so.

I cannot remember when last year we turned off our drip irrigation - need to start keeping track of that. When do you all normally shut yours down and drain it for the winter? I think we turned ours back on in April this year, just cannot remember when we turned it off last year.

[Poncho_NM]

FROM WEB PAGE: Santa Fe, NM - Official Website - Prevention


To minimize the risk of freeze damage to your landscape irrigation system, you will need to winterize before the first freeze and preferably no later than the end of October. Some suggestions include:

• The exterior faucet or hose bib needs to have its water supply turned off inside the house if possible and water drained by opening up the exterior faucet. If no inside shut off is available, exterior foam insulating covers should be utilized.
• Disconnect and drain water hoses.
• Disconnect drip timers and drip systems from outdoor faucets.
• Shut off the main water supply to the irrigation system and drain the system.
• Drain the backflow preventer.
• Open all manual drain valves in the irrigation system.
• Open automatic valve manual bleed screws.
• Turn irrigation controller off.
• Have a qualified licensed contractor perform the “Blow Out” method.

My comments. Most recent/modern exterior faucets are freezeproof types. At least last 20 years?

[beezle1]

Thanks Rich! We will get it shut down by the end of October.

[Dancingearth]

I shut mine off by the middle of October to be safe.

[beezle1]

Ok, I am back again....

When do you usually turn yours back on? Last year I did it around April 20th, but I am down here now and wondering if I should just turn them on now instead of waiting until my next trip down which would probably be in early May.

[GreatSantaFe]

Originally Posted by beezle1

Ok, I am back again....

When do you usually turn yours back on? Last year I did it around April 20th, but I am down here now and wondering if I should just turn them on now instead of waiting until my next trip down which would probably be in early May.

The last freeze can be as late as May 15th. My landscape professional says we can turn our drip system back on in late April, but he'd feel better of we didn't do it until mid-May. Even though it looks like freezing temps are over for now, if I were you I'd hand water now and turn your irrigation system on when you return in May.

[beezle1]

OK thanks GSF - that is what I was thinking. Thanks for confirming!