When should you stop running your sprinklers?

You should stop running your sprinklers when growing season ends and grass enters dormancy, when temperatures consistently drop below freezing, when sufficient rainfall provides adequate moisture, and during winter to prevent pipe damage. For cool season grasses, stop or greatly reduce sprinklers in late fall around November when grass stops growing and soil temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, resuming in early spring. For warm season grasses, stop when grass goes dormant and brown in late fall. Stop sprinklers during rainy periods, as overwatering wastes water and causes root rot, so use rain sensor or smart controller to skip watering after rain. Stop when soil is saturated or puddling occurs. In freezing weather, stop and winterize system by draining pipes and shutting off water to prevent burst pipes. Also stop during windy conditions when water evaporates and drifts. Smart controllers can automatically adjust. So stop sprinklers in late fall to winter, during rain, and when grass dormant, and winterize before first freeze to protect system.