How often should I water during drought restrictions?

Ron again. When SAWS restrictions hit, folks panic and either overwater on their allowed day or give up and let everything fry. Neither works.

The trick is deep, infrequent watering. One good soak that reaches 4–6 inches down trains roots to go deep, where the soil stays cool and moist. Daily light sprinkles do the opposite — shallow roots that cook the first hot week.

On a Stage 1 or 2 day, run each zone long enough to put down about an inch, early in the morning before the wind and sun steal it. A smart controller makes this automatic and keeps you legal.

If your grass is wilting between allowed days, the fix is usually drainage, soil, or a broken head — not more water. That's worth an audit.