There is no single sprinkler runtime that works for every Florida lawn. A sprinkler zone might need 15 minutes, 30 minutes or longer depending on the type of sprinkler head, water pressure, soil, plant material and how quickly the system applies water. For established Florida turf, UF/IFAS generally recommends applying about ½ to ¾ inch of water when the lawn shows signs of water stress rather than choosing an arbitrary number of minutes.

Landscape irrigation is limited to specific days based on your address and the time of year. As of 2026, Orange County follows a seasonal schedule: most properties can irrigate up to two days per week during Daylight Saving Time and one day per week during Eastern Standard Time. Watering is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and irrigation cannot run for more than one hour per zone.

Brown patches, thinning grass, and uneven growth are often signs that an irrigation system isn't performing as it should. By identifying problems early and keeping your system properly maintained, you can help protect your lawn, improve water efficiency, and avoid unnecessary repairs.