The short answer: Use different programs (usually labeled A, B, and C) on your irrigation controller. Assign your front yard zones to Program A with one schedule, and assign your backyard zones to Program B with a different schedule. Each program can have its own watering days, start times, and zone run times. This allows you to water your sunny front yard three times per week in the morning while watering your shaded backyard twice per week in the afternoon. The programs run independently of each other, giving you complete flexibility to customize watering for different areas of your landscape.
Understanding Programs A, B, and C
Most irrigation controllers have multiple programs, typically three, labeled A, B, and C. Each program is a completely independent watering schedule with its own:
Watering days. Program A might run Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Program B might run Tuesday and Saturday.
Start times. Program A might start at 5:00 AM. Program B might start at 6:30 AM or even at a different time of day entirely.
Zone assignments and run times. You decide which zones belong to which program. Zones 1 and 2 might be on Program A with 20-minute run times. Zones 3, 4, and 5 might be on Program B with 15-minute run times.
Think of programs as separate schedules that happen to share the same controller. They don’t interfere with each other, though the controller will prevent two zones from running at the same time if schedules happen to overlap.
Step-by-Step: Creating Separate Front and Back Yard Schedules
For this example, let’s say zones 1-3 are your front yard and zones 4-6 are your backyard. Here’s how to set them up on different schedules:
Step 1: Select Program A. On dial controllers, look for a program switch or button. On button-only controllers, press the “Program” button until “A” shows on the display.
Step 2: Set watering days for Program A. Navigate to the watering days setting and select the days you want your front yard to be watered (example: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
Step 3: Set the start time for Program A. Navigate to start times and set when you want front yard watering to begin (example: 5:30 AM).
Step 4: Set zone run times for Program A. Navigate to run times. For zones 1, 2, and 3 (front yard), set your desired run time (example: 20 minutes each). For zones 4, 5, and 6 (backyard), set the run time to 0 minutes so they don’t run on Program A.
Step 5: Switch to Program B. Press the program button or switch until “B” shows on the display.
Step 6: Set watering days for Program B. Select different days for your backyard (example: Tuesday and Saturday).
Step 7: Set the start time for Program B. Set when backyard watering begins (example: 6:00 AM).
Step 8: Set zone run times for Program B. For zones 1, 2, and 3 (front yard), set to 0 minutes. For zones 4, 5, and 6 (backyard), set your desired run time (example: 15 minutes each).
Why Would Front and Back Yards Need Different Schedules?
Different sun exposure. A south-facing front yard in full sun needs more water than a north-facing backyard with tree shade. Running them on the same schedule means one area is overwatered and the other is underwatered.
Different grass types. Maybe your front yard is Bermuda (drought-tolerant) and your backyard is fescue (needs more water). Different grass types have different irrigation needs.
Different soil conditions. One area might have better drainage than another. Heavy clay in the backyard might need cycle-and-soak, while sandier soil in front can take longer run times.
Slopes vs. flat areas. Sloped areas need shorter, more frequent watering to prevent runoff. Flat areas can handle longer run times.
Visibility concerns. You might want front yard watering finished before people are walking by or leaving for work. Backyard timing might be more flexible.
Can a Zone Be on Multiple Programs?
Yes, but be careful. If you assign Zone 1 to both Program A and Program B, it will run on both schedules. This is occasionally useful. For example, you might want a flower bed zone to run lightly every day (Program A) and get a deep soak twice per week (Program B). But for most lawn zones, being on one program is sufficient and avoids accidental overwatering.
What About Program C?
Program C gives you a third independent schedule. Common uses include:
Drip irrigation zones. Drip systems for flower beds or gardens often need to run longer and more frequently than lawn sprinklers. Put them on their own program.
New sod or seed areas. Temporarily assign new lawn areas to Program C with frequent short waterings while they establish.
Seasonal plantings. Annual flower beds might need different watering than your permanent landscaping.
Custom Irrigation Programming for Your Property
For more than 25 years, Complete Lawn Care has been helping Tulsa-area homeowners optimize their irrigation systems. Every property is different, with unique combinations of sun exposure, soil types, grass varieties, and landscape features. A one-size-fits-all watering schedule rarely works well.
Our irrigation services include system evaluation and custom programming. We can assess each zone in your system, determine the appropriate run times and frequencies, and set up your programs to match your landscape’s actual needs. If your controller is too old to support multiple programs, we can recommend modern replacements that give you the flexibility you need.
The Bottom Line
Use separate programs (A, B, and C) to create independent schedules for different areas.
Assign zones to programs by setting run time to 0 for zones you don’t want on that program.
Each program has its own days, start times, and run times. They operate independently.
Different areas often need different watering based on sun, soil, slope, and plant type.
Need Help Programming Your Irrigation Controller?
Complete Lawn Care offers professional irrigation programming and optimization services. We’ll evaluate your zones, set up appropriate programs, and make sure each area of your landscape is getting the water it needs without waste.
Phone: (918) 605-4646
Email: [email protected]
Online: completelawncaretulsa.com/get-a-quote
Proudly serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks, Bixby, Sand Springs, and surrounding Oklahoma communities since 2000.