Winter is the ideal time to let your sprinklers sleep because your lawn is snoozing too. And that’s a good thing since we’re starting off 2026 still under watering rules — and in drought.
Back-to-back years of record heat paired with a severe lack of rainfall continue to challenge the Edwards Aquifer. This means Stage 3 watering rules are still in effect.
As a reminder, Stage 3 watering hours for sprinklers — in-ground and hose-end — are 5-10 a.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight on your once-a-week watering day.
The best thing you can do for your landscape and water bill: Turn off your irrigation system and run it manually only as needed. Doing so will not only help you save water now, but it can add up to big savings throughout 2026. That’s because SAWS sewer charges are based on your average winter water use — meaning the less water you use through mid-March, the lower your monthly sewer charge will be for the rest of 2026.
You can still water with a hand-held hose any time, any day. And you may even enjoy it! Our typically mild winters are ideal for getting outside and doing some prep work for a great spring garden.
Here’s what you can tend to now.
- Clean up struggling or diseased plants.
- Remove invasive weeds that may have taken hold over the growing season.
- Prune freeze- damaged perennials but leave damaged vegetation as wildlife shelter and seed meals for overwintering birds.
- Replenish mulch to provide a buffer against a rare hard frost or freezing weather.
- Clean and sharpen tools to extend their lifespan.
Remember to visit GardenStyleSA.com for weekly watering advice and landscaping tips to keep your yard thriving.