A 3 day cycle on a Rain Bird irrigation controller refers to how often the controller will water the sprinkler zones. When set to a 3 day cycle, the controller will activate the sprinklers every third day. This allows the landscaping to receive adequate water without overwatering.
How irrigation controllers work
Irrigation controllers, also called timers or clocks, are devices that automatically operate sprinkler valves or drip irrigation zones. They are programmed to turn on the irrigation system for set run times at specific intervals. For example, a controller can be set to run Zone 1 for 15 minutes at 8 AM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The days when the controller activates the sprinklers are known as watering days.
To prevent overwatering, irrigation controllers have the ability to skip watering on certain days. This interval between watering days is called the cycle. So a 3 day cycle means the controller will operate the sprinklers every third day.
Cycle options on Rain Bird controllers
Many Rain Bird controllers offer several cycle options to choose from:
Cycle | Watering Frequency |
---|---|
Every day | Daily |
Every 2nd day | Every other day |
Every 3rd day | Every 3 days |
Every 4th day | Every 4 days |
Every 5th day | Every 5 days |
Every 6th day | Every 6 days |
Every 7th day | Weekly |
Every 8th day | Every 8 days |
Every 9th day | Every 9 days |
Every 10th day | Every 10 days |
So when the cycle is set to 3 days, the controller will activate the sprinklers every 3rd day from the start date. For example, if today is Monday and the cycle is changed to every 3rd day, the next watering days would be Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, and so on.
Why choose a 3 day cycle?
Setting the controller to a 3 day cycle is a common watering schedule for many landscapes. Here are some reasons it may be preferred over other cycle options:
Avoids watering too frequently
Irrigating every single day in many climates can lead to overwatering. With a 3 day cycle, the roots have time to dry out between waterings. This promotes deeper root growth and healthier plants.
Provides adequate water for most plants
While some landscapes with sandy soils may need more frequent watering, a 3 day cycle is generally sufficient for established plants in average soils. The longer interval allows more opportunity for rainfall absorption between irrigation cycles.
Conserves water
Compared to daily watering, a 3 day cycle can significantly reduce excess water usage over the course of a month. Skipping days between watering is an easy way to conserve water in the landscape.
Accommodates moderate weather changes
A 3 day cycle provides flexibility to water less during cool or rainy periods while still watering sufficiently during hot/dry spells. It’s a good middle ground cycle option.
Simpler scheduling than custom intervals
Rather than having to schedule specific watering days, an automatic 3 day cycle simplifies irrigation programming. All zones will water at their set run times every 3 days with no further intervention needed.
When to use other cycle options
While a 3 day cycle works well for many situations, there are times when other cycle intervals may be preferred:
Daily cycle
Sandy soils or container plants may need daily watering, especially in hot climates. Newly planted landscapes may also benefit from a daily cycle for a few weeks until established.
7 day cycle
A weekly cycle makes sense if the landscape only requires occasional watering. Native plants and established drought-tolerant gardens are good candidates for longer cycles between watering.
Custom cycle intervals
Some controllers allow programming custom intervals like every 5 days or every 10 days. This added flexibility allows optimizing the cycle for specific landscape needs.
Adjusting the watering schedule
The ideal cycle duration depends on factors like climate, plant types, soil type and more. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect cycle for your landscape. The cycle can be easily adjusted seasonally on a smart irrigation controller.
During the cooler months, increasing the cycle to every 5 or 6 days reduces watering frequency appropriately. In hot summer months, it’s easy to return to a 3 day cycle or whatever is needed to maintain plant health.
Smart controllers also allow custom programming by zone. For example, drip-irrigated shrubs might be set to a 5 day cycle while the lawn remains on a 3 day cycle on the same controller.
Conclusion
A 3 day cycle is a commonly used watering schedule on Rain Bird irrigation controllers. This interval between watering days provides a good balance to maintain landscape health without overwatering. While a 3 day frequency works well for average conditions, the cycle can be customized as needed to accommodate different watering requirements.