If you have an irrigation system, you already know the drill: in fall you winterize it to avoid frozen pipes, and in spring you need to bring it back online. Turning it on too early can mean frozen lines and broken heads; waiting too long can leave new plantings and lawn thirsty when the weather warms up. In central New Hampshire and the Lakes Region, the right timing and a simple startup routine keep everything working and your property looking good.
When to Turn the Water Back On
Frost can linger into May in Belknap County and the surrounding area. A safe rule of thumb is to wait until nighttime temperatures stay above freezing consistently. In Gilford, Laconia, Meredith, and similar towns, that often means late April or early May. If you have a contractor who does your startup, they will usually schedule you once the frost depth is gone and the risk of a hard freeze is low. Starting too early is one of the main causes of cracked pipes and damaged valves, so patience pays off.
Before You Turn Anything On
Walk the property and note any heads that are broken, missing, or out of place. Check for heaving from frost; sometimes pipes or heads shift over the winter. Clear leaves, sticks, and debris from around heads and valves so nothing blocks spray patterns or drains. If you had work done in the yard over the winter, make sure no lines were hit. Fix or flag any issues before you pressurize the system so you do not waste water or create wet spots that can damage the lawn.
Startup Steps That Protect Your System
- Close any drain valves that were left open for winter.
- Turn the main water supply on slowly so pressure builds gradually and air can escape.
- Run each zone briefly and check for leaks, missing heads, or geysers.
- Adjust heads that are spraying pavement, driveways, or windows.
- Set or update the controller schedule to match current weather and plant needs.
If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, a professional irrigation team can handle startup, minor repairs, and programming so the system is ready when you need it.
Programming for Spring Weather
Early in the season, grass and plants do not need as much water as they will in July and August. Set the controller to run less often and for shorter run times at first. As daytime temperatures climb and rainfall drops off, you can increase frequency and duration. Many people in the Lakes Region run zones in the morning so foliage has time to dry before evening, which can help reduce disease. If you have a smart controller or one that can be adjusted easily, plan to tweak the schedule every few weeks until you find a rhythm that keeps the lawn and beds healthy without overwatering.
Overwatering is common in spring. Soggy soil can encourage disease and weak roots. Watch how the ground and plants respond and add time or frequency only when needed. A well timed program pairs well with turf care and property maintenance so feeding, mowing, and watering work together.
What to Watch For After Startup
In the first few weeks, check for soft spots in the lawn or puddles that do not drain. They can point to a leak or a broken line. Listen for hissing or running water when the system is off. If a zone will not turn off, the valve may be stuck or damaged. Catching these issues early prevents wasted water and damage to the landscape. If you see something that does not look right, shut off that zone or the main supply until it can be inspected.
Common Spring Issues
- Heads that do not pop up or spray (often clogged or broken)
- Water pooling in one spot (possible leak or broken pipe)
- Low pressure across a zone (leak or partially closed valve)
- Controller not advancing or skipping zones (wiring or programming issue)
Addressing these promptly keeps the system efficient and avoids bigger repairs later.
How This Fits Into Your Year Round Care
Irrigation startup is one piece of seasonal property care. In fall, the same system needs to be blown out and winterized so that standing water does not freeze and crack pipes. Scheduling both spring startup and fall blowout with the same team ensures nothing is missed and the system is set up correctly for each season. In the Lakes Region and across central New Hampshire, many homeowners rely on a single provider for irrigation, mowing, and general landscape maintenance so timing and quality stay consistent.
Summary
Wait until the risk of frost is past before turning your irrigation system back on; in our area that is typically late April or early May. Before pressurizing, inspect and clear heads and valves, then bring the system online slowly and check each zone. Set the controller for lighter watering early in the season and increase as the weather warms. Watch for leaks and malfunctions in the first few weeks and fix them before they waste water or harm the lawn. If you prefer to leave startup, blowout, and repairs to a pro, contact us and we can get your system ready for the season and keep it running well all year.