Watering days in Central Florida: a simple schedule that keeps grass green

Florida does not have one watering schedule. Your days depend on the water management district for your address, and districts tighten their rules with water-shortage orders when it gets dry. Our service area touches three districts: SFWMD in Osceola, SWFWMD in Polk and SJRWMD in Lake. Rules below were checked on October 7, 2026.

Which days can I water in Celebration and Osceola County?

The South Florida Water Management District’s year-round rule allows two days a week: odd addresses Wednesday and/or Saturday, even addresses Thursday and/or Sunday, and never between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. SFWMD’s page listed no water-shortage order for Osceola County when we checked.

Which days can I water in Davenport and Polk County?

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has a Modified Phase III water-shortage order in Polk County through March 31, 2027. Lawns get one day a week by the last digit of the address: 0 or 1 Monday, 2 or 3 Tuesday, 4 or 5 Wednesday, 6 or 7 Thursday, 8 or 9 Friday. Water from midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Cities can be stricter.

Which days can I water in Clermont and Lake County?

The St. Johns River Water Management District has a Phase III order in effect: odd addresses Saturday, even addresses Sunday, nonresidential Tuesday, with no watering from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and no more than ¾ inch or one hour per zone. Under the normal rule, the district allows two days a week during daylight saving time and one during standard time.

What about Four Corners?

Four Corners spans Lake, Orange, Osceola and Polk counties, so neighbors can be on different districts. Check which county your address is in first.

What is a simple routine that keeps grass green?

Whatever your days are, the method is the same.

• Water on your allowed day, early in the morning, when evaporation is lowest.
• Water deeply, not often. UF/IFAS suggests about ½ to ¾ inch per event. Set out a few straight-sided containers and time how long each zone takes to fill them.
• Skip a watering after a good rain. Your rain sensor should do this; Florida law (F.S. 373.62) requires working rain-shutoff technology on automatic systems.
• Mow at the recommended height; longer blades shade the soil.

How do I know my lawn needs water?

Look for folded blades, a bluish cast, and footprints that stay pressed in the grass. Those signs show up before the lawn turns brown. Brown patches can also be chinch bugs or fungus, so see our guide to brown patches before changing your schedule.

Are new sod and new plants different?

Yes, all three districts allow extra watering while roots establish. In SFWMD, days 1 to 30 allow any day except Friday and days 31 to 90 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. In SWFWMD, new lawns can be watered any day for days 1 to 30 and three days a week for days 31 to 60. In SJRWMD, new plants and sod can be watered daily for 15 days, up to three days a week for the next 30 days, and two days a week for the last 15.

Rules change with droughts, so confirm with the official district page linked below before you reset your controller. Our irrigation service tests the rain sensor on each visit, and the Florida lawn calendar tracks what to do each month. Questions? Call (407) 577-6400 or request a quote.