Hand Watering, Drip and Soaker Hoses: What Fort Worth’s Rules Allow

Fort Worth’s twice-a-week watering schedule applies to irrigation systems and sprinklers. But the city’s rules make an exception for certain watering methods that use water more carefully. Knowing what the exception covers gives you more flexibility, especially for trees, foundations, new plantings and beds during hot, dry stretches. This article explains the exception and how to use it.

What the Rules Allow

Fort Worth’s code states that lawns and landscaping may be watered on any day, at any time, by:

• A hand-held hose
• Drip irrigation
• A soaker hose
• A tree bubbler

The code says the intent is to allow for the protection of structural foundations, trees and other high-value landscape materials.

The city’s public guidance repeats the basics: watering by hand-held hose is allowed at any time, and drip irrigation is intended to allow protection of foundations, trees and high-value landscape materials.

What the Exception Does Not Cover

The exception does not cover:

• Spray heads and rotors, even on a small zone
• Hose-end sprinklers that spray water over the lawn
• Watering in a way that causes runoff or waste

Spray irrigation of any kind, whether from an in-ground system or a sprinkler attached to a hose, falls under the twice-a-week schedule and the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. restriction. Our guide to Fort Worth’s watering schedule explains those rules.

Why These Methods Are Treated Differently

Hand watering, drip, soaker hoses and bubblers put water directly on the soil at the base of plants. Very little is lost to wind or evaporation, and it is easy to avoid runoff. Spray irrigation throws water through the air, where more of it evaporates, drifts or lands on pavement.

Using the Exception for Trees

Trees are one of the most valuable parts of a landscape, and they can suffer badly in a Fort Worth summer, especially young trees planted in the last couple of years. Good practices:

• Water slowly and deeply at the edge of the canopy, where feeder roots are, not just at the trunk.
• Use a soaker hose or drip ring around the tree, or a hose on a slow trickle moved around the root zone.
• Water less often but longer rather than a little every day.
• Mulch around the tree, keeping mulch away from the trunk.

In older neighborhoods with mature trees, roots and sprinkler lines often compete. Our article on tree roots and sprinkler lines covers that problem.

Using the Exception for Foundations

On expansive clay, many homeowners keep soil moisture around the foundation more even with a drip line or soaker hose. Because drip and soaker hoses are exempt from the day and time restrictions, you can run them as needed. Our article on foundation watering with drip lines explains how.

Using the Exception for Beds

Converting bed zones from spray to drip lets you water beds on their own schedule. It also keeps water off walls, windows and walks. See our guide to drip for beds and shrubs.

Using the Exception for New Plantings

New shrubs, perennials and trees need frequent water while they root in. Hand watering lets you give them a drink between your assigned days. For new sod or seed, check with the city about establishment provisions before running spray zones outside your schedule.

Using It for Dry Spots

If one area of your lawn dries out between watering days, a quick hand watering with a hose can carry it through. That said, a spot that always dries out usually has a coverage problem, such as a clogged nozzle, a sunken head or poor spacing. Fixing the cause works better than hand watering every week. Our guide on sprinkler head repair covers the common causes.

Using the Exception Responsibly

The exception is meant for careful watering, not for getting around the schedule. A few guidelines:

• Avoid runoff onto walks and streets, which is still water waste.
• Do not leave a hose running unattended for long periods.
• Use a shut-off nozzle on the hose.
• Water early or late in the day when possible, even though it is allowed at any time, to reduce evaporation.

Automated Drip Zones

A drip zone on your sprinkler controller counts as drip irrigation. You can put drip zones in their own program with days and times separate from your spray zones. Make sure the drip program does not accidentally include spray zones. Our controller programming guide explains how programs work.

Choosing Between a Soaker Hose and Drip

Soaker hoses are inexpensive and easy to lay out, which makes them handy for a single tree or a short stretch of bed. They tend to water unevenly over long runs, with more water near the faucet than at the far end, and they break down faster in sun. Drip tubing with built-in emitters costs more up front but waters evenly and lasts longer, and it connects easily to a controller zone. For permanent watering of beds, trees or the foundation, drip is usually the better long-term choice.

Other Cities Have Their Own Rules

This article covers the City of Fort Worth. Nearby cities set their own watering rules, and exceptions may differ. If you live in another city, check with your own water provider.

When to Call a Technician

If you want drip lines added for trees, beds or the foundation, or bed zones converted from spray to drip, our sprinkler repair service can install them. Adding zones in Fort Worth requires a permit and a licensed irrigator.