Landscape360°

The Smarter Season: Fall Irrigation Adjustments and HOA Readiness for Alachua County's Winter Schedule

(An Allegiance Landscaping Report - Gainesville-Based Insight for HOA and Commercial Landscapes)

November 1, 2025

The Season of Smarter Water Use

November marks a key transition for Gainesville and Alachua County landscapes. As temperatures drop and rainfall evens out, irrigation demands shift - but not every community adjusts in time.

For HOA boards, this change isn't just about efficiency; it's about compliance, plant health, and fiscal responsibility.

Starting November 1, Alachua County adopts the one-day-per-week winter irrigation schedule, requiring communities to update all controllers and communicate changes to residents. Allegiance Landscaping works directly with property managers to ensure full compliance - so landscapes stay healthy, and boards avoid violations or wasted water.

Fall Irrigation

 

The Official Alachua County Winter Irrigation Schedule (Effective November 1)

Property Type Approved Watering Day Time of Day Limits
Odd-numbered addresses Saturday Before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Max 1 hour per zone / 3⁄4 inch total
Even-numbered addresses Sunday Before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Max 1 hour per zone / 3⁄4 inch total
Non-residential & common areas Tuesday Before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Max 1 hour per zone / 3⁄4 inch total

(Source: Alachua County Environmental Protection Dept.; SJRWMD Irrigation Rules)

These rules apply to all water sources - wells, reclaimed, and municipal - and remain in effect through Eastern Standard Time.

Why Fall Adjustments Matter

During summer, high heat and evapotranspiration justify longer watering cycles. But once cooler weather arrives:

  • Water demand drops, so overwatering becomes the main threat.
  • Turf fungi and root rot increase when soil stays saturated.
  • Runoff and nutrient leaching risk county violations.

By November, failing to switch to the one-day schedule wastes thousands of gallons - and can quickly escalate into turf loss or fines. Allegiance's irrigation audits prevent both.

The HOA Action Plan: What Boards Should Do This Month

  1. Audit all controllers by November 1
    Verify each HOA common-area timer matches the county day/hour rule.
  2. Post your community notice
    Inform residents that watering is limited to one day per week. Provide day assignments and hour windows.
  3. Document compliance
    Allegiance's team provides a photo-verified log of each controller, sensor status, and zone coverage for HOA recordkeeping.
  4. Adjust irrigation for soil type
    • Sandy zones: short, slightly longer cycles for absorption.
    • Clay or shaded zones: reduce run times further.
  5. Pair with fertilizer blackout enforcement
    The county prohibits nitrogen fertilization July–February and phosphorus unless a verified deficiency exists. Keeping irrigation low during this period prevents leaching and runoff.

Smart Maintenance for Cooler Months

Fall is the best time for small system improvements that make big budget impacts:

  • Sprinkler head alignment: fix overspray on pavement and walls.
  • Leak detection: one cracked lateral line can waste hundreds of gallons per week.
  • Sensor testing: confirm rain and soil sensors actually trigger shut-offs.
  • Pressure checks: balanced PSI prevents misting and uneven coverage.

These steps reduce HOA water bills and keep your landscape's winter look clean and consistent.

Resident Communication: Turning Compliance Into Education

When boards communicate proactively, residents become allies. Use newsletters, websites, or bulletin boards to explain:

  • Why watering now happens only one day per week.
  • How this preserves turf quality and protects groundwater.
  • What "before 10 a.m./after 4 p.m." really means in practice.

Many residents assume reduced watering equals neglect. Allegiance helps HOAs craft short communication templates showing that these changes are about strategy, not cost-cutting.

Fall Irrigation

 

Smart Irrigation Technology: Planning Ahead for 2026 Budgets

As you review next year's landscape budget, now's the time to consider upgrades that automate compliance:

  • App-controlled controllers let managers adjust multiple properties at once.
  • Soil-moisture sensors trigger irrigation only when truly needed.
  • Flow sensor detect leaks or breaks.

Installing or retrofitting during cooler months minimizes turf disturbance and creates measurable water savings year-round.

Compliance in Context: Water + Nutrient Balance

Alachua County's irrigation and fertilizer ordinances work together:

  • Water: 1 day/week during EST (before 10 a.m. / after 4 p.m.).
  • Fertilizer: No nitrogen July - February; no phosphorus without verified deficiency; ≥ 50% slow-release nitrogen when in season.

Following both ensures healthy root zones, clean runoff, and regulatory peace of mind.

How Allegiance Landscaping Simplifies It

Our irrigation management teams handle:

  • Controller scheduling and sensor verification across all common areas.
  • One-day-schedule compliance audits (documented for HOA minutes).
  • Run-time calibration to achieve the 3⁄4-inch limit.
  • Photo documentation for board and insurance transparency.

Each report clearly shows compliance status, water savings, and any maintenance needs - a complete system snapshot your management company can file with confidence.

Closing Thought: Efficiency Is Leadership

For HOAs, following irrigation ordinances isn't just about rules - it's about stewardship. Smart boards treat water like the limited resource it is.

This November, as Gainesville enters its dry season, Allegiance Landscaping reminds every HOA: the difference between “maintained” and “managed” is in the details.

From controllers to communication, excellence is achieved before problems appear.

Destination: Excellence.

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