Babcock Ranch • Charlotte County
Irrigation in Babcock Ranch, FL
Sprinklers in Babcock Ranch never run on drinking water. The developer's standards state that potable water will not be used for irrigation, and the residential association explains that the supply comes from a lake fed by stormwater runoff and treated effluent from Babcock Ranch Water Utilities. The association also says reclaimed water is exempt from Charlotte County's watering restrictions while the county still asks for voluntary compliance, and that each homeowner owns the irrigation clock and is responsible for setting it. That last point is where most trouble starts: controllers left on builder settings, turf and shrubs sharing one zone, and heads buried by mulch. Hodges audits every zone, splits mixed zones where possible, moves native beds to drip, and resets run times for the season. The equipment itself has to meet the stricter of Charlotte County's ordinances or the South Florida Water Management District's rules, per the community's standards.
or call (239) 301-9455
Where it comes up in Babcock Ranch
Parkside
Lake Timber
Sabal Glen
Webbs Reserve
Plants and materials that suit it in Babcock Ranch
- Floratam St. Augustinegrass
- Coontie
- Simpson's stopper
- Firebush
- Drip line for native beds
- Rain sensor
- Smart controller
Questions
Do Charlotte County watering days apply to me?
The residential association says Babcock Ranch's reclaimed irrigation water is exempt, but the county asks for voluntary compliance. The association periodically sends recommended schedules, so register for its emails and follow those.
Who is supposed to adjust my irrigation timer?
You are. The association states the clock is owned by the homeowner and adjusting it is the homeowner's responsibility, even in neighborhoods with a service area. We can set it up and show you how to change it seasonally.
My builder put lawn and shrubs on the same zone. Is that a problem?
Often, yes. Turf and shrub beds need different amounts of water. Splitting them, or converting beds to drip, keeps the lawn from going dry while shrubs sit in soggy soil.