Las Cruces Yard Guide
How to Winterize Sprinklers in Las Cruces
Las Cruces winters are mild compared to the rest of the country, so most yards don’t need a full compressed-air blowout. But the few hard freezes we do get crack backflow devices and exposed pipe every year, and most of those repairs show up at spring start-up. Here’s what actually needs doing before the first freeze.
Updated September 2026 using National Weather Service freeze data.
Quick answer
Do you need to winterize sprinklers in Las Cruces?
Usually not a full blowout, but protect anything above ground. The average first freeze at the NMSU station is around November 11 and the last around March 11. Buried pipe rarely freezes here, but backflow preventers, exposed risers and surface drip tubing can crack on hard-freeze nights.
Before mid-November: insulate the backflow device, switch the controller to a winter schedule, and know where your irrigation shutoff valve is. If a hard freeze is forecast, shut off and drain the exposed parts.
Las Cruces freeze calendar
|
Date |
What to do |
|---|---|
|
Late October |
Winter schedule, insulate backflow |
|
~November 11 |
Average first freeze |
|
Hard-freeze nights |
Shut off and drain exposed parts |
|
~March 11 |
Average last freeze |
|
Late March to April |
Spring start-up check |
Freeze dates: NWS El Paso/Santa Teresa, Las Cruces (NMSU) station, 1991–2020 averages.
Before the first freeze
How do you winterize a sprinkler system in Las Cruces?
Insulate the backflow preventer and exposed pipes, drain any above-ground lines, switch your controller to a winter schedule on your City watering days, shut off and drain the system before a hard-freeze forecast, and keep a few deep winter waterings for trees and shrubs.
1
Find the shutoff
Locate the irrigation shutoff valve, usually before the backflow device, and make sure it turns.
2
Insulate the backflow
Wrap the backflow preventer with an insulated cover or pipe insulation. Don’t block test cocks or relief ports.
3
Wrap exposed pipe
Insulate any above-ground copper, PVC risers and hose bibs, especially on north walls.
4
Set a winter schedule
Cut run times and switch lawns and beds to occasional watering. Turn off rain-soaked zones.
5
Plan for hard freezes
On forecast hard-freeze nights, close the shutoff and open the drain or test cocks on exposed parts.
Backflow
How do you protect a backflow preventer from freezing?
Wrap the backflow preventer in an insulated cover or pipe insulation, leaving the test cocks reachable. Before a hard-freeze night, close the irrigation shutoff, open the drains or test cocks to empty it, and reopen the system slowly once temperatures rise above freezing again.
Cover it
Use an insulated backflow cover or bag. In colder spots like Organ and higher East Mesa lots, add a second layer on the coldest nights.
Drain it for hard freezes
Close the shutoff, then slowly open the test cocks to relieve pressure and let water out. Close them again before turning water back on.
Testing
If your device is a testable assembly, the City of Las Cruces uses a backflow test report completed by a certified tester. We can point you to one.
A cracked backflow device usually shows up as a spray or leak when you turn water back on in spring. See our sprinkler leak guide if that happens.
Winter watering
How much should you water in winter in Las Cruces?
Dormant plants still need water because dry winter wind pulls moisture from roots. Give trees and shrubs a deep watering about once a month on a mild day above 40°F, water Bermuda every two to four weeks while dormant, and skip watering before hard freezes.
|
Plant |
Winter watering |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Trees |
Deep soak about once a month |
On a mild day, on your watering day |
|
Shrubs |
Every 3 to 4 weeks |
Especially evergreens and new plants |
|
Dormant Bermuda lawn |
Light watering every 3 to 4 weeks if dry |
Skip after rain or snow |
|
Cacti and succulents |
Little to none |
Wet roots plus cold can rot them |
|
New plantings (first year) |
Every 2 weeks |
Check soil before watering |
The City’s summer hour limits (before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.) apply April through September, but your address-based watering days still apply year-round. Water mid-morning on mild winter days so water soaks in before night. See the Las Cruces watering schedule for details.
Spring
How do you start up sprinklers in spring?
Wait until after the average last freeze around mid-March, close the drains and test cocks, open the shutoff slowly, check the backflow device for leaks, run each zone to find broken heads, flush drip lines and clean the filter, then set your spring schedule.
Find a leak at start-up? Our guide to finding a sprinkler leak walks through it.
Do you need a blowout?
A compressed-air blowout is standard in cold climates. In Las Cruces it’s rarely needed for buried lines, and a poorly done blowout can damage heads and drip. Draining and insulating above-ground parts is usually enough. Homes at higher, colder elevations may benefit from more protection.
Winterizing FAQs
Want a winter check or spring start-up?
We insulate backflow devices, set winter schedules, and handle spring start-ups and freeze repairs. Free, written estimate.
Las Cruces Landscaping Group
1921 Santa Ines Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88011
(575) 270-0676. Mon to Sat, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Request a Free Estimate
Takes under a minute. We’ll call you back today.
