The sprinkler should be turned off if runoff occurs. Check the dept of water penetration and turn the sprinkler on again in half an hour if adequate water has not been applied. Soaker and ooze hoses are ideal for watering beds of plants. They emit water slowly and economically. They do not wet the foliage.
Many gardeners leave the hoses in one location for an entire season or longer.
Several drip or trickle irrigation systems are available for home gardeners. The best way to determine if adequate water has been applied is to dig in the soil and check how far the water has moved. The best time to water is between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. During this time there is generally less wind and lower temperatures, so less water is lost through evaporation. Watering in late afternoon lengthens the time the foliage is wet and can lead to disease development.