Why your irrigation system needs a full review before Winter in Marbella – Benahavís

In Marbella and Benahavís, winter doesn’t bring extreme cold—but it does bring heavy rain, humidity and uneven temperature drops.
And every year we find the same thing in luxury villas: irrigation systems still programmed for summer, small leaks that owners don’t notice, and gardens suffering because the system isn’t adapted to seasonal conditions.

A winter irrigation review is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to protect your garden and avoid expensive damage.

1. Summer Programming Is Still Running (and It Damages Your Garden)

Most irrigation controllers in villas stay on the same settings for months.
In winter, the natural rainfall is more than enough, and over-watering causes:

• Soil compaction
• Fungal diseases
• Root rot
• Weak grass response for spring
• Water waste (and unnecessary cost)

Adjusting the programming before winter is essential to avoid these problems.

2. Winter Rain Exposes Hidden Problems

When the first big storms arrive, they reveal issues that went unnoticed during summer:

Small leaks that become expensive

A minor drip in July becomes a muddy area or even a flooded planter in November.

Valves that stay partially open

Humidity and mineral deposits cause valves to malfunction more often in winter.

Zones that don’t shut off properly

A controller that “looks fine” may be running extra minutes without you noticing.

Detecting these faults early prevents structural damage around terraces, pools and walls.

3. Sensors, Rain Detectors and Pressure Need Calibration

Many luxury villas have good irrigation systems… but poorly calibrated.

In winter we often find:

• Rain sensors that never trigger
• Pressure regulators out of balance
• Misaligned sprinklers hitting walls, windows or pool edges
• Drip lines clogged by minerals after summer

A seasonal check ensures the system responds correctly to Marbella’s winter climate.

4. Protecting Lawns and Plants During Seasonal Stress

Winter watering should be lighter but more precise.

Proper irrigation management helps:

• Prevent fungus in shaded or humid areas
• Avoid yellowing or stress in exotic plants
• Stabilize newly planted gardens
• Maintain healthy root systems for spring

A well-planned winter adjustment reduces problems that owners usually only notice months later.

5. Why Professional Supervision Makes the Difference

Luxury villas often have complex gardens with multiple irrigation circuits, slopes, different types of lawns, and a mix of Mediterranean and exotic plants.

A professional review includes:

• Full controller reset and seasonal programming
• Valve and solenoid inspection
• Pressure testing
• Check of all sprinklers, rotors and drip lines
• Leak detection
• Review of drainage points before heavy rain
• Verification that pool edges, retaining walls and paths are protected

The goal is simple: no surprises when the big winter rains arrive.

If you want your garden to stay healthy and problem-free this winter, now is the moment to adjust the irrigation system.

At Cobalt Garden, we review, recalibrate and optimise all irrigation circuits to ensure everything works perfectly throughout the colder months.

👉 Contact us to schedule your winter irrigation review.