14 aprile 2026 · 7 min read
The catch-cup test: check real irrigation uniformity
A simple field test to measure actual distribution and identify hidden imbalance before turf damage appears.
Why this test matters
Visual coverage can be misleading. Catch cups show how much water each area actually receives.
Setup and tools
Use identical cups in a regular grid, a ruler and a timer. Avoid windy conditions for reliable data.
Run procedure
Run one zone for a fixed duration, measure water depth in each cup, and compute average and spread.
Interpret results
Large deviations from average indicate spacing, pressure or nozzle issues that require correction.
Correct and retest
Adjust arc, clean nozzles, realign heads, then repeat test. Two tuning rounds usually improve uniformity significantly.