Want Green Grass this Summer?

Sounds impossible given many in our area are already in stage 3 or 4 water restrictions.  However, there is
an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the drought and will save you money on your water bills.  It is a new underground drip irrigation system for your lawns.  This is easiest done when you are installing a new lawn but it can be done on an existing lawn.

Here is how it works - Tubing is trenched about 3"-4" below the grass surface and covered over with sod. When the system comes on, the grass roots are watered -which is the only part of the grass that needs the water.  Drip irrigation is the world's most efficient type of irrigation and subsurface drip is especially so because it is unaffected by wind and evaporation resulting in 70% less water use than conventional overhead sprinklers.

Pretty Amazing - Save Water and Money and have green grass all year long!  While we have been installing them for several years now, it is becoming more popular especially with San Antonio in a seemingly non ending drought.  If interested, please give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Stage 3 Water Restrictions Looming for San Antonio

While San Antonio is currently under stage 2 drought restrictions, it is very likely we will get to stage 3 soon.

In stage 3, watering is limited to one day every other week for all irrigation systems, sprinklers and soaker hoses.  This will have a significant negative impact on your landscaping if you currently rely on a traditional irrigation system.

However drip irrigation will be allowed Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays during the restricted week as well as hand watering will be allowed every day.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting is one of the leading irrigation professionals who has been recommending and installing drip irrigation for years.  We recommend all new landscape beds be equipped with drip irrigation because it is better for the health of the plants and saves a significant amount of water.  If you would like our help to help you convert your irrigation system to drip, give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Which grass has drip irrigation under the turf?

Its not a trick question!  With the drought we are experiencing, brown grass is a reality for most homeowners.  However, if you have drip irrigation, you can water more efficiently and more often during water restrictions. Here is a picture of a customers home where we installed drip irrigation under the turf as well as a section of his neighbor's yard without drip irrigation.  Wow - what a difference!

Drip Irrigation Basics

Preferred Landscape and Lighting installs top of the line Rain Bird Irrigation systems.  We have been installing the Rain Bird drip irrigation systems for our customers for many years with great success.  Here are a few videos from Rain Bird that help explain how drip irrigation works and why it is so efficient.

What is the most efficient way to water your landscaping beds, vegetable garden and container plants? For areas like these, drip irrigation is an ideal watering solution that will provide great results while saving you water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHq2rpq5oms&feature=player_embedded

We have also had success with installing drip irrigation under turf.  The following clip explains how it works.

http://www.rainbird.com/support/XFS/index.htm



Stage 3 Water Restrictions are looming for San Antonio

Last week, the mayor of New Braunfels announced stage 3 water restrictions based on the quickly dropping Edward Aquifer.  Under the new limit, watering is only allowed every other week.

SAWS looks at a rolling 10 day average to make their determination which was just above the limit last week.  However, we have dropped almost 2 feet since last week making stricter restrictions a likelihood in the near future for San Antonio.

In stage 3, every other week there will be a restriction on all irrigation systems, sprinklers and soaker hoses.  This will have a significant negative impact on your landscaping if you currently rely on a traditional irrigation system.

However drip irrigation will be allowed Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays during the restricted week as well as hand watering will be allowed every day.   Stay Tuned - next week our posts will focus on drip irrigation and explain the benefits it provides for both your landscaping beds and turf.

Top 3 things you can do to help your landscape beat the heat!

1.  Mulch is vital to plants for keeping cool.  There are many benefits to adding mulch to your landscape

•  Keeps root zones cooler, moist and prevents evaporation.
• Prevents weeds which steal water and nutrients from your plants
• Properly mulched planting beds hold water longer. 

2.  Drip, Drip, Drip

Drip Irrigation is the best way to water your planting beds as it is much more efficient than traditional irrigation.  As much as 60% of the water used by traditional spray and rotor irrigation is lost to evaporation and never makes it to your thirsty plants.  Drip irrigation, however, is a much more effective delivery system that puts water directly onto the root zones of the plants.  When the drip tubing is properly covered with mulch, almost none of the water is lost to evaporation.

3.  Program your irrigation system

In order to optimize your ability to water your landscape

and follow the watering restrictions, it is important to review your programming for your irrigation system.  Resetting your controller so you are using your drip irrigation on all the allowable days and watering your turf on the correct day of the week will keep your landscape in good shape and keep you in compliance and avoid citations with the watering authorities.
  

Do you want a green lawn this summer?

Sounds impossible given we are already in stage 2 water restrictions.  However, there is an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the drought and will save you money on your water bills.  It is a new underground drip irrigation system for your lawns.  This is easiest done when you are installing a new lawn but it can be done on an existing lawn.

 

Here is how it works - Tubing is trenched about 3"-4" below the grass surface and covered over with sod.  When the system comes on, the grass roots are watered -which is the only part of the grass that needs the water.  Drip irrigation is the world's most efficient type of irrigation and subsurface drip is especially so because it is unaffected by wind and evaporation resulting in 70% less water use than conventional overhead sprinklers.

Pretty Amazing - Save Water and Money and have green grass all year long! 

Beat the Heat!

Top 3 things you can do to help your landscape beat the heat!

1.  Mulch is vital to plants for keeping cool.  There are many benefits to adding mulch to your landscape

• Keeps root zones cooler, moist and prevents evaporation.
• Prevents weeds which steal water and nutrients from your plants
• Properly mulched planting beds hold water longer. 

2.  Drip, Drip, Drip

Drip Irrigation is the best way to water your planting beds as it is much more efficient than traditional irrigation.  As much as 60% of the water used by traditional spray and rotor irrigation is lost to evaporation and never makes it to your thirsty plants.  Drip irrigation, however, is a much more effective delivery system that puts water directly onto the root zones of the plants.  When the drip tubing is properly covered with mulch, almost none of the water is lost to evaporation.

3.  Program your irrigation system

In order to optimize your ability to water your landscape and follow the watering restrictions, it is important to review your programming for your irrigation system.  Resetting your controller so you are using your drip irrigation on all the allowable days and watering your turf on the correct day of the week will keep your landscape in good shape and keep you in compliance and avoid citations with the watering authorities

Whats the difference between Drip Irrigation and Soaker Hoses?

Here is a great answer to this common question from SAWs website:

Customers frequently ask what the difference is between drip irrigation and soaker hoses. Most of the time, they are grouped together as fairly efficient means of applying water directly to the soil without exposing it to evaporative loss. But, there are some differences and these become important in Stage 2 Drought Restrictions.

Think of them as different types of cars. One is slow and very efficient. The other strains to be fast, but is not very efficient. Drip irrigation can be thought of as the slow, efficient car. It provides water to the soil and plant in a gradual, exact manner. Most drip systems are designed by professional irrigators to maximize coverage. Moreover, drip irrigation is pressure regulated to provide the same amount of water throughout the system.

Soaker hoses, on the other hand, provide water inexactly and in varied amounts. The variations can be extensive if the hose bib is turned too far. Never turn the bib more than a quarter turn. Even then, on a single hose, you may have a lot more water in one spot of the garden than another, and soaker hoses typically put out more water at the front end of the hose. This is because soaker hoses are not pressure regulated or have pressure regulated emitters built in.

In Stage 2, soaker hoses may only be used on your designated watering day and only during the approved hours of 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Drip irrigation can be used on any day as long as it's during the approved hours. Watering with a hand-held hose is allowed any time on any day in Stages 1 and 2.

For more information, go to http://www.saws.org/conservation/newsletter/summer/article.cfm?id=260

Soaker Hose Example

Drip Irrigation Example

Its Raining, Its Pouring...

I know we are all busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays but have you noticed all the rain we are getting?

The rain and cooler temperatures makes this a perfect time to update your landscaping.  This is a great opportunity to spruce up landscaping that may have suffered from the drought this summer. 

It is also a perfect time to convert your irrigation system to drip irrigation so you can be ready to tackle the next drought. Drip irrigation can be used for both landscape beds and your lawn.  With drip irrigation you can water your landscape more efficiently and have more flexibility even when there are water restrictions. 

Give us a call for a free consultation - 210-657-7737

Testimonial Tuesday

Preferred Landscape and Lighting is so fortunate to work with wonderful clients that have made our business successful.  We are honored to get customer comments regarding the customer's experience at Preferred and are excited to share them with you on Tuesdays!

"It has been my great pleasure to have Preferred Landscape and Lighting design a landscape/yard and install a sprinkler system for my new backyard.  Robert Watson was the salesperson I have dealt with and who designed the plans and I couldn't be more pleased.  Mr. Watson is very professional and friendly.  He listened and worked carefully with me in order that we could get exactly what we needed and desired.

Augustine was the gentleman who was and is in charge of the sprinkler system.  The entire crew from the laborers who planted and the irrigation installers were all friendly and hard workers.  I admire each and every one of them.  It would be my desire that this letter be placed in each one of their personnel files."
Sincerely,
Robbie Luitjen

We truly appreciate those very kind words!  Have you had work done by Preferred?  What feedback do you have for us?

Tip #3: Drip, Drip, Drip

Drip Irrigation is the best way to water your planting beds as it is much more efficient than traditional irrigation.  As much as 60% of the water used by traditional spray and rotor irrigation is lost to evaporation and never makes it to your thirsty plants.  Drip irrigation, however, is a much more effective delivery system that puts water directly onto the root zones of the plants.  When the drip tubing is properly covered with mulch, almost none of the water is lost to evaporation. 

Water authorities encourage the use of drip irrigation through policy because it is so much more effiecient.  The water restrictions allow more frequent watering with drip irrigation compared to traditional irrigation.  Also, many water authorities offer financial incentives through the form of rebates for converting traditional irrigation zones to drip. 

Preferred Landscape and Lighting promotes drip irrigation on any new planting bed installation.  Do you have drip irrigation?  How does it work for you?