Christmas in July

The holiday season is just a few months away and now is the time to start planning!  Preferred offers Holiday decor sales, design, installation and consultation services.  We offer architectural lighting for commercial, public and residential spaces using cutting edge technology and products.  We offer large scale commercial installation services and are recognized as an industry leader and are currently working with retail centers, corporate offices and municipalities throughout Texas

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

We are hiring!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting has the following positions open:

Landscape Maintenance Account Service Representative:

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/bus/3073881910.html

Foreman & Labor positions

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/3077168383.html

Please contact us if you are interested!

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

Make a great first impression

Check out the following clip from Preferred Landscape and Lighting's appearance on Great Day SA!

http://www.kens5.com/great-day-sa/Make-a-great-first-impression-157873195.html

Watch Out: How to prevent your backflow device from being stolen

Stolen valves are a troublesome problem these days particularly as the economy struggles, and these thefts can be costly. Replacement valves are only a portion of the costs to residents and businesses as the theft often results in damage to the grounds and to the pipes. Additionally, businesses may be forced to close and water service may be interrupted during the repairs.

What is being stolen

A backflow device is located near the water meter and can be above ground or in a box below ground.  It is used to keep dirty water from entering the city water supply and in essence, keeps the neighborhood safe.

Why they may be stolen

The device is typically made of Brass, which is a valuable commodity.  They are being stolen either to reuse by unlicensed individuals on the installation of new ‘bootlegged’ irrigation systems or to be sold for scrap to make a quick dollar.

Remedy

Install a new box to cover the in ground unit and bolt the lid on or install a box with a locking lid.  The above ground units can be covered with a ‘gorilla cage’ that is bolted to a concrete pad.

Watch us on TV!

Tomorrow morning Darryl Cook will be on Great Day SA (KENS 5 at 9am).    Darryl will be representing Preferred Landscape and Lighting and discussing LED Lighting.  Show your support and tune in.