Monthly Archives: March 2021

Spring has sprung! And that means it is time to start turning on your irrigation systems and start watering again. But, there are few steps that one must take to ensure that you do not damage your irrigation system (i.e., pipes, components, etc.). It is best to leave this up to a professional contractor. A good contractor will have the experience and expertise to make sure your irrigation start-up is done correctly. Below is a step-by-step on what this process looks like:

Step 1

Open the system’s main water valve. Open it slowly to allow pipes to fill with water gradually. If they are opened too quickly, main sprinkler lines run the risk of experiencing high-surge pressures, uncontrolled flow, and water hammer, which may cause the pipes to crack or burst.

Although you may want to save a couple of dollars by taking up the challenge yourself, you will be paying more in the event of a broken pipe. That is why a professional is highly recommended.

Step 2

Verify the proper operation of each station valve by manually activating all zones from the controller.

Step 3

Adjust the sprinkler system. Make sure to walk through each station on the controller, checking for proper operation of the zone. Things to look out for are correct operating pressure, adequate rotation adjustment of sprinkler heads, and coverage. If there is low pressure, that is an indication of a line break or broken sprinkler. Filters should be checked and cleaned on sprinklers performing poorly, and heads should be adjusted to necessary grades.

Step 4

At this point, it is now time to reprogram the controller for automatic watering. Replace the back-up controller battery if necessary. Wipe off Solar Sync sensor from dirt and debris that may hinder it from functioning correctly. Uncover and clean the system weather sensor, if applicable.

Conducting an irrigation start-up properly will not only save you a headache, but WATER, TIME, and MONEY. Again, the above-referenced steps may seem simple and easy to follow, but they do require expertise and experience from a professional contractor. High-quality, efficient landscape irrigation systems are a culmination of good design, quality products, professional installation, and timely maintenance. Each of these factors relies on the other for the system to work harmoniously. Should any component fail, the entire system will collapse, and that is why each is crucial to the others’ success. For an irrigation system to be truly efficient, it must combine high-quality irrigation systems with knowledgeable people working on them.

Weeds are not pretty.

They are burdensome and, if not treated with precaution, can become a major headache.  That is why taking a proactive stance against weeds can be a game-changer when it comes to taking care of your lawn. We are here to share some benefits you may see when choosing to use pre-emergent on your lawn this spring or fall.

When to Apply Pre-Emergent

Should you make the wise decision to apply pre-emergent, now you have to know when you can apply it. The best time to use pre-emergent is in the Spring (February-March) and the Fall (September-November). These application dates will be most effective for winter and summertime weeds, respectively. This does not mean that all weeds germinate at the same time. It could be possible that you may have to try another application in there somewhere, but generally, it is best to stick to these more moderate months.

Why?

According to Dr. Rebecca Grubbs-Bowling, assistant professor and turfgrass specialist at Texas A&M University, “Timing is key.” And during the above-mentioned time frames, the soil is roughly in the 50-55 degree range, making it the perfect candidate to start applying pre-emergent. Also, the University of California, Davis Integrated Pest Management department states, “Timing of a pre-emergent herbicide application is determined by when the target weed germinates, or by when the weed is in the stage that is most sensitive to the herbicide. In general, late summer/early fall applications of pre-emergent herbicides are used to control winter annuals. In contrast, late winter/early spring applications control summer annuals and seedlings of perennial weeds. If heavy rainfall occurs after pre-emergent herbicide application or a short-residual (short-acting) product was applied, a second pre-emergent herbicide application may be needed. Generally, herbicides degrade faster under wet, warm conditions than under dry, cool conditions. Some pre-emergent herbicides, such as Surflan, need to be applied at a higher rate if the soil is high in organic matter due to binding with the organic matter. Check the herbicide label to recommendations about what rate to use depending on your soil type.” You can use this online tool to find out what the average soil temperature in your area is.

Pre-Emergent Kills Weeds without Harming the Grass

Generally, weeds can re-germinate for multiple years. The lengthy time span can appear as if the battle is never-ending. However, it doesn’t have to be when using pre-emergent.  You can rest assured that your lawn won’t suffer at the expense of weed control. That is because pre-emergent is activated in the top layer of the soil where these weeds tend to sprout, and it kills them before they become an issue. Now, if you want to get technical, pre-emergent doesn’t actually kill weed seeds before germination. In fact, what they actually do is interrupt the weeds’ growth process in some peculiar way to prevent the seed from completely going through the seed germination stage.

Weed Infestations Lessen with each Pre-Emergent Treatment

Repeated treatments will allow for fewer infestations. As you continue to address the problem, you will notice that there is less of an issue each time. Again, this does not mean that you can altogether stop with the treatment, but it does mean that it may require less.

When it comes to applying pre-emergent, it’s best to leave it to a professional. Many other questions have to be considered carefully: Do I use a granular or liquid pre-emergent? A selective or non-selective product? Have peace of mind knowing that at The Growing Company, our personnel is fully capacitated to address all pre-emergent questions and problems regarding your landscapes’ specific needs. Leave it up to us to assess which product will be most beneficial for you. And allow us to execute the job properly. Leaving out a tiny spot could be detrimental because if you give a weed, an inch-it will take a yard!