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Can Sprinkler Installation Damage the Lawn?

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:12:06 GMT

A major concern for many homeowners is that a new sprinkler system will destroy their lawn, thus necessitating major rehabilitation work once the system is installed. While this once may have been the case, new technology and improved methods mitigate nearly all lawn damage. The following are the techniques installers utilize today to keep your lawn beautiful.

Planning Stage

1. Watering Plants During Mid-day Sun Can Lead to Burnt Leaves

How you zone your sprinkler system determines how many feet of pipes and various sprinkler heads need installing. This process is very important, especially if you want to minimize lawn disturbance.

Zones

Your lawn will need dividing into watering zones prior to sprinkler installation. Installers typically determine separate zones by the type of plants and climate exposure of the area.

For example, a shady garden bed may require a different type of sprinkler emitter and watering schedule compared to a lawn area under full sun exposure. Zones are also set up to minimize overspray so that the fewest amount of lines and emitters are used to water properly.

Device Types

Installers must also determine emitter device types prior to installation. If you prefer fewer lines and emitters, which are less invasive and require less digging, then you need a system that depends heavily on far-reaching emitter types. Rotary-style emitters, for example, cover more lawn area than spray heads or misters. Elevated emitters for garden beds cover more area than drip and bubbler emitters.

Non-Invasive Trenching

Both the timing of the trenching and device used can impact the level of damage to the lawn.

Seasonal Concerns

Timing can affect lawn disturbance. Dig when the soil is moderately moist but not soggy or frozen. Wet soil is more prone to ruts and damage. Dry, hard-packed soil, such as what occurs during extended hot periods in summer, can also be more difficult to dig and lead to more ground disturbance. Late spring, early summer, and early fall are often the optimum times for installation when one considers soil conditions.

Vibratory Plows

In the old days of installation, a trencher put wide and deep cuts into the lawn for sprinkler pipe installation. Fortunately, that method is no longer used in most cases.

Most installers now use a vibratory plow. This device uses a vibrating blade to cut a slit in the lawn. The vibration results in an ample-sized pipe trench below the surface but only a slit in the lawn, which is just wide enough to slip in the sprinkler line. The installer can tamp down the slit quickly with no need for time-consuming repairs.

Digging Protection

Some hand digging will be necessary for the system, particularly where valves and sprinkler emitters are. The installer must take steps to minimize the impact on the lawn at these few spots.

Damage Mitigation

Hand digging only at the location of installation is much less invasive than using a trencher. Your installers will carefully cut out a square of sod at each emitter location. This sod will go on a tarp nearby. If the work will take more than an hour or two, the tarp may be covered or even lightly watered to prevent the sod from drying out. This way, the sod can go back, minus a hole for the emitter, with little damage.

Repair Techniques

You will need to take extra care once the sod is replaced. After installation, lightly step on and tamp down the sod squares that were removed. Extra watering may also be necessary for the first week after installation. Don't use the sprinkler system to provide extra water. Instead, irrigate a second time each day by hand, only applying water to the disturbed sod. The roots will soon reestablish and the lawn will be without blemish.

If you are ready to install an automatic irrigation system, co ntact Smith Irrigation to learn about all the available options.

4 Plant Irrigation Myths

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:06:59 GMT

Whether you are an avid landscaper or you have just begun to garden as a hobby, you know that your plants need to be watered properly to stay in good health. However, you may believe some common plant irrigation myths or misconceptions are getting in the way of you obtaining the lush, healthy landscaping that you desire.

Read on to learn about four common plant irrigation myths and the truth behind these common misconceptions.

1. Watering Plants During Mid-day Sun Can Lead to Burnt Leaves

You should avoid routinely watering plants when the mid-day sun is shining on them intensely because the sun's heat will cause some of the water you use to water your plants to evaporate before the soil has the chance to absorb it completely. This effect can lead to both water waste and accidental underwatering of plants.

However, water droplets that land on plant leaves when watering on a sunny day will not amplify the sun's rays like a magnifying glass and scorch leaves, as many people believe. Instead, these water drops evaporate right back into the atmosphere, as some of the water that penetrates into the soil does, causing no harm to plant leaves.

2. Plant Wilting Is Always a Sign of Underwatering

When many people notice that their plants have begun to wilt, they begin watering these plants for a longer period of time and/or more often due to the misconception that all plant wilting is caused by lack of water. However, plants can wilt for several reasons, and you should always take steps to determine the cause of the wilting before giving these plants extra water.

In fact, some plants wilt due to overwatering, and providing these plants extra water can lead to a further decline in health. When the soil surrounding a plant's root system is oversaturated with water, excess water can displace oxygen in the soil that the plant also needs to thrive. In addition, wilting can also be caused by certain plant fungal diseases, and these fungal diseases can worsen when soil is too wet.

Other causes of plant wilting include too much or too little sun and plant damage caused by insects.

3. Drought-Tolerant Plants Should Never Be Watered

Another common plant irrigation myth is that drought-tolerant plants should never be watered. While it is true that you never want to overwater drought-tolerant plants, these plants do need some water, especially during the first two growing seasons after they are planted.

In fact, most drought-resistant plants need to be watered fairly frequently for one to two seasons before they become resistant to drought conditions. This extra water helps them grow and establish the deep root systems they need to absorb water deep within the soil during future drought conditions.

After your drought-tolerant plants establish these root systems, you can reduce watering frequency. Typically, fully established drought-tolerant plants only need to be watered when they begin to decline in appearance during drought conditions.

4. Watering at Night Is Better Than Early-Morning Watering

Many avid gardeners water their plants after the sun sets in the evening instead of in the morning to limit water evaporation caused by the mid-day sun. However, the water that lands on plant leaves often does not evaporate during the cool evening hours after the sun has set, and this excess water can create a breeding ground for certain plant fungal and bacterial diseases.

The ideal time to water plants is in the morning between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 a.m . During this slightly warmer time frame, any water that lands on plant leaves will likely evaporate before it can contribute to disease. However, since the sun's rays are not yet strong during these hours, you don't have to worry about the sun's heat causing the water to evaporate before soil and plant roots have time to absorb it.

Whether you are an avid landscaper or new home gardener, forget these four landscaping irrigation myths for better plant health. Contact the irrigation experts at Smith Irrigation & Landscaping for residential irrigation system design and installation today.

3 Ways to Reduce Water Waste From Your Sprinkler System

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 14:26:57 GMT

Sprinkler systems can reduce the amount of water you use on lawn maintenance since these systems use water much more efficiently than hosepipes, travelling sprinklers, and other watering methods.

However, if your sprinkler system is not thoughtfully designed and carefully maintained, it may use more water than your lawn needs. A sprinkler system that wastes water isn't just bad for the environment - it's also bad for your finances and can drive up your monthly water bills dramatically.

Fortunately, you can take simple steps to reduce water waste and make your lawn sprinklers more efficient.

Perform Maintenance & Repairs

Modern sprinkler systems are usually quite robust and easy to maintain, but that doesn't mean you can just install them in your lawn and forget about them. All lawn sprinkler systems should be regularly maintained as well as inspected for leaks and other damages that may increase water consumption.

Inspecting and maintaining the system's sprinkler heads is a fairly simple job since any damage they suffer will be easy to spot. Replacing damaged sprinkler heads is also relatively simple and inexpensive and is one of the easiest ways to improve your system's efficiency.

However, a sprinkler system's underground components, such as the water lines and pump(s), are more difficult to inspect. Even if you manage to dig your way down to them without destroying your lawn, pinprick leaks and other damages that may cause water waste can be difficult to spot. You might also accidentally damage delicate components while you are digging.

Calling in a professional lawn irrigation service to inspect and maintain these components is a much easier and safer option. Professional irrigation repair services use water pressure sensors and other specialized equipment that allow them to check for damage in underground components without excavating your prized lawn.

Avoid Over-Spray

Over-spray occurs when your sprinkler heads spray water onto pavements, driveways, and other concrete or asphalt surfaces, and it is a major cause of water waste in lawn sprinkler systems.

During hot weather, the water sprayed onto these surfaces will evaporate and be completely wasted. The problem can get even worse in cold weather; run-off from the over-spray can leave some parts of your lawn completely flooded, while others wilt and die from lack of sufficient water.

Over-spray is usually caused by misaligned sprinkler heads, which can be easily knocked out of place by lawnmowers, toys, and other moving objects. You can usually shift these misaligned sprinkler heads back into place by hand, although you should check for any damage while you do so.

However, if your sprinkler system was poorly designed or installed, some of your sprinkler heads may cause over-spray purely because of where they are placed. In these situations, you should have the over-spraying heads removed and replaced with other heads in more suitable positions.

Replace Aging Systems With Smart Technology
Lawn irrigation technology has advanced significantly in recent years. If you have used the same sprinkler system for more than a decade, you may be wasting water simply by using a system that doesn't meet modern efficiency standards.

If you have an aging, inefficient sprinkler system, invest in a smart irrigation system to replace it. Conventional sprinkler systems are activated and deactivated by simple timers, but smart irrigation systems use much more sophisticated methods to maximize water efficiency.

Using a combination of weather sensors, soil moisture sensors, and water pressure regulators, these systems can direct water to the parts of your lawn that need it most, while reducing water flow to parts of your lawn that retain more water (such as shaded areas). They can also shut off automatically during wet weather, saving even more water.

These are just some of the ways you can reduce water waste and make your lawn sprinkler system more efficient and eco-friendly. For more advice, contact the lawn irrigation experts at Smith Irrigation .

Beautiful Landscape Drainage Options

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 15:55:36 GMT

Poor drainage in the landscape can lead to foundation issues or damage to the lawn and landscaping. Fortunately, there are attractive and effective means to solve drainage issues.

Swales

A swale is little more than a man-made slope with a gentle depression at the base. Swales are typically designed to route water harmlessly away from foundations and other areas that can suffer damage from poor drainage. The depth and length of a swale can vary, with some being nothing more than a short depression and others cutting across the property in a longer line.

Some swales may route toward a storm drain or a drainage ditch, while other designs simply slow the water until it can be safely absorbed into the ground. Water-tolerant plants are sometimes planted in swales to aid with absorption and to slow erosion.

Design Options

One design option for a longer swale is to turn the depression into a dry creek bed, which is lined with decorative stones. When rain falls, the water flows into the creek bed where it can slowly leech into the ground without causing problems. A perforated drainage pipe is sometimes buried in the bottom of a swale, even in a swale built with a dry creek bed, to further help with drainage.

Rain Gardens

A rain garden is a beautiful way to address a drainage problem in your landscaping. Rain gardens are an excellent choice for areas that are highly visible or that are too small for the installation of a proper swale or creek bed. A properly installed rain garden can drain standing water safely within 48 hours of collection.

First, a shallow rain water catch basin is put in. It is then filled with fast-drying soil and plants that thrive in wet conditions and use a lot of water. Rain gardens are an excellent choice for areas that are highly visible or that are too small for the installation of a proper swale or creek bed.

Design Options

Perennial plants are best suited to a rain garden. Plants like sedges, milkweed, and mallow are just a few of the options available for a beautiful and varied garden bed. Choose plants of varying colors, textures, and heights for the best effect. The edges of the bed are often lined with a border of decorative stones, but you can opt for brick edging if you prefer a more formal look. The purpose of the border is to help contain collected water until it has time to be absorbed into the ground.

Permeable Paving

Sometimes water collects in areas that you prefer to be hardscaped, such as on a patio, a driveway, or across a path. Eventually, the ponding water will break down the paving if it isn't addressed. One of the simplest solutions is to switch to permeable paving for your hardscaping needs.

Permeable paving consists of pavers that have small gaps or open joints. They are installed over a bed of quick-draining substrate, typically consisting of gravel and sand. Moisture seeps into the openings instead of pooling on the surface, so ponding no longer occurs.

Design Options

The pavers come in a range of shapes and colors so you can easily find options that complement your landscape and your home. There are pavers rated for driveway use as well as more decorative options suitable for paths and patios. One attractive option is the open paver, which has an open grid design that allows you to grow grass or another durable groundcover within the paving. The result is more green space and optimum drainage.

Contact Smith Irrigation & Landscaping for more help with drainage on your property.

Boring to Beautiful: 2 Lighting Ideas to Transform a Yard

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 16:04:55 GMT

Landscape lighting increases outdoor safety for you and your family as you navigate your yard at night. Exterior lighting can also deter intruders that want to access your property or home under cover of darkness.

However, don't underestimate the usefulness of outdoor lights. They are a practical necessity, but landscape lights can do even more for your yard and property. Take a look at these two landscape lighting ideas that transform your yard from boring to beautiful.

1. Create an Outdoor Living Space

A yard is a great venue for parties, cookouts, and other gatherings with friends and family. Once the sun drops below the horizon, however, you and your guests may be left in the dark unless you have lighting.

General outdoor illumination is helpful if you want to continue a game of lawn volleyball or need to clean up after a barbeque, but you can also use special outdoor lights to create a living space for your family and friends to enjoy after the sun goes down.

A living space can be a simple as a back porch, patio, or deck that has appropriate lighting with seating and tables for guests. Consider also a dedicated space away from your house like a garden retreat, fire pit, pergola, or a cozy clearing among some trees. Spaces like these in your yard need lighting at night for a couple of reasons. You need lights to guide you safety to that living space and to cast a welcoming glow in the area.

A variety of outdoor lights can complete an outdoor living space. Try pathway lights to help visitors negotiate through the dark to the final retreat lit by discreet fixtures. Increase mood with overhead fairy lights or twinkle lights strung in nearby trees. Outdoor lighting like this ultimately provides a new, unique space for you and your family to enjoy at night.

2. Highlight Points of Interest

The bright wash of sunlight lends your yard a broad, even appearance during daytime hours. Night is one of the best times to make objects and features of your yard and home spring to life. You can use outdoor lighting at night to enhance areas of your yard that appear ordinary or nondescript during daylight hours.

The contrast of light and shadow gives instant notice to the placement of individual trees that dot your landscape or follow a fence line. Employ well lights, spotlights, or accent lights at the base of other objects to highlight their presence, such as a birdbath, hanging plant, or playful fountain.

Additionally, you can aim a wash of light on a portion of a rock wall or architectural feature of your home to give it brilliance and importance. Aim a wide beam of light from a few feet away to generate a vivid play of highlights and shadows on a column, latticework, or cornice carvings.

As you consider where to place an outdoor light, aim and adjust each one at night to achieve the best results. Also, you may find you prefer lower wattage lights because they are less harsh and generate a more pleasing illumination. Finally, keep in mind your color choice preferences as a light shines on outdoor greenery. Blue tone lights mimic daylight better than yellow tone lights, but yellow creates a warmer glow.

Sometimes, landscape lighting can be tricky when you first attempt to illuminate your yard. You may not be aware of all your options with regards to fixture type or unsure how to avoid an unattractive glare that ruins a beautiful night sky. Contact the professionals at Smith Irrigation when you need to make your property come to life every evening.

3 Ways to Stop Your Crawlspace Flooding During Wet Weather

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 16:11:55 GMT

You probably don't spend much time in the crawlspace under your home, but flooding within your crawlspace can cause more widespread problems in the rest of your home, spreading rot and causing dangerous electrical faults.

Crawlspace flooding can be caused by a number of hidden factors. Fortunately, you can use several methods to alleviate the flooding in your crawlspace and protect the rest of your home and everyone who lives in it.

Gutter and Drain Repairs and Upgrades

In many cases, flooding in your home's crawlspace occurs when the soil surrounding a home and its foundation becomes saturated with rainwater. The excess rainwater that cannot be absorbed by the soil seeps through gaps between your home's foundation and the crawlspace above, causing the crawlspace to become waterlogged and eventually flooded.

If your crawlspace is persistently flooding during wet weather, the first thing you should do is check the condition of the gutters and downspouts fitted to the exterior of your home. If your home is also fitted with ground level French drains or underground storm drains, they should also be inspected, professionally if necessary.

If your gutters and downspouts have been damaged or have started to rust or perish due to age, their ability to direct rainwater away from your home will be undermined, causing more rainwater to seep into the soil surrounding your home.

Blockages in gutters, downspouts, and ground-level drains can also cause problems with saturated soil and should be removed as quickly as possible. Blockages in underground drains should be handled by professionals for safety reasons.

If your gutters and other drainage infrastructure appear to be in good condition, you may need to upgrade them. Wide, high-capacity gutters and supplemental French drains can help channel more rainwater away from your home to prevent crawlspace flooding problems.

Crawlspace Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are commonly fitted in basements to prevent flooding and control excessive moisture, and they are just as useful in crawlspaces. However, many homes with crawlspaces are not fitted with sump pumps at all, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous crawlspace flooding during particularly wet weather.

If your crawlspace floods during wet weather and is not fitted with a sump pump, having one installed can be an easy, effective, and relatively inexpensive way to control the problem. Crawlspace sump pumps must be carefully positioned to ensure effectiveness, so you should always have sump pumps fitted by professional drainage experts.

If your crawlspace is fitted with a sump pump but your crawlspace is still flooding, you may need to upgrade it to a more powerful model or have an additional pump added.

Foundation Repair

Foundation damage is another potential cause of crawlspace flooding during wet weather and one that should be tackled as quickly as possible to prevent serious and expensive property damage. If the slab of foundation concrete that supports your home is badly cracked, crumbling, or damaged from expansive clay soils, rainwater can pour through these cracks and gaps and into your home's crawlspace, causing rapid and widespread flooding.

If this damage is not rectified swiftly, the condition of your home's foundation will continue to deteriorate, potentially causing subsidence and other catastrophic structural issues. If issues with aboveground drainage systems are not causing your crawlspace flooding problem, you should have your foundations professional inspected and, if necessary, repaired.

By acting quickly and decisively, you can prevent crawlspace flooding from doing serious damage to your property, which will save you a lot of time, effort and money. If you have any more questions about crawlspace flooding problems and drainage solutions, contact the drainage experts at Smith Irrigation today.

Smart Irrigation Systems: What You Need to Know

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:15:47 GMT

Do you want to upgrade your sprinkler system to smart irrigation? Modern technology allows homeowners and farmers alike to benefit from the lower water usage and reduced energy bills that come with a smart irrigation system.

To make the best choices about your new smart irrigation system, though, you should understand how it works and why it beats traditional systems on many levels. To help you get the most out of yours, here is a short guide to smart irrigation.

How Smart Irrigation Works

Traditional sprinklers these days operate on a timer and a set schedule. You or your sprinkler technician decide how often and how much various areas, also called zones, in the sprinkler system need watering. Your yard or farm may have as many zones or as few as are logical for your landscape. A single large lawn may be divided into only one or two zones, while garden beds might all need different zones.

Then, the timers are programmed to release a set amount of water to each zone at a certain time. This may involve some trial and error, so the programming is often monitored and adjusted based on real-life results over weeks and months.

Smart irrigation uses the same zone system but replaces a pre-programmed method with a flexible setup that monitors weather or soil conditions to determine how much to water. Sensors and data fed to the system from outside sources inform the schedule. At its most basic, for instance, a smart system will be able to tell that rain will or has come and avoid wasting sprinkler water.

What the Two Methods of Smart Irrigation Are

Most smart irrigation systems base their actions on one of two types of data: weather data and soil information. Both methods have pros and cons, providing different levels of sophistication, purpose, and price range.

Weather Data

The first system waters based on weather data. In this scenario, the system would be linked to a source that gives regular, updated weather information. This source could be publicly available weather reports and forecasts, or it might use sensors placed directly at your site.

Weather forecasting and recording systems might also include historical information about how the weather tends to behave - such as by registering that this is the wet season when rain comes more often. Using some or all of these methods, the sprinklers adjust watering needs.

Soil Information

The alternative to weather data based methods is to use soil information. Soil sensors track moisture content in two ways.

In the first method, the system might utilize a programmed watering schedule but also monitor for moisture already in the ground. If the moisture level is high enough, for instance, the system would stop the next watering cycle.

Alternatively, your setup might have a minimum and maximum moisture content to trigger watering. Soil monitoring is less complex than weather tracking, but it can be very effective.

Where to Learn More

Choosing the right smart setup for your yard calls for the expertise of a qualified irrigation service. Why?

To begin with, smart systems can be complex to set up. They may also need some fine tuning of the programming to get things in a good place long-term. And since you may not be fully aware of how the system is (or isn't) working as expected, an experienced professional is a must.

At Smith Irrigation , our specialty is proper irrigation using the most modern methods available. Our smart irrigation systems will help ensure a healthy landscape while minimizing the water necessary to keep it. Call today to learn more about the options available for your particular needs. Your plants will start thanking you tomorrow.

5 Reasons to Keep Your Sports Field Green and Healthy

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 16:23:08 GMT

Natural turf sports fields at parks and schools require regular maintenance to keep the surface green, healthy, and able to support players in a range of sports. The best grass seed and fertilizer regiment cannot support a playing field if irrigation is spotty, under-sized, or depends entirely on Mother Nature.

Irrigation needs to be consistent and dependable to create healthy thatch and help fertilizer nourish roots. Here are five reasons to keep that busy sports field green and healthy all year.

1. Healthy Turf Plays Better

Patchy, dead, or non-existent field grass affects athletic performance. Players notice a difference in temperature when they play on healthy turf, which naturally feels cooler. Grass helps dissipate radiant heat through transpiration and makes a field cooler. On very hot days, a few degrees in temperature can mean less chance of heat strokes, muscle cramps, and fatigue.

Additionally, bare or muddy spots where grass is thin creates a poor foothold for athletes that depend on firm shoe placement to perform. Even worse, poorly maintained fields are slippery and dangerous when grass does not grow in a consistent, even layer to cover soil.

2. Healthy Turf Controls Field Erosion

Areas prone to heavy occasional rain may experience flooding and runoff, which can impact outdoor spaces like a playing field. Grass is better equipped to reduce soil erosion and field damage when its roots are healthy and thick. An entire grass field forms a solid wall of roots that hold soil in place against water and even wind.

A struggling grassy area cannot withstand the forces of erosion common in many storms. Instead, a playing field with a poor root system develops small channels and rivulets of water that sweep away soil, further degrading the sports field.

3. Healthy Turf Lessens Sport Injuries

Contact sports like soccer and football are prone to cause injury in the lower extremities like the Achilles tendon and knees. Playing surfaces like artificial grass and bare dirt are especially hard on players where little or no cushioning helps break a player's fall.

Healthy grass with adequate thatch on a good base of humus provides the best cushioning for players in the event of a fall. Less surface hardness means fewer sports injuries. In fact, one study shows football players experienced fewer injuries on grass compared to a hard surface. Well-maintained grass is softer and safer for players than sparse, dead grass with little padding from root humus or thatch.

4. Healthy Turf Harbors Less Pollen and Pests

Grassy fields that struggle to thrive are often overrun with weeds and other invasive plants, many of which produce pollen. Healthy grass is often strong enough to choke out weeds that attempt to sprout and produce flowers. Also, closely shorn and maintained turf grass harbors fewer nuisance pests.

5. Healthy Turf Looks Beautiful

A sports field that is patchy or discolored looks unattractive. Healthy, uniform green turf is beautiful to look at and play on. People generally respond positively to green spaces, which enhance mental, emotional, and physical health of both participants and spectators.

If your sports field suffers from bad irrigation practices, it may be time to invest in a more capable irrigation system that consistently covers the entire field. Contact Smith Irrigation & Landscaping for some realistic solutions that will help your field receive the water necessary to grow green, healthy, and beautiful.

If drainage is a problem on your field, we can remedy problems like standing water and muddy conditions that disrupt game players and inhibit grass health. A few simple slope changes or collection basins can help make a big difference in the health of your field.

How to Choose Bulbs for Efficient Landscape Lighting

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:28:53 GMT

A light fixture meant for use outside in your yard sometimes comes with a pre-installed bulb or with a requirement that you use a specific type of bulb. Other landscape-lighting fixtures only require a certain physical size of bulb, meaning you get to choose what you put in that fixture as long as the bulb fits.

This freedom gives you an opportunity to choose bulbs that will help make your landscape lighting as efficient as possible. However, you need to do more than grab the cheapest bulb off the shelf. The bulb type, brightness, and type of activation all affect the efficiency of the lighting.

Bulb Type

Your first decision will likely be the bulb type. Both compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs are very cost-efficient and last a long time. Energy-saving incandescents are also an option, yet these have a very short lifespan (up to 3,000 hours) compared to CFLs (10,000 hours) and LEDs (25,000 hours). You'd end up having to buy more of the energy-saving incandescents and spending more money in the long run.

Given the longer potential lifespan and the fact that the cost of LEDs has dropped significantly over the past few years, an LED bulb would end up being the most cost- and energy-efficient when considering only bulb type.

Lumen Value

If you remember buying traditional incandescent bulbs, you'll remember buying based on the wattage of the bulb. For incandescents, that made sense because the higher wattage equaled a brighter bulb.

However, LED bulbs, along with energy-saving incandescents and compact fluorescents, now follow a more efficient measurement system for brightness. They use lumens to describe the brightness, separate from the wattage.

Lumens are actually easier to use. Consumers have no real way to compare brightness between the different bulb types available when using only wattage. You can guess that a 13-watt CFL is brighter than a 5-watt CFL, but you may not know how bright that 13-watt CFL is compared to a 13-watt LED. However, the number of lumens can tell you how bright each bulb appears to be.

So now that you know what measurement system to use, you have to figure out how much brightness you need. That varies by purpose. For example, a motion-sensing light meant to expose lurkers will likely need to be brighter than a small path light used to avoid tripping or crashing into landscaping in the backyard.

Don't use a bulb with a lumen value that is brighter than you need. Excess light is simply wasted. If you need low light for that path through the backyard but your housemate needs brighter light, using the brighter light is more appropriate - but even then, look for the dimmest light that will work for everyone using the property.

Activation Type

Any exterior light on your property should have an off switch or use motion sensing. You have little reason to keep outdoor lights on at night when no one is using them because that wastes money, cuts down the bulbs' lifespans, and contributes to light pollution.

You could just remember to switch off the lights manually. However, chances are there will be times when you forget. Motion sensing is automatic and allows you to use different bulbs; for example, if you prefer the look of the light from shorter-lived energy-saving incandescents, motion sensing will help extend the lifespans of those bulbs a little more.

If, for whatever reason, you do not want to use motion sensing and instead need the fixtures to be on a lot, get LED bulbs. You'll need the longer lifespan to counter the high usage. If you use an energy-saving incandescent or a CFL in those light fixtures, the bulbs will reach the ends of their lives much faster, and you'll end up buying more and more bulbs.

If you'd like help choosing landscape lighting or developing a plan for where to put the fixtures, contact Smith Irrigation & Landscaping . A blend of fixtures may be best given how you use the land around your house at night, and a company that does professional landscape-light planning can show you options that you didn't realize were a possibility.

5 Signs Your Yard Needs an Irrigation System

Sun, 18 Aug 2019 16:37:34 GMT

If you haven't installed an irrigation system on your property yet, you might not be sure if you need one. However, an irrigation system might be a great addition to your property. Read about these three signs to determine if an irrigation system could benefit your lawn.

1. You Don't Have Time to Water Your Lawn

If you work a lot of hours or otherwise have a busy lifestyle, you might not have much time to spend on taking care of your lawn. If you don't have the time to water your lawn — or if you just don't have the inclination to — then an irrigation system might be a good investment.

2. You Want to Reduce Water Waste

Water waste might be a big concern for your family. You could be tired of paying expensive water bills, and you could be concerned about your family's impact on the environment. You might be concerned that you're using too much water to take care of your lawn, but this doesn't mean you have to abandon watering your lawn completely.

Believe it or not, an irrigation system can actually help you conserve water. Your irrigation system will probably use less water than you use when hand watering your lawn and it'll help make sure that the water is used efficiently so that it will benefit your plants the most. Basically, you can use less water while providing your plants with better care at the same time.

3. Your Lawn Doesn't Look Healthy

Even if you put an effort into taking good care of your lawn, you might not be very happy with how it looks. Your grass might show signs of being unhealthy, such as if it's patchy and brown. If you're hoping to make your not-so-healthy lawn look great again, installing an irrigation system may help.

With an irrigation system, you can make sure that your lawn is getting the water that it needs, even during periods of dry weather. Of course, you may need to take other steps to make your lawn look good again, such as by adding fertilizer or putting out more grass seed, but there is a good chance that an irrigation system can help a lot too.

4. You Want to Improve Your Home's Value

Installing an irrigation system can actually help you increase your home's value. Of course, how much of a value increase you will see will depend on the irrigation system that you have installed, since some systems are more expensive and valuable than others.

Choosing the right system, having it professionally installed, and keeping it in good shape (such as by repairing leaks or other damage that might occur) can help make up for the cost of having an irrigation system installed on the property, and it can be one great selling point that you can use if you put your home up for sale later.

5. You're Away From Home a Lot

Even if you don't mind watering and taking care of your lawn when you're home, you might still need an irrigation system if you are away from home frequently. If you travel a lot, for example, taking care of your lawn yourself can be a challenge. Installing a sprinkler system can help you take care of your lawn even when you're away.

If you recognize any of the above signs in your lawn, it's time to talk to a professional about potentially installing an irrigation system on your property. Contact us at Smith Irrigation, and we will help you determine if an irrigation system is right for your needs. Then, we'll help with choosing and installing your new system.

Irrigation and Drainage Are Key to Healthy Homegrown Peaches

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 16:47:21 GMT

South Carolina is known for juicy peaches that grow all over the state's coastal plain. If you want to grow your own micro-orchard in the Greenville area's Blue Ridge and Piedmont soils, pay attention to the drainage and irrigation on your proposed orchard site. Here's what you should know.

Peaches Are Temperamental About Irrigation

Too much water spells doom for peach trees. If your orchard side doesn't drain properly, the roots of peach trees sit in waterlogged soil and are prone to diseases and fungal rot. One type of fungus common to peach trees is called brown rot.

Brown rot causes deformed fruit and other problems on orchard trees including:

Wilted, brown blooms
Depressed dark spots on new shoots
Browned leaves
Dark spots, then tan or gray spores on fruit
Mummified fruit

Excess soil moisture also harms young peach trees. New trees (saplings) without proper drainage may not have enough air spaces around the roots to take up oxygen. Young peach trees essentially drown if soil at the planting site doesn't drain properly.

After peach trees set fruit, the water needs of the trees increase as the fruit develops. A young sapling only needs 5 to 10 gallons of water per week during summer months. Contrast that small amount of water with the 45 gallons per day needed for a mature peach tree with a full crop of ripening peaches.

Irrigation Is Best Established at Planting Time

Sort out your mini orchard's irrigation and drainage needs before you plant your peach trees, whenever possible. Hire professionals to assess the site location and provide proper drainage to the soil. Work with an irrigation crew to lay out your orchard lines and your irrigation at the same time.

When you settle site drainage issues and establish a proper irrigation system for your orchard, you save yourself a lot of work down the road. You have healthier trees without having to hand-water trees or apply loads of fungicides to avoid diseases common in wet soil.

Your trees benefit from having irrigation right where they need it. Your watering system is much easier to operate when you have a professionally installed orchard irrigation system. Your trees never have to be disturbed in the future when you have drainage, irrigation, and trees installed at the same time.

Proper Monitoring Saves Water and Trees

Your irrigation specialist offers tools to monitor water usage of your peach trees and monitor rainfall provided by the skies. You can get as sophisticated or as simple as you want to go with rain gauges, soil monitors and other irrigation-monitoring tools. In addition, numerous online apps are available to help you determine your irrigation needs for your home orchard.

Accurate rainfall records and soil moisture monitoring help you reduce irrigation levels when the soil is well-hydrated with rain. You reduce disease risks from overwatering the soil when rainfall is adequate or excessive. You also know exactly when to kick your irrigation system into overdrive if your county experiences drought conditions or long stretches between soaking rains.

You can monitor peach tree moisture levels in the following ways without tools:

Visually monitor tree health and vigor
Check for appropriate fruit development
Hand-test soil with squeeze test

Automatic irrigation systems turn on and off at pre-selected times. Automatic irrigation systems can also be configured to turn on when soil moisture levels are low. Whether you manually turn on your irrigation system or use an automatic system, monitor your water needs and usage to provide optimum protection and production of your micro peach orchard.

Set up your peach orchard in Greenville, South Carolina the right way from the very start by contacting Smith Irrigation today. We offer site drainage, irrigation systems, and lighting for your home peach orchard to make growing peaches easy and fulfilling.

4 Elements of Your Pond to Decide Before Digging

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 16:55:41 GMT

Are you thinking of adding a pond to your backyard or business property? Ponds are a beautiful addition to just about any space, and they provide comfort to humans and animals alike. But before you start digging, here are four key aspects of your pond design to discuss with a professional first.

1. Location

Where to place a pond isn't just about finding a spot you like. The ground, terrain, and overhead features should also be right for the pond.

To begin with, you'll need a level spot that's not subject to a lot of erosion. A pond at the bottom of an area that drains could result in puddling, flooding, and chemicals seeping into the water.

Also, avoid a spot that would have too much greenery over the pond itself, or you'll end up with water full of leaves, expired blooms, sap, and other nasty debris. Tree roots could also damage the pond's lining over time.

Check with the local zoning commission to determine if you need a permit for your size of pond. Have a utility locating service make sure nothing will be in the way. And talk with your insurance agent about any ways to lower your liability from having a large water feature in the yard.

2. Access

How easily can you access the pond area for maintenance and upkeep? To begin with, you'll need access to utilities for the water and pump operation. This includes an electrical outlet with a GFI (ground fault interrupter) for the pump and tap water access to keep the water circulating and full. You'll also have to store testing and maintenance tools.

In addition to utility access, think about how you'll access the pond physically. Are you able to walk comfortably around the pond itself? Can you reach into the pond or use any tools to compensate for a larger size? Would it be easier to maintain if it's above ground? Answering these questions and others before you actually start installing the pond will ensure smooth operation.

3. Purpose

What are your goals regarding the pond itself? If you plan to have fish, for instance, you'll need to ensure that the water doesn't freeze over in the winter. For example, if you place the pond underneath a lot of shade, that would encourage freezing and endanger your fish.

If you want pond plants, you may need to find out what their water and care needs are as well. If you have any concerns, consult with pond experts before installation.

The purpose for the pond also informs where it should be located and how big it should be. If you just want a small spot to read a book on a warm afternoon, you probably need a small water feature. If you want to create a central focal point for clients visiting your complex, the pond would need to be larger and more dramatic.

4. Pump System

The size of the pond and added features determine the size and power of the pump needed that circulates water. If your pond holds 2000 gallons of water, for example, you may need a pump with 120% or higher "gallons per hour" limitations if you add a waterfall above the surface. If you want to add koi, the water should generally circulate at least once per hour as well.

Opting for a pump and circulation system that's insufficient to the task runs the risk of damaging the pump in short order as well as allowing water to stagnate or freeze. This can be dangerous if there are any delicate live elements like fish, frogs, or water plants.

At Smith Irrigation , our landscape water experts can help you find the right answers to all of these key decisions and more. Call us today to make an appointment.

5 Landscaping Designs to Compliment Any Yard

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 17:02:08 GMT

Choosing a landscape design may not be as difficult as you think. Close your eyes for a minute and imagine the perfect landscape for your yard. What does it look like? How does it make you feel? What is required to make your summer days lounging around the yard as comfortable as possible?

If you are struggling to picture the perfect yard, or you just need a few ideas, you've come to the right place. Here are some of the most popular and functional landscaping designs to help get you started.

1. Flowers

Flowers are the perfect addition to the front of any home because they provide a welcoming feeling for yourself and your guests. And with the right assortment of annuals and perennials, you can have that feeling all year long. If you don't want the hassle of keeping up with flowers, try flowering shrubs to add color and vibrancy.

To keep your flower garden under control, try limiting the types of flowers to under 10. This will keep your yard from having a chaotic or uncontrolled look, and it will also cut down on maintenance.

2. Water Features

Water features are a great addition to any yard because they add so much personality. You get sound, movement, and the feeling of being in nature. Whether you've had a hard day at work, the kids are driving you crazy, or you're just feeling stressed, being outside and listening to the sounds of nature will help to alleviate those feelings. And with a water feature in your yard, you don't have to go far.

One great aspect of water features is that they don't require a lot of maintenance, so you can set it up and immediately start enjoying the benefits without a lot of hassle.

The size of your yard doesn’t matter because a water feature can be as large as a cascading waterfall or as small as a pond with a little water spout. Either way, you're still getting the same benefits.

3. Landscaping Rocks

Rocks are as varied as yards are, so before you jump into a decision, make sure you research the different types of rocks that are available in your area. Rocks are versatile, easy to maintain, and go well with any yard or current landscape design, no matter the size.

In addition, rocks are great at hiding problem areas like uneven ground or ugly equipment. Rocks can also double as a retaining wall. Mixing larger rocks with smaller rocks will add texture and help retain moisture for the surrounding plants.

4. Pathways

If you have a larger yard with room for walking, consider adding a pathway. Different pathways give different vibes to your yard, whether you're considering a dirt pathway with rocks lining the sides or a grassy pathway lined with luscious plants.

You can also choose between a natural winding path with a free-flowing design or a more modern look with straighter lines using right angles. The possibilities are endless.

5. Greenery

If bold colors and blooming flowers aren't your thing, consider using greenery alone. Luscious bushes and vines can be just as inviting as flowers. Consider creating an archway with winding vines, or try framing your sidewalk with low-lying shrubs. Add texture by using different shades of green and varying sizes of plants.

Choosing a landscape design doesn't have to be hard. Yes, you have a lot of options, and the decision will take some careful consideration, but with the right landscape artist you can have your dream yard sooner than you think. Give us a call over at Smith Irrigation & Landscaping and we'll have you enjoying your beautiful outdoor space in no time at all.

5 Things to Know About Irrigating With Pond Water

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:53:04 GMT

Most farmers and homeowners rely on wells to supply the water they need for irrigating a crop field or lawn. But many areas with little ground water and high layers of rock make wells a costly or ineffective choice for an irrigation water supply.

If you have a pond or lake on your property or near the area in need of irrigation, you're in luck. With these five facts in mind, you can put together a plan to efficiently water your lawn or fields with your free supply of pond water.

1. Permit Requirements

First, check that you have the right to use a body of water before hiring an irrigation expert to design a system. Even if the pond in question is completely located on your property, your county or state may still require you to apply for a water use permit before removing a drop for irrigation purposes.

Even if you want to dig a new pond just for irrigation water, you may still need a permit or planning permission due to zoning regulations. Discuss your plans with local code enforcement offices and natural resource management teams to find out what's required for using a new or existing pond.

2. Algae Growth

Many irrigation systems consist of primarily PVC piping since this material is affordable, durable, and easy to install. Manufacturers produce multiple colors of pipe, but basic white PVC finds the most use in irrigation.

Unfortunately, white pipes also experience more algae growth than other colors of PVC and irrigation hoses. Algae clogs up the irrigation system regularly if allowed to grow, so you need to choose the right pipe in order to avoid extra work in the future.

3. Pond Supply

Many natural ponds only refill after rainfall, making these water sources unsuitable for a steady irrigation supply. Drilling a well or digging a pond where a creek already flows can keep the pond topped off no matter how much you irrigate on a daily or weekly basis. However, wells do add an additional cost to the digging of the pond and the installation of irrigation equipment.

If you can't rely on a well for all of your irrigation needs, combining one with a pond may solve your flow and supply issues. Adding a water supply to the pond allows you to use it similarly to a water tank at a much lower cost for storing thousands of gallons at a time.

4. Water Quality

Don't assume that a natural or manmade pond offers water of a high enough quality to use for irrigating crops. The wrong amounts of dissolved minerals or the presence of common contaminants, such as herbicide or petroleum residue, could cause serious damage to your crops or lawn.

Test the pond water for pH, mineral content, and common contaminants before applying it to any important plants. Water tests are affordable and take only a few days for results, which should hardly slow down your pond irrigation plans at all.

5. Aeration Options

Finally, consider installing an aerator in the pond along with the pumps and piping required for irrigation. Aerated water contains lower level of contaminants and bacteria that could spread to edible crops. Since a pond is open to the air, unlike a covered well, contaminants can reach the water supply at practically any time. Aeration stabilizes the pond's microbiome to keep the water safe naturally.

Need more information about irrigating with a pond to decide if it is the right choice for you? Contact us here at Smith Irrigation and let us answer any other questions you still have about this kind of irrigation system.

Tips for Identifying Common Sprinkler System Issues

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:45:29 GMT

Homeowners that want to provide their lawn and gardens with a consistent and adequate amount of water often turn to sprinkler systems. Many of these systems work faultlessly for years, but nothing works perfectly forever. Here are some tips to help homeowners detect the signs of the most common sprinkler system failures.

Sprinkler Head Leaking Water

Some sprinkler head leaks are only noticeable by looking at the water bill. If you suspect a leak, you should look at the water bill and also carefully inspect each sprinkler head. Excess water in the grass surrounding the head is often the most obvious sign of a problem.

However, do not immediately replace the head if you notice it is leaking, because the issue is more likely caused by a bad valve. If a valve were closing properly, there would be no water available to come out of the sprinkler head.

Debris sometimes forces valves to remain open, so all you may need to do is clean the valve of debris. Or the piece may need to be replaced. Clean the problem area first before spending the money to replace the part.

Clogs in Lines or Heads

A clog will prevent water from flowing through the system as expected. If you have a clog, turn on the sprinkler system to determine where the blockage is located. Determine if the problem is a blockage in a single head, in the plumbing line, or if there is another concern like a broken line.

One inoperable sprinkler head generally means the clog is in the head. Check the head for obvious signs of damage or blockage to the sprinkler. Yard debris and overgrown grass can get caught up in the head, and they could become damaged from pets or people. Even low water pressure can allow mineral deposit buildup, which can clog the sprinkler head.

A line problem is likely if the sprinklers work in one area but are not putting out any water further down the line. The problem could be a clog in the pipe, but it may also be a sign of a broken line.

Some homeowners use plumbing snakes to clear out the line, but there is a risk the snake could become trapped, too. A professional inspection could help to prevent additional damage or unneeded repairs.

Breaks in Sprinkler Lines

Many homeowners fail to notice a line break until part of the lawn begins to turn brown from a lack of moisture. Breaks at the bottom of the line leak into the ground and are absorbed. Broken lines are easier to detect due to standing water on the surface above the break.

Breaks commonly occur when people compact the soil by driving on the lawn or tree roots wrap around the pipe. It is possible to replace only the broken section if the remainder is in good condition. Have an inspection first to avoid repeated repairs and excavations.

System Replacement is Needed

Problems with inefficient systems could mean the installed system is not the right one for the yard. Homeowners can instead install drip irrigation or a sprinkler system. A drip irrigation system releases water directly to the roots and is a good solution for small yards or yards with a variety of vegetation with different watering needs.

Larger yards usually require a sprinkler system because it works more efficiently in large areas. It is also a good choice when the soil is not absorbent or when the lawn has many hills and slopes where runoff occurs too easily with a drip irrigation system.

Many homeowners have the ability to replace a sprinkler head or a damaged line, but it is always a good idea to get help when there are any questions. At Smith Irrigation we offer installation, troubleshooting, and repair services so every customer has a system they can rely on to keep their lawn looking its best. Contact us to arrange an inspection.

What Determines the Optimal Sprinkler Layout on a Lawn?

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:59:44 GMT

Growing a green and lush lawn can seem downright impossible with summer heat waves and droughts that strike unexpectedly in the Southeast. Installing the right home irrigation system helps you balance out the moisture your lawn receives, but designing the right system may take more planning than you expect.

Buried sprinklers stay out of the way when you're mowing, yet pop up when needed to spray water in a quarter, half, or whole circle pattern. Learn how to decide where to put each type of sprinkler to ensure your entire lawn is evenly watered without missing the edges or corners.

Buried Utilities

Using a buried irrigation system combined with durable underground pipes with pop-up sprinklers eliminates the hassle and potential lawn damage of using hoses and surface sprinklers. Yet you can accidentally cause a lot of damage to your house or lawn by not checking with local utility companies before digging.

Almost all local utility providers offer free or affordable line tracing services in which they flag each and every pipe, cable, and other buried utility line around your house. Digging around buried utilities can cause life-threatening injuries or release thousands of gallons of water into your basement, so take the time to mark out all the relevant hazards before deciding where to place sprinklers and the pipes that supply water to them.

Existing Structures

Not only will sheds, houses, fences, and other permanent structures limit where your lawn needs watering, but these structures are all also potentially damaged by being sprayed with water daily for months out of each year. Precision layout and planning of your sprinkler layout, regardless of the type you choose, helps prevent moisture damage to structures and fences.

Sketch out a basic layout of your property's main structures when dividing your lawn and other landscaping features into zones. Knowing where the biggest obstacles lie help you pick the right combination of spray patterns for corners and narrow strips of grass.

Landscape Features

Don't just take your lawn areas into account when planning a layout for sprinklers. Trees, flower beds, and even containers that you would also like routinely watered are easily included in a home irrigation system.

While drip irrigation is sometimes a better choice for these kinds of landscaping areas, sprinklers can also work just fine for dispensing the moisture needed to keep your roses or tomatoes blooming through a hot summer.

Spray Overlap

It's not enough just to space sprinklers out so the edges of each spray pattern comes close to each other. You'll notice brown and yellow patches in the lawn where water doesn't quite reach unless you plan for plenty of overlap between each sprinkler's range.

This most commonly happens in the corners and along the edges of lawn areas where it's harder to properly spray without hitting a structure or other feature. Quarter and half rotation sprinklers provide the best results in these areas to evenly water every nook and cranny of your landscape without wasting water or causing erosion.

Pipe Layout

Finally, the supply lines for various sprinklers are easily grouped by zone, so you can supply similar water amounts to various plants, even when they're spread across the entire landscape. For example, you can zone a handful of different sprinklers for watering shrubs and perennials while leaving the majority of the rest of the sprinklers on a lawn-appropriate schedule.

Careful sprinkler placement also minimizes the amount of piping needed for a faster and more affordable installation.

Improve your lawn's appearance and health through every challenge summer throws at it with our help here at Smith Irrigation & Landscaping . We'll design a complete sprinkler layout that keeps your entire home landscape perfectly hydrated.

5 Reasons to Invest in a Smart Irrigation System

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 20:08:21 GMT

Irrigation was once only considered essential for farms and other large-scale agricultural purposes, but now it's a must-have even for residential lawns and gardens. While sprinklers and other forms of basic irrigation may do the job of keeping your lawn green and your garden growing, it's not exactly the cutting edge of technology when it comes to water management.

The advanced sensors and controllers used to make irrigation more efficient for agricultural purposes is finally reaching the residential irrigation world. Learn why choosing smart irrigation systems can greatly improve your watering routine for your home landscape.

1. Reduces Wasted Water

First, smart irrigation is one of the best ways to keep a lawn or garden alive when you are struggling with difficult water restrictions set by your county or city. Since the irrigation system only starts up your sprinklers or drip lines when it's absolutely necessary, you are much less likely to run afoul of usage limits. It's also much easier to set up watering for the right time of day or days of the week with a smart system.

Even if you're not under any current watering restrictions, you'll appreciate the savings if you pay for water. With a smart irrigation system that waits until your lawn actually needs moisture to supply it, you'll know that every dollar you spend on irrigation is absolutely necessary. Some homeowners that have switched to smart irrigation have reduced their landscape watering costs by up to 60% .

2. Controls Erosion

Erosion and poor drainage is primarily a problem during natural rainstorms, but an irrigation system that runs too often or for too long can also compound the problem. Running water over a slope when it's already wet greatly increases the chances of soil movement to create ruts or to leave sediment piling up where you don't want it.

By making sure your irrigation system only runs when it's not already raining, you can prevent erosion with minimal effort. It's always possible for a surprise rainstorm to develop while you're far from home at work or traveling, but installing an irrigation with outdoor sensors or a signal connection to a weather service will ensure you are never caught unaware by a storm.

3. Improves Plant Health

Excessive watering does more than just make the ground soggy and prone to erosion. Most of the plants you'll find in the average flower or vegetable garden are prone to developing disease and mildew issues when they're kept damp, and even lawns can suffer from fungal infestations when there is no chance to dry out. Sensors that stop irrigation when there's already plenty of moisture can keep these diseases from developing in the first place.

4. Adjusts to Surprises

If your local climate routinely supplies weekly rain, you might find it hard to remember to adjust your watering schedule if there's an unusual drought or heat wave. When you're allowing a set of smart and interconnected sensors to handle the watering instead, there's no need to track weather patterns or predict surprising dry spells and flooding.

You'll know your irrigation system is working properly even when you're not home for an extended time period and the weather suddenly changes.

5. Fits Your Budget

Finally, smart irrigation is not much more expensive than any other watering system you'd install for residential use. You can also add just a few sensors to start with for an affordable introduction to smart irrigation and then expand as you become convinced of its value.

Here at Smith Irrigation , we're happy to help you set up a technologically advanced irrigation solution for your home or business. Discuss your options with us today.

5 Energy-Saving Tips for Landscape Lighting

Sun, 06 May 2018 20:12:36 GMT

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1. Choose Modern Bulb Options

Modern light technology has led to bulbs and lighting systems that use a lot less energy. LED, halogen, and CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs are popular and cost-effective for most of your outdoor needs as well as indoor ones. Low-voltage lights can use much less energy but do require some specific installation due to their different energy needs - they require 12 volts instead of 120.

All these energy-efficient bulbs offer a variety of other bonuses for outdoor landscape design, such as cooler bulbs, long warranties, and a crisper lighting hue.

2. Incorporate Timers

Don't leave lights on when they're not needed. Rather than relying on being home to remember to turn lights on and off, install timers on some or all of your lights. A timer system can be programmed to turn lights on and off at the same time, or you may want to use a daylight sensor that registers when the sun rises and sets.

3. Use Motion Sensors

Motion sensors are popular for home security purposes and helping people navigate around a dark yard in short bursts. They save energy by allowing the light to be off most of the time and only respond when it's needed. In contrast to other, more continuous, outdoor lighting options, motion sensor lighting also helps boost security by alerting you and surrounding neighbors if someone is in the yard unexpectedly.

Motion sensors are perfect additions to your lighting design around doors and gates, along the driveway, and in little-used corners. They should generally be placed a little high and aimed to accommodate a larger sensitivity zone.

4. Add Solar Lights

Outdoor solar lights use solar cells to energize individual lights and are often free-standing. While solar stake lights are popular for pathways and in garden beds, they now come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles. Some can be mounted on walls and fences while others are shaped more like lamp posts or lanterns. So you can use solar lights just about anywhere you want.

Check your chosen solar light fixture to see how long it runs during the nighttime in order to ensure that it will meet your needs. And solar lights are an attractive option for decorative or navigation lighting, you may want a more reliable source for security lighting.

5. Make a Plan

The best way to save energy in your lighting design is to have a lighting design in the first place. With a plan, you can choose where to deploy low-energy options, where to make use of things like motion sensors, and how to place solar lights for maximum sunlight.

To create your lighting plan, make a drawing of your landscape and hardscape features. Prioritize those elements you want to accentuate, such as the house architecture, certain garden beds or trees, pathways, and outdoor entertainment areas.

Then, decide which type of lighting options will work best with these individual features based on size, decoration, and illumination needed. Consider the impression given by the lighting plan as a whole.

Work with a professional landscape lighting company like Smith Irrigation as early in your lighting project as possible. With years of experience solving landscape and outdoor lighting challenges, you can make use of their expertise to reduce your legwork and save money.

4 Practical Things You Can Do To Fix Your Home's Drainage Problems

Wed, 03 Jan 2018 20:24:34 GMT

Poor drainage can cause problems for homeowners that range from mere inconvenience to outright disaster. Muddy yards are frustrating, but flooded basements can cause expensive damage.

That's why it's important for homeowners to address drainage problems and take steps to remove excess water from their property. Below are four practical things you can do if your property is experiencing with poor drainage.

Slope Terrain Away from Your Home's Exterior

Water isn't going to flow uphill, so it's essential to evaluate the topography of your landscape surrounding your home. If you have low areas near the foundation, the chances are likely that water will pool in these spaces and end up causing trouble.

Should you discover that low spots near your home are why water doesn't seem to go anywhere after a heavy rain, the best and simplest option is to fill in these areas with additional soil. The goal is to create a downward slope from all points surrounding your home; by doing this, you will eliminate much of the potential threat posed by standing water near the foundation.

Install Surface Level Drainage Channels

Another means of combating poor drainage is to install surface level drainage channels. These channels can take shape in any one of several forms, including swales, which are shallow ditches with gently sloping sides, or creek beds.

Deciding on which way to go often comes to down to aesthetics, as almost any type of channel will successfully route water where you need to send it. For example, an artificial creek bed may provide additional opportunities for landscaping or other interest features along the route to the discharge area.

However, before you install a surface level channel, be sure to carefully evaluate factors such as surrounding soil types and where the water discharges. As an example, soil that is loose or too sandy may erode quickly during heavy rains.

Also, discharging your excess water may cause problems for neighbors or violate city ordinances, if mishandled. As such, be sure that you don't route surface drainage onto your neighbor's property or into storm sewers illegally.

Install Underground Drainage Pipes

If surface level drainage isn't an option for you, or if you prefer to keep drainage infrastructure hidden from view, you can take the water underground. Drainage pipes can either directly route water from a collection point to a discharge area, or they can collect water along a specified path with or without a discharge.

If you opt for the first option, you will need to install collection points where water is gathered and funneled into drain pipes. This can be facilitated by installing surface level intakes with drain grates, for example, in locations where water accumulation occurs. Also, buried drainage pipes can be conveniently connected to gutter downspouts to help eliminate problems caused by roof runoff.

The latter option above is to install perforated pipe buried in a gravel substrate. This drainage system, commonly called a French drain, offers advantages by being able to collect water across a widespread area. In many instances, French drains don't require outlets, as the excess water can collect inside the pipe and slowly percolate downward as runoff subsides.

Aerate the Soil

In some instances, you can greatly improve drainage problems by aerating the soil. Aeration helps loosen up soil particles by removing compaction and provides drainage pathways downward.

Accomplished aeration with the use of handheld implements, or it can be performed much more quickly with mechanized aerators. While aeration isn't likely to be a complete solution to drainage problems, it is relatively economical and can also improve the health of your lawn and landscape plants.

If you have questions about drainage around your home, be sure to contact Smith Irrigation for help. The professionals at Smith Irrigation are available to answer your questions and provide solutions to your problems.

Why Hire a Pro for Your Landscape Lighting Design?

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 20:30:35 GMT

Your yard looks exactly like you've always imagined it. The landscaping is perfect, and you have a design that makes you want to spend the entire summer (and maybe even most of the winter) outdoors. Now what?

Even if you have the greenest grass and a rainbow of flowering plants and trees galore, you still need more. While you — and anyone else who comes over — can see the yard during the day, nighttime is a very different experience. You need landscape lighting to complete the look of your yard. Lighting can not only add a special sparkle to your overall décor scheme but also serve a functional purpose.

You could head out to the home improvement store and buy a few cute little solar lights. However, the DIY version of the real deal might not work as well as professional lighting. And the lights from the home improvement store might not exactly fit into your landscape design. What can you do to remedy your outdoor lighting situation? Calling in a pro is the first step to illumination success.

Why do you need a landscape lighting professional? Take a look at what the experts can do for you.

Safe Installation

Even though outdoor lighting typically uses low-voltage lines, it still comes with some risks. While there isn't always a major danger, installing lines and lights yourself isn't safe either. Electrical wiring is a complicated activity that requires expert knowledge. Hiring a pro to come in is absolutely essential in order to keep yourself, your family and your yard safe.

Landscape Design

A professional who has expertise in landscape lighting can do more than simply install a few lamps here and there. The pro can help you come up with a landscape lighting design before starting the lighting process. This includes choosing the right lights for your outdoor space and deciding where to place them.

Even though you probably already have an idea of what you're looking for, the professional may have some expert insights or design tips that you haven't thought of yet. This can open up a new world of lighting design to you.

Complicated Lighting Issues

Those strands of lights that your friend has hung over her porch may look like the ones you put on your Christmas tree, but they're not. Strands or strings of lights used in landscape lighting design are typically sturdy and made to endure out in the elements. That said, stringing lights in an aesthetically appealing way that achieves the effect you're going for isn't always easy. And that’s where a lighting design pro comes into play.

An expert knows how to use complicated types of lights (such as strand or string lighting) and can handle challenging situations.

Correct Installation

No one enjoys spending money. And you would certainly rather keep your hard-earned paycheck than hand it over to someone else. But sometimes paying more upfront saves you money in the long run.

Instead of fumbling with complex lighting arrangements or potentially ruining your existing landscaping, hire a pro who knows how to do the job right the first time.

Even though doing the job yourself may save you a few dollars on labor charges, you won't get the same professional look that an expert will give you. Before you plant a few posts that may or may not light up your yard, turn to a professional who can create a truly impressive design.

The pros know how to do a great job and also know which types of lights and materials to use. This means that you can skip the cheapo lamps that don't really work and go straight to what the professionals use.

Do you need new landscape lighting? Smith Irrigation can help.

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