Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/301674
irrigation at the beginning of the season is to "set it and forget it," Price says. "Sprays get 15 to 20 minutes, and rotors get 25 to 30 minutes," Price says. "They set that, and in the early part of the season, it runs too much. The later part of the season it runs too much and in the middle part, it doesn't run enough." By using soil-moisture sensors and weather- based products, over watering or under watering can virtually be eliminated. "The best analogy is it's a lot like your thermo- stat inside your house," Price says. "With the old thermostat, you just turned it on and cooled to whatever you set it at, where as your thermostat now, you can set programs, connect it to an alarm system and adjust it appropriately. Irrigation sys- tems have similar products to do the same thing." Too much water for plants and lawns can be a bad thing. However, sometimes slightly over- watering can help a lawn stay green through the hotter season. "One of the most common methods used to ensure a green landscape throughout the summer is to over water, erring on the side of too much water instead of too little, creating a 'safety buffer' of sorts," Bookman says. "Try upgrading to a 'smart' sensor-based system instead, which doesn't require a 'buffer' and will continue to ensure a healthy landscape without excessive use of water." To truly avoid making mistakes, Gorowitz says it's all about paying attention to the details. When installing an irrigation system, landscapers need to make sure it is glued together properly. "People try to cut corners when installing an irrigation system," Gorowitz says. "They might rush through things, and they will have problems down the line." Landscapers also need to have the right tool for the right job. For an irrigation system to run as effi ciently as possible, having the correct type of technology and equipment on a jobsite is vital. Equipment such as pressure regulators and check valves, which have been around for a number of years, are commonly overlooked. "Taking advantage of some of the irrigation technology and things that have been around for a long time can help the system run as effi ciently as possible," Gorowitz says. M AY 2 014 To t a l L a n d s c a p e C a r e . c o m 2 5 Something that takes this long to mature deserves the fast, dependable protection of Zylam ® Liquid Systemic Insecticide. Zylam Liquid moves through plant tissue fast to control more than 100 sucking and chewing insects – some species in as little as 30 minutes. It's ideal for multiple application methods, including bark banding, drench and foliar, and Zylam Liquid offers extended systemic activity for residual control that lasts. It takes time and money to get trees and shrubs perfect. Protect them with Zylam Liquid. 800.884.3179 + GordonsProfessional.com Text INFO to 205-289-3796 or visit TLC request.com