Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
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Being knowledgeable in smart irrigation products can help your business weather water restrictions and challenges, and ca- ter to sustainability-focused clients, espe- cially in areas dealing with drought. At Ewing, we're always on the lookout for irrigation trends and products that help landscape and irrigation profession- als use water more efficiently and keep landscapes healthy. From maintenance to new installa- tions, here are some products to know about that can help save water and devel- op more drought-proof landscapes. SMARTER SOIL Soil quality is often an overlooked factor when it comes to saving water in land- scapes. Without a good soil in which to grow, plants can struggle to develop good root systems and healthy growth. This can even be mistaken for lack of water, leading to over watering. Starting with good soil can help save water, and we've found two products that can help improve the soil and contribute to water savings. Holganix offers plant-based, organic compost teas and granular fertilizers that are full of beneficial ingredients for plants that go beyond the usual fertilizers. Using Holganix can help improve turf color and density, develop deeper and thicker root systems, and help soil to bet- ter retain water, helping lawns and plants during drought. A number of Holganix ingredients can help reduce water use by improving soil quality and plant health: Endo and ectomycorrhizae fungus improve root development and water and nutrient uptake. Humic and fulvic acids promote root development and micronutrient ab- sorption. Kelp aids in uptake of plant nutri- ents. Yucca extract acts as a soil condi- tioner. Liquid or granular options of Holga- nix are available with special formulations for turf, flowers, trees and shrubs, golf courses and more. Another great product for soil is Aquasmart Pro, an absorbent polymer- coated sand that helps soil retain more moisture and nutrients. The polymer soaks up water, so less water is lost to drainage and evaporation. Then the water is released slowly back to the soil, so you can water less frequently and still main- tain healthy plants. Aquasmart Pro can help safeguard turf in plants in areas with one or two day a week watering restrictions, reduce wa- tering frequency and improve success of new sod, seedings and plantings. And us- ing Holganix with Aquasmart Pro is even smarter. DRIP DEVELOPMENTS Drip irrigation is well-known for high- efficiency, with about a 90 percent water- efficiency rate. In some drought-stricken areas, drip irrigation is becoming a requirement for irrigation systems installed on narrow strips to prevent water waste. Some drip products are becoming even smarter, like Landscape Products EZ-ID CV Dripline, which includes water-saving emitters. Each emitter has a built-in check valve feature that stops the flow of water when the pressure drops below 2 psi, prevent- ing excessive drainage, watering and back siphoning. This dripline also features On the Lookout for Smart Irrigation Products and Trends IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT 36 May/June 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com ■ BY LAURA ORY