Aprils is heat is upon us in South Florida and along with it comes a new set of concerns regarding our landscapes. This month we’ve seen a limited amount of rainfall and therefore we will be discussing things we need to do to keep our landscapes healthy.
1) Sprinkler pump & timer should be checked to make sure they are working properly and designated to work on their appropriate days. (We in South Florida are still on water restrictions from South Florida Water Management). Remember it is better to water in longer time periods less frequently than more frequently at more times. This is unhealthy for plants & sod which can cause problems to the root systems and a possible fungus.
2) All sprinkler timers should have rain sensors installed which allow the pump to run the sprinkler system only when it hasn’t rained. The sensor can also be bypassed if new landscaping has been installed which will require daily watering until it becomes established.
3) Sprinkler systems should have a wet check performed to make sure all heads are working properly and adjusted so that they are aimed & directed only to the landscaping and not wasting water. If there is a break in the system it should be repaired immediately because ignoring a break or broken head will allow debris to enter the piping causing additional heads to clog and additional long term problems that will need to be addressed.
4) Sprinkler heads should be of the same brand (Toro, Rainbird or Hunter) throughout your system. It is also best NOT to combine rotor heads and pop up heads on the same sprinkler zone. Rotors are used for throwing out more water for a greater area than pop ups which throw out more water for a smaller area.
5) Ask your lawn guy to be careful when he mows & services your property. If all pop up sprinkler heads are located at or below ground level there shouldn’t be any future problems.
If you need help regarding your landscaping, we at Garden Services are fully licensed & insured to handle all your irrigation, landscaping, lawn maintenance and tree service needs whether it’s a residential, commercial or homeowner association property. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions that you might have.