The topic of water conservation continues with rain sensors. I used to not recommend the installation of a rain sensor on our new sprinkler system installations. Older rain sensors were hard to wire to your controller, which made installation tricky and usually limited the location in which the sensor could be installed. They were unreliable and unpredictable and sometimes more trouble than they were worth. Now, installing a rain sensor is not even a question.

What is a rain sensor? A rain sensor will shut your sprinkler system off when it rains. In other words, saving money and water by not irrigating unnecessarily. There's nothing worse than driving down the street in the middle of a rainstorm and seeing someone's irrigation system running! A good rain sensor will prevent this.

The most popular sensors that we use now are wireless. They are made of two components: transmitter and receiver. The wireless technology allows for better placement of the transmitter, which is placed outside where it will be exposed to all the current weather conditions.

They have developed in ways that make them adjustable in the time they dry out or soak up water, more accessible for maintenance purposes, more durable so they last longer and come with longer factory warranties, and more predictable and trustworthy. They are well worth the investment.

Other advantages of a rain sensor:

• Reduces wear on the irrigation system because the system runs only when necessary.
• Reduces disease damage by eliminating unnecessary irrigation events.
• Helps protect surface and groundwater by reducing the runoff and deep percolation that carries pollutants, such as fertilizers, into storm drains and groundwater.

How much water can we save? The amount of water that you can save using rain sensors varies, but in a year with average rainfall, savings are usually substantial.

Factors involved in determining how much a sensor can reduce water usage:

• How often it rains
• Whether or not the controller is left on for automatic operation
• The amount of water applied by the system per cycle. 

If the water costs and the amount of water applied per watering cycle by the whole system are known, it is easy to calculate how much money is being saved each time the sensor interrupts the watering cycle because of rainfall.

As an example, if a system irrigates 1/2 acre of turf and is set to run each zone so that 1/2 inch of water is applied per cycle, one can calculate that 13,576 gallons are being applied over the 1/2 acre of turf per cycle. Assuming water costs $2.00/thousand gallons, the savings will be $27.15 every time the sensor eliminates an irrigation event.

​What is even more important, 13,576 gallons that would be lost to deep percolation or runoff will be saved. If this amount is multiplied by the number of substantial rainfalls that occur in the area over one growing season, a significant amount of money and water can be saved.

Don't worry, if you don't have a rain sensor or if you would like to upgrade your current sensor it can be done! Call us anytime at (440)935-1182 or email us at irrigationincorporated@gmail.com to schedule a consultation. 

The rules and regulations for irrigation systems in the state of Ohio are not as strict as those in other states such as Florida or California. Therefore, it allows for some very loose practices in the irrigation industry.

Many times it's because the contractor doesn't have the knowledge or proper training to design or install using the best practices and techniques that are suited for the project or job site. Other times the consumer isn't informed with all of the information they need to make an educated decision when choosing which sprinkling methods see best for their property. Throw in a tight budget with the previous statements and you end up with an irrigation installation with inadequate features and design flaws. These problems will leave a consumer with years of inflated water bills, overwatered or under watered areas of their lawn and an inefficient sprinkling system.

There are a few easy ways to avoid these problems from the beginning. You'll end up saving money in the long run if you just do a little research, ask your contractor the right questions, have a quality design and a few key components installed within your irrigation system. 

Smart Controllers
The controller is the main hub or brain of your sprinkler system. This is where you control the schedule that your irrigation system will operate. Over the years irrigation controllers have evolved making them more user friendly and efficient. Recently "SMART CONTROLLERS" have emerged. These use up to date information from your job site regarding current weather and geographic conditions then automatically adjusts your watering.

Savings  
Over 9 billion gallons of water per day are used outside residentially. Most of this is used for lawn and landscape irrigation - as much as 50% of this could be wasted with bad watering practices. By simply replacing a conventional residential irrigation timer with a Water Sense labeled controller every home could save around 8000 gallons of water per year. If every home in the country did this it could add up to 120 billion gallons per year or $435 million dollars in savings.

Alternatives 
Don't worry you may be in luck. If you have a controller such as the Hunter Pro-C, you don't have to replace it to take advantage of the saving capabilities. Simply add a Solar Sync sensor and turn it into a smart controller.

Call us today for a consultation at (440)935-1182.  For other ways to improve your sprinkler system and make it more efficient, follow along with our blog posts.

Water conservation is a huge topic around the world. Here, around the Great Lakes Region, we don't usually experience water shortages or extended draughts. However, this doesn't mean that we should avoid the topic. We can still do our part to help protect our most precious resource. Additionally, when watering your yard or landscape, it is not healthy to overwater anyways.

Reasons to watch the amount of water that is consumed:

• Cost: Save money on your water bill every month.
• Treatments: Water treatment is getting more expensive, especially with the amount of toxins like fertilizes and pesticides that are used theses days.
• Energy: Consider the amount of energy it takes to get the water to your home, heat water and treat water.
• Life: Every living organism on Earth needs water to survive!

There are a lot of easy ways to conserve water. We will explore more on watering your landscape in the next few articles, but first, here are some other ways to conserve around your home and business:

• Low flow faucets, shower heads and toilets: Most new residential and commercial construction implements these fixtures. Your home and business can be easily updated also with a very small investment.
• Fix leaky faucets and toilets: It may not seem like much, but it can add up. Usually the cost of fixing a leaky faucet is much less than months worth of water dripping down the drain.
• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth: This is a common one. Just think of the dollars going right down the drain while brushing, especially if several people live in your household.
• Turn down the heat setting on your hot water tank: This may not directly save water, but it will help save energy, and you may be less likely to stand in that hot shower for as long after a long day at work!
• Wash full loads: Only wash full loads in your dishwasher and washing machine. In addition, buy energy efficient appliances that have water saving features built in.

There are hundreds of creative ways to save water. Teach your family to conserve and be conscious as well. It's not only a means to save a few bucks, but it's also very important for the future of our planet. Overwatering in your landscape is a common issue that we see all of the time. Watch out for our next few articles to learn more about it!

Fertilizer and insect control.
The quest for the greenest lawn on your street continues with fertilizing and insect control. Both are vital parts of your lawns’ health. Regular fertilizer treatments will keep your turf healthy and strong by adding nutrients that it is lacking. If your lawn is healthy and thick, weeds and insects will be less likely to intrude and take over.

Most local professionals will recommend 4-5 fertilizer applications per year in the northern part of the country. Lawn feeding, weed control and insect control are usually services that can be combined within the same applications. Your local lawn care professional will help you determine when is the best time to apply, as some are weather dependent.

Common weeds in Northern Ohio:

• Dandelions
• Clover
• Yellow nutsedge
• Poison Ivy

When to treat? 
There are thousands of types of weeds that can germinate in your lawn and landscape, and they can thrive on all sorts of conditions. Generally speaking, it will take a regular maintenance program and sometimes professional care to keep up with the weed control in your yard, but keep these few tips in mind...

In the spring, treat with a pre-emergent to keep new weeds from growing.

During the growing months, a time release product can be applied to reinforce the emergence and spread of new weeds. Spot treating the pesty ones with a spray bottle or pump sprayer on a weekly basis will also be effective and aid in the spread of certain weeds.

Common insects and bugs:

• Bumblebees

• Japanese beetles

• Grubs

• Ticks

• Spiders

Pros and cons of bugs and insects:
Obviously, some insects are helpful and even necessary in our ecosystem. Bumble bees help pollinate our crops but they can sting. Spiders are not damaging to your lawn and landscape, but do live within it. Spiders actually help control other insect populations by feeding on them.

Most are harmless to people, although there are a few exceptions. Some insects like the Japanese Beetle can be downright destructive. The adult beetle feeds on the foliage of hundreds of plants and trees and the young larvae, commonly known as grubs, will live in your grass and feed off of the root system.

Regular feeding and insect control is necessary when trying to maintain a nice looking, healthy lawn. A regular maintenance schedule and a little insight of what to look out for can go a long way towards that feeling of satisfaction when it come to a green healthy lawn. Stay tuned for more tips on lawn health in the future!
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Mowing is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of your lawn. It can also contribute to the health of your grass in good and bad ways. Follow these easy tips to help keep your lawn green and prevent diseases and funguses, which can cause long-term problems.

1. Keep your mower blades sharp. 
Your mower blades should be sharpened at least twice a season. This makes it easier to cut through the grass blades, as opposed to tearing through them. In addition, this keeps the tip of the grass blade from browning out which will affect the overall appearance of the lawn.

2. Wash your mover deck frequently.
Keeping the underside of your mowing deck clean is an easy way to prevent fungus and disease from spreading through your lawn. 

3. Cut on different angles.
Simply mow the grass in a different direction each time. This prevents rutting and soil compaction. This also prevents the grass from constantly leaning in the same direction. Lastly, it can create a stripping affect, which looks attractive as well if the lines are straight.

4. Only take off 1/3 of the grass blade.
Did you know it is unhealthy to take off more than one-third of any plant or tree when trimming? It can be stressful to the plant and make it more susceptible to disease. If your grass is too long when you mow, readjust the deck height to only take off one-third of the grass blade.

5. Mow high. 
If you live in the northern states and lawn is composed of more bluegrass or fescue, you should be mowing on the higher side, say 3"-4". By doing so, you will avoid scalping the grass blades and mowing too short. There is usually a correlation between root length and blade length. Keep them balanced to avoid stress and disease. If you live in the southern states and have Bermuda grass or something similar, consult a local professional for tips regarding this.

6. Mow frequently.
Since we all have busy schedules, it is not always convenient to mow more than once per week. However, your grass grows faster during certain times of the year and should be mowed more often during that time period. In some cases, that might mean once every five days or so, which also goes along with the one-third rule.

7. Don't bag your grass.
Avoid picking up your grass clippings unless you're leaving clumps behind. A good mulching mower will leave the cuttings behind, which also leaves the nutrients and absorbed fertilizers behind. A common myth is that mulching adds to thatch build up, however this isn't true. Thatch is actually made up of the mixed layers of dead and alive grass chutes, roots, and stems.

Having good mowing technique and a schedule are easy ways to help your lawn stay healthy. It is not too complicated or expensive, but it will require a little dedication during the growing season. In the end, it will be worth it when your lawn is the talk of the neighborhood!
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Interested in learning more about how to keep your lawn healthy? Check out part one and part two of this blog series.

Did you know there are thousands of types of grass that are grown all over the world? Some are decorative, some are suited best for warm climates, some are suited best for cool climates, some grow faster than others and some are easier than others to maintain and keep healthy. However, typically when people think of grass, it's the type that they plant in their lawn.

If you're interested in keeping a nice, healthy and green looking lawn then it's best to know which type of grass works well in your climate. Especially if you're planting a brand new lawn because you can control the type of grass that you plant. On the other hand, if you're just maintaining the existing grass in your lawn, it may be helpful to know which type of grass it is and how it acts in certain climates and situations.

In this case, lets say there are primarily two climates in the United States. The southern states mostly experience a warm climate and the northern states are mostly cool. Most turf grass will thrive in one or the other climate, but there is a little cross over with some types of grass and the region they grow in.

Some of the most common warm climate turf grasses:
Bermudagrass – Very common in the south and hot, dry areas. Used for residential lawns, sports fields, and parks. Does well in many soil types. Can be mowed up to 2". Requires regular irrigation and fertilizer to maintain a nice green appearance. Will turn brown if it gets too hot or dry.

St.Augustine Grass – Very common for residential lawns, but does not like heavy foot traffic. Does well in the heat. Requires needs regular watering. Does well if cut high, around 4". Most common way of planting is sod so it can produce a lot of thatch, which will be a maintenance concern.

Zoysiagrass – First, zoysiagrass is just fun to say! Native to many Asian countries, which is why it does well in coastal areas that have salty, sandy soils. Needs to be watered and fertilized regularly and mowed around 2". Does fair in the shade and grows slowly.

Some common cool climate turf grasses:
Bentgrass – (Sometimes referred to as "creeping bent grass"). Does not do well in hot dry climates. Likes to be cut very short and very often. Shallow root system. Usually creeps along the surface and spreads quickly.

Kentucky Bluegrass – Very common in northern states. Known to be pretty durable. Likes full sun, does not do as well in the shade. Likes to be mowed around 2 1/2". Known for its deep, dark green color. Can be blended with other types of grasses if necessary.

Perennial Ryegrass – Germinates quickly. Likes cool, moist environments. Carries a slightly lighter shade of green coloring. Can be blended with other types of grass and used in different applications such as ground cover and golf courses. Sometimes used in southern states for winter overseeding to keep the appearance of a green lawn in the cool months when other seeds go dormant.

By understanding the different characteristics of each type, you will have a better understanding of what to expect and how to treat your grass.

Whether you are maintaining an established lawn or starting from scratch and planting a new lawn, it is important to gather some basic information.
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What part of the country do you live? What type of soil do you have? Do you have a lawn sprinkler system? Questions like these will help identify what type of grass is best planted in your area and will give you an idea of what to expect from a maintenance standpoint.

There are many reasons that homeowners like to keep a nice, lush and green lawn. However, it can be a little more complicated than just watering and mowing. So, why do some lawns look better than others? All lawns are not created equal by any stretch, but in a nutshell it boils down to watering, feeding, weeding and mowing. The next few articles will touch on these topics but first, lets lay down a few basics.

1. It's not just GRASS
There are many different types of grass seed that people plant. Some varieties include Bermuda, Fescue, Rye and Bluegrass. In fact, most lawns are made up of a combination of different seeds. Each type of seed has different characteristics. Some grasses germinate faster than others, some do better than others at certain times of the year, and some grasses have a different look or shade of green.

2. Region
The region you live in usually dictates the type of grass you plant. Some grasses do well in hot, dry climates while others do well in cool climates, respectively we call these warm season and cool season grasses. Similarly, there are grasses that thrive in full sun or shade. There are even blends of grass that are more durable, which might be used on a sports field for example.

3. Grass can be very resilient
In the northern part of the United States, your lawn might go dormant during the winter months when the ground is covered in snow. In other cases, during the driest parts of the hot summer months the grass might stop growing and even turn brown from lack of water. However, a good, healthy lawn will bounce back quicker and stay greener for longer periods throughout those cold spells and draughts.

4. Hire a pro 
For some, it's a hobby and a sense of accomplishment when they are able to maintain their grass themselves, but not everyone has the time, resources or knowledge to handle the needs of a well-manicured lawn. A professional knows what to look for when it comes to things like bugs, insects, disease, fungus and irrigation requirements. A good lawn care company can also make suggestions based on what they see if they are visiting your property on weekly basis. Also, sometimes different seasons present different challenges and your lawn specialist will know how to handle them. For example, they know when and how to treat for snow mold or a fungus, such as rust or pythium. In addition, a pro can tell you when to aerate the lawn or change the irrigation schedule, which is very important.

5. Grass is easier to maintain if it's healthy
The bottom line is that your lawn will be stronger and greener if it is maintained on a regular basis. You will enjoy it more, your neighbors will admire it, and it will help keep the value of your property up if it's always maintained and looking good.

Watch out for more helpful articles on lawn health from us in the near future. If you have any questions or need recommendations for a lawn care pro, please contact us anytime!

Remember… "The grass is always greener on our side" at Irrigation Inc!

Imagine you’ve spent hours shopping around at the local nurseries picking out the best shrubs that are perfect for your yard, and you've spent hundreds of dollars on just the right species and colors of annuals to border your flowerbeds. Your spring cleanup finally is complete and all of the new plant material is planted and mulched. You wake the next morning only to find that the deer have decimated your entire yard by eating and trampling all of your new plants and flowers. Every gardener in Northeast Ohio has been through it. It is completely heartbreaking.

Although no plan is foolproof, there are a few things that can be done to deter the deer and other wildlife from feasting on your landscape.

1. Plant deer resistant flowers and shrubs. 
Your local landscape association or nursery should be able to make several recommendations that will do well in your zone. For example in our zone, a few things to stay away from are azalea, hosta, daylily, and tulips. Better choices include chokeberry, barberries, boxwood, dogwood, or cotoneaster.

2. Spray your plant material with products that deer do not like. 
There are several commercial sprays available that will keep wildlife away. Also, homemade remedies can be made. However, if you take this route beware; sometimes the strong odors will also prevent you from enjoying you garden! Most deer stay away from scents like rotten eggs, soapy water, human hair, coyote urine, and hot pepper spray. Remember irrigation and rainwater will wash away these scents, so they may need to be reapplied often for best results.

3. Install a fence. 
In some yards or gardens, fencing can be effective. If installing a fence is best for your situation, keep a few things in mind. First, be sure to install one tall enough that deer cannot or will not jump over. Second, keep the gaps small to ensure deer cannot crawl through or under the fence. Lastly, partially burying the fence underground will also keep other rodents or animals from tunneling underground and getting to your vegetable garden.

4. Utilize noise deterrents or motion sensors. 
For example, there are motion-sensing sprinklers that can be strategically placed throughout your yard. These devices run on battery power and a constant water supply. Motion-sensing sprinklers are effective because they make a little noise when activated and deer do not like to get directly sprayed with water.
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It is likely that these methods may only work temporarily. Therefore, do not be afraid to mix it up over time. If it becomes too much work for the deer, they will stay away and move on to the next easiest meal. Finally, you can enjoy your lawn and landscape that you have worked hard for!

Have you ever wondered how you can keep mosquitos out of your yard without those nasty bug sprays? Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy summer nights on your patio without the worry of those nasty insects?

This summer you can help control mosquitos without the use of bug repellent! Read here to learn about mosquito-repelling plants.

There are many plants that repel mosquitos, however here are ten of the most common examples:

1. Ageratum
2. Basil
3. Catnip
4. Citronella
5. Clove
6. Garlic
7. Horsemint
8. Lavender
9. Marigolds
10. Rosemary

Among many other benefits of natural mosquito repellents, these plants are all non-hazardous for children and pets.

Citronella is the most common natural ingredient in most mosquito repellants. It can come in many forms such as grass, small shrubs or trees. Grasses can grow up to 5-6 inches tall and can be used as ground covers.