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• Hot Tips To Cool Off Your Lawn

  

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• Drought Tolerant Landscapes

  With 65% of Texas in varying degrees of drought conditions (as of April, 2018), it’s a safe bet that the condition of your landscape will depend on how drought tolerant your design is. Increasingly dry conditions have been predicted over the coming years, and you’ll want to make sure your landscape is prepared in advance.

  When considering how best to prepare for long seasons of drought, consider the following:

  1. Consult with a professional for plant selection.  Plants help to regulate temperature and humidity, protect your soil from erosion in addition to adding beauty to your property.  The right plants will also help to support pollinators and wildlife in your area. A professional will not only take this into consideration, they will also know how large shrubs will grow, and what plants will grow best on your property.  A properly trained landscape professional will understand how best to layer sizes and textures, what will grow best in your property’s soil conditions and climate, and help you choose the right colors and textures for your design.
  2. Consider native plants for your design.  Plants that are adapted to your specific climate will need less water once established in your landscape.  
  3. Adjust your mowing schedule.  Consult with your lawn care professional about how often and high you mow your lawn.  Frequency and height adjustments can go a long way when it comes to weathering an extended dry spell.  Find out what is optimal for your grass variety and adjust your schedule as needed.
  4. Make sure your plants have enough nourishment.  Consider a soil test to check the pH balance of your soil, and consider composting to nourish your plants in a sustainable way.
  5. Retain moisture through mulching.  Check with your landscape pro to find out what type of mulch is right for your property, and get the most attractive and effective mulch for your plants.  Mulching will help to retain water in your garden beds.
  6. Make sure your irrigation system is on point.  Don’t let a small leak or pressure problem cause water (and money) waste in your yard.  Have your irrigation system checked yearly to ensure all zones are working properly.
  7. Consider a water retention upgrade.  Updating your landscape design for water retention can be a great way to help your outdoor space.
  8. Be smart about your irrigation.  An outdated irrigation system is going to waste water and money.  Updating to a smart irrigation system will allow your irrigation system to deliver the right moisture to the right areas.  A smart system can cut water usage up to 40%.

  Taking the right steps now to have a more drought tolerant landscape will save you money in the long run.  Make sure you are doing everything you can to keep your outdoor spaces healthy and thriving during these drought years.  Contact ECO Irrigation & Landscaping today to start your landscaping project!

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• Be Water Wise – Hire An Irrigation Pro

  A beautiful lawn is the calling card for your home. It goes a long way in determining the value of your property, and gives you a place to enjoy nature after a long day. Many homeowners spend significant time watering by hand, taking great care to get more water on their plants than on their driveways, but there is a better way. Save yourself some water, time and money by having an irrigation system installed.

  Today, irrigation systems are more advanced and efficient than ever. You won’t have to worry about your system watering more concrete than garden beds or grass areas. Your irrigation team will ensure the system delivers the right amount of water to the right areas at the right time of day. This will ensure your yard gets balanced and consistent hydration all year round.

   

  How can you tell your lawn is healthy?

  It might seem like a no-brainer, but there are some signs to look for.

  • A healthy lawn will have an even color range, the blades of your grass will have a fairly even thickness, and will bounce back when walked on.
  • An over watered lawn remains soggy, you’ll notice you have to mow more often due to the thick thatch growth, and the blades of grass will have a wilted, limp feel.
  • An under watered lawn remains drier, have slower growth (you don’t have to mow as often), and the blades of grass will have a crisp feel to them.

  An Irrigation Professional Can Help Give You What Your Lawn Needs

  An irrigation system will not only contribute to the health of your lawn, it will also save you some hard-earned money as Irrigation systems help to prevent water waste. You’ll be saving money as well as the environment for future generations!

  Still have questions? Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions about irrigation systems.

  If you want to be the envy of every homeowner on your block with the lush, healthy lawn, make sure to have an irrigation professional install or repair your irrigation system! You’ll get everything you want in your outdoor space, save some money while saving water!

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• Save Water, Save Money

  Water is the engine that drives your lush, beautiful lawn.  With Central Texas’ slow infiltration and shallow bedrock, it can seem like a near impossible endeavor.  Keeping your lawn healthy and green might seem like a lot of work, but there are some easy ways you can give your yard all the water it needs without draining your bank account.

  1. Timing is everything.  Make sure you are watering your lawn in the early morning. Watering your lawn in the heat of the afternoon can cause up to 30% of your water to evaporate, and that’s water that your lawn is not getting.
  2. Cycle & Soak. If you are noticing runoff with normal irrigation times, try a short duration watering cycle followed by a longer “soak” cycle. Watering in smaller time increments will allow our compacted clay soils to absorb more water.  Don’t forget, if you are using a timer system, make sure it is in tip top condition to avoid run-off, and consider adding a rain or soil moisture sensor so you don’t have to turn the system off if you get a lot of rain.
  3. Save some rain for another day.  Rain harvesting is an environmentally conscious option to consider.  Install a rain barrel to harvest rainwater for watering your landscape.  Collected water is free of many salts and chemicals present in most groundwater, so it is beneficial for your plants.  
  4. Don’t ignore your irrigation system.  Hire a professional to maintain your irrigation system so it functions optimally throughout the year.  Leaks or other problems in the system can cost you money you don’t even know you’re spending. A leak, even 1/32” in diameter, can result in more than 6,000 gallons of wasted water per year.  Because these leaks can be so small, you may not notice them, but a professional will be able to pinpoint these issues and solve them before your money is washed down the drain. 
  5. Never underestimate the power of mulching.  Keep root zones cooler and hold moisture by using an appropriate mulch for your yard.  When choosing a mulch, be sure to consult a professional to advise which mulch is the right one for your application.
  6. Give your soil an upgrade.  Consider a topdressing for your lawn.  Topdressing is a prepared soil mix that can be applied to the surface of your lawn to improve water, air and nutrient movement into your soil.  Bear in mind that topdressing should be applied by a professional since the practice can be detrimental if done improperly.

  Wasteful water usage is bad for the environment and your wallet.  Make sure you are taking steps to curb water waste while taking care of your lawn.  Contact Eco Irrigation and Landscaping if you need help saving money and water!

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