How to Have the Gorgeous Green Yard You've Always Wanted in Just 5 Easy Steps

Have you ever driven past a gorgeous green lawn and wondered how it was achieved? Perhaps a neighbor has a beautiful yard and while you envy the yard, you wondered where they found time to work on it. If this you, then don't despair. While having that verdant lawn takes work, it doesn't necessarily mean giving up every spare minute you have. In fact, once your lawn is established, it is merely an issue of maintenance. Since for many, the biggest challenge is just getting started, here are the basic steps in building the yard you have always wanted.

1. Think about how your yard is used-storing firewood/toys, backyard sports, bird watching, outdoor entertaining, etc... and then sketch out a yard plan with these features included
2. Go green to have green by implementing ways to make the most use of water. You may even wish to consider an irrigation system set on a timer. Other ways to conserve water involve: arranging the flower beds and shrubbery to take advantage of water that will run off higher elevations- in regions where there is minimal rain, many resident opt for a rain garden; another choice for conserving water is using buffer strips of mulch and natural vegetation around ponds or beside streams to help retain the moisture keeping your yard looking good even when there has been little rain or water restrictions are in place.
3. Have a soil test done to establish your soil's condition. This is done by taking a sample of soil in to your local agricultural agency. The results will aid you in selecting fertilizer types, the amount of compost, etc...
4. You will also need to determine your soil's type (sandy, clay...) and check for compaction. If the soil is tightly compacted, you will want to use a tiller, or hoe to break it up. As part of the breaking up process, be sure to wait until after a heavy rain or a deep watering as this will make the job much easier. Then do the following: 1) Use a landscaping rake to smooth the ground then add at least 3 inches of topsoil. 2) Make any adjustments to the soil-compost, fertilizer, nutrients, etc... and 3) Rake and smooth the area(s) to be planted.
5. You are now ready to plant your lawn. Be sure to talk to a local gardener or landscaper to learn what types of grasses grow best in your region. The US is divided into 3 regions (Cool, Warm and Transitional areas) and each of them has specific types of grass that excel in them.

After your lawn has been planted keep foot traffic to a minimum and water at least 4 times a day to encourage growth. Also, you won't need to mow your lawn until the grass is at least 4 inches tall and then be sure to only cut ½ to ¾ of an inch. Viola! You are now ready to enjoy a beautiful green yard!

Learn more about how to get that gorgeous yard or to receive a free estimate, visit Advanced Irrigation, Inc. of Minnesota. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Tree Removal and Home Lawn Maintenance...

Ignoring Trees, Trimming and Overhanging Limbs Can be Costly

As the end of autumn arrives and the frigid temperatures of winter take hold, manicuring and prepping the lawn or irrigation system is usually the last thought on the minds of home owners. Oddly enough, however, this is the perfect time to examine the property and plan for the winter and spring. Other services which may be available are tree and limb removal, snow removal and even landscape design. Many irrigation and landscaping design companies may offer special pricing in order to drive business during the "off" season.

There are several steps to take in order to winterize the home and landscaping. Close attention to overhanging branches and dead or rotting trees should be removed. Every year the heavy snows and ice can place tremendous stress on trees and limbs causing them to fall without warning. The weight of the snow will easily exceed two hundred pounds and can cause trees and limbs to snap without warning.

Damaged roofing or downed power lines are the most common instances of these occurrences, but people are often injured as well. While most home owners may have a basic step ladder, it is not recommended for most home owners to attempt to remove tree limbs themselves. Larger branches or those limbs which are higher than 8 feet are best left to a professional and experience tree removal service, such as Advanced Irrigation, Inc. These landscaping professionals will have the proper safety equipment which many home owners do not own.

Another relatively monotonous chore is the removal of snow from the lawn and driveway. Snow throwers can make quick work of removing snow, but can be cumbersome to maneuver. An excellent alternative to injuring ones back is to contract with a local service provider to remove the snow as needed. It is important to keep the driveway clear and accessible for the possibility of any emergency response vehicle. Again, many irrigation or sprinkler service companies will offer additional services other than just irrigation.

Having a newly designed landscape can also be a wise project to undertake during the winter months. There are several benefits to the home owner when hiring an irrigation and landscape designer for the winter. Most home owners will not be competing for the landscaper's time thereby allowing the landscaper to devote as much attention as possible to the lawn and landscape project.

Many home owners will either be too preoccupied with work or the holidays gathering of friends and family, but neglecting some of the tasks above and more can be a very expensive mistake. It is important to consult with irrigation and landscaping company soon in order to get the desired results.

For a free lawn care & underground sprinkler system quote, visit Advanced Irrigation, Inc. of MN. Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Year Round Lawn Care and Maintenance

Everyone loves a beautiful yard. You know the type. Those yards that have well maintained shrubbery, thick green grass and well tended flower gardens resplendent in all their color. Of course, that takes work, and not just during the warm month either! No matter where you live, taking care of your yard is a must. These chores can include everything from spreading mulch and fertilizer to weeding and cutting grass each week; but regardless of the season, efficient lawn care and maintenance are a part of life. Each season brings different jobs, all of which are vital to a beautiful yard.

Springtime lawn care and maintenance can vary depending on where you live; however, there are some things that remain the same whether you live in a warm or cool. These standard spring jobs include:

• Applying helpful compost tea (a mixture of compost, water and molasses that is sprayed on your lawn and plants)
• Mowing with low blade
• Pulling weeds by hand or spot spraying
• Dethatching and aerating (You can either rent the equipment and do it yourself or hire a professional like Advanced Irrigation, Inc. to do it for you)
• Applying helpful nematodes (micro-organisms in the soil that can be either useful or damaging), as needed, for grub control

With summer's heat comes everyone's favorite lawn care and maintenance job-mowing the lawn! However, additional summer jobs include monitoring how often and how much you water, observing the insects (some good, some bad) population, conscientious weed control, watching for lawn disease, and adding a calcium rich fertilizer.

As summer becomes fall, your lawn care and maintenance needs change. And, while weekly mowing may not be a part of your routine, there are other jobs that are equally important. The region of the country in which you live can dictate some of the specifics but basic jobs that should be on your fall "To Do" list are:

• Applying another round of compost tea-think of it as putting your lawn to bed
• Lowering the blades of your lawn mower as there is often a great deal of grass growth
• Removing any leaves and debris, followed by the application of a layer of compost to enrich your soil's components over the winter

About the time you are ready to relax and take break from lawn care and maintenance, winter arrives. Thankfully, there are just a few basic things for you to take care of:

• If you live in a cool region, be sure not to leave heavy items on the ground for indefinite amounts of time as this can damage the grass.
• For warm weather residents, it is necessary to continue watering, so your spring will have the perky freshness everyone can't wait to enjoy.

If you are eager to have a yard that the whole neighborhood is talking about, year round lawn care is a must. Take some time to make your yard the envy of all who see it

Contact Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota for a free lawn care and underground sprinkler system estimate!

Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Sprinkler Systems - Common Problems and the Best Solutions to Guarantee Proper Watering of the Lawn

Sprinkler systems and irrigation timers are usually forgotten by the home owner, landlord or property manager after being installed. For the most part the home owner can just set it and forget it; until there is a problem. There are a few common problems which usually go undetected by the home owner until detrimental effects occur.

Most of the time, the recommended time to water the lawn is in the early morning hours. One of the most common problems is that the sprinkler heads are out of adjustment or alignment. Months may go by before the home owner may realize this fact until the lawn begins to display signs of suffering from a lack of water.

The majority of sprinkler setups or layouts will suffice at first, but another problematic situation and one that is a bit more involved may not occur until several years after the initial sprinkler installation. Foresight and the expected growth of trees, shrubs and bushes are often not taken into account by many when installing an irrigation system. The end result can be that the spray pattern is being partially or fully obstructed by branches or trunks. In this scenario, the home owner will have three options: cut down the tree, drastically cut back the overgrowth or relocate the sprinkler head.

Relocating sprinkler heads may not seem to be too difficult. When a sprinkler head is moved, however, very often an additional sprinkler head may need to be added in order to compensate for an area which is no longer being covered by the new spray pattern. When adding a sprinkler head or making any changes to the physical layout, the existing pipe sizes may not be adequate.

A well designed sprinkler system does not use one size of pipe throughout the entire system. The reason for this is as the pipe runs become longer or additional legs are added, a decrease in water pressure can occur. When this occurs, the previous spacing of sprinkler heads will no longer be sufficient to cover the lawn. In some extreme cases the pressure may be so low as to not allow the sprinkler heads to pop up.

The complexity of irrigation timers can also pose significant frustration for home owners or landlords. Newer timers are more simplified in their design and operation than those timers from many years back. With modern day programmable irrigation timers, several distinct programs can be setup with greater ease and more intuitive functioning to allow for different seasons and zones.

Regardless of the current problems that the home owner or landlord may be experiencing it is often easier and wiser to have a professional irrigation specialist, such as Advanced Irrigation, inspect and service the irrigation system. It is quite easy for a home owner to louse up the sprinkler system and then in frustration decide to turn the whole system off. By not ensuring the system is setup properly and working at 100% efficiency, the home owner or landlord is just wasting money.

To receive a free lawn care and underground sprinkler system quote visit Advanced Irrigation or call 612-599-8675.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Think Ahead - How to Properly Plant and Water a Tree

Sitting on the back deck with a shade tree is wonderful thing. However, if you don't have any shade you need to break out your shovel and put on your work clothes - its time to plant a tree! Often people wonder, "How hard can it be to plant tree? Dig a hole right?". True, you do need to dig a hole but it is a bit more complex than that.

First, plant the tree during the cool parts of the year. Typically, this means early spring or fall.

Second, decide where you would like to plant. Be aware of any unique properties of your tree and plant appropriately. For instance, willow trees are drawn to water and planting one near your septic system is a recipe for disaster as the roots will clog it up. You might want a mulberry tree but planting one near porches or often used walkways can make for quite a mess. The berries will drop from the tree and accumulate making walking a very squishy endeavor.

Also, be sure to plant the tree with enough space to accommodate it when it is mature. Planting a little maple right up against the house might look nice when the tree is small but a 20' tall maple right up against the house is totally different matter.

Third, dig a hole. You want the hole to be larger than the root ball. The soil you fill in around the root ball will be easier for the roots to grow into and help the tree get a more solid root system more quickly. Aim to have the hole at least twice the diameter of the root ball but bigger is better.

Make sure the hole is higher in the middle by a few inches to allow water to more easily drain from the roots. Having a tree sitting in water is very unhealthy and can cause a newly planted tree to die. The ground level of the root ball should be level with the surrounding ground when the tree is sitting on the high spot in the hole.

Fourth, remove the covering around the root ball. This might be a plastic pot that will slip off or you might need to cut it off. Larger trees will typically have burlap or similar material around their root ball which will need to be cut. It is best to remove the covering right next to hole so that you do not need to carry the tree far. Plant quickly once the roots are exposed since the air can tend to dry them out.

Fifth, place the tree in the hole and backfill around the root ball. To give your tree an extra strong start, you might make a mixture of 3/4 soil and 1/4 compost. Tamp the soil down around the tree. Use a fertilizer if you desire by following the instructions on the package.

Sixth, water the tree using the ratio of one gallon of water for every 6-8" inches of height on the tree. The soil should be backfilled again as it will settle some after the watering.

Seventh, cover the ground around the tree with several inches of mulch. The keeps weeks down and holds in moisture. The mulch should extend out to the drip line which is a circle on the ground directly below the circumference of the trees branches.

Eighth, stake the tree to keep it from blowing over in the wind. Place the stake on the side of the tree from which the winds usually blows. Do not tie the string or rope too tightly or it will cut into the bark.

Ninth, water the tree again. You will need to water frequently until the tree becomes established. Watering weekly is a good guide.

Finally, step back and admire your handiwork. You have taken the first steps toward making your lawn look even more beautiful - and providing a bit of shade to boot!

For more information on irrigation for your newly planted tree visit Advanced Irrigation or call 612.599.8675 today.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Sprinkler Systems - Common Problems and the Best Solutions to Guarantee Proper Watering of the Lawn

Sprinkler systems and irrigation timers are usually forgotten by the home owner, landlord or property manager after being installed. For the most part the home owner can just set it and forget it; until there is a problem. There are a few common problems which usually go undetected by the home owner until detrimental effects occur.

Most of the time, the recommended time to water the lawn is in the early morning hours. One of the most common problems is that the sprinkler heads are out of adjustment or alignment. Months may go by before the home owner may realize this fact until the lawn begins to display signs of suffering from a lack of water.

The majority of sprinkler setups or layouts will suffice at first, but another problematic situation and one that is a bit more involved may not occur until several years after the initial sprinkler installation. Foresight and the expected growth of trees, shrubs and bushes are often not taken into account by many when installing an irrigation system. The end result can be that the spray pattern is being partially or fully obstructed by branches or trunks. In this scenario, the home owner will have three options: cut down the tree, drastically cut back the overgrowth or relocate the sprinkler head.

Relocating sprinkler heads may not seem to be too difficult. When a sprinkler head is moved, however, very often an additional sprinkler head may need to be added in order to compensate for an area which is no longer being covered by the new spray pattern. When adding a sprinkler head or making any changes to the physical layout, the existing pipe sizes may not be adequate.

A well designed sprinkler system does not use one size of pipe throughout the entire system. The reason for this is as the pipe runs become longer or additional legs are added, a decrease in water pressure can occur. When this occurs, the previous spacing of sprinkler heads will no longer be sufficient to cover the lawn. In some extreme cases the pressure may be so low as to not allow the sprinkler heads to pop up.

The complexity of irrigation timers can also pose significant frustration for home owners or landlords. Newer timers are more simplified in their design and operation than those timers from many years back. With modern day programmable irrigation timers, several distinct programs can be setup with greater ease and more intuitive functioning to allow for different seasons and zones.

Regardless of the current problems that the home owner or landlord may be experiencing it is often easier and wiser to have a professional irrigation specialist inspect and service the irrigation system. It is quite easy for a home owner to louse up the sprinkler system and then in frustration decide to turn the whole system off. By not ensuring the system is setup properly and working at 100% efficiency, the home owner or landlord is just wasting money.

For more about the topic of sprinkler systems and proper law.n fertilizing, please visit or call www.advancedirrigationmn.com at 612-599-8675.

Article independently authored by Dan Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of Minnessota.

How to Manage Your Irrigation System in 7 Easy Steps

If you are one of the people who love to have a beautiful green lawn and have taken the time to install an irrigation system, then you will want to maintain the life of your system, so that it will work exactly the way you want it to, every time you turn it on. And, while proper maintenance is necessary year round, what you do in the spring is an important part of ensuring that your irrigation system works properly the rest of the season.

Getting Started...Spring into Action

To guarantee that your irrigation system works as you wish it to, you don't have to have a degree in rocket science. In fact, the first 3 (once you have the needed items) steps take less than 10 minutes and the remaining steps usually take less than 30 minutes to complete!

1. Go to your garage or local hardware store, and get an adjustable wrench and some Teflon tape or plumber putty. Then locate your irrigation system's galvanized plug or spigot on top of the irrigation controller... often this will be located in the garage. Should you not have a plug, one can typically be purchased at your local hardware store. Using the tape or putty, be sure to cover the threads of the plug as it will prevent leaking over the summer. Sometimes, the outside plug may not have been removed, in which case you can skip step 2 and proceed to the 3rd step.
2. Take the plug to the outside valve and screw it into the opening, being careful not to make it excessively tight.
3. Once the plug is in place, open the water shut off valves by rotating the valves till they are parallel with the water line.
4. Next, locate the colored ball valve (often near a yellow tag saying, "Danger, Do Not Open"); typically this is in your basement or near/above the water meter. Feel free to remove the tag, then slowly open the valve until you hear the water slowing down, then you can open the valve all the way or until the valve is parallel with the water line. If you hear your pipes rattle and bang, try opening the shut off valve a bit faster.
5. Return to the sprinkler controller and set the correct date, time, watering times, watering days, zones runs times and any other information necessary to see that your lawn looks its best. If, however, you did not turn off the controller over the winter months, this step is unnecessary, unless you want to change something for the new season.
6. Do a quick manual run through to see that each zone's sprinkler head is working properly.
7. Most professionals suggest turning on your sprinkler only after overnight temperatures are not dropping below 40 degrees. In addition, be sure that when you are setting the run times that you keep in mind any watering schedules set by your city ordinances so you can avoid being penalized.

For additional information on the topic of sprinkler systems visit Advanced Irrigation. Article independently authored by Janet M. Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Preparing Your Yard and Winterizing Your Sprinkler System for the Colder Weather

As the weather begins to turn colder home owners should not ignore the signs of winter soon approaching. Just as in springtime, there are essential home and property maintenance needing to be performed before the first freeze. A quick inventory of the home's exterior and surrounding landscape can save thousands upon thousands of dollars.

One of the most important tasks to take care of is the removal of any overgrowth next to the house and making sure there is clear access to and from the street. The reason for clearing any overgrowth from against the home is due to snow building up against the siding with no clear way to remove it. As the temperatures warm up during the day some snow may melt and seep into joints and other openings. When the temperature drops to freezing at night, any water that has been wicked into the siding or even mortar joints will expand when it freezes causing cracking and other damage. Most of the time this damage does not become apparent until many seasons later, but by that time the damage can not be prevented.

Surveying any nearby trees for large overhanging limbs or dead growth should be removed before the first snowfall. The weight of snow which gathers on tree branches up above can easily equal over one hundred to two hundred pounds. Weak and large branches overhanging the roof, carport or car can come crashing down causing severe damage. Insurance may cover the damage, but the home owner will still be without a vehicle or have a hole in the roof. Trees even along the street can prove to be a major hazard. Fallen branches or trees that may block street traffic in time of an emergency can prove fatal for a person waiting for a response to a 9-1-1 call. Any diseases or dead trees need to be removed before the first snowfall.

The other potentially major problem is regarding sprinkler pipes and hose connections at the house. Freezing temperatures make water expand. Should any water be present and under pressure in these lines when temperatures fall below the freezing mark, it is a good bet there will be some water line breakage. Generally a problem such as this will not become apparent until the temperature climbs to a sustained point above the freezing point.

Many professional irrigation services or landscapers have the means and proficiency to provide additional services above and beyond those of just fertilizing, seeding and sprinkler system installations. Fall sprinkler line blow-outs and tree removal are necessary every autumn to prevent dangerous and expensive situations.

For additional information on the topic of fall weatherizing, irrigation and tree removal visit Advanced Irrigation. Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Roof Cave-Ins and Broken Water Pipes - How Best To Avoid These Perilous Situations During Winter

Each season brings with it its own benefits and challenges. Yard work and home maintenance is typically thought of as a spring chore. There are several aspects of yard work and property maintenance that, if left untended, can cost a pretty penny in the midst of winter months, however. With the onset of the fall and winter seasons fast approaching these tasks often go overlooked by home owners.

The complacency of a home owner can cost thousands of dollars or more with regards to tree maintenance and home maintenance. Every year each winter seems to deal a harsher blow to the private citizen and business owner alike than the previous winter in the form of damage to the roof, buildings and vehicles.

Freezing temperatures and heavy snow lining overhanging tree branches can easily pierce through a roof or fall onto a car causing massive damage to occur when the limb does snap off from the trunk. What is worse is if a tree should injure the home owner and their family or neighbor. Winter weather can slow or even obstruct any emergency response personnel from providing necessary medical care in the event of an emergency.

One key preventative measure is to walk around the home with a critical eye towards safety. Overhanging branches, as well as older trees, should bear close inspection. Low hanging branches are less likely to cause damage to a roof, but can easily destroy rain gutters and vehicles and interrupt power due to a downed power line. Trees which have been weakened by prior seasons may begin to lean or may not show any evidence at all.

Being proactive by calling a lawn care and maintenance company can save much grief on the part of the home owner. Surprisingly other companies offering seemingly unrelated services such as irrigation and fertilizing, will often handle tree trimming during the winter due to less demand for lawn mowing and irrigation.

Cracked water pipes are another major concern. Fall blowouts for existing sprinkler systems are another service which needs to be performed. Freezing temperatures are notorious for causing cracked water pipes, both underground and in the interior of homes. With regards to water supply lines located within a home, it is important to shut off the water supply valve to pipes extending through an exterior basement wall to the outside. Some homes may not have an interior shut off valve for outside spigots.

For additional information on the topic of home and lawn maintenance visit Advanced Irrigation. Article independently authored by Daniel P Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Lawn Irrigation - One Major Component in Addition to Fertilizing and Proper Mowing Methods

Golf courses always have rich green and immaculate grass as far as the eye can see. They should when fairway mowers can surpass the $8,000 mark. Unfortunately, home owners do not have access to these heavy duty industrial mowers. Premium results can still be affordably achieved, however, with the right tools. There are three key ingredients to a lush green lawn.

Every species of grass has an optimum height to ensure a healthy lawn. Proper mowing is essential. Generally, a height of approximately 3" - 3 ¼" is ideal. Believe it or not, maintaining the proper length is important for the roots of the grass and helps shield the ground from excessive heat from the sun during summer months. A home owner or lawn care company should never take off more than a third of the total height of the grass. Cutting more than this will be increasing the chances of the lawn drying out prematurely, burning or disease.

Proper watering times, frequency and length of each cycle are critical for maintaining a healthy yard. The best times to water, regardless of the region of the country, is during the early morning hours. By setting irrigation or sprinkler timers for these times ensures that the water has time to penetrate to the roots through the blades of grass and soil before the afternoon heat arrives.

Watering later in the day will just be wasting water due to the afternoon heat drying the lawn quickly and increased evaporation. It will also be a waste of water as it is usually windier during the afternoon than early morning which will blow the water spray away. Irrigating the lawn is not generally recommended in the evening hours. The reason is that with the cooler temperatures of the evening coupled with wet conditions will increase the likelihood of mold or fungus.

The final component of bringing up a healthy and vibrant lawn is the proper distribution of fertilizer and the correct type. Weed-and-feed fertilizers are quite popular, but the home owner needs to be aware of the different types. There is not a one size fits all weed-and-feed fertilizer for all grass species. Be sure to select the correct type. Timing of the fertilizer application can also make the difference between a lawn riddled with weeds and a yard which if weed free.

In the late summer and fall months, a post-emergent herbicide will help to inhibit the growth of weeds. Limiting the growth of weeds will also affect their ability to store nutrients for the following growing season in the spring. Early spring is the ideal time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide in order to prevent weed seeds from germinating.

Although it may be simple and straight forward in theory to properly maintain a lawn, restoring a yard takes a lot more energy, cost and time than most home owners have available. For this reason alone it is often more inexpensive to hire a professional lawn care company than it is for the home owner to buy the fertilizer spreader, heavy bags of fertilizer and so on.

For additional information on the topic of lawn irrigation and fertilizing visit Advanced Irrigation. Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation. Click for Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Frequently Asked Questions for Lawn Irrigation Systems

Q: Does Installation Cause Damage to My Lawn?

A: Techniques have progressed and improved from many years when a lawn looked like a war zone after the installation was completed. Installation of a lawn sprinkler system generally uses pipe pulling technology to avoid disrupting the lawn. These machines are specifically designed to install components with minimal lawn damage. One of the great benefits is that pipes can be installed under driveways and sidewalks without the need to trench or damage them. After a system is installed, you will barely be able to see the disruptions after four to six weeks.

Q: Do Automatic Lawn Sprinkler Systems Waste Water?

A: No, automatic lawn irrigation conserves water. During hand watering much water is lost due to evaporation and application at the wrong time of day. An automatic system can be set to always apply water at the best time of day to mitigate evaporation loss. Additionally, sprinkler heads can be set to provide an exact amount of water to a precise location. Plus, irrigation systems don't water your driveway or sidewalk like so many manual watering systems.

Q: What's the Cost for a Professional Irrigation Installation?

Answer: This is a tough question to answer since every lawn is different in shape and complexity. However, for the typical suburban lawn in a typical setting, you are looking at $2000-$3000. Again, this is just a rule of thumb.

Q: How do I Benefit from an Automatic Sprinkler System?

Your sprinkler system will work whether you or home or not. It is certainly no fun to be gone for a week and come home to a brown lawn. Additionally, a lush, green lawn adds curb appeal. If you decide to sell your home, you will likely earn a higher selling price if your lawn looks its best. In fact, you could recoup your entire install cost through a higher selling price.

Q: What Should I Consider When Hiring an Installer?

Make sure that any potential installer has proper credentials and insurance. Also, request all warranty information up front. Be sure to ask for referrals so that you can speak with past customers. Finally, be certain your installer has been in the business for several years - you don't want to be somebody's first job or second job.

For additional information on the topic of lawn irrigation and sprinkler systems visit http://www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com

Weed Control and Fertilizing - Save Money With Experts Instead of Wasting it on Trial and Error

It is a monotonous task for the home owner to find specific lawn care information on the internet. The U.S. has wildly varying climates. While the southern states will experience average summer temperatures well into the 90s, northern states, such as Minnesota, will only average into the upper 70s. Minnesota will also experience extensive snowfalls, whereas snow in Florida or Texas is practically a myth. Because of this great disparity of temperatures and climates, it stands to reason that what grasses and plants will thrive in one region will not do well in other parts of the country.

Even when examining a lawn within a hundred foot wide area can there exist drastic differences from property to property. There are literally hundreds of weed types and lawn pests which can be found throughout every region of the U.S. The home owner could spend week upon week attempting to diagnose a sick lawn or one in poor condition afflicted with these situations. It is usually much faster and economical to call a professional lawn care or irrigation company to inspect and troubleshoot for any problem areas of the yard.

It can be more economical because of the cost of personally traveling to the local hardware store or super center and purchasing large bags of chemicals in order to try the trial and error method. A professional lawn care specialist should be extremely familiar with the local species of grasses as well as the problem weeds of the area. It is this expertise that is well worth any investment.

The other major concern is regarding chemical safety. The majority of fertilizers and weed controls are synthetic in nature. Some of these can have adverse effects for people with added sensitivities and allergies and animals. A home owner, for this reason alone, would be prudent in hiring an experience lawn care company. The lawn care professional will know the best and safest method for handling chemical fertilizers.

For those home owners who are concerned with the overuse of chemicals and any potential hazardous effects on vegetation, animals and gardens, there are some excellent organic fertilizers which can be applied instead of the synthetic fertilizers. Manufactured or synthetic weed control chemicals are still going to be the most effective at killing weeds and preventing the return. Any concerns of this type should be discussed with the lawn technician before any lawn care program is started.

For more details or information on fertilizing and irrigation please visit www.advancedirrigationmn.com.

Article independently authored by Daniel P Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota.

How to Avoid Wasting Water With Your Sprinkler System

Tired of your lawn turning brown and ugly during the hot summer months? It can be frustrating since your lawn is critical to your home looking its very best. One solution is to install an irrigation system or as it is more commonly called, a sprinkler system. However, water is a valuable resource and there is no reason to use more than you need. Keeping a few tips and concepts in mind can help you maximize your water usage.

The first thing to do is inspect your sprinkler heads. Look for broken or cracked heads and replace them. Damaged sprinkler heads can leak when not in use or will spray water ineffectively and overwater certain portions of the yard while under watering others. When you find a broken part or head, take it with you to the home improvement store to make sure you get an exact match. Broken sprinkler heads can be minimized by not stepping on them or running lawn mower wheels over them. Once or twice generally won't hurt but repeated abuse will eventually cause the head to fail.

Next, adjust each sprinkler head's spray pattern. Typically, you can adjust the patter to spray in a quarter, half, three-quarter or full circle. The goal is not ensure that the spray patterns are not including sidewalks, streets or other hard surfaces where the water simply runs off and is wasted.

Once your heads have been adjusted, you need to figure out how much water you need for your lawn. This is easily done with a runoff test. Simply, turn on your sprinkler system, note the time and observe. After a period of time water will begin to pool in certain areas of your lawn. Note how much time has passed. This is the amount of time you need to water your lawn. Allowing the system to run longer than this period results in wasted water, as it is not able to enter the saturated ground and runs off your lawn and into the storm sewer. Set your timer to run your system indicated by the run-off test.

Finally, it is best not to water your lawn at mid-day. With the sun beating down much of the water will be wasted to evaporation. The best time to water is the morning when evaporation losses will be minimized.

Hopefully, these quick tips will keep your lawn looking vibrant green without the unnecessary loss of water.

For more information on home sprinkler and irrigation systems please visit www.advancedirrigationmn.com.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota.

Make Your Trees Happier With Mulch

You can improve the health of your trees with mulch. Mulch is an organic material applied to the ground around trees or plants. Common mulch materials are bark nuggets, wood chips, leaves, pine needles or even lawn clippings.

There are several advantages to mulching your trees. First, is that the mulch helps the soil retain water and helps eliminate the need to water as often (10 to 25% reduction in water evaporation). Second, the mulch helps prevent soil erosion around the tree. Third, it protects the roots from extreme hot and cold by providing an insulating layer. Fourth, it prevents weeds from growing. Finally, the mulch provides a buffer from lawn mowers which helps avoid physical damage to the trunk from collisions.

When mulching, you want the layer to be two to four inches deep after it has settled. Mulch will be "puffier" after you first apply it. As such, you will need to apply a few more inches at application to achieve the desired depth after settling. Different materials settle at different rates so you will need to experiment with your particular mulch choice. As a rough guide, you will need 35 cubic feet of material to cover a 100 square foot area to 6" deep.

Generally, the best time to apply mulch is in the late spring when the ground has warmed up. By applying too early in the year, you run the risk of keeping ground temperatures too low for too long which can inhibit root growth. That said, however, mulch can be applied at any time of the year.

Mulch should extend out four to six feet from the tree trunk. Also, it is advisable to pull the mulch back and inch or two from the trunk to help prevent bark decay. You might consider back filling this area with stone.

Black plastic is often used under mulch to inhibit weed growth but it is not advisable. Plastic prevents the exchange of water and nutrients thereby weakening the tree. A better alternative is landscaping fabric which is designed to be used under mulch and allow nutrient exchange while inhibiting weeds. Of course, if you have a very large mature tree the use of plastic under the mulch won't make much difference.

With a little bit of effort you can make your trees more healthy and strong while also improving the look of your home. Mulched trees provide a much more appealing look than the lawn growing right up to the trees. Give your yard that extra pizzazz and mulch your trees this weekend!

To learn more about mulching trees and flower beds visit www.advancedirrigationmn.com.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota.

Sprinklers and Fertilizer - Proper Irrigation Methods and Lawn Maintenance For a Beautiful Lawn

No matter what region of the country in which a home owner may live, the requirements of the lawn are the same. With summer temperatures just around the corner it is important to make sure the lawn is healthy enough to withstand longer stretches of heat and diminished watering. Although proper lawn mowing seems like a no-brainer, a surprisingly large number of home owners do not mow their lawn properly.

Hopefully, by the end of March, the spring round of fertilizing has already been applied to the lawn and flower beds. If fertilizer has not yet been administered in the northern states of the U.S., such as Minnesota, these home owners may still be able to sneak in the spring application. It is important to ensure the root system is sufficiently healthy enough to withstand the hotter summers that the U.S. has experienced in the past several years and will continue to sustain.

The heat is not necessarily the only factor affecting the durability of the lawn. It does, however, pose a significant challenge due to watering restrictions tightening throughout every locale. Along with fertilizing, proper watering times and duration are very important. Generally the best time to water a lawn is during the early morning hours. Mornings are usually when there are fewer winds to carry the water spray away from the grass.

There are two different times when it is normally not a good time to irrigate a lawn. Watering later in the afternoon time periods will usually violate some local ordinance or water restriction, not to mention wasting the water which is intended for the lawn. The water is wasted due to increased evaporation in the afternoon heat and sun and not having sufficient time to soak down into the root system. The other time it is almost always counter productive to water a lawn is in the evening or nighttime hours. The reason for this is because, while the heat of the day has passed, the cooler evening and overnight temperatures can contribute to fungus growth when extra moist conditions are present.

It is also very important, when watering the lawn, to water deeply for a sufficient length of time. Longer watering time periods allow the water to penetrate more deeply down into the soil and reach the roots. Conversely, shorter durations of watering will cause the lawn to form a shallower root system which will contribute to a greater susceptibility to disease and pests.

The other major concern for enabling the grass to withstand the hot summer months is to ensure that the height adjustment of the lawnmower is set to the proper level. Each region and climate of the country has its own particular types of grasses which require a minimum height to flourish. It can be tempting to the home owner to lower the height of the cutting deck in hopes of having to experience the summer heat less frequently. Never cut off more than one third of the total length of grass at any one time. Doing so will protect the lower depths from the heat.

Following the contours of the yard in order to avoid scalping the lawn, will help to achieve a proper and consistent look. Making sure the blade is sharp and the cutting deck free from debris, along with proper watering and fertilizing, will almost certainly guarantee a beautiful and healthy lawn of which the neighbors will be envious.

For additional information on lawn maintenance and proper irrigation methods visit www.advancedirrigationmn.com.

Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of Minnesota.

Proper Fertilizing and Irrigation Saves Money on Lawn Maintenance and Increases the Home Value

Americans have reached a point where the majority of retail stores, fast food chain restaurants, and service industries are designed to provide mediocre service under the guise of good customer service. "One size fits all" is true, except when it comes to every individual on earth. The same is true of a home owner's home and property.

Throughout the days of yesteryear, tract housing was popular and well received by the public. Today, every home owner's lawn is different from their neighbor's regarding drainage, water requirements and layout. Because of such variation from one property to another, it is extremely important for the home owner to customize the needs of their lawn in order to achieve good results.

Most home owners probably do not give a second thought about the lawn except when it is being mowed. Mowing and trimming are just small parts, but can have disastrous results if cut too infrequently and too short. The most important aspect of achieving a healthy lawn is to make sure it is receiving a sufficient and proper amount of irrigation. Having a professionally designed irrigation or sprinkler system installed can actually save the home owner money on monthly and annual utility expenses. How is this possible? The same way a motion sensor activates a lamp, only when it is needed.

A good sprinkler installer and lawn care professional should always recommend installing a rain gauge along with any irrigation sprinkler setup. The purpose of this is, again, to save money and conserve water. Unfortunately a large percentage of home owners who have a sprinkler system don't rely on or even have a rain gauge installed on the sprinkler system. These individuals may as well leave the faucet and car running indefinitely, every single light on in the house and open their wallets to every passerby. Of course this is an extreme scenario, but essentially is the case. There are additional ways to save money on maintaining a healthy lawn.

Fertilizing one's lawn is not quite as simple as running out to the home improvement store, buying a bag of fertilizer and dumping it throughout the lawn. While this is not necessarily rocket science, it can take experience to properly treat a lawn. While the most popular types of fertilizer found in the retail store are usually engineered, there are organic fertilizers which can minimize the amount of additives and are advertised as environmentally friendly. Many of these fertilizers will include a weed control formula as well.

Because the quality of fertilizer can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another and the percentages of nutrients can also vary from line to line, it is best to consult with an expert in the lawn care field before experimenting on one's lawn. A healthy lawn can be much easier and inexpensive to maintain than bringing back a patchy or overgrown property and letting it fall back into disrepair the following season.

For more information on fertilizing and irrigation to save you money, contact www.advancedirrigationmn.com today.

Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation.

Sprinkler Systems - Landscaping and Fences Can Provide Challenges Irrigation Installers Can Overcome

Proper planning is a good start to saving time and money. Preparation and planning a lawn irrigation system and landscape design in the right order can save a lot of headaches. Without a good plan, continuous revising and reworking a layout can increase the costs substantially.

For the home owner considering installing a sprinkler system, installation of all the landscaping elements, plants, and fencing first is strongly recommended. There are several reasons for landscaping being the first step. Often landscapes can alter the drainage, reduce the area requiring irrigation, and actually block certain areas.

One of the first landscaping components to be installed, or at least marked out, is the fencing. While a chain link or wire fence will probably not interfere with any sprinkler spray pattern, the same can not be said of a six foot privacy fence or even a picket fence. Many times a home owner will install a fence after the sprinkler system without being aware that the fence is preventing the lawn from receiving the much needed water.

While one or two sprinkler heads can be relocated with some effort in order to accommodate the above scenario, many times the water coverage will still be insufficient. Depending upon the type of water source, adding several sprinkler heads to an already established layout can reduce the efficiency and water pressure thereby reducing the effectiveness of the entire sprinkler system.

The next order of importance is installing the larger shrubs and bushes. These elements can also block a sprinkler spray pattern, if not at the time of installation then after the plant has matured. A good irrigation designer will take into account the future growth pattern and size of the landscaping. Blocking a sprinkler head with bushes not only prevents the lawn from the necessary water, it can also cause injury to the bush by blasting a stream of water into it.

Some residential and commercial irrigation systems already installed are supplied by municipal water sources. A qualified irrigation installer can usually switch this to a well source almost always allowing the home owner to save money on monthly utilities. The cost of the well can range from $1300 to several thousand depending on the region and the type of ground material. Sandy soils are much easier to drill down into than a granite subsurface and therefore less expensive.

Even though there are various models of pumps with different horsepower ratings available, should the property size be on the larger square footage, more than one pump and well may be necessary. Multiple pumps may be able to run off of a single well, but should drought conditions occur and the water table dip near or below the depth of the well bottom, the well will be useless. Damage may befall the pumps as well.

It is always advisable to obtain multiple estimates from a few different irrigation specialists. Asking a lot of questions to each installer will be able to give the home owner a fair idea of the competency and allow the customer to compare one companies services with another. Just because one company undercuts another by a wide margin on price does not mean better quality. Trust in the idiom "you get what you pay for".

Many websites provide additional information on the topic of irrigation and landscaping. One such site worth visiting is http://www.advancedirrigationmn.com


Article independently authored by Daniel Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Advanced Irrigation of MN.

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