Begin Your Spring Cleaning Out In the Yard

When you start your spring cleaning, why not start outside and work your way in? With the weather getting nicer, venture outside and give your landscaping a little sprucing up. But rest assured, you won’t have to tackle the weeds alone! spring will soon be on its way. At Advanced Irrigation, we offer a variety of lawn care services for Lakeville and the surrounding areas and would like to offer a few tips to help get your spring lawn care kicked off right.

Don’t forget to water the lawn! Usually the morning is the best time of day. If you water during the afternoon, too much of the water might evaporate. If you water overnight, it could lead to mold growth and other problems like that. If you don’t want to worry about it, a sprinkler system could be the answer! And, it just so happens lawn irrigation is one of the many lawn care services we provide. In terms of lawn care services, aeration is another important task because it leads to healthier and stronger grass.

Also, make sure debris gets cleaned off of your grass. If stuff like buckets, toys and leaves are left on your lawn, it could cause dead spots or interfere with the effectiveness of your lawn irrigation system or other lawn care services you’ve employed.

Promote a lush lawn. Don’t forget to apply grass seed and mulch. Look for areas of your yard where the grass looks like it is dead. Apply grass seed to those spots. Then take the time to mulch the bases of any trees, shrubs or flower beds. Mulch will help them to retain water and will help keep them warm when the nights turn chilly. Contrary to popular belief, mowing your grass shorter and more frequently does not always mean that your grass will not grow back as quickly. Mow your grass when it needs it and try to keep the grass blades at about 3 to 3 1/2 inches.

About once a week, go outside and inspect your lawn irrigation system. Look for any potential problems and give us a call if you spot any. Of course, Advanced Irrigation can also come out to inspect and repair your system whenever you want. While a lawn irrigation system will help water your lawn and keep your grass looking great, there are several other lawn care services that will make sure your lawn stays looking great all year long. And, these are just some important tasks to consider.

Ready to learn more about lawn care services in Lakeville? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or contact us and get a Free Estimate.

Winterizing Sprinkler Systems

In the fall when it’s starting to turn chilly, one of our most popular services are fall blow outs. Also known as “winterizing,” this is an important task that should be done to sprinkler systems in Lakeville (and anywhere else where temperatures regularly dip below freezing during the winter) on an annual basis. 

Water that is left in your lawn sprinkler system can freeze when the temperatures get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When water freezes into ice, it expands and could cause the pipes, fittings, valves and other parts to crack or burst. Sprinkler systems with these types of damages can be expensive to fix. Winterizing sprinkler systems eliminates this problem because we will first drain the water out of your sprinkler system using the manual or automatic drain valves. After that, we used compressed air to blow the remaining water out of the system, which ensures there is none left in there that could potentially freeze and cause problems.

We will then make sure that main drain valve is fully closed, and that will keep the water from flowing back into the system. From there, we look at the timer and/or controller and turn that off as well. That keeps the lawn sprinkler system from running during the winter months, but it does not get rid of any of the programming.

Sprinkler systems usually come with rain and freeze sensors. These devices will detect if there has been a large amount of rain and will automatically readjust the sprinkler system’s programming to compensate for that. It will also detect if temperatures are below freezing and will keep the system from turning on. This is great for added peace of mind if you don’t have your lawn sprinkler system winterized before the winter or if temperatures plummet unexpectedly.

All of these steps ensure sprinkler systems will work as they should when the weather gets warm again and when you want to start watering your yard and landscaping again. A little bit of preventive maintenance this winter can go a long way and can help prevent expensive repairs and replacements for your sprinkler system.

These are just a few reasons you should look into having your sprinkler system winterized.

Would you like more details on sprinkler systems in Lakeville, or do you want to schedule your fall blow out? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675, or you can contact us to set up your Free Estimate.

Summertime Lawn Care Necessities

Summer is still a few months away, but it's never too early to begin thinking about your lawn care regimen. After all, as one article noted:

In the summer season, caring for your lawn is something you might enjoy doing a bit more since the weather is nicer and more inviting. 

So, what is necessary for taking care of your lawn? If you have a sprinkler system, get in touch with an Orono MN lawn sprinklers company to have them checked out to ensure everything is in working order. You'll also want to have your lawn mowed on a regular basis, but making sure not to scalp your lawn. Weeding and recycling grass clippings are also important to keeping your lawn healthy. 

Read the entire article: "Caring For Your Lawn in the Summer." 

The Various Kinds of Lawn Sprinkler Systems

If you're an Edina homeowner and looking to upgrade your lawn sprinkler system, then you have a wide variety from which to choose. Of course, the type of sprinklers you choose is completely up to you, but it's wise to consult with an Edina sprinklers company about your choice. As one article recently noted:

However, different sprinklers are better used in certain other applications. Finding which one will work for your lawn or yard should be the result of research and discussion with professionals.

The most popular type of sprinkler is the spray head, as they are affordable and are viewed as "the" choice for those who want to keep their lawns healthy. Other choices include drip sprinklers and gear-driven rotors, which are also popular, but are used for smaller and larger areas respectively. 

Click here to read the entire article: "The Different Types of Lawn Sprinkler Systems."

A Few More Sprinkler Tips

One of the myths about an automatic sprinkler system is that it is a “set it and forget it” type of system. While sprinklers can make life easier for you by watering your landscape at predetermined times, you should not just set up your sprinkler system and never touch it again. There are a few tips you should follow to keep things operating optimally.

Check the battery. If your system is automatic, there will likely be a battery that serves as a backup in case there is a power outage. This saves the configuration information so that the system knows when to water. If this battery is dead, your system may not work when it should.

Be aware of water restrictions. Some areas will only let you water a certain amount, or may forbid it entirely if there is a drought situation. You should try to stay up to speed on such restrictions.

Use cycle and soak for very thirsty areas. The cycle and soak method involves running your sprinklers over an area for an extended period of time, and then allowing that water to soak in before running another cycle.

Have a sprinkler system installed on your property today! Call Anoka sprinkler systems company Advanced Irrigation for a FREE irrigation systems quote at (612) 599-8675.

Does Your Home Need a Sprinkler System?

A sprinkler system can help keep your lawn in good condition by providing it with the right amount of hydration, and by doing so on a regular, automatic basis (instead of relying on you to remember). There are some, though, that can benefit from the installation of an irrigation system like sprinklers a great deal. If you fall under one of the following categories, you could probably use a sprinkler system on your property.

You live in a drought-prone area. If rain is something that comes along every once in a while, and you commonly go days at a time without seeing a single drop, your lawn could absolutely benefit from regular watering sessions via a sprinkler system.

You have incredibly thirsty plants. Some shrubs and flowers require a lot more water than others. If you have plants that are constantly sucking down all of the water you’re giving them, they’re probably a lot more thirsty a lot more often than some of your other plants, and regular waterings could do them a lot of good.

You’re interested in doing less work. That’s the beauty of automation, right? With an automatic sprinkler system, you have one less thing on your plate to worry about -- the watering of your lawn and plants. When a sprinkler system is installed on your property, you can utilize that time for other things and still end up with a beautiful looking landscape.

Call Advanced Irrigation to learn more about how Anoka sprinkler systems can help you! (612) 599-8675.

Twin Cites Lawn Care Tips for Spring

Spring arrived late last month, and the weather is just about right for knocking out some landscaping duties on your property. If you're the do-it-yourself type, we have a couple tips for you to help get your spring maintenance started.

DO A LITTLE CLEANING
Your Twin Cities landscape has undoubtedly accumulated some debris over the winter. Leaves, branches, and other items have probably collected and will need to be cleared out before you start anything else. Make this priority number 1; after all, it's not healthy for your lawn to have items sitting on it for an extended period of time.

GET WEEDING & FERTILIZING
Clear out any weeded areas you see present on your landscape, and then fertilize your grass, flowers, shrubs, and other plants. For edible plants that you might plan on eating later, consider a fertilizer that is free of pesticides.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Make sure all of your sprinklers are working as they should be, that your pump is operating at its capacity and there's no problem with your water source. Test your control device to make sure it still works as it's supposed to.

Advanced Irrigation can help you tackle these tasks if you're not up for it on your own. Complete a free Twin Cities lawn care quote request today, or call us at (612) 599-8675.

Dogs Love Sprinklers

Well, most of them do, anyway. On a hot summer day, what's not to love about a stream of cold water? Even if the pressure makes that water a bit harder to subdue than the kind a dog normally finds in a bowl.

A website called Animal's Look has published a collection of images featuring dogs who are either cooling off with, or trying to get a drink from, an ordinary sprinkler system.

Here are a few.











Looking to have a sprinkler system of your own installed? Give Advanced Irrigation a call today at (612) 599-8675.

Spring and Sprinklers in Minneapolis

Before you know it, spring will be upon us, and Minneapolis residents will be turning on their sprinklers and hoses once again. While a hose can do a fine job for most watering purposes, sprinklers allow you to water your lawn and landscape without having to stand around and do it yourself.

Even better, some systems allow you to schedule watering sessions. You could be at work or on vacation, and still take comfort in the fact that your lawn is getting its necessary drink of water. And, because some sprinkler systems only runs for a set period of time, you'll waste less water than you might otherwise with a hose.

Interesting in learning more about Minneapolis sprinklers? Call Advanced Irrigation today at (612) 599-8675, or complete our free sprinkler system estimate form.

Cover Your Sprinklers For Winter

When freezing temperatures hit your sprinklers in St. Paul, serious damage can be done to exposed faucets and pipes. As James Lucas, a writer for the Huntsville Item states, you should prioritize "Putting your garden to bed," including your sprinkler system.

"In our garden I began by covering all water faucets and wrapping exposed pipes. I'll include this obvious step in putting the garden to bed, because in my case I've had frozen sprinkler valves the past two winters - a very costly mistake. This year I spared no expense and wrapped and covered anything that could possibly be damaged by freezing temperatures."

Don't get caught with frozen sprinkler valves, yourself -- do your best to cover up any exposed pipes and faucets to keep things from freezing up and getting damaged. And, of course, if you have any problems with your irrigation system, give Advanced Irrigation a call at 612-599-8675.

Lawn Care FAQs

Here are some of the more common lawn care questions we get asked:

How high should my grass be mowed?

At least three inches or the highest setting on your mower. Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height every time you mow.

How should I water my lawn?

Sprinkler systems are usually the best option. Your grass will receive deep, frequent waterings with automatic systems.

What’s the best way to remove weeds?

Either use a post-emergent herbicide or pull out the weeds by hand.

Can I level a bumpy lawn?

Yes. Fill in the low spots with 1/4-inch layer of topsoil or sand. You might find you have to fill gradually in low spots to avoid smothering the grass.

Should I use my clippings for mulch or bag them?

In most cases, mulch, as it returns nutrients and organic matter to the lawn. It will also help the lawn to retain water.

Advanced Irrigation knows Minneapolis lawn care. Enlist their services today by visiting www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com. 

Sprinkler Facts

If you’re not sold completely on the idea of sprinklers, here are some facts to consider:

• Sprinkler systems save water.
• Sprinklers can be installed after landscaping is done.
• Sprinklers can be easily updated.
• Your sprinkler system can be repaired easily in most cases.
• Sprinklers can be designed for your specific needs.

Advanced Irrigation knows sprinklers. Contact the Minneapolis sprinklers systems contractor by visiting www.Advanced-Irrigation-Minneapolis.com. 

Sprinklers FAQ – Part 2

Here are some more of the common questions we get about sprinklers:

Why is my rotary sprinkler not rotating?

If the sprinkler is no longer rotating or water flow has decreased, it could be the filter is clogged, so try cleaning it out. If this doesn’t solve the issue, then the internal assembly probably needs replaced.

What are irrigation zones? Do they matter?

Irrigation zones are planned before the system is installed. Each zone is divided by the amount of water needed for proper hydration. For example, zones in sunny areas might need water while zones in shaded areas can probably use less. These zone help determine water efficiency, meaning less waste.

What should I when starting my system up after the winter?

Have your irrigation system contractor go through their startup procedure, so they can make sure everything is in working order.

Does sprinkler system installation damage yards?

Installing a system requires pipe pulling, and many contractors have equipment and machines that install the pipe with minimal damage. Upon completion, the sprinkler lines are barely visible and will disappear as your lawn grows.

Do I need to winterize my system?

Yes. A winterized system will not be damaged during the cold months, while one that is not winterized can have frozen or damaged pipes or sprinkler heads.

How long does it take to install an irrigation system?

Many can be installed in one day, but depending on the size of the system and amenities, it might take longer.

Still have questions about sprinklers? Minneapolis sprinklers contractor Advanced Irrigation can help you at www.Advanced-Irrigation-Minneapolis.com. 

Sprinklers FAQ – Part 1

Here are some of the commonly asked questions we get regarding sprinklers:

How long should I water my lawn and garden?

This depends on your sprinkler system and its precipitation rate. A typical spray sprinklers run will water shrubs for 10 minutes, circle rotors for a half hour and full circle rotors for a full hour. Contact your local sprinkler installer to have your program set up.

What does a sprinkler system consist of?

The system efficiently waters your yard with sprinkler heads (spray or rotary) placed in a geometric pattern. It’s separated into zones to make the best use of water pressure and because your lawn’s watering needs vary by location. The final piece is a controller or timer dictates to the system when it operates.

My sprinklers won’t turn off.

Try unplugging the controller. If this does the trick, follow the manufacturer’s directions to reprogram the controller. Should the system not turn off, then turn off the water to the sprinklers and contact your sprinkler system company.

Do sprinklers conserve water?

Yes. One of the best reasons for getting an automatic irrigation system is they excel at water conservation. A system installed and maintained properly ensures total hydration coverage; and the correct water distribution, timing and calibration. The best time to water your plants is in the morning, as there is ample time for water to penetrate the ground, calmer wind and peak water pressure.

What do you think about rain sensors?

Rain sensors are one of the best ways to save water, as well as extend your system’s life. Plus, they allow your sprinklers to take a break when rain falls, so investigate adding one to your irrigation system.

Have sprinkler questions? Minneapolis sprinklers company Advanced Irrigation can help. Contact us by visiting www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com. 

Advanced Irrigation Has Tips on How to Tell if Your Sprinkler System is Leaking

No one likes a high water bill. The cost of everything is high already, so the last thing any of us need is to shell out more money on bills. If you’ve been noticing an increase in water usage – and hence your bill – your sprinkler system might be suffering from a water leak. Here are some ways to tell if your irrigation system has a hole in it: 

-          Shut off for a short a time all the water in your house. If your water meter still spins, then it could be a sprinklers leak. If this is the case, shut off all water to the system and call a professional like Advanced Irrigation.

-          If you notice broken sprinkler heads, then your system might have a leak.

-          If your system’s output has been weak and each sprinkler head is getting different coverage, a leak might be the culprit.

-          A leak can lead to brown spots on your yard. If you observe more and more brown spots, a water line or sprinkler head leak might be to blame.

-          Wet or soggy spots on your lawn could be due to an underground break. If you’ve ruled out all other issues, look next into an underground water leak.

-          Are your meter or valve boxes filled always with water, and it’s not the cause of other drainage issues? A sprinkler system leak might be to blame.

Advanced Irrigation serves the Twin Cities MN metro with sprinkler and irrigation systems. If you think your system has a leak, contact us today at 612.599.8675 or visit www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com.

Stay Green This Summer: Irrigation Systems Explained – Drip Sprinklers

Summertime is approaching, and the hot sun can have damaging effects on your lawn. We are often too busy to give our yards the proper care and watering they deserve, so we rely on our sprinkler systems. Is your lawn irrigation system right for your property? Over the past few weeks, Advanced Irrigation Inc., the full service lawn care, sprinkler systems and irrigation systems experts for the Twin Cities MN communities, explained in this blog the different types of systems and how they might best benefit you.

It’s a common sight across America’s farmlands: crops lined up, with tubing adjacent. Each crop thirsts for sustenance, depending on the pipes to quench them. Drip irrigation systems are popular with the agricultural sector as they are among the most efficient irrigation method, wasting less water. While your front yard might not be full of crops, you can still utilize drip sprinklers for your flower beds or small gardens.

How Drip Sprinklers Work

Drip sprinklers apply water directly to the soil, down to the root. This is unlike conventional sprinkler systems, which spray water all over the lawn. Water is less likely to be wasted, as the slow drips won’t be caught by the wind. A drip sprinkle irrigation system consists of several sprinklers connected to the same hose. These rise out of the ground to spray your lawn, giving it the needed humidity.

Installation Process

The time it will take to install any sprinkler system depends on the size of the project. You should hire a professional irrigation system contractor for any sprinkler system installation since digging and pipe work are involved. One foible could turn into a water leak, and in turn an increased water bill. Professionals will avert these costly errors.

Drip Sprinklers’ Advantages

As noted previously, drip sprinkler irrigation systems are one of the most efficient irrigation methods, with a 90% success rate. Like with any sprinkler system, you won’t have to spend hours every summer day watering your lawn. These systems are perfect for small flowers, since the flower bed will not be eroded.

Contact Advanced Irrigation today at 612.599.8675 or visit www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com to learn more about drip sprinklers and what they can do for your Twin Cities MN property.

Stay Green This Summer: Irrigation Systems Explained – Gear-Driven Rotors

Summertime is approaching, and the hot sun can have damaging effects on your lawn. We are often too busy to give our yards the proper care and watering they deserve, so we rely on our sprinkler systems. Is your lawn irrigation system right for your property? Over the next few weeks, Advanced Irrigation Inc., the full service lawn care, sprinkler systems and irrigation systems experts of the Twin Cities MN communities, will explain in this blog the different types of systems and how they might best benefit you.

It’s the sound that everyone associates with sprinklers: “Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.” Rotor-type sprinklers (also known as gear-driven rotors, impact rotors, rotary sprinkler heads and rainbirds) are what people think about when think of sprinkler systems. Whenever a local newscast is doing a story about droughts or something related to irrigation systems, rotor sprinklers are the ones you’ll see, all thanks to that sound.

How Rotor Sprinklers Work

Sprinklers fall into two main types: spray-type and rotor-type. As explained in the last blog entry, spray sprinklers used a fixed water stream (think shower head), while rotor-type sprinkler systems use one or multiple rotating streams to water the ground. As is the case with spray systems, there are two types of rotor sprinkler heads available: pop-ups (which are preferred due to the aesthetic advantages) and shrub-style.

Installation Process

The time it will take to install any sprinkler system depends on the size of the project. You should hire a professional irrigation system contractor for any sprinkler system installation since digging and pipe work are involved. One mistake could turn into a water leak, which could turn into an increased water bill. Professionals will avert these expensive foibles.

Gear-Driven Rotors’ Advantages

Gear-driven rotors can shoot out a stream of water to distances up to 50 feet, making them the perfect choice for those with large yards or lawns. This system also comes with a variety of nozzles that allow the water to be sent out in different patterns.

Contact Advanced Irrigation today at 612.599.8675 or visit www.AdvancedIrrigationMN.com to learn more about gear-driven rotors and what they can do for your Twin Cities MN property.