At Hilltop’s urging, TransCore gets double xeriscape rebates

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Apr 22, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Commercial Landscape, Drainage, Irrigation Systems, Xeriscape; No Comments

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TransCore’s Amtech Technology & Manufacturing Facility broke ground on a water-saving project that will convert 23,600 square feet of steeply-sloped turf to a xeriscape. The project qualifies for the Water Authority’s X2 Double Rebate Program. It will save an estimated 600,000-750,000 gallons of water a year, as well as reduce the company’s water bills by approximately $36,000 over an estimated three years. Construction is expected to be complete by early May.

Art De La Cruz, chair of the Water Authority Board, congratulated TransCore for being the first business to take advantage of the X2 Double Rebate Program. “In an average year, the Water Authority gives rebates for replacement of more than 400,000 square feet of high-water-use turf. By focusing on slopes, which can use two to three times more water than flatter landscapes, and small areas, which are very hard to water due to overspray, we hope to encourage local businesses to help us save even more water in this very dry year by addressing these challenging areas. The TransCore project alone will save the Water Authority enough water to meet the annual needs of seven to eight homes for an entire year,” De La Cruz explained.

The project was recommended by The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors, which installed the original turf and storm drainage areas in front of TransCore in 1993. “ When we learned about the Water Authority’s double rebate program, we thought it was the perfect time for TransCore to install a water-conserving landscape that would assist the Albuquerque community’s need to conserve water,” said Victor Rodriguez, maintenance division manager of The Hilltop.

The steeply-sloped turf in front of TransCore’s Albuquerque facility requires more water than flat areas to remain healthy and consumes approximately 50 percent of the company’s outdoor water use. Irrigation alone accounts for 83 percent of the facility’s total water use every year.

Joe Viola, director of manufacturing for TransCore explained, “When Hilltop approached us with an attractive xeriscaping plan that would preserve our existing trees, incorporate a more efficient irrigation system, and, with the cost savings, would pay for the upfront investment, we realized now was the time to make the change. We hope other local businesses will make a similar commitment to Albuquerque’s water conservation.”

TransCore will also qualify for entry into the Water Authority’s contest for commercial xeriscape conversions judged on design and water-saving potential. Award prizes include $12,000 in rebates on water bills for first place, $8,000 in rebates for second place, and $5,000 in rebates for third place.

The new xeric landscaping installed will feature low-water use plants and shrubs such as Mountain Mahogany, Sumac, Bear Grass, Buffalo Juniper, Winter Jasmine, Desert Willow, and Apache Plume which, when mature, will cover about 50 percent of the area. Gray gravel and cobblestone will be used as ground cover and will tie the project into existing storm drainage areas at either end.

The landscaping conversion will preserve existing mature trees, including six Sycamores, one Purple Leaf Plum and four others. Rodriguez said the project will be enhanced by Rain Bird Corporation’s donation of a Rain Bird® ESP-SMT Smart Control System. “This system combines simplicity through Extra Simple Programming (ESP) with the ability to control irrigation based on weather conditions as well as pre-determined settings,” he explained,

“The X2 Program is a great example of private businesses working with the Water Authority to conserve our most precious resource. The double rebates and contest go a long way to encourage businesses to make the change now. We are glad to be able to participate,” Rodriguez said.

The X2 Double Rebate Xeriscape program and contest allows eligible commercial Water Authority customers to earn a double rebate (a water bill credit of $1.50 for every square foot) of steeply sloped or small area high-water-use turf converted to low-water-use plantings through October 31, 2011. For more information, visit www.abcwua.org or call The Hilltop at  898-9690.

Getting your landscaping irrigation well ready for spring

Author: Tom F.; Published: Mar 14, 2011; Category: New Mexico Landscaping; Tags: Irrigation Systems, New Mexico Landscaping, Watering; No Comments

There are some areas in Albuquerque where our customers have irrigation wells that water their landscaping. This especially is the case for homes along the Rio Grande, where it’s very cost effective to drive a well and not have to pay for City water. With spring right around the corner, many people are wondering what to do with their well pumps to get them ready for the busy irrigation season. I thought I would jot down a few tips for owners of irrigation pumps.

The most common types of pumps used in residential landscape well applications are centrifugal pumps, submersible and above ground pumps.

A submersible pump has a hermetically sealed motor and is submerged in water. Submersible pumps push water, instead of pulling water, to the surface. Submersible pumps are inside the well casing and can be located at any depth. Usually, the deeper they sit, the cleaner the water. Typically, they are located at approximately 120’ below ground, but can be as deep as a couple hundred feet. They require much less maintenance than centrifugal pumps, and can run for years without any major problems.

Centrifugal above ground pumps pull water out of the well by using an impeller and centrifugal force. These pumps are on top of the well. Centrifugal pumps are used for discharging a large volume of water through smaller heads, and work on lower pressure while putting out more gallons of water per minute. They are mainly used for shallow wells and cost much less to install than submersible well pumps.

Pumps should be checked to insure that they’re performing as they should. Pumps that are exposed to the weather should be drained out during cold weather to prevent them from freezing. An irrigation system check should be able to determine that the pump is working properly. Heads that are not turning or not popping up usually indicate the system is pumping sand or that there is a leak.

If your pump is not working, first check to make sure that the power is on and the fuses are good. On some pumps there is a reset button on the pump motor control that will also need to be checked. Centrifugal pumps should be checked to make sure they are primed before start up. If the pump has been sitting unused, it could lose its prime. Running this type of pump with no prime could burn up the motor, causing expensive repairs.

Pumps are run on electric current, and we all know that water and electricity do not mix. Unless you are very familiar with well irrigation systems, repairs are best handled by professional irrigation technicians. Getting zapped can be lethal, and that will ruin your whole day.

Hilltop Landscaping fun facts: 40 years adds up

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Feb 28, 2011; Category: New Mexico Landscaping; Tags: Irrigation Systems, Landscape Design, New Mexico Landscaping, The Hilltop, Xeriscape; No Comments

Arguably, The Hilltop has done more to change the face of Albuquerque than other landscaping contractor. And any company that has been in business for a long time starts to build up some accomplishments. After 40 years in the landscape business, The Hilltop has quite a few, so I decided to make a short list. And while I don’t mean to brag (well, maybe just a little), when I looked at this list I was rather impressed myself!

In the past 40 years The Hilltop has:

• Landscaped more than 50,000 homes in the Albuquerque area
• Done the “streetscapes” in more than 50 subdivisions
• Completed thousands of commercial projects
• Put down enough gravel to make a two lane road from Albuquerque to Santa Fe—and back!
• Designed and built 40 city and private parks
• Planted more than 150,000 trees
• Planted 1,000,000+ shrubs (yes, more than a million!)
• Installed more than 750 miles of irrigation (enough to run a pipe from Albuquerque to Los Angeles)
• Put in over 19 miles of irrigation in 2002 (enough to a run a pipe from Nine Mile Hill to Tramway Blvd.)
• Installed enough grass to make 1000 NFL-size football fields.

But even after 40 years we are not basking in our accomplishments. What has helped The Hilltop be successful over 40 years is our ability to grow and adapt to changes in what customers want. In the late ‘70’s and 80’s water savings were not on people’s minds and customers wanted lush lawns. But through the 90’s and after the turn of the century, customers have become more aware that water is an expensive commodity. We’re now at the forefront of xeriscaping, educating our customers about xeriscape alternatives and helping them create xeriscape gardens.

Most of our success though, has to be tied in to the loyalty of our clients. We have some clients that have used us for every house they have bought, from the starter, two-bedroom tract home, to their much larger dream home 20 years later.

Our clients today want beautiful landscapes that do not impact the environment as much. We do that by providing you with solutions that fit your lifestyles, be it an intimate back yard with a kiva or fire pit; or even an outdoor kitchen! Or perhaps you want to take advantage of Albuquerque’s Xeriscape rebate program.

Whatever the landscaping “landscape”, we are proud to continue to serve Albuquerque and the rest of New Mexico after 40 years.

Following the big freeze, get irrigation systems checked to avoid plant damage

Author: Fred Roybal; Published: Feb 21, 2011; Category: New Mexico Landscaping; Tags: Irrigation Systems, Plants and Trees, Spring, Watering; No Comments

We are at that time of year where we are having warmer days, and we look to returning to our favorite outdoor activities, like backyard BBQ’s! As we re-enter our outdoor living spaces, there are a few maintenance items that should be taken care of to ensure the well being of our landscape plants and trees.

Number one on the list is to get our sprinkler systems checked out. With the freezing temperatures of winter comes the possibility of frozen and broken pipes. The other major concern is that debris might have entered the system and cause malfunctioning valves and sprinklers. Not all malfunctions are as obvious as leaks! When the emitters on the drip irrigation gets plugged you’ll never know until that shrub starts showing stress. And then it might be too late to save the plant from damage!

Valves can open and then fail to close, causing over-watering, flooding and a huge waste of our most precious resource, water. When debris gets lodged in the sprinkler nozzles, or the ports of drip irrigation emitters, they will either quit entirely or spray inefficiently.

The two main benefits of keeping your sprinklers in top working condition are preventing water waste (wasted $$$$$), and getting water to the plants and trees efficiently. The time and dollars invested in the maintenance of your sprinkler system will be paid back many times over in saved water and money!

Whether your landscape is a xeriscape or lush, filled with turf and trees, having your irrigation system working properly will ensure a happy healthy landscape. If you’d like our help with your irrigation system, give us a call.