Irrigation tips for a healthy and beautiful New Mexico landscape

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Mar 22, 2011; Category: New Mexico Landscaping; Tags: Commercial Landscape, Landscape Maintenance, Residential Landscape, Watering; No Comments

I think everyone in Albuquerque has seen this video and heard the radio commercials from The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA). Now that watering season has started, it won’t be long until I get the call from a homeowner wondering why their grass is dying. I’ll ask them how much they are watering and they reply, “I’m following the guidelines set out by the Water Company. You know, 1-2-3-2-1.”

What I am finding is that while homeowners are following the “1-2-3-2-1” guidelines, they do not understand how much they should be watering.

On the ABCWUA site there is a link to a handy calculator that will generate a watering schedule depending on the square footage of your yard. Just type in how many square feet of grass you need to water what kind of sprinkler head you have and the precipitation rate, and it will generate a watering schedule that will be a good guideline for the whole year.

Here are some basic tips on how to water your lawn:

• If you follow the 123 guidelines, some days you may have to water for a long time. To avoid runoff split up the times into shorter cycles. Water for ten minutes, wait an hour then water again.
• Try not to water when it is windy, water early morning or in the evenings.
• Do not water in the heat of the day; you could lose a significant amount of water to evaporation.
• Make sure your sprinklers are adjusted properly and do not have broken nozzles. Check the seals on the heads.
• If you don’t have a digital timer, consider replacing your current timer with one that has multiple starts. Modern timers can help you save water by allowing you to adjust watering times to within the minute. We can help you chose an irrigation timer that will meet your needs.
• Let your lawn grow a bit taller. A higher cut lawn does not need as much water.
• If you’re following the 123 guidelines, there may be periods that are so hot that you might need to deviate a little and water your lawn.  If your lawn starts getting that bluish-grey cast to it, and doesn’t spring back when you step on it, get water on it immediately.
• Keep your lawn healthy, stressed grass will require more water to recover.
• New lawns require more frequent water during the establishment period.
• Do not over fertilize your lawn as that increases the plant’s need for water.

So there you have it! Watering your lawn is as easy as 1-2-3. It’s really not rocket surgery, following these common sense tips will get you on the road to a healthy beautiful lawn.

What do you think? Do you have some other tips we can share with our readers?

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.

Double rebates for commercial landscapes converted to xeriscape!

Author: Carrie Johnson; Published: Mar 11, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Landscape Maintenance, Special Offer, Watering, Xeriscape; No Comments

A view from above. Green rectangles. Watered regularly. Fertilized, aerated, inspected daily for spring green. Once lush, taller than 2” or so—what happens to the lush green growth? We cut it! Bag it. Toss it. Week after week, spring through fall. *sigh*

Sounds like a plot to a nonsensical movie; one that never seems to get to the point or leaves you wondering ‘what just happened’? What did just happen? A lot of hard work and then you get to look at a yellow crispy rectangle through winter, until we start it all again.

Stop the madness, I say!

Don’t get me wrong, having a lawn in your front yard or in front of the snazzy retail center that has your favorite coffee-stop is lovely to look at, but what is the purpose? Is it worth the cost of water and maintenance? Lawn does use a lot of water, and it’s simply not practical in all scenarios.

How about converting that unused lawn into a gorgeous xeriscape, one that does have purpose:

• butterflies, hummingbirds and bumblebees have a food source
• run-off water from roof and sidewalk has an area to collect and absorb back into the earth (instead of sheeting and flooding the neighboring property)
• visual interest via evergreens and seasonal flowering shrubs, along with sculptural hardscapes
• lower water bill
• utility bill rebate

Wait—what was that? Rebate? The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) not only has a rebate program, but right now is giving out Double Rebates for commercial customers! “Double rebates” means you receive water bill credits of $1.50 per sq. foot of qualifying landscape. All landscapes must be  inspected and approved by the Water Utility Authority prior to conversion.

Additionally, your commercial project could win a Xeriscape contest with a $12,000 grand prize, $8,000 runner-up, and $5,000 third place, credited against your water bill. Xeriscapes will be judged on design and water-saving potential. The Hilltop can help you with both of those criteria, putting your business or organization in the running for the grand prize.

Visit abcwua.org or download the flyer for more information.

Seven elements of xeriscaping for less water, less maintenance

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Feb 23, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Landscape Design, Landscape Maintenance, Watering, Xeriscape; No Comments

There is no such thing as a NO maintenance yard, but xeriscaping your yard can reduce the amount of work you put into it. Not only does a xeriscape require less maintenance, but you will reduce your water bill and the cost of fertilizers and pest control normally associated with a water-loving lawn.

Besides those benefits, if you live in Albuquerque, the City of Albuquerque offers a rebate for people who convert their thirsty landscapes to xeriscape! Here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Work the plan, plan the work
   Have a plan. Take a look at your yard’s layout. Is it hilly or flat? Is it sunny or shady? Rich soil? Create planting zones and group your plants by their needs. For example, group tough, drought-tolerant plants in areas exposed to full day sun, give tender plants some partial shade and keep the more delicate or demanding plants for a spot near your water source. If you’re not sure how to start, our design team can help you.
2. Put the right plant in the right spot
   You may choose to incorporate a few plants that will need to be coddled, but for the most part, selecting plants that thrive in your area during low water conditions will give you the best results. This includes native species that we so often take for granted. You might be surprised to see how many plants are considered xeric once they have established themselves and are properly cared for. Look at our resources page for some ideas.
3. Improve soil to support xeriscape
   While many xeric plants do well in native soils, it is not a bad idea to improve the soil. The trick is to incorporate generous amounts of organic matter. This will improve water penetration and retention in any type of soil. Rich, loose, water-holding soil will encourage good root development and lessen the plant’s need for supplemental water. It is best to amend your soil before planting.
4. Mulches hold moisture and aid in weed control
   Organic mulch moderates soil temperature, holds moisture, slows erosion and suppresses weeds that would compete with your plants for food and water. It also gradually decomposes and feeds the soil. Gravel mulch helps in much the same way except it doesn’t add organic matter to the soil. Gravel doesn’t have to be replaced as often and can be used in beds that need to look tidy all the time.
5. What about a lawn?
   There are benefits from having a lawn, but many of us have way too much lawn. How much water, fertilizer and gasoline does it takes to keep your lawn green throughout the summer? What is the purpose of the grass? Is it part of your outdoor living space? A place that family and pets can enjoy? If the answer is yes, then by all means include a lawn in your yard. If you are using grass only as a ground cover, there are other options that would be less labor and water intensive. This is especially true for front yards.
6. Water efficiently
   Not every plant needs the same amount of water. We recommend an automatic drip irrigation system for watering. You can control when and how much water a plant gets and direct the water only to the plants that need it. But don’t just “set it and forget it.” Make seasonal adjustments. Plants will require more watering for the first year or two as they become established, so keep an eye on new plantings. However, after they have acclimated and developed a good root system, supplemental watering should be less frequent.
7. Maintenance is still part of the equation; but less than with a “normal” landscape
   Yes, even a xeriscape yard will require some maintenance. Watering, weeding, pruning, deadheading and sensible pest management is part of your overall maintenance program to keep your landscape looking good.

Xeriscapes do not have to be boring expanses of gravel. By using the right combination of plants, trees and accents you can have a lush looking yard and still feel good about saving money and our precious resources. Contact us if you’re interested in turning your into a xeriscape garden.

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.