September 2013 - Pro Outdoor

How to Irrigate and Conserve Water – From Pro Outdoor

Posted on September 25, 2013 by Blackwell Digital

When people think about having a beautiful lawn often times they feel conflicted because they also want to be environmentally friendly. Traditional methods of irrigation, by hand or sprinkler watering, often times is inefficient and wastes water, leaving our plants thirsty and the environment hurting. However, with Pro Outdoor, we are able to maximize our water’s effectiveness, lower our environmental footprint and save some money.

The first thing a homeowner would need is to install the right kind of irrigation system. Pro Outdoor has many options depending on the size of your property, and the kind of house you have. Conservation irrigation systems start with a rain collection feature, where rainwater is collected off your house, usually the roof top, and stored in a cistern. These systems can range from being very simple, or extremely complex.

These types of irrigation systems are especially helpful for places where water is limited or costly. People using rainwater collection systems on average save thousands of dollars a year supplementing regular water use with collected rainwater.

Collecting rain water for irrigation systems is not only environmentally friendly because it allows us to use less water from the tap, but it is also helpful because it reduces harmful pollution runoff from rain. Because the water is collected in a cistern, all the pollution it has picked up or could have wasted into our sever systems, is also collected. This drastically reduces the rate of harmful runoff.

It is important when purchasing a conservation irrigation system you not only purchase a quality system, but also, you have it installed by a professional to insure the system is working properly. You will save no time, money or water if the system is installed wrong. This is why working with Pro Outdoor is a great idea. They have the best products on the market, as well as a team of trained professionals ready to help you meet your irrigation and conservation needs. And once your system is installed there is no need to worry because they offer services to help you with your system throughout the year.

Whether you are looking for an irrigation system for your private residence or commercial landscaping, considering a conservation irrigation system is a smart investment for your time, money and for the environment. Check out the wide range of products and service Professional Irrigation offers its customers. You can have the beautiful lawn and garden you have always wanted, while feeling good about the environment.

About Pro Outdoor:
Professional Irrigation was established in 2001 and is based out of Lake St. Louis. For the past 19 years, Pro-Irrigation’s priority has been giving customers irrigation systems that save time, money, and water. Pro-Irrigation Systems always take the time to ensure that the best system is installed for the customer’s home. Educating customers on how there system works also makes Pro-Irrigation stand out from the competition.

In March of 2012 Professional Irrigation joined forces with Water Tech Irrigation in South County to form the best service company in the Metro St. Louis area as voted by an independent agency. Water Tech Irrigation has been in business since 1986 and is one of the most highly respected companies in the irrigation industry. For more information on Pro Outdoor, Please visit the homepage at proirrigation.com or call (636) 692-4441.

Top 8 Uses For a Frozen Lawn

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Blackwell Digital

Uh-oh! You forgot to get your irrigation system winterized!

You wake up one morning and you just know it. The chill of the hardwood floors on your feet, the patterns etched in frost on your windows, and the slight rattle of glass as the wind shakes the house.

Winter has arrived.

Too late, you run out of the house and into your yard, holding your bathrobe shut with one hand while keeping your balance as you skid barefoot out the patio door. The pain on your face is matched only by the destruction of your investment.

Your pipes have burst. It would have been so easy, but now you’re stuck with a frozen wasteland in what used to be your beautiful yard.

But fear not…we offer you:

The Top 8 things to Do in Your Newly Iced Yard!

Ice Skating
Once the standing water has frozen over the top of your grass, take the family out on your makeshift rink. The concessions are free, but watch out…there’s probably no rail.
Build an Igloo
What’s more fun than camping in the backyard? Camping in your own traditionally-crafted igloo! Keep an eye open for polar bears. They’re fierce.
Go Ice Fishing
It’s going to be a long weekend anyway. Don’t dwell on the downsides. Build yourself an ice-fishing hut, and see if you can catch any confused fish that happened to make it inland to your yard!
Ice Carving
Why not put all of
that ice to use? Ice sculptures are great for parties, receptions, and showers…and if you get really good, you could even enter a competition!
Build a Volleyball Court
Now, this might be a pretty localized section of the public, but perhaps you have an excess of sand? What if we told you you could melt your ice today and prepare for some great times in the summer? Measure it out, spread that sand, and in a few months, put up a net. You’ll be reenacting your favorite Top Gun scene in no time.
Curling
More of a winter sport aficionado? Grab a broom and a turkey, and teach your family how to curl! 1.5 Million people in 34 countries can’t be wrong!
Bobsled/Luge/Skeleton
Perhaps you want something faster…more dangerous? Perhaps your property is on a hill? Then you’ll love building a bobsled track. Your ice-coated lawn won’t know what hit it as you barrel around corners at dangerous velocity. Luge and Skeleton are also very dangerous, but the danger increases the exhilaration!
Build a Fortress of Solitude
None of those things are appealing. You’re upset about your lawn, but you’re also exhausted after a day of saving the citizens of your world…again. Well, there’s one bright side. Until earth’s yellow sun melts the ice off of your destroyed property, you might consider one-upping the igloo idea, and building yourself a Fortress of Solitude. It’s everything a brooding hero needs to recharge for the work ahead.

But wait!

Maybe it hasn’t happened. Perhaps there’s still time.

If you’re not yet forced into one of the delightful activities listed above, you can act now and avoid the trouble!

If you’d rather spend your days sipping hot cocoa fireside than dreading the reconstruction of your landscaping in the spring, be sure to set your appointment today.

Otherwise, enjoy the volleyball court!

Lawn Thatch – Why is it Damaging to Lawns and Irrigation Systems?

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Blackwell Digital

According to a publication by The University of Missouri’s Brad S. Fresenburg, Division of Plant Sciences, thatch could be considered the enemy of beautiful St. Louis lawns and properly functioning irrigation systems.

For irrigation systems to work properly, thatch should be properly removed on a seasonal basis. Late summer is an ideal time to schedule thatch prevention lawn care, so that your irrigation system can be properly serviced.

Thatch, a layer of living and dead roots, crowns and lower shoots can destroy and weaken a lawn if it is not prevented or removed. If thatch is allowed to accumulate, it may cause disease-causing fungi and insects, prolong high humidity, which promotes disease, causes shallow root development, prevents air, water and nutrients from reaching soil and binds or ties up pesticides.

Thatch may develop over several years, but quality lawn care can help prevent damage. Lawns should be fertilized regularly to maintain health without excessive growth. Grass should be cut regularly with a mulching mower to avoid shocking the grass leaf tissue. Power raking, keeping thatch below ½ inch thick is recommended.

Avoid overuse of pesticides that can harm earthworms. Acting as a natural insecticide, earthworms are essential to a healthy lawn. Earthworms cannot damage irrigation systems.

For more information on lawn thatch, view the article “Thatch: Enemy of Lawns,” by Brad S. Fresenburg.

About Pro Outdoor:
Professional Irrigation was established in 2001 and is based out of Lake St. Louis. For the past 12 years, Pro-Irrigation’s priority has been giving customers irrigation systems that save time, money, and water. Pro-Irrigation Systems always take the time to ensure that the best system is installed for the customer’s home. Educating customers on how there system works also makes Pro-Irrigation stand out from the competition.