Category: News & Tips

Newly seeded or sodded lawns require special irrigation and attention. There is a delicate equilibrium that must be maintained so the new sod can take root or the new seeds can grow strong.

You want your lawn to grow healthy and green, which requires you to be a helicopter parent for a while until its roots are strong and deep. You might want to use an app to keep track of the watering schedule or keep a very structured calendar so you don’t miss a watering.

An irrigation system will help you use only the appropriate amount of water necessary to make your lawn flourish and grow as quickly as possible. Irrigation systems are cost-effective because they help you conserve water. If you just stood outside with a hose in hand, you’d end up using more water in a less efficient manner.

Watering New Grass Seed

A newly seeded lawn should be watered daily and may need as many as four light waterings in a single day. To keep the seedbed moist, but not saturated, make sure to water to a dept of one to two inches until germination occurs. You’ll know germination has happened when there is a green cast to the lawn and seedlings are ¼ to ½ inch tall.

You need to make sure not to stress the seedlings of a new lawn to the point of wilting. Light applications of water to a depth of ⅛ to ¼ inch one to four times day.

Apply one bail of straw per 1,000 square feet at time of seeding to help shade the ground and prevent rapid drying of the soil surface. Straw will also reduce seedling damage from the force of larger sprinkler drips. It’s best to water with a light mist when you’re trying to establish a new lawn.

As seedlings reach two inches in height, gradually reduce the frequency of watering and water more deeply. After your new lawn has been mowed a few times, deep and infrequent waterings are the best to maintain a healthy and lush lawn.

How to Water New Sod

A newly sodded lawn requires watering one or two times a day. You should begin irrigation immediately after laying the sod. In fact, you should plan your sodding process so that a section of laid sod can be watered while other areas are being sodded.

Water your new sod so that both the sod strip and the top inch of soil below the sod are wet. The initial irrigation will take about an inch of water to completely wet the sod.

After watering, lift up pieces of sod at a few locations to determine whether it has been adequately watered. Continue watering one to two times a day with light irrigations to prevent wilting and to ensure the soil is moist just below the sod layer.

As the sod becomes established and roots penetrate the soil below, gradually reduce the watering frequency. Just like newly seeded lawns, once the sod has been mowed two or three times, irrigate your new lawn deeply but infrequently.

Do not overwater or saturate your new sod because that will inhibit the sod roots from growing into the soil below.

A free consultation is the first step to having a lush lawn

We are St. Louis’ and Saint Charles’ irrigation company leader for residential and commercial customers, and we’re expanding rapidly throughout the Midwest for one simple reason: we only use the best parts and hire and train professionals who can live up to our name.

You’ll see the difference in everything we do – from understanding every challenge as you see it, to leaving no questions unanswered about how we can help your lawn stay green and healthy.

We are Pro Outdoor. And if you believe like us that quality, service, and value still matter, then you’re ready to grow with the pros. Contact us today for a free consultation.

One of the most frequently asked questions about installing a new irrigation system is “will it help me save water?”

Irrigation systems are one of the most cost-effective ways to efficiently give your yard and landscaping the hydration it needs to survive – especially in this hot St. Louis summer. Water efficiency and growing lush landscaping is what drip irrigation systems are all about.

Drip irrigation is the process of delivering water in a slow and steady manner directly to the base of the plants. From the dripped lines, water is absorbed slowly into the soil and distributed evenly for optimal growth and health.

It ensures you avoid wasting water and money due to over spraying and evaporation. Drip irrigation makes sure the plants get the precise amount of water they need to remain healthy and beautiful.

When to use drip irrigation

Drip irrigation can be used in a variety of areas. You can efficiently water trees, large shrubs, flower beds, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, and even plants on patios. It’s extremely effective in high wind areas since the water is delivered directly to the roots and won’t blow around your yard in the wind.

While sprinkler systems are typically about 75-85% efficient, drip systems are about 90% or higher. For this reason, drip irrigation is the most popular method in desert regions, where water is scarce, but it is useful anywhere else as well.

The benefits of installing a drip irrigation system
You can use a drip irrigation system in all kinds of landscaping – from your lawn to your garden. A drip irrigation is more efficient than any other form of watering, and you won’t accidentally water the sidewalk or miss patches of your grass.

You’ll get the balance and consistency your yard needs and that moveable sprinklers and hoses can’t give you. Automated irrigation systems take out most of the possibility for human error.

Water efficiency
The water is distributed slowly and exactly where it’s needed at the root.

Save money
Drip irrigation has less evaporation on the surface level of your landscape, which saves on your water bill.

Deter weed growth
The soil surface between plants remains drier, which discourages weed growth.

Environmentally friendly
Drip irrigation systems use between 30-50% less water than conventional watering methods.

A free consultation is the first step to having a lush lawn
We are St. Louis’ and Saint Charles’ irrigation company leader for residential and commercial customers, and we’re expanding rapidly throughout the Midwest for one simple reason: we only use the best parts and hire and train professionals who can live up to our name.

You’ll see the difference in everything we do – from understanding every challenge as you see it, to leaving no questions unanswered about how we can help your lawn stay green and healthy.

We are Pro Outdoor. And if you believe like us that quality, service, and value still matter, then you’re ready to grow with the pros. Contact us today for a free consultation.

If you just had a new sprinkler system installed you’re probably wondering, “what is a backflow preventer anyway?”

Simply put, it’s a device installed on your home’s water system that prevents your drinking water from being contaminated due to backflow. It allows water to flow in one direction, but never back in the opposite direction.

Think of it as a really important one-way gate that keeps your water safe, which means that making sure your backflow preventer is functioning properly is really important for your health, your family, and your community.

A properly maintained backflow preventer does the following:

• Reduces the risk of contaminated water in your potable water supply
• Ensures water is suitable for drinking and other uses
• Maintains even water pressure to prevent backpressure in the irrigation system

What happens if the backflow preventer doesn’t work?

Backflow becomes a problem when there are cross connections within the water distribution system and you don’t have a backflow preventer installed.

Contaminants can enter an irrigation system from fertilizer or pesticides that are sprayed onto lawns. The backflow preventer prevents potentially contaminated backflow from entering the water supply.

In the event of a water-main break or a major power outage, a backflow condition can occur. Pressure is lost during such events, and water is no longer being pushed forward into your home and will flow backwards into the city water lines.

That means the impure water from your irrigation system and elsewhere in your home like sinks, showers, and dishwashers will be pulled into the potable side of your water supply and contaminate it. A backflow preventer is the key to keeping your family, community, and water supply safe.

Annual backflow testing is required in Missouri

To make sure the device is functioning properly, a certified backflow tester must test all backflow prevention devices annually.

State-certified backflow prevention assembly testers must perform the specific testing procedures required to verify the proper function of reduced pressure principle assemblies and double check valve assemblies.

The team at Pro Outdoor is certified for the entire state of Missouri for backflow preventer testing.

If you don’t have your backflow prevention device tested annually, the water supplier will disconnect the public water system from the customer service line, so you really do need to have it tested every year.

What is involved in a backflow preventer test?

The backflow preventer inspection is to make sure it provides protection against a contaminated water supply and the health hazards that go along with it. Professional Irrigation System’s backflow test service includes:

• All paperwork and tagging
• Test information filed with appropriate water purveyor or county
• Testing the backflow preventer
• An estimate for repairs if necessary

Glossary

Backflow: The undesirable reversal of flow of a liquid, gas, or suspended solid in the potable water supply

Backflow Preventer: A device installed into your plumbing system to protect your drinking water and water supply from contaminants

Cross Connection: A physical link between a source of contamination or pollution with a potable water supply

Your backflow preventer is an extremely important device designed to keep you and your family safe. Call the experienced team at Pro Outdoor for your annual test, so you can have peace of mind.

Your lawn needs water to thrive, right? So that means you should water it every day, right?

Actually, no. You shouldn’t be watering it every day.

Too much of a good thing and all that.

Grass plants don’t need and can’t use that much water. When it rains, the porous spaces in the soil underneath your grass is filled with water, which doesn’t leave any space for the oxygen your plants need to survive.

Without oxygen, the roots will suffocate, leaving you with a lawn that has a very shallow root system.

Shallowly rooted plants are easily stressed and susceptible to disease and damage from insects. A minor disease could become a major lawn disaster if your lawn is shallowly rooted, so you need to be careful you’re watering the right amount.

Signs of Overwatering Your Lawn

A healthy lawn should be a little thirsty, always sending its roots deeper into the soil. If you’re overwatering your lawn, the root system will be shallow. The grass doesn’t have to work for its water, but it will be a host of many more problems. The deeper the root system, the healthier and more resilient your lawn will be. 

Thatch

Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed plant material and shallow roots that form a dense mat on the soil surface. Too much watering prevents the thatch from breaking down naturally, and the shallow roots leads to thatch buildup.

Thatch that is more than ¾ inch thick prevents oxygen from reaching the grass roots and creates a habitat for fungal and insect pests.

Fungus

Too frequent watering keeps the grass wet and promotes fungal growth. If you’re seeing mushrooms in your yard, you might be overwatering. Irregular brown patches on your lawn might not mean it’s thirsty but that it is infected with anthracnose, which is another fungus that infects wet grass.

Weeds

Some weeds like smooth crabgrass and yellow nutsedge thrive in areas too wet for healthy grass growth. Pull up the weeds and water less frequently with enough water to moisten the soil 5-8 inches deep.

Insect pests

In a waterlogged lawn, heavy thatch protects insects from insecticides, and they’ll attack your stressed-out lawn. They can create bare patches as they eat the grass blades and cause your grass to die.

Standing water or spongy feel

If the ground feels spongy when you walk on it, it probably has too much water in it. Standing water is also a clear visual sign because the grass isn’t absorbing all of the water you’re giving it.

How to Water Your Lawn Properly

The proper way to water your lawn is very simple: thoroughly but infrequently. Watering deep and infrequently, rather than shallow and often, mimics natural rainfall. One of the most important aspects of watering your lawn is knowing when to water it and how much.

The general rule of thumb is that your grass needs one inch of water a week.

But how do you know if you’re watering it that much?

1. Take the time to get acquainted with your new sprinkler system or lawn. How much water does the sprinkler apply in 30 minutes and how deep in the soil will the water go down?

2. Before turning on the sprinkler, see if the soil is dry to a depth of five inches. You can use a screwdriver or a garden trowel for this. Check several areas of your yard because there are usually differences in the amount of water each zone needs.

3. Then, turn on the sprinkler for 30 minutes.

4. Twelve hours after the watering is long enough to see how deep in the soil the water traveled. Check the areas you looked at earlier and see how deep the soil was watered.

If you want to set your sprinkler system on a schedule so you don’t have to worry about it, a rain sensor will help make sure you aren’t overwatering on rainy days.

You won’t need to water your entire lawn every day, especially if it rains regularly. You can water it any time of day, but it’s best to water it in the early morning so the ground has time to absorb it before the heat of the day evaporates the water.

Once you have your lawn and sprinkler system figured out, you’ll probably end up saving water if you have been overwatering your lawn. It’s a win for your lawn and a win for your wallet.

A brand-new sprinkler system will make it easy for you to maintain your lawn and make sure it’s being watered the right amount. The Pro Outdoor team will help you create zones in your yard so that each area gets the appropriate amount of water. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Gardening can be a great de-stressing activity that gives you something to be proud of. But when the heat of the St. Louis summer kicks in, you may find yourself more interested in a cold glass of lemonade and some air conditioning rather than digging in the sweaty sunshine.

Here are some easy plants to grow outside that we recommend to even the most novice gardener so you can sit back, relax, and bask in the glory of your garden without breaking a sweat.

Easy Care Outdoor Plants to Enjoy All Summer
Daylilies

These beautiful blooms continue to blossom throughout the warmer months, are impervious to drought, and can even handle areas of low sun. You can have your pick of colors—from vibrant oranges to sunny yellows—with very little effort and a whole lot of payoff.

Hostas

If flowers aren’t your thing, hostas are incredibly easy plants to take care of. They’re a hearty plant that can cover a lot of area with their vibrancy. They’re typically green with white-edged leaves but come in lots of varieties of different colors, including a green gradient like that found in liberty hostas, or even a beautiful teal like with the colossal blue variety.

Bonus: Hostas are perennials, so you can really minimize your gardening work and maximize those lazy days of summer by setting up a drip irrigation system that gives them just enough water without drowning or damaging them.

Catmint

These low-maintenance garden plants beauties pack a punch of purple along with a beautiful scent all summer long. They’re tough enough to withstand long periods without much rain or excessive watering and are also deer-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about them blooming and then disappearing right away. Just be sure to plant them in a pot with the lip above ground or they will take over the rest of your garden!

Hardy Hibiscus

If you want florals that pack a punch, these are it! With blooms as big as dinner plates, these will make a big, beautiful statement in your yard or garden and will bloom well into the colder months. They’re also known to attract butterflies (and not deer), making them doubly beautiful.

Wood Fern

Wood Ferns are an excellent way to create a lush-looking garden with minimal effort. Their bright green color and dynamic leaves create volume and height, and they can thrive in complete shade or full sun. They require moist soil, but little maintenance, all of which can easily  be achieved with an automated sprinkler system. Use wood ferns to fill empty spots in your garden, create borders, or highlight bright florals.

Little Bluestem

These gorgeous grasses bring color and privacy to any garden. These easy-to-grow outdoor plants boast a unique bronze and blue color combination that shines throughout the warmer months and turns to a lighter tan (while still standing tall) throughout winter.

Stonecrop

Stonecrop is a beautiful flowering plant that works well for garden borders because of its durability against the elements. Stonecrop, also known as sedums, come in both tall and creeping varieties, so you can use them to create any shape you can imagine. Another perk of these tolerant, tough plants is that they come in a huge variety of colors, from copper to deep purple. An automated, climate-controlled irrigation system like Solar Sync will help maintain these foolproof plants and make use of every drop of water without any waste.

Want to see how you can enjoy your garden without having to spend a ton of time working on it? Contact Pro Outdoor at (636) 692-4441 or fill out a service request form here to learn how to save water and money and have the most beautiful lawn on the block.

Informational sources:

• http://www.midwestliving.com/garden/flowers/have-a-nice-daylily/
• http://www.midwestliving.com/garden/ideas/25-top-easy-care-plants-for-midwest-gardens/?page=1
• https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/tough-plants-for-midwest-gardens-pictures
• https://home.howstuffworks.com/lawn-garden/professional-landscaping/-5-perennials-for-midwest2.htm
• https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/articles/sedum-varieties-stonecrop-autumn
• http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/visual-guides/low-maintenance-perennials.aspx
• https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/wood-ferns/wood-ferns-in-the-garden.htm

Who doesn’t love gardening? It’s such a relaxing, fulfilling activity that lets you enjoy the fruits of your labor (and show it off to the rest of the neighborhood too).

But as the summer months heat up, getting out there and mulching, digging, planting, and pruning can be a sweaty and daunting task that’s more work than fun.

With the help of a few top gardening apps, you can spend much more time enjoying your garden than stressing over it. 

These apps are designed to make your life easier while keeping your garden healthier. What’s the best gardening app for your needs? Curious about what time-savers could be hiding in your phone? Read on!

Getting Started with Gardening Apps

1. My Garden (Formerly GRO), Free (iPhone/Android): This is an excellent app for the gardening rookie. Although it’s created and sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro, there are tons of helpful gardening tips for beginners and instructions for every step of the gardening process. They’ll help you pick your plants, monitor their upkeep, and provide specific articles on tricky topics like plants that can resist drought or when to plant tomatoes to prevent frostbite. 

2. Perennial Match, $4.99 (iPhone): This is basically the dating version of the garden planner app. Perennial Match will tell you if your favorite plants can grow happily together (also known as companion gardening) or if their relationship will end in heartache. The app also takes your sunlight, climate type, and aesthetic preferences into consideration as it gives you recommendations.

You put in basic information like your weather and climate, and Perennial Match will provide you with perfectly-coupled plants that will make even the pickiest homeowner happy—down to the maximum height of the shrubs and color of their blooms. 

Planning Your Garden Landscape

3. iScape, Free (iPhone/Android): This awesome garden planning app lets you create the layout and details of your ideal garden or yard digitally, saving you lots of time and work by letting you visualize your space before you shovel a single scoop of dirt.

You can customize your garden’s square footage, choose your favorite plants, and even buy the supplies and plants you decide on directly through the app. There is a paid version, but the free trial will get you plenty of access to game-changing gardening tools.

4. GrowSquared, Free (iPhone): GS is a simplified garden planning app. In contrast to the hyper-realistic images in iScape, GrowSquared uses a very basic lawn app that allows you to create garden bed sizes and choose types of plants for your space with the ease of dragging and dropping.

One feature of GrowSquared that iScape doesn’t offer is a calendar option, which helps you create a planting and watering schedule, as well as harvesting guidelines.

5. Garden Plan Pro, $7.99 (iPhone): While some gardening apps focus on the layout of your lawn, Garden Plan Pro tells you what will thrive and what may suffer in your area. The app uses your phone or tablet’s location services to determine a very nuanced climate report, helping you choose your desired plants and estimate their productivity based on the exact location of your greenery.

Troubleshooting and Showing Off

6. Garden Compass – Plant and Disease Identifier, Free (iPhone/Android): There are several plant-identifying apps out there, but this app sets itself apart because of its diagnostic qualities. If you see something funky growing on a leaf, notice a sudden change in one of your crops, or see patchiness in a particular spot of grass, just snap a photo of the problem area on your phone or tablet and upload it to the app.

Plant pros receive your picture and give you a full assessment of the issue, along with solutions they suggest to get things growing in the right direction. It’s like WebMD but much less scary.

7. GrowIt!, Free (iPhone/Android): This app is perfect for someone interested in growing an incredible garden and showing it off. GrowIt! boasts an extremely comprehensive glossary of plant types which you can filter by your location and preferences to find out exactly what will work for you.

Once you’ve created an enviable garden, you can use the app’s social networking feature to share photos of your handiwork and offer tips on how you made it happen and to offer help with gardening to other aspiring gardeners.

Bonus Gardening App

8. BeeSmart, Free(iPhone/Android): Want to grow a beautiful garden that also helps the environment? Why not, right? BeeSmart is an app created by Pollinator Partners that helps you choose the best plants for bees that can thrive in your specific location. Win-win.

Curious about how Pro Outdoorrigation can help your garden bloom? Call us today at (636) 692-4441 or contact us online and we’ll set up a free consultation to get things growing.

Informational sources:

• https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/products/top-gardening-apps-pictures
• https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/02/gear-up-for-spring-with-these-10-essential-gardeni.html
• https://gardencollage.com/wander/gardens-parks/9-gardening-apps-amateur-professional-alike/
• https://www.greenbot.com/article/3187115/android/the-5-android-gardening-apps-you-need-this-spring.html

You still have time left in the season to get a new irrigation system. Schedule online or call us at (636) 692-4441 to book your appointment now through the end of the month! A new irrigation system is a great way to invest in your home. Why should you get an irrigation system now?

1. You’ll save time this spring. Get a new system installed now, and you’ll be able to check something off your to-do list come spring. Your lawn will be in great shape in no time with our sprinkler system.
2. It only takes one day. The team at Pro Outdoorrigation has mastered the one-day install. With all the time and money you’ll save, you won’t believe it only took us one day. And you won’t believe you didn’t call sooner.
3. You’re still reeling from this summer’s water bill. Every summer homeowners struggle to keep their lawns healthy in the St. Louis heat. Don’t throw away any more time or money. Irrigation systems are water-efficient ways to keep your lawn beautiful. Our systems make for happy homeowners and happy wallets.
4. You’ll have ultimate control over your lawn. You won’t have to ask a neighbor to water your lawn while you’re on that vacation you’re planning. Our sprinkler systems run on a schedule, so you can be sure you’ll come home to a well-watered lawn at the end of your trip.
5. The weather is ideal: Installations should be done when the ground isn’t frozen or too wet, so the fair weather makes it a perfect time to get a new system. Call now before it gets too cold!

Now that the weather has started to get colder, you’re probably thinking about prepping your home for winter. On your list of things to do, you likely have things like: get the heater checked, stock up on rock salt, clean out the fireplace, and put plastic on the windows. Although all of these things are important, your sprinkler system needs to be prepped, too.

Pro Outdoor’s winterization service includes the blowout of all pipes and associated components with an air compressor. It’s important to let the professionals handle the service because you could find yourself in some cold water this winter if it’s not done right.

During the service, our trained professionals check for any repairs that need to be done to complete the service. These repairs might not be obvious to the untrained eye. Our highly skilled professionals carry a variety of repair parts with them, so if need be, your repair can likely be done on-site in the same appointment.

Save yourself headaches and trips to the hardware store this winter. Your irrigation system is an investment, so treat it like one. Let the professionals at Pro-Irrigation handle your winterization service. This is a service all clients need to have done.

Fall is also the perfect time to install a new sprinkler system. Schedule the service now and have one less thing to do come spring.

Call (636) 692-4441 or schedule your service online today.

Summer is winding down, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop caring for your yard. In fact, you can do a few things this fall to get the most out of your irrigation system for the next season. Your yard and your wallet will thank you come spring.

Winterization: No one wants to deal with busted pipes during frigid winter months, so it’s important to winterize irrigation systems. All customers need to receive this service. The process involves blowing out all pipes and parts with an air compressor, which will keep you from getting any frozen pipes during the cold winter months. Winterization season starts September 15 and runs through around Thanksgiving.

We offer a service package in the early spring that includes Fall Winterization in addition to other services such as Spring Activation and a Backflow Preventer Test. Mark your calendar so you can take advantage of the deal next year if you haven’t already.

Read more about winterization and our other services here.

Installing a new irrigation system: Fall is a good time to re-establish your lawn. Take advantage of the mild weather from now until about the end of October and put in a new irrigation system. Re-establishing now will mean you’re ready to go come warmer weather. Installation only takes one day, so you’ll be on your way to conserving water and saving money in no time.

Click here or call (636) 692-4441 to schedule your appointment with one of our highly trained and experienced service technicians.

When it comes to the irrigation of a home it is important to have the right instruments in place to do so correctly. A Wilkins 375 backflow preventer is one of the instruments that is available to help protect the water flow to and from a home while maintaining the irrigation that the plants and lawn need in order to thrive and provide the aesthetically pleasing function which they were planted for. There are a couple of reasons why it is important to prevent backflow while providing irrigation for the flora around a home and the benefits are well worth it.

What exactly does a backflow prevention device do? The purpose of a backflow prevention device such as a Wilkins 375 is to make sure that water which is impure does not reenter the system due to back flow. Many water sources throughout a home are kept at a certain water pressure so that water will be readily available when it is needed. Some of these water sources contain potable water such as that leading to the interior of the home which is used to drink, clean, and cook with. Without proper backflow prevention it is possible for contaminated water to flow back into the system and contaminate the potable water which is used in other areas of the home.

The Wilkins 375 is the protection that a home needs to prevent the occurrence of backflow in the system. It is capable of keeping the water pressure in a home high while reducing the risk of potential backflow issues into the system. It does this with a series of valve bodies and shut off valves which can be used to insure the safety of the water supply that runs to the rest of the home while still regulating and maintaining the water which is used to irrigate the area surrounding the home.

Any water source can be improved with the use of a backflow prevention device such as the Wilkins 375. It is important to take the necessary precautions so that there is no need for worry when it comes to backflow entering the home and contaminating the water which is used for consumption. Keeping the area around a home well irrigated should be a high priority but not at the cost of the safety of the water supply leading into the home. Check out all of the features of the Wilkins 375 and the advantages that it can provide to any home.