professional irrigation Archives

Preparing for Spring Lawn Seeding

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Blackwell Digital

With the end of winter comes the time to re-imagine the lawn as it should be. No more leaves on the ground, no more layer of snow covering everything, and the end of weather that keeps people indoors most of the time. Spring is a time when homeowners can make their lawns as nice and enjoyable as possible to be ready for the warmer weather which will bring folks outdoors. Here are some simple tips for those looking to prepare to seed their lawn this spring in order to return it to the glory that it has had in years past.

The first step in spring lawn seeding is the clean-up and removal process. Start by clearing away any leaves, sticks, and other winter debris which has settled into the area where you would like to grow your lawn. These can and will inhibit your lawns ability to grow evenly if not removed and can have a negative aesthetic effect on the finished product. It is better to take the time to create a clean slate early on than to have to back track once a lawn has grown in that doesn’t live up to expectations.

It is important to check that the dirt beneath the existing lawn is still level now that the cold weather has ended. If there are any high or low spots within the lawn area it will cause problems during watering and irrigation later down the road. Low spots will collect water and high spots will cause problems when going over the lawn with a mower. If there are any unleveled places within the lawn it is important to grab a shovel and begin evening out the base surface. Having a solid foundation to work with will make things much easier later in the process.

It is now time to aerate the area. It is important to break up the surface of the soil so as to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass and create rich soil for its continued health. It is recommended that aeration takes place one to two times a year and during spring reseeding is one of the best times that homeowners can choose. After aeration you can add any type of fertilizer in order to enrich the soil beneath your lawn. Once this is done you are ready to lay down the seed which will become your lawn. With proper preparation this will produce a lawn that anyone would be proud of for the rest of the season and throughout the summer. Using a professional irrigation system to water the lawn will help maintain its health and aesthetic beauty.

3 Tips for the Perfect Lawn from Pro Outdoor

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Blackwell Digital

Every homeowner dreams of having a perfectly green and easy to manage lawn, but so many people give up after spending tons of time and money trying to improve their grasses quality. The problem, generally is not working harder at it, but taking care of your lawn smarter. Here are a few tips to get the lawn you have always dreamed of.

1. Mow Smarter

The first rule is to always mow with a sharp blade, this keeps your grass health and less prone to disease. When you cut your grass with a blunt blade you are effectively beating up the grass, damaging it and making it more vulnerable. When you mow you also don’t want to cut your grass too short, cutting it too short will cause it to only grow quicker and need more water, making it a more high maintenance job. And never mow on a wet lawn; this is how bald spots are formed.

2. Irrigate Smarter

It is best to avoid overwatering a lawn. So many people use inefficient methods to irrigate their lawn very much of the moisture ends up either evaporating, or running down the sidewalk. Homeowners are left with high water bills and dead grass. The secret is in the timing. Many people choose to water during the day, or at sunset when they get off work, the key however is to water in the hour right before dawn. This means the most cost effective, time effective and water efficient way to irrigate your lawn is to install an irrigation system. While you need a professional to set one up for you, in the long run you will be saving money and time, while enjoying your beautiful green lawn. For more information on your irrigation options click check out all Professional Irrigation has to offer.

3. Fertilize Smarter

The worst thing you can do for your lawn is to over fertilize it. This will cause it to grow faster, making it more unmanageable. We are aiming to create the perfect lawn, and means one with as little hassle as possible. Fertilizers can also be bad for the environment, so using as little as possible, or using natural fertilizers is the best option. When choosing a fertilizer it is best to stick with one kind, your grass will grow much more effectively if you don’t change the fertilizer all the time.

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.

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.