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If you’re looking to cut down on water and energy costs but still like the traditional look of a healthy turf lawn, the Denver landscaping experts at Water Solutions can help you come up with the perfect strategy. The first thing to do is to have our sprinkler installers come out and check out your sprinkler system. There may be ways to change out heads to make it more efficient and they can also repair any cracks or leaks that may be wasting water. They will also make sure that your sprinklers are adjusted properly so that they aren’t watering the sidewalk or overshooting your lawn, into the neighbor’s property.

You’ve probably heard that Denver has more days of sunshine per year than San Diego. Colorado is a state where it’s possible to get a sunburn and frostbite on the same day! This sunshine is both a blessing and a curse for your lawn and energy bills. In the winter the sun provides free heat to your home but in the summer it can overheat it too. Our consultants can suggest trees and shrubs to help with temperature regulation and sun exposure for both your lawn and house. Planting low shrubs around the perimeter of the lawn can provide some much needed shade to retain moisture for longer periods during the day but still allow enough sunlight for growth. They can also cut down on wind evaporation when watering. You should also be sure to water in the early morning hours when wind and heat are both at a minimum allowing water to soak into the soil of your lawn and garden. The Department of Energy estimates that a well shaded home can reduce summer time energy bills by up to a whopping 50%.

Shrubs planted in the windward side of the house provide some natural insulation during the winter months and some shade during the summer. Trees should be planted far enough away from the house to avoid root problems but strategically placed so that they will provide some shade for the house during the hottest parts of the day. In the winter, when there are no leaves, they will still allow the sun to provide heat for the house. Shrubbery can also help prevent snow from drifting against the house, possibly leaking in and compromising your home’s foundation.

The patio is quite possibly your family and dining room from May to October. You can provide some shade and a shield from springtime winds by planting shrubs to the south. You may also consider installing a trellis with climbing vines or flowers. This provides some shade but still allows in some dappled sunlight for warmth and beauty.

Planting season is upon us once again so call Water Solutions at 720-435-1495 to schedule a planning session. Our advisors can help you with finding plants that are suitable for your soil type and water availability. They will also to group plants with similar water needs together to avoid waste and ensure healthy foliage.

All professionals will tell you that to install a sprinkler in Denver, you have to dig deeply through hard clay soil. The name Colorado literally means, “color red” alluding to the red rock and clay found throughout the state. Having a sprinkler professionally installed for proper irrigation is the first step in creating and maintaining a rich green lawn. In addition to being able to water regularly at optimum times, it is also helpful to condition not only the soil of your garden but your lawn as well.

Soil is largely made of living and dead organic matter, minerals, air, and water. Soil’s ability to capture and retain water and nutrients is directly related to its ability to maintain and nurture plant growth. The first step in improving the health of your soil is testing it to ascertain the mineral content and pH level to see whether it is too acidic or too alkaline. Buying a soil test kit is inexpensive and will save you money on water all summer as it will be better able to absorb moisture and retain nutrients for your lawn and garden. Correcting for acid or alkaline content should be a fairly straightforward process and Understanding the Numbers in Your Soil Report will help you understand what plants would grow best and what supplemental products you might consider using.

Take soil samples from several places in your lawn and garden and follow the steps in your lawn test kit to determine content. The pH scale goes from 0 – 14, with 7 being considered neutral. Everything below 7 would be on the acidic side while everything above would be alkaline. The ideal pH level for most grass types would be 6.5 – 7.0. In Colorado many of our soils are high in alkalinity.

• Correcting Alkaline Content:  Soils that are high in alkaline have difficulty retaining minerals such as iron. Grass and all plants need iron to maintain their rich green coloring. If your soil is high in alkaline, the most common method of improving it is to apply soil conditioners that contain sulphur or gypsum. Spreading peat moss over the top will also improve alkaline content and has the added benefit of also helping to retain moisture. Be careful not to spread it too thick as too much moisture on blades of grass for an extended time can also encourage fungus to grow.
• Correcting Acidic Content:  A lot of soil in the eastern United States is naturally acidic. Acid in the soil encourages weed growth and also makes herbicides and fertilizers less effective. The most common fix for this kind of soil is to add lime. Lime is high in alkaline content and contains high amounts of magnesium as well as calcium. Both are essential for good plant health. This correction may take some time and multiple treatments may be necessary. Lime is most effective when added in the fall before the first frost.

Healthy soil content and proper irrigation are the essential tools for a thriving lawn and garden. Consult the Denver sprinkler professionals at Water Solutions to ensure that your sprinklers are providing proper coverage and that heads are properly adjusted with no leaks.  Water Solutions has over two decades of experience installing Denver sprinkler systems.  We know what it takes to install and maintain sprinkler systems in this region and we will give you the best service you can find.  Give us a call today for a free estimate for Denver sprinkler installation and other sprinkler and landscaping services in the Denver metro areas.

The spring is a rejuvenating season in which the snow from the winter melts, the days grow warmer and brighter, and your landscape exhibits the wonderful season by coming to life and generating new plants. Properly preparing your lawn in the spring is essential to ensuring that your landscape thrives throughout the summer. If you want to cultivate a beautiful landscape, you should learn about the Denver spring landscaping services that premier lawn professionals can provide.

• Inspecting the Sprinklers: The best Denver landscaping companies can inspect your sprinkler or irrigation system in the spring. During the winter, the lack of use and the cold weather can damage or impair your sprinkler system. As a result, the advanced knowledge allows the experts to run your sprinkler system, evaluate each section to ensure that the system is functioning correctly, and quickly identify and fix any problems that are developing. For instance, the specialists can untwist knotted areas of the hose, unclog congested pipes, test the efficacy of the valves, and ensure that water is being properly distributed throughout the system and to each section of your landscape.  

 

• Pruning the Plants:  You should also have your plants pruned during the spring. Many trees and shrubs might be overgrown or damaged, which can shade other parts of your lawn and prevent plants from growing effectively. However, lawn professionals typically trim your plants while performing Denver spring landscaping services. The professionals can prune the shrubs and trees, remove dead or diseased branches, edge the landscape beds, and cut any plants that are overgrown or unhealthy. Additionally, the professionals can also remove all of the weeds, debris, and dead branches from your yard to ensure that your landscape flourishes without any impediments.

 

• Fertilizing the Soil:  The best Denver landscaping companies can also fertilize your soil to prepare your yard for the spring. Many plants or patches of soil might require fertilization to provide your landscape with a sufficient amount of nutrients. The superior training enables to the experts to conduct accurate pH level tests on the soil, identify which sections of your yard need to be fertilized, and then apply an appropriate amount of fertilization to ensure that your plants receive optimal nutrients and thrive with exceptional health. Additionally, the landscaping specialists can also help protect the soil and plants from future problems by applying high-quality pesticide and weed prevention products to your lawn.

 

• Planting New Seeds: Premier lawn experts can also plant new seeds while fulfilling your Denver spring landscaping services. Planting new seeds in the spring helps the seeds adjust to the new environment and begin to bud before the excessive heat and arid droughts of the summer arrive. The landscaping experts can first add a new layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect the plant roots from extreme temperatures. The experts can then let you choose which plants you want to cultivate in the upcoming season, provide the appropriate seeds, and effectively plant and prepare the seeds in the optimal locations of your yard.

Contact Water Solutions to fulfill your landscaping needs. For 20 years our expert staff has acquired a prestigious reputation throughout the Denver area for providing superior and customized landscaping services. We can perform every aspect of your spring spruce-up project, we have access to some of the best sprinkler and fertilization products available, and we would be glad to help maximize the quality of your plants and the beauty of your landscape.  

A beautiful lawn can adorn the beauty of your home, increase the value of your property, and enhance the excitement of spending time outside with your friends and family. However, developing and maintaining a lawn can be a very difficult and complicated process. Although you might be tempted to handle the job yourself, you should relax and let professional landscapers take care of your lawn. If you want to cultivate and preserve a superior lawn for your home or business, you should learn about the benefits of hiring premier Denver landscaping services.

Time

Trying to perform landscaping duties yourself can require an exorbitant amount of time. For instance, you must gather an abundance of tools and resources, make difficult landscape design decisions, and then spend countless sweaty hours laboring to install the features and cultivate the plants. As a result, top Denver landscaping companies can save you precious time and energy by handling the design and installation process for you. Additionally, maintaining the lawn also requires constant work. Without proper maintenance the landscape can begin to fade and deteriorate. However, landscapers can consistently and effectively perform maintenance duties to ensure that your lawn thrives with exceptional health and radiates with a beautiful appearance. Maintenance duties that landscaping professionals can perform include installing and checking sprinkler systems, fertilizing the plants, mowing the grass, removing weeds, and pruning trees and shrubs.

Options

Denver landscaping services can also help you pick the best plants and designs available. The experts possess the advanced training and superior skills required to evaluate your yard and provide a plethora of landscaping options.  For instance, professionals can identify which species of plants and trees are most conducive for the climate of your region, the features of your soil, and the overall environment of your home or building. This ensures that your plants are capable of flourishing in your yard. The best landscaping specialists can also provide you with a diverse range of different lawn design options. They can show you the various design patterns, hardscape features, and landscaping styles from which you can choose. The extensive selection should then allow you to determine which particular designs and features can most effectively compliment your home and yard.  

Products

Denver landscaping companies can also save you many headaches by providing all of the necessary products. Because many tools and products are required to cultivate and maintain your lawn, trying to get every item individually can be very frustrating and expensive. As a result, you can breathe a sigh of relief to have landscaping professionals providing all of the products for you. Professionals can provide sods, soils, seeds, tools, rocks, and sprinkler systems. However, professionals can also provide hardscape products that can further adorn the gorgeous appearance of your yard. For instance, landscapers can install walkways, patios, outdoor lighting, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fencing, and fire pits. As a result, the ability for professionals to provide comprehensive landscaping and hardscaping products can save you valuable time and money.  

Contact Water Solutions to help fulfill your landscaping needs. Our expert staff has earned an A+ rating for providing almost 20 years of exceptional lawn services. We can provide essential landscaping products, install your ideal landscape and hardscape features, and then perform maintenance duties to preserve the quality of your lawn and to maximize the beauty of your home.  

It is estimated that more than 50 percent of the household water usage comes from outdoor watering.  Water bills, especially in the summer months, can be costly in Denver.  Much of the country is struggling with water shortages at this time so it is crucial to eliminate as much waste as possible.  In drier cities such as Denver, automatic sprinkler systems are the most efficient method of irrigation.  Hoses often leak from the faucet or from connectors, compromising foundations and wasting water.  Well maintained sprinkler systems on the other hand keep your lawn looking green and healthy while saving money and water.

Catch Can Test -  While it is sometimes a good idea to have your system audited by a professional sprinkler company, you can perform some tests on your own.  To perform the catch can test, get 4 cans or jars and place them in different areas of the first zone in your sprinkler cycle.  Water for 15 minutes and measure the water in each container.  The levels should be about even.  Adjust the sprinkler heads accordingly and re-test for accuracy.  
Once you are satisfied that the water levels are consistent throughout the zone, pour all of the water into one container and measure.  This would be the amount of water in that zone for an hour.  Based on this calculation, you can come up with how long a lawn should be watered, such as 2 – 3 times per week.  The amount that Denver Water suggests per week varies each month.  Their suggested levels per week are as follows:

• May - 1.2”
• June - 1.5”
• July - 1.5”
• August - 1.2”
• September - 1”
• October - .67”

Of course levels can be adjusted for particularly rainy weeks, but this is a good guideline to use.  When setting the time for each zone, remember to split the time and water the zone twice instead of once, i.e. watering twice for 6 minutes instead of once for 12.  This allows time for the water to soak into the ground and prevents runoff.

Inspect Your Sprinkler Heads - When mowing, sprinkler heads sometimes get damaged or knocked out of alignment. Be sure to visually inspect your sprinkler heads and repair damaged components right away.  When your sprinkler is watering, look for misting or bubbling as this indicates a broken head.  After watering, if there is an area of the lawn that is mushy or seems to be bulging, this could be an indication of a below surface leak and will need to be checked by a professional sprinkler service.  Cracks in the pavement near sprinkler heads can indicate underground leaks as well.

Examine Your Sprinkler System’s Timer - Ensure the timer’s accuracy throughout each zone.  Remember that some systems have a battery backup, so be sure to change the battery at least once.  Some systems are also equipped with a water-saving rain shut-off sensors.  Clear any debris from the sensor and with the sprinkler running, pour water on the sensor to ensure that it does in fact shut the sprinklers off.

Taking an hour to perform a simple audit on your sprinkler system at least once every season will save you money and keep your lawn and garden healthy and beautiful.  Here at Water Solutions, we have been providing high-quality Denver sprinkler installation and repair services for your neighbors.  Contact us today for a free estimate and to find out more about how our Denver sprinkler services can help you have the most efficient system in the neighborhood.