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In semi-arid climates such as Colorado where watering restrictions are often in effect, people want to know how to get the most out of lawn watering.  Watering at the optimal time can reduce evaporation, prevent fungus growth, and ensure your lawn will be its greenest and healthiest.

Common Misconceptions:

• Many make the mistake of watering at night thinking the cool air causes the least evaporation and allows the water to soak into soil more deeply.  It’s true that evaporation is minimal after sundown but cool air allows the grass to stay damp for an extended period of time and is a breeding ground for disease and fungus.  In Denver, where humidity rarely gets above 10%, the risk is lower than somewhere like Florida, where humidity is regularly 50% after dark, but nighttime watering is still detrimental to the health of your lawn.

• Some also believe that watering during the afternoon keeps grass from burning.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Watering in the heat of the day is simply a waste of water.  On especially hot days, water evaporates almost as soon as it hits the lawn.  Soil also hardens in the afternoon sun so moisture absorption is at its lowest.

The ideal time to water your lawn is about an hour before sunrise.  This gives water an ample amount of time to soak into the ground, but leaves blades of grass damp for a shorter amount of time than watering at night which prevents fungus from growing.  The damp night air also softens the soil so that water can soak in more easily.  The deeper the water soaks in, the more stable and healthier the grass roots will be.

In June the sun rises at around 5:30 in the morning so watering about 4:00 or 4:30 is ideal.  There are hose timers available at most hardware stores or plant nurseries.  For those of us who aren’t morning people and will be cranky the rest of the day if we are dragging a hose around in the dark at 4 AM, a sprinkler system may be the way to go.  One of our expert sprinkler technicians can come out and help you layout a plan for the best places to put sprinkler heads and also the best kind of sprinklers to get for your particular lawn set up.  A sprinkler system can be set to start at any time in the morning and water certain zones for a set amount of time.  This is also advantageous because it is better to water the same zone multiple times and you can do this without having to move the hose.  For instance if you want to water each zone for 10 minutes it is better to split it up, watering twice for 5 minutes.  This allows the water to soak into the ground, preventing runoff.

Using these best practices when watering will make your lush, green lawn the envy of the neighborhood! At Water Solutions Company,  we have over two decades of experience installing sprinklers in the Denver Metro area.  You can be confident in our desire to provide a quality service and truly make our customers happy.  Give us a call today for a free estimate for sprinkler installation and other sprinkler and landscaping services in the Denver Metro areas.

Weeds are plants that are out of place and detract from the beauty of your lawn due to the contrast in color and texture between the plants. In addition to being unsightly, weeds can take away important nutrients and water from your grass. When your lawn is stressed, it’s a perfect time for these pesky weeds to invade. That’s why it’s important to keep up with maintenance recommended by your Denver sprinkler repair and lawn care specialists. Here are a couple simple tips to keep weeds at bay:

Deep watering: We already know that winter watering is important, but how much you do it is essential. Did you know that watering more and less frequently encourages root growth? This will ensure a healthy lawn that will do it’s best to keep weeds from growing in all seasons.

Mower height: Making sure that your mower is at a good height is crucial. You don’t want to mow your lawn too short. You want your grass to grow thick enough to shade incoming weeds which makes it harder for them to grow.

Feed your lawn: It’s recommended that every 6-8 weeks, you give your grass lawn food. This helps reduce the bare spots and thicken the grass which makes it less welcoming to weeds.

Chop them down: If you don’t have time to remove the weeds, the next best thing is chopping off their heads. Yes, this is a temporary solution, but there are also long term benefits from it.  With annual weeds, cutting off the heads well help get you a few weeks of time before the seeds start to spread. When you cut back perennial weeds, it reduces reseeding which forces the weed to use up food reserves and thus, limiting the seeds they can spread.

Reseed your lawn in the fall: This will help prevent weed growth since many of them will already be dead late in the season. This means less competition for your grass seed to take root. Make sure to get the highest germination and purity percentages available.

A healthy lawn is the best prevention for weed growth. A thick root system will help choke out unwanted weeds before they can grow and will limit the frequency of weed development. Check out Colorado State University’s “Lawn Care Fact Sheet” to get more information on Denver weed control. Getting a healthy lawn is easy with the right Denver irrigation system. When your lawn gets the correct amount of water, it’s one of the best ways to ensure a healthy lawn. Call Water Solutions today to find out how we can help your lawn get in tip-top shape with our Denver sprinkler repair or installation services. Get a free estimate now! 

During the winter months, it’s easy to neglect the yard long periods of time. However, it’s important to remember that extended dry periods during the winter can cause injury or even death to parts of plant root systems. In fact, caring for your lawn in the winter months is one of the best things you can do to ensure a healthy growing season in the spring and summer. Once a plant is weakened, it becomes more susceptible to disease, so it’s important to follow these guidelines to ensure your grass stays healthy all year round: 

Keep your lawn well fed

The majority of lawns in Colorado are made up of bluegrass or Bermuda grasses. These grasses are seasonal and the best time to fertilize these species is in early winter. Nutrients from the fertilizer can be lost during the hot summer weather, but once the temperatures turn cold the fertilizer will stay in your soil and feed your lawn all season. This is the best way to ensure your lawn will be healthy and beautiful come springtime.

Adjust your blades

It’s easy to let your grass sit all winter, but gradually cutting your grass shorter as the winter months approach is important for a number of reasons. Did you know that grass can go into shock if you cut it shorter than normal all at once? To prevent this, slowly lower the cutting base of your lawn mower. Also cut your grass as short as possible in preparation for winter to protect any new growth that is in its most fragile state. Grass that is too long also runs the risk of smothering itself under the weight of the snow, which can cause damage and disease to spread. Finally, if your grass is too long it can provide field mice and other burrowing animals the perfect place to build a nest for the winter. This often results in large dead spots by the time warm weather returns.
 
Keep it clear

When it gets colder, you will spend less time outside and stray objects are more likely to be accidentally left out on the lawn during winter. If these objects are left and covered with snow it can result in unsightly dead spots. To make sure your grass doesn’t get smothered during winter, remove any toys, wood, furniture, and other objects. You will also want to thoroughly rake any leaves off of your lawn.
 
Stay on designated path

While grass is normally quite resilient, when it is short and brown it can be worn down more easily than usual. To prevent footpaths from damaging your lawn during winter, be sure to keep your sidewalks cleared and never allow any vehicles to park on the grass.

Winter watering
Just because winter is here doesn’t mean you should stop watering your lawn. It’s vital to keep your grass and plants happy and healthy all winter. Water your lawn only when the temperature is above 40 degrees with no snow cover and during the middle of the day so it will have time to soak in and doesn’t freeze at night.    Watering deeply once or twice a month is recommended for grass when there are extended dry periods without snow cover.

Did you know that Water Solutions does sprinkler installation Denver residents find most beneficial, all year round? Consider getting your system installed this winter to avoid the rush in the spring! Call Water Solutions today to ensure your lawn stays happy and healthy for all seasons! 


 

Now that winter in Denver is in full swing, it’s time to make sure that you winterize your sprinkler system. But what does winterizing your sprinklers mean? In short, it’s preparing and protecting your irrigation system from damage caused by leftover water in your system’s pipes. This water freezes and can make valves and other components expand or crack, leading to costly damage and possible an entirely new sprinkler installation Denver residents can avoid. Protecting your investment in you irrigation system is important – and prevention is key. Irrigation pipes aren’t buried as low as you may think, only takes one bad freeze to cause major damage to them.

Did you know that winterizing your irrigation system can also protect the tap water in your house?

Your Irrigation System Affects More Than Your Sprinklers

The Backflow Prevention Device is one of the most expensive and important components of an irrigation system. It ensures that outside contaminants don’t infiltrate your tap water line. This piece sits above the ground, is exposed to the elements, and can become cracked or damaged during a freeze. Make sure to contact your local experts in Denver sprinkler repair and installation to make sure your system has not been compromised and the water in your home is safe and contaminant-free.

Ensure Your Efforts Are Not Wasted and Maintain Your System Properly
Another benefit of irrigation winterization that is often over looked is its effect on your property. The destruction to your property if your irrigation system has to be replaced. If you tend to work hard maintaining your well designed, manicured yard, it can be frustrating to need to uproot your turf to replace irrigation lines. You also may not notice you have irrigation system damage until springtime when it’s time to more heavily tend to and water your lawns, trees, and gardens. Any delay in having it repaired or replaced can cause damage your plants and increase overall landscaping costs – so maintenance is always key.

Only Work with Seasoned Professionals to Get the Job Done Right
Winterization of your irrigation system is a time-consuming and delicate process, and it is always best to allow a professional to assess your situation and perform this task for you.  It’s critically important to protect your investment and its value especially in these chilling winter months. Local services like Water Solutions can manage your needs by understanding the problems that are unique to this region.

Water Solutions Sprinkler Service can ensure that your irrigation system is functioning properly and that these all-important components are protected and you are well-prepared for the upcoming spring season. We offer our customers a Winterization Procedure Guide to give you an idea of the way the whole process works. Our team is best equipped with professional tools and technology to ensure your sprinkler blowouts and winterization is done properly and effectively.

Contact us today for a free estimate for winterizing your irrigation system – get expert sprinkler repair Denver residents trust.