GARDENING TIP 

The summer heat can really take a toll on plants if they do not receive sufficient water.  However, taking out the old garden hose time and time again can also take its toll on the gardener.

Installing irrigation and sprinkler systems was once considered only a remedy for the rich or the lazy.  They were expensive, cumbersome, and besides, if you were going to brag about a lush, green lawn, you had better put some sweat and muscle behind your boasts.

Today, most of us are too busy with careers, families and social obligations to consistently water.  No one has the time or the desire to water their lawns and gardens as often as they should.  An efficient watering system has truly become a time saving necessity.

Once you have invested in a properly landscaped home, then you must consider installing a small amount in maintaining its appearance and health.  Basic irrigation systems begin at approximately $1800 depending on the size of the system to be installed.

Twenty-five years ago, I would tell people that irrigation systems were a joke and nothing but trouble.  Now, I strongly recommend building a watering system into a landscape right at the beginning.  The valves, lines, drainage procedures, and electronic timers on today's systems are dramatically improved over older models.

One of the biggest improvements has been in the development of watering zones, whereby a property is divided into distinct areas, each with separate valves that are turned on by a timer.  For example, the sprinkler on the east side of the home could be turned on as early as 4:00 a.m. and shut off some time later.  Then the timer could immediately signal the south side to begin.

Watering different zones in sequence creates less water pressure strain during the system's watering cycle.  When the irrigation system is not in use, the sprinkler nozzles are flush with the soil, and can be mowed over.  When a zone is activated, the nozzle pops us above the ground.  Also, you can and should irrigate the shrub beds and trees separately, and still leave watering times to the timer.

If you are handy around the house, you can install an irrigation system yourself.  However, I highly recommend hiring a professional.  Get two or three estimates, and choose someone with a horticulture background who understands how and why plants need water, and is sensitive to the complexity of your landscape.

Once installed, you will need to occasionally conduct your own inspection.  Check to see if all the zones are receiving water.  If not, call the professional to inspect the lines; it doesn't necessarily mean the system is faulty.  Sometimes calcium deposits or other obstructions can block a water line and need to be removed.

Your plants need water and you need convenience.  Therefore, do yourself, your lawn and your plants a favor and install an irrigation system as a necessary addition to your landscape.

Summer - what a great time to take a vacation!  The last thing you want to worry about when you're planning to get away is the yard and that's how it should be.

If you have been consistently caring for your landscape all season long, it should withstand a week's leave of absence from your attention without any problems.  Proper care to date includes watering as needed to keep the soil moist, regular fertilizing, and appropriate mulching and pruning if needed.

The day before you leave, mow the lawn taking off no more than one-third the height of the grass blades.  If you take off no more than an inch of grass, the clippings can remain on the lawn where they will soon decompose and return nutrients to the soil.

Once mowed, the lawn should be watered thoroughly before you leave.  About one inch of water, or the equivalent of two to three hours of sprinkling time, per area, will give the grass a good soaking.  Bedding plants, shrubs and trees should also receive a good soaking.

Hanging baskets, planters and window boxes should be watered before you leave, but may need attention again mid-week before you return.  You may want to ask a neighbor to water them, one or more times for you while you're away.  Advise this good friend of the frequency you have determined to be correct for each container.  We leave written instructions about how much to feed the cat, lights, drapes, mail, etc.  You would do your caretaker a great service to do the same for the outdoors.

Even under extreme conditions, most plants will care for themselves for a week, especially if given the proper care before you leave.  If you plan to be gone for up to three weeks, you will need to have a friend or neighbor attend to the in ground landscape at least once a week while you're away.  You could also hire a professional landscape contractor or nursery to do the work.

While you are gone, the caretaker will need to mow and water the lawn once a week.  You may want him or her to check the annual and perennial flowerbeds more than once a week, as well as the birdbath and feeders.  They will also need to attend to the hanging baskets, planters and window boxes every two to three days.  These smaller containers don't have as much root and water holding space, therefore need more frequent attention.

If you plan to be gone for more than a month, I strongly recommend hiring a professional to care for your landscape.  Along with regular watering and mowing of the yard, the landscape will need mulching, fertilizing, pruning and possible spraying for insects and disease.  The annuals also need periodic trimming and deadheading to keep blooming at their best through the summer and fall seasons.

Once you return from your hiatus, whether it's one week to one year, thoroughly walk the property to check for watering needs, weeds and disease.  If someone was consistently caring for your landscape while you were gone, you should return to the same scenery you left. 

Whether you want to show off a statue or fountain, highlight a beautiful maple, guide guests along a pathway, or make your home more secure, landscaping lights are a relatively low maintenance method of combing beauty and function in your yard all year round.

Although two different types of landscape lights are available, you can select from a wide variety of fixtures to meet your particular lighting needs, all of which are equally popular.

Low voltage lights (12v) create a soft illumination for subtle lighting.  They work well under lighting branches, highlighting seasonal flowers, or as footpath lights.

These subtle lights operate from transformers that you simply plug into proper electrical outlets.  Transformers are weather resistant.

I recommend installing a ground fault interrupter, of GFI, which serves as a fast acting fuse to shut off the system, if and when there is an electrical problem.  GFIs are required in most modern construction, and should be added to at least the outdoor portion of older homes.

When laying out low voltage lights, take care not to load too many fixtures on one system, or the last lights will be dim.  You can correct this by purchasing transformers for multiple fixtures or buying more than one transformer.

Standard voltage lights (110v) are for areas that need considerable bright lighting.  They produce enough light for both security and entertaining purposes.  You can also read very easily under standard voltage lights.

The wiring of landscape lights is weather resistant.  Don't lay the wiring in areas where deep digging occurs, or else install it deep enough so that it will not interfere with cultivation.

Low and standard voltage landscaping lights can be placed on timers to turn the systems on at night.  For example, you could program the lights to turn on in early evening and shut off at dawn.  Photo cells are also available which sense the amount of available natural light and then turn the landscape lights on when it becomes dark outside and off at daybreak.

You can design a lighting layout and install it yourself, but I recommend hiring, or at least consulting, a landscape professional.  He/she can assist with more complicated wiring and make certain local codes are met. You could also call an electrician if needed. 

You can plan landscaping lights into a design at the start or add them later.  Whatever your needs may be, I recommend aiming for a natural, simple effect.  Lighting should complement a landscape, not dominate it.

Both low and standard voltage lights come in a variety of materials, shapes and sizes.  Most are either metal or plastic.  Frogs, turtles or mushrooms are some popular shapes.  Although many different colors of lights are available, I prefer white light because it produces more natural looking results.

Landscape lights are a safe, practical way to add beauty and security to your property, as well as enjoyment to the night hours.  With a wide variety of selections to choose from, you can't help but find the perfect system for your needs. 

411 North State Route 235
New Carlisle, Ohio 45344-2149
Phone (937) 845-3821 Fax (937) 845-9731
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