Automated Irrigation Systems & Your Garden

Although it can be difficult to care for our gardens, the rewards are well worth it. It is a wonderful feeling to walk out into a peaceful green oasis knowing that you created it. This feeling is what we are all about. Automated irrigation systems make gardening easy and allow you to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Garden maintenance is hard work.

This is especially true if you have a large garden with many plants that require different care. Water is a major problem for gardeners. We’ve all been there, whether it be the effort of watering your garden manually or the stress of paying the water bill at the end of the month. What if we told you that you can avoid all these problems? Automated irrigation systems may be the answer to your garden doctor’s prayers.

How Automated Irrigation Systems Works?

Before we get to the incredible benefits, let’s take a look at the basics. These systems are controlled by a timer and controller to create an automated watering schedule in your garden. We dive into the details and explain how each component works.

• The controller: This is the most crucial component. It attaches to the valves, which are located in a box below the ground. This box is where the main water supply flows and then splits into the valves.
• The valves: These are attached to the controller as well as all the pipes. The controller controls them by sending electrical impulses to the timer and turning them on/off at set times.
• Sprinkler heads, pipes and sprinkler heads: The sprinklers would then be connected to the underground pipes.

We have all the parts you need to set up an automated irrigation system. You can choose from a variety of sprinkler systems depending on your irrigation requirements. Pop-ups are available for lawns and grass areas. We also offer micro misters for smaller beds. Risers can be used for flower beds and other difficult-to-reach plants.

The Benefits of an Automatic Irrigation System

Before you proceed to request quotes or install a system, it is important that you understand how you can get the most out of it. Check out these amazing benefits of an automated irrigation system.

1. Say goodbye to manual labour: Gone are those days when you had to drag a hose through your garden, and then struggle with knots and blocks. You don’t have to be home to give your garden the water it needs. You just need to install your system, create a schedule and flip a switch.
2. The professionals are here to help: You can be sure that your system was installed correctly and that you have the support of a professional. Landscaping in Johannesburg can measure your property to create an irrigation plan that best suits your garden. This consultation includes this.
3. Automated irrigation systems offer a great way to save time. You won’t find dry spots because your sprinkler didn’t reach a spot. You will also have more precise coverage, which means your garden won’t be either over or under-watered. You will save money over the long term as your monthly water bill will not change.

Contact us today to receive a quote on an automated irrigation system that has been professionally installed.

First, ask yourself if you are using the correct species of grass to meet your needs. Beautiful, healthy and well-maintained grass gives a property an inviting and warm feel.

No matter whether the property is private or commercial, a carpet of green grass adds a welcoming touch to any space. The soothing colour of green is a natural and relaxing one. It signals verdant growth and the presence of nature in our hectic lives. Let’s not forget about the importance of grass on our golf courses.

Are you giving your lawn the right amount of time?

A lush, healthy, and well-maintained lawn is a delight to look at. When they are surrounded by flowerbeds and walkways, it creates a feeling of luxury that cannot be underestimated. It takes effort, time and knowledge to maintain a lawn in good condition. Unfortunately, time is often our greatest enemy when trying to maintain a healthy lawn. To care for grass effectively, we need to know which grass species are suitable for our needs.

There are many types of grass to choose from

South Africa has many different grass species. These include:

1. Bermuda Grass. This beautiful grass is one of South Africa’s most popular. This grass can withstand heavy foot traffic but is not suited for shady areas. It is native to South Africa and has been well-adjusted to South African conditions.
2. Kikuyu Grass. This grass is one of the most well-known. It is a fast-growing grass that thrives in sunny locations. Kikuyu grass needs to be cut every other week. Cutting more than one-third of the grass blades in a single mowing can cause the grass to become weaker. This grass is tough and resilient and can withstand heavy traffic and abuse. It can quickly grow and must be controlled to prevent it from spreading to flowerbeds or onto walkways. It is the easiest to maintain and the most common type of grass. It is susceptible to diseases if it is left in a wet or prolonged shade. It is a fast-growing grass that needs to be watered frequently in hot weather. The winter months are when the grass growth slows down. In winter-rainfall areas, it is important to ensure that the lawn doesn’t become too dry.
3. LM Grass. Like Kikuyu, it has a creeping growth rate but is much less intrusive than Kikuyu. It can withstand heat stress and drought. It can be used in homes, office parks, and shade areas. However, it is not suitable for high-traffic areas because of its soft texture. In winter, this grass goes dormant.
4. Gulf Green. This is the most expensive type of lawn grass. However, it’s also the most beautiful because of its deep green colour. This grass is soft and easy to walk on, sit down and enjoy. This species is also an indigenous one, which makes it a great choice for South Africa’s climate.
5. Buffalo Grass. This grass can be grown in both shade and sun. It is also a hardy grass that is well-suited for enduring heat, cold, and drought. Although it is native to coastal areas, it does not thrive in sandy soils. It grows slower than Kikuyu and requires only one mow per month. It is susceptible to weed infestation due to its slow growth. It goes dormant between April and September.
6. St Augustine, another shade of grass.
7. Fescue Grass is also suitable for shady places.
8. Cynodon. Because of its fine texture and deep roots, this grass is great for areas that are susceptible to drought. This grass is considered to be invasive because of its rapid growth rate. It can easily overtake slower-growing lawns if it is not controlled. This grass is tough and can withstand heavy traffic. The grass will turn pale yellow in winter, but it will return to green when summer comes back.

It’s easy to see why choosing the right grass is important for the area being covered. Every species has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to research before you decide which one to use and how to use it.

Pay attention to invasive weeds

It is important to remember that grass, just like its floral counterparts in flowers, can be attacked by pests or overtaken by invasive weeds.

In a nutshell, keep an eye out for weeds like:

1. The bright yellow flowers of dandelions can be found all year. However, mature plants will have a hard-to-reach taproot. These weeds should be eliminated early in their life cycle using the appropriate herbicides.
2. Winter Grass. This weed is found in moist and shaded areas. It is especially common during winter months. Its bright green colour is distinctive, as well as its small white flowers.
3. Creeping Sorrel. This weed, named for its horizontal growth, is identifiable by its small yellow flowers.
4. Broadleaf weeds. These weeds can establish themselves in both lawns and flowerbeds with equal ease.
5. Clover. Clover can be found in lawns and flowerbeds both four-leaved and three-leaf. Clover’s root system can reach as deep as 86 cm under the ground. Clover can be annoying to see but it adds important nitrogen to the soil, stabilizes soil, and attracts pollinators. You shouldn’t rush to get rid of clover!

You should consider hiring professionals in Johannesburg to help you maintain and care for your lawn or plant a new lawn. They can restore the beauty and value of one of your commercial or home premises, as well as keep it looking great for many years.

Summer is great! Summer is a wonderful time to be at the beach. Your lawn can be damaged by the heat of summer.

These are some tips to keep your lawn cool in the summer heat.

Determine the soil type of your property. Is it sandy or clay-based? This will help you determine the amount of water you need. A clay-based soil will require less water than sandy soil, as the clay retains water more over time.

Clay-based soils require that water be applied slowly and over a period of time to ensure soil absorbs the water. Overwatering the soil can cause water to pool or run off, which could lead to water vaporizing rather than being absorbed. After the water has been absorbed into the soil it is no longer necessary to water the plants for several days.

Sandy soils: Water should only be applied at short intervals. This will allow water to reach the root zone. Overwatering can cause water to get beyond the root zone, making it unusable for the plant and potentially causing soil loss.

Water in the morning – Try to water in the early morning.

Overwatering during the day can lead to excess evaporation and inefficient water usage. Overwatering during the night can cause excessive moisture and encourage fungus growth. Your sprinklers should be turned off by 7 a.m.

Contact your irrigation experts in Ruimsig.

It seems easy enough to water your yard properly. It’s as easy as that. Right? Yes, but it’s a big no.

It is important to water your lawn correctly in order to maintain a healthy lawn. You could end up with the same results if you water it too often.

Overwatering can result in a weaker or less resilient lawn, which is more susceptible to drought and drying out. To maintain the proper amount of growth and strength, lawns require about 2.5cm of water per week. This usually means that they need to be watered at least twice a week. We’ll start with the hardware store.

The hardware store is my favourite. There’s always so much to see, but keep your eyes on the prize. There is a reason you are here. If you don’t know what to do with your lawn and garden, it can become a vortex.

Sprinklers can spin, shoot, rotate and move by themselves (seriously). You need to consider the size and extent of your lawn. A sprinkler should provide good coverage and be easy to use.

• Rotating sprinklers work well in medium-sized to large yards, as you can control the length and rotation.
• You can install fixed sprinklers in smaller yards that don’t spin or rotate, but it will need to be moved frequently.
• You might consider buying a good spray nozzle with multiple settings. Then, hand water the grass.
• Make sure you get a hose that is not kinked and long enough to reach all areas in your yard.
• To ensure that you get the correct coverage, place a bucket in your watering path. If you collect about half 2cm within 20-30 minutes, you will know you have the sprinkler.Do not be afraid to ask professionals such as us for your landscaping and irrigation needs in Westcliff.

You’re probably ready to start planting seeds and starter plants. I get it; it’s exciting. It’s thrilling to think about growing your own tomatoes and green beans. Don’t let excitement overpower your sense of common sense. You must prepare your garden soil before you start thinking about planting.

Why not prepare your garden soil before planting?

Healthy, nutritious soil is the best way to get the most out of your garden. It is important to ensure that your soil retains water well, doesn’t become compacted and has the right pH and minerals for plant growth. Failing to do this can lead to a poor garden or even a failed one.

Weed

Before you start anything, make sure you get rid of any weeds in your garden. These weeds can be a threat to your garden’s limited resources so remove them as soon as possible.
You might encounter a lot of weeds in a new garden. It is easiest to get rid of them by turning the soil with a shovel. This will help to remove weeds and add nutrients to your soil if done early enough.

The Soil should be tested and treated

To prepare your soil, it is necessary to know what it needs. You will need to test your soil. There are a few options for soil testing.  A soil testing kit can be purchased at your local hardware store. Both will give you levels of potassium, pH, phosphorous, and nitrogen.

No matter which option you choose to modify your soil, make sure that you follow the directions in the test results. If you find out that your soil is deficient in nitrogen, you can add a fertilizer rich in that chemical or composted manure.

When amending and testing your soil, you should also consider drainage and water retention. A good mixture of clay, loam, and sand is ideal. The amount of each of these elements will have a negative impact on how the garden retains water. Too much sand can cause water to drain too fast, and too little clay won’t allow for adequate drainage.

Mix the soil by turning it.

After your garden has been cleared of all weeds, you can start to turn the soil. This is possible if you have a rototiller. However, it’s not difficult to turn a small garden by hand. You will need to cut up the soil and mix it thoroughly. This will loosen the soil, and allow you to mix in any nutrients that were added in the previous step.

After the soil is well mixed, level it and call it done. Now it’s time to plant!

Contact your landscapers in Ferndale.

We recently discussed the importance of planning your garden. You can go back to it now if you haven’t seen it. Before you start building your garden, let me talk about a second consideration: raising garden beds.

What are Raised Beds?

Raised garden beds raise your garden from the ground. The height of the bed will depend on how it is built. They are usually about eleven inches high, which is equivalent to two 2×6 boards (actually, the boards are 14cm wide).

The beds are rectangular and rest on the ground. The beds are then filled with soil.

Why should you consider raised beds?

• Raised gardening beds have many advantages over traditional gardening.
• Accessibility: Raised beds are much easier to access than the ground. Because they are higher off the ground, it makes it much easier to get to your plants.
• You can increase your growing time if you live in an area with cold winters. Raised beds will help you to grow faster because the soil inside is warmer than the soil in the ground.
• Easy to Irrigate: Because you are starting with new soil, irrigation of your raised beds can be done quickly (at least if it is done before adding the dirt).
• Improved Weed Control: Since you will be adding soil to your existing topsoil it is very easy and efficient to add weed barriers.
• Higher soil health: Raised beds promote soil health by reducing compaction and improving drainage.
• Protect Your Plants: Raised beds make it easier to construct fencing to keep hungry animals away. You can even lay chicken wire before filling the raised bed with soil to keep burrowing animals away

Additional considerations for raised bed gardening:

Although raised beds offer many benefits, there are some things you should consider before making the decision.

1. It’s an investment: Raised beds are an investment. You will need to purchase the beds or the materials to make them, as well as the soil.
2. Traditional gardening is simpler in this respect. However, the beds will wear down over time and will need to be replaced.
3. You must be space conscious: The raised bed requires extra planning to ensure certain plants like squash doesn’t take over the space.
4. Expanding: To add to a traditional garden, you need to till more soil. However, if you want to raise your bed gardening, then you will need to purchase or build additional boxes.

Raised bed gardening has many key advantages over traditional planting, despite these minor issues. Raised beds are a good option for beginners who don’t mind making a small investment in time or materials.

We are the professionals you should talk to for your landscaping and irrigation needs in Diswilmar.

You know deep down that you are paying too much for green peppers and cucumbers. You feel it deep within, and you can’t shake it. This is just the beginning. Soon you will be looking at produce in the grocery stores and wondering if you could grow your own. You might become judgmental and even naive, knowing that you can grow vegetables better than those sold in stores.

Congratulations. Congratulations! The world of gardening.

Before you start your first garden

You’re likely ready to get outside and plant stuff. That’s how you start, right? You’re going to need to cool off, hot shot. You’ll need to plan ahead before you grab your shovel or floral print work gloves.

You’re probably thinking, “But planning sounds boring.” You beg. You’re right, planning is important.

Here are a few reasons.

1. A plan will help you maximize your efforts and increase the yield per hour.
2. You can choose the best plants for your space and how to plant them.
3. Plan in advance to avoid any problems, such as a lack of nutrients, when you are about to plant your first vegetable.

Here are some things to keep in mind when planning your garden:

You can get the most from your money and your time by planning your garden.

• First, don’t get too carried away. A small garden will make it easier for beginners. Gardening can be hard work. Make sure you are able to manage what you plant.
• The second is to ensure that your plants have adequate space and that you can reach everything easily. Although this may seem counterintuitive to the previous suggestion, I’m serious. To get the correct amount of nutrients and light, plants need to have enough space between them. Also, plants that are taller than others can shade plants that are smaller, which could cause them to lose the light they need. You should ensure that you have enough space for each plant to thrive, and account for their size once they are fully grown.
• The third thing is to choose the right location. You’ll want your garden to have sufficient space and easy access.

Stay tuned for more gardening articles, including information on how to prepare the soil, select the right plants and maintain your vegetables’ health in order to get a good yield.

Talk to us about your landscaping and irrigation project in Randpark Ridge.

You should now have a well-manicured garden with plenty of space for your vegetables. Although that was quite a lot of work, you still have to do some more to ensure you get the best harvest.

Once your plants have been planted, you will need to care for them. There are some things that you will need to remember, as always.

Watering

This is the obvious one. It is clear that plants require three things in order to thrive: good soil, sunlight, and water. The soil has been covered, so mother nature will provide the sun, but you will need to water it.

Mornings are the best time to water your garden. It’s cooler outside so it allows more water to reach your plants. However, it can be difficult to water your garden in the morning. You can water in the afternoon, however. It is best to wait until the heat of the day is over, but not before it gets dark. This will decrease water loss through evaporation. However, it is important to dry your plants before bedtime as wet leaves can lead to harmful fungi.

Weeding

Next, you need to concentrate on weeding. Weeds can still grow, even though we tried to eliminate them and discourage them from growing earlier. Although weeding is a tedious job, it is an essential one.

You should get rid of unwanted plants as soon as you can. They will eat space and nutrients that are essential for the vegetable crops you want to grow. Some gardeners like to weed their gardens weekly while others prefer to pull out a few each time they water. Stick to the rhythm that suits you best.

Varmints

You’ll also want to watch out for animals that eat or damage your plants. You can let deer and rabbits destroy your garden quickly, which will waste all of your hard work. There are many ways to deter animals, and it is possible to use several. Here are some examples:

• Raised beds are a good way to keep smaller animals (like rabbits) out of your garden
• Netting can be used to cover plants
• Garlic and lavender are repellent to grazing animals.
• To discourage animals from burrowing, fences should be built around your garden.
• Spray your plants with animal repellent sprays

These steps will help you keep your garden healthy and growing. You’ll be able to enjoy a great harvest later in the season.

Contact your local landscaping experts in Craighall Park with your landscaping and irrigation needs.

Finally, the cold weather has stopped. We anticipate more sunny days. This marks the start of a new season.

The cold frost on your lawn is slowing down and leaving bare spots. Because of the heavy foot traffic, thin and bare areas may begin to appear. But you don’t have to worry. You can resolve the issue yourself. Spring is the ideal time to patch up the problem to ensure the grass can grow completely. Following these steps to fix bare spots will result in a healthy lawn.

Determine the source of your problem

The following factors could cause your lawn to be unbalanced: pet urine, grub invasion, chemical drops, fungal illness and buried pebbles. It is vital to determine the root cause and prevent it from happening again.

• Weed removal –  If you find that the soil has become bare from a spillage like gasoline, then remove several inches. Replace it with fresh topsoil.
• Seed spreading –  You should spread the grass seed evenly over the area. The grass seed can be spread thinly enough to cover the entire yard, without causing it to grow on top of itself.
• Fertilizer application – Apply fertilizer.
• Secure the area – You can add straw to your newly planted seeds. This will not only keep the moisture in check, but will also prevent birds from consuming the seeds before the sprouting can occur.
• Water the area –  You can mist the area. Keep the seeds moistened all day. If the heat is a concern, you can cover it with a burlap cloth. The seeds will be protected against drying and will get shade. To keep the seeds moist, another option is to cover them with wheat straw. You will need to water your patch every day for the first 10 working days. You can stop watering for the next month and only need to water once a day. After the grass has matured, you can start cutting back to once every week.

Contact your local experts for your landscape irrigation needs in Johannesburg.