Our Irrigation & Sprinkler Blog in Canton, MA

Signs Your Irrigation System has A Leak

October 11, 2018 By devenbwm

Irrigation systems, when working properly, should keep your grass looking green and healthy all across your property. However, if there is some sort of malfunction in your system, you’ll quickly notice that something is off. If there is a leak in your system, there are a few different signs that can help determine that this is the issue.

Soggy Spot in Your Lawn

Irrigation systems are designed to water your lawn equally and thoroughly. If you notice that one spot in particular is accumulating a lot of water, making it feel soggy or muddy when you walk across, there may be a leak in your system. Before jumping to this conclusion, though, first eliminate the possibility that it could be a result of surface water accumulation because of a recess in the land. If this is not the case, it’s time to investigate the irrigation system and determine exactly where the leak is happening.

Plants and Grass Unhealthy Looking

In addition to the soggy feeling of the grass, there are other physical signs of your grass that may indicate a leak. Some of these telltale signs may include yellow patches or dry brown patches in another area. This could happen because the leak is limiting water accessibility in that area, and only distributing in a particular area, making it soggy as mentioned above.

High Water Bills

In order to determine if your water bill is unusually high, you’ll need to have a prior knowledge of what your baseline is for each season. If you notice a spike in your bill, it could be a few different things. It could be that your water company has simply raised their prices, or it could be a leak. It’s important to review your water meter readings in comparison with the water bills. If the bill is high, in addition to the meter readings, there could be a leak in your system.

Contact Berardi Irrigation

If you’re concerned there may be a leak in your system, it’s best to have it checked out by a professional. Berardi Irrigation is well-equipped to provide you with repairs at an affordable price. Contact us today at 781-828-2029 to schedule an appointment!

How to Prevent Caked Soil

September 14, 2018 By devenbwm

It’s an all too common problem observed in fields: caked soil forms on the surface, creating a distinctive cracked appearance. Poor water infiltration and seed growth restriction as a result of caked soil can spell trouble in the form of substantially lower crop yields. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent cracked soil from forming. Here are three things you should keep in mind.

Even Water Distribution Matters

Although cracked soil gives the impression of parched land, overwatering is actually a frequent culprit. For this reason, an even and light water distribution can be especially important. Caking often occurs when a field is watered too heavily at once, causing water to pool. This allows some soil particles to float up onto the surface of the water, leaving behind a harder, caked layer once the remaining water absorbs or evaporates. To adjust water application, we recommend using a sprinkler that dispels water in even, small droplets close to the surface.

Watch Out for Clay Composition

Clay often acts like a sponge, absorbing water when it is plentiful, then shrinking as it dries. The drying process can result in those distinctive, hard cracks that can completely prevent plants from pushing up to the surface, undermining crop yield. It’s important to remember that soil exists in gradient layers. Topsoil is the dark, nutrient-rich layer that sits at the top. Topsoil’s rich composition and low clay density make it ideal for water absorption with minimal shrinkage. Aerating and top-dressing this layer with additional microorganism-rich humus soil, such as compost, can help improve your soil’s texture and minimize the risk of clay composition shrinkage.

Minimize Surface Runoff

When soil becomes completely saturated, water–whether irrigated or stormwater–will turn into surface runoff. Soil can then be carried away from your field, stripping it down to the subsoil, which will crack and cake more easily. To minimize surface runoff, consider using a boom irrigation system. These machines help to decentralize water application, creating an even spray of small water droplets rather than high-pressure sprays, improving the water’s infiltration rate.

Contact Berardi Irrigation

With proper guidance, it’s entirely possible to prevent caked, cracked soil from forming and negatively impacting crop yields. At Berardi Irrigation, we would be happy to assist you in setting up a pro-active irrigation solution. Fill out our contact form or call us today at (781) 828-2029 to learn more!

Lawn Maintenance For the Fall

August 21, 2018 By devenbwm

The temperatures are starting to drop, the humidity is finally decreasing and the long days of summer are quickly coming to a close. With Fall just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how you will keep your yard looking its best, while preparing for next season. It can be easy to neglect your outdoors as the harsher weather approaches, but it is just as critical to keep up with maintenance throughout the Fall season.

Don’t Stop Watering

– Now that cooler weather is approaching, watering in the Fall helps your lawn recover from the stress of high summer temperatures, and gain strength for the cold winter ahead. This is especially important if you have a cool-season grass, meaning that this is a strong period of growth for your lawn. Therefore it is critical that your grass is getting the nutrients it needs to grow. You should continue watering your lawn up until the ground freezes in late Fall.

Fertilize in the Fall

– For an exceptional looking lawn, a good rule of thumb would be to fertilize 4 times a year. However, if you’re going to choose only once, Fall is an optimal time. Aim to apply the fertilizer approximately 3 weeks before the last mowing of the season. Fertilizing in the morning will allow the morning dew to deliver moisture and help turf absorb the fertilizer. This gives your lawn energy and nutrients for the grassroots as they multiply in cooler weather before the grass goes dormant. The roots also store food for the winter, which will give the grass an initial growth spurt when it starts to show in the spring.

Cut Grass Short

– When it is time for the final cut of the season, you’ll want to set your mower to cut 1-½ to 2 inches. This will help lessen the chance of snow mold forming in the winter. It’ll also ensure that tall grass blades won’t lie down and smother the new grass growth next spring. Be sure to also rake up any dead leaves before the first snowfall, as they’ll just become soaked and weigh heavy on sprouting grass below.

Winterize Sprinkler System

– To avoid damage, cracking, and freezing over the winter, contact a professional to winterize your sprinkler! The professionals at Berardi Irrigation are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your service.

Smart Irrigation Month

July 17, 2018 By devenbwm

Water conservation is an issue that is typically overlooked in our everyday lives. While the earth is made up of nearly 70% water, only about 2.5% of it is fresh. When you think about all that water is used for- Consumption, plumbing, bathing, cleaning, irrigation, and more, this is a very small percentage. While there are many ways you can contribute to water conservation, efficient irrigation systems are where we place our focus.

In the peak months of summer, you may see your water bill starting to rise. Between the scorching hot temperatures and lack of rain, you’ve probably started to water your lawn more frequently. For this reason, the Irrigation Association chose July as “Smart Irrigation Month” to promote the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation systems. It’s important to remember, even in the heat, to still follow best practices for watering your lawn efficiently! Here are a few tips to remain eco-friendly, while keeping your lawn vivacious and green all summer!

- Consider soil type– Depending on your type of soil, water will be absorbed at different speeds. Aim to soak your soil 6 inches into the ground, to reach a healthy grass root. Time how long this takes in your yard, and use this duration each time you water. If you’re overwatering for your soil type, this can cause runoff and therefore wastewater.
- Optimal location– Place your sprinkler in a place that it is only watering your lawn, plants, and greenery. Setting it up in an area that will water your driveway, cars, sidewalk, patio, or house, will waste a sufficient amount of water.
- Don’t overwater- Even when it hits extreme temperatures outside, be careful that you are not overwatering. Remember to saturate the roots, and give the soil time to dry. Overwatering can cause weed growth, disease, and fungus in your long.
- Timing is key– Watering early in the morning is always the best time to water. If you’re watering during the day, the heat could cause losses of up to 30 percent due to evaporation. Be sure to not waste water through evaporation, by setting your timer before the sun fully rises.
- Shorter periods of time- Not only does the time of day matter, but the length of time too. Soil needs time to absorb water, in order to not produce runoff. Therefore, it’s better to water for 5 minutes, 3 times, rather than 15 minutes at once. This gives the soil time to dry before completely saturating.

Why Should I Use Landscape Lighting?

June 22, 2018 By devenbwm

Today, many homeowners value the exterior of their home just as much as the interior. They spend a sufficient amount of time and money maintaining the appearance of their lawn, garden, and overall landscape. Just as you would want proper lighting in your house, it’s equally as important to have a well-lit yard. You may have heard of landscape lighting, but don’t know exactly why it’s necessary. Checkout some of the top benefits that landscape lighting can provide for your exterior.

Beauty and Aesthetics:

You’ve spent hours choosing the right foliage, intricate textures, and structural designs to maximize the beauty of your outdoor space. In the light of day, the beaming sun rays highlight all your hard work. However, why let the beauty disappear when the day fades into the darkness of night? Landscape lighting can be used to display your gardens, decorative walkways, or any other focal points through all hours of the night. See how our shadowing, uplighting, and backlighting can accentuate your yard’s best features.

Extend outdoor hours:

Daylight may last longer during the summer months, but why stop at sunset? Landscape lighting can help increase your time spent outdoors. You can enjoy patios, pools, and outdoor entertainment for even longer. Transform your backyard to a volleyball court for a fun game with friends and family, or give your backyard a resort-like feel for a relaxing wine night. Add brighter fixtures or low lighting to create just the right mood for whichever summer activities you choose.

Ensure Safety:

When having outdoor gatherings in the evening, it’s important to have appropriate lighting to protect both your guests and your vegetation. Steps or abrupt changes in elevation, debris in walkways ways, protruding tree branches, and other walkway hazards can be avoided with landscape lighting. People can see clearly where they are going and can be safely guided away from any risky areas.

Security Purposes:

A well-lit landscape can discourage potential intruders from lurking around your home. With no dark area to hide, it makes them less likely to target your house for vandalism or robbery. Landscape lighting shines a clear light around your home, making any suspicious activity easy to identify.

Landscape lighting can bring your bring your property to life. After all, the exterior is the first part of your home that visitors see, so it might as well be beautiful!