Our Irrigation & Sprinkler Blog in Canton, MA

Starting a Vegetable Garden Next Spring

December 28, 2018 By devenbwm

Yes, we know… it’s still December. Snow is probably going to be covering the ground for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream of sunnier days! When the Spring does roll around, why not upgrade your outdoor space with a vegetable garden? Not only will enhance the overall aesthetic, but you’ll get to enjoy some yummy vegetables all season long, too! We have some tips to get you started.

Location

The first step in having a successful vegetable garden will be choosing a prime location. Your garden should be easily accessible, as you’ll need to get to it often for watering, planting, weeding, picking, etc. Finding a spot that has plenty of sunlight is also key for growth. You’ll also want to choose a spot that supports the size garden you desire. If you dream of a large garden filled with all of your favorite vegetables, make sure you choose a spot large enough that the plants will have space to grow and thrive.

Soil

Choosing a good soil is one of the most important factors in starting a flourishing garden. The soil is what provides nutrients to your plants and allows them to grow. It’s also important that the soil is soft enough that the roots can stretch out to soak up as much water as possible. The soil should also allow popular drainage, to avoid water sitting on top or draining too quickly.

Seeds

Investing in quality seeds is key to building your garden from the ground up (literally). Seeds are relatively inexpensive compared to plants, so it’ll allow you to splurge for the best product.

Water

Once you have these details figured out, the icing on the cake to starting a successful garden will be an irrigation system. While you can hand water your garden, it is much more time consuming, and sometimes wasteful. An irrigation system will allow you to water your newly planted vegetables at exactly the same time every day. It will also control how much water is being used, as to not over or underwater.

Contact Berardi Irrigation

For all of your Irrigation needs next spring, you can count on Berardi Irrigation for quality and timely service! Fill out an online contact form or give us a call today at (781) 828-2029 to learn more about what we offer.

Winterizing Your Irrigation System: What You Need to Know

November 14, 2018 By devenbwm

Why Does it Need to be Done?

Failure to properly winterize your system before the first freeze can cause damage to your system in multiple different ways. Water can freeze inside your pipes, sprinklers, and manifolds, which can mean expensive repairs. Check out what happens to your system in each case.

What Damage Can Be Caused?

Frozen Pipes

If your pipes are not drained before the first freeze, the water inside will most likely expand. However, since there is no room for the water to expand, this can cause pipes to crack or burst. Burst pipes can lead to a slew of problems including flooded lawns, flooded basements, damage to landscaping and even damage to your neighbor’s lawn. On top of all this, they are quite costly and difficult to repair since the pipes are underground.

Frozen Sprinklers

When the temperatures drop, water can also freeze inside the sprinkler heads. The pressure from the expanding frozen water can cause sprinkler heads to pop off. Water can also expand inside the plastic body, causing the sprinkler to crack down the side. Or, water can freeze inside the small supply tube. If any of these issues should occur, you would need to replace the sprinkler head entirely.

Frozen Manifolds

The Manifold consists of the main pipe and several attached valves that control the flow of water to the rest of the sprinklers. If water freezes inside the main pipe, it can crack the plastic and damage the valves. This can be avoided by draining as much water as possible from the manifold.

When To Winterize Your Sprinkler

Your sprinkler system should be winterized at least a week before the first freeze is expected. When the temperatures start to drop in the Fall, keep your eye on the forecast. Your lines should be drained or blown out using an air compressor to avoid damage.

Contact Berardi Irrigation

Need assistance winterizing your irrigation system in Canton, Braintree, Sharon, Randolph, or surrounding areas in MA? Contact Berardi Irrigation to schedule an appointment today.

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.