With winter officially upon us in a few days, it's time to take a serious look at your landscape maintenance for the season. Just a few steps taken now can ensure a healthy, beautiful yard come springtime.

Fertilizing your lawn and planted areas
Adding fertilizer to your lawn and planted areas in the fall is an excellent way to give a boost to your plants, so you have a healthy, vibrant yard in the spring. Be sure to give your lawn and plants plenty of water after fertilizing so they don't "burn" and so that your fertilizer doesn't blow away.

Pruning your trees
Fall is a good time to prune your trees. Not only are trees dormant in the colder months, but it is also easier to see a tree’s structure when there are no leaves on the branches. Proper pruning is vital to the health of trees and plants, in part because it helps relieve stress on trees and keeps them growing.

Spreading mulch
One of the best things you can do to protect your newly planted fall bulbs, shallow root plants, and young trees, is to cover the soil around those items with a generous layer of mulch. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to lay down mulch somewhere between 2-4" deep, avoiding touching trunks of trees or stems of plants so you will avoid any rot or disease issues.

Winterizing your irrigation
Winterizing your irrigation is not difficult to do, but it must be done properly and before freezing temperatures hit to prevent costly damage. A few simple steps can prevent things like busted irrigation lines, damaged hose bibs, and ruptured pipes.

Protecting your water features
Similar to winterizing your irrigation, your water features may also need special protection from the colder weather. Generally speaking, it is okay to let your water features run year-round. There are two key considerations, though, to make this work. 1) your pump must have access to free-flowing, clean water at all times and 2) you must keep your pond or water feature free of leaves and other debris that could cause a blockage for your pump.

Removing moss on hardscapes
When snow and ice accumulate, moss and other unwanted growth can create extra slippery situations. Giving your pavers and other hardscape surfaces a good cleaning is both good for their lifespan, but also for preventing unwanted slips and falls. If you opt to powerwash this growth away, be extra careful to not destroy the material used in between blocks or stones that keep your surface stable.

If this sounds like a lot of work, or simply more than you care to do yourself, please give us a call at 541-729-8029 or email us. Our team of maintenance and irrigation experts would be happy to help you care for your yard.

Summer sure made it here in a hurry! With the temperatures rising quickly, water conservation will be big again this summer. Keeping that lawn green and lush requires water, water, and more water. But, you want to check that your watering is doing the job efficiently so you don’t overwater or have sprinklers missing their mark. Here are a few water conservation tips you can use with your property:
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1. Check your sprinklers. The two things you are looking for include coverage and volume. In terms of coverage, you want to make sure your sprinklers are only spraying where they are needed and not on sidewalks, the street, your car, etc. If sprinklers are spraying where they ought not, adjust or replace heads as needed. Also, you want to monitor your sprinklers so there is not a lot of overlap because too much watering can be just as bad as not enough.
   
   If you’re not sure how much water your lawn is getting, you can use a water guage. A general rule of thumb is one inch of water per week to keep your lawn healthy. If you run your sprinklers for 15 minutes you will be able to see how much water your sprinklers are putting out. At the end of 15 minutes, read the measurement and multiply that number by whatever it takes to get a total of one inch. For example, if after 15 minutes your guage is filled one quarter inch, you will need to run your sprinklers for 60 minutes over the course of the week to get one full inch of water.
   
   
2. Apply bark to your planter beds. Bark helps to retain moisture so you won’t need to water your planter beds as much as you might need to water your lawn. Bark is especially great in both weed control and moisture retention. Plus, it just makes for a nice looking feature area in your landscape. It’s a win-win-win!
   
   
3. Adopt a “moisture management program” to conserve resources. We have a program that utilizes biodegradable and eco-friendly quick dissolve granules giving you up to three months of moisture management. This product is typically used on turf, planting beds, and around trees and shrubs.

Whether you want to cut your watering by up to 50%, or if you want to give your lawn that extra drink, we can help. At Graham Landscape & Design, our team of irrigation and design experts can help you reach your water conservation goals. Please give us a call at 541-729-8029.

A weird question, we know... but, it's an important one! Now that the weather is a bit drier, it's time to really look at your landscape's irrigation and drainage. With this winter's rain, did you notice areas of standing water in your yard? Or, were there sections that simply got flooded out because there was too much rain? Both of these instances signal that there is an issue with your landscape and it's drainage.

Why is proper drainage so important? Well, there are a number of reasons but a few of the top concerns include root rot in your lawns, shrubs, and trees. In addition, poor drainage reduces your ability to enjoy your yard for fear of getting your shoes sucked into the muck or just getting them extra muddy. And, if either of those weren't bad enough, sitting water creates a breeding ground for all sorts of pests.

So, if you have drainage problems, what can be done? Here are a few ideas to help:

• Divert rainwater with rain gutters, making sure not to create a new problem where the water exits.
• Install French drains around your house to prevent water seepage into your foundation.
• Asphalt covered driveways could benefit from a sump connected to the sewer system or a series of draining pipes that drive the water away.
• Plant "wet plants" appropriate for the amount of sunlight in the problem areas. There are varieties perfect for sunny spots (chokeberry, sage, rush, etc.) and shady spots (dogwood, witch hazel, sorrel, etc.), too.
• Consider installing permeable hardscapes that allow water to work its way into the ground without overwhelming your planted areas.

But, before tackling any of these solutions, it's a good idea to consult with your landscaper to really uncover the underlying cause of the issue and to help you plan the proper remedy.

At Graham Landscape & Design, our team of irrigation and design experts can help you do just this. Please give us a call so we can turn your drainage problem into a thing of the past. 541-729-8029

With the warmer weather, it can be difficult to tell if your lawn is getting enough water unless it turns brown, and no one wants that happening.

First, you will be glad to know that it's not necessary to water lawns and plants every day. And, in general, more plants are killed through over-watering than under-watering.

Second, you will want to take some time to understand the properties of the soil in your yard. You might not have known this, but water penetrates and behaves differently depending on the type of soil that's present. Do you have sandy or loose soil? Or, are you dealing with lots of rocks or clay? Depending on your soil composition, the goal is to set up a watering system that allows for water penetration 6" to 8" below the ground surface.

To determine this, you'll need to find out how deep your current watering set up is allowing the water to penetrate into the soil. With a shovel, you'll want to pick an inconspicuous spot where you've been watering. Thirty minutes after the watering cycle is finished, dig a small hole and use your hand to measure how deeply the water has penetrated. Remember the goal is 6" to 8" beneath the surface of the soil.

Check a few different locations to see if your watering is even throughout the yard. If there are dry spots, mark where those are so you can plan for them in your new irrigation setup.

What's important to note, however, is even if you water regularly it's not likely that the water is being dispersed uniformly. Also if all the surface seems wet, you may find that there are wetter spots and drier spots around your yard where the penetration was more or less.

To check whether your watering system is working evenly across your yard, you can place some plastic cups around your yard before you water. A few coins in the bottoms of the cups will help prevent them from blowing over. Once the cups are placed, turn on your sprinkler system. Water will collect in the cups as you water. After watering for about 30 minutes, compare the level of water in each of the cups. You may discover that there is more water in some of the cups than in others. Frequently, areas within close proximity to the sprinkler receive less water than areas several yards away. Use this information to plan out if you need to select different heads for your sprinklers, extend or move lines, etc.

When it comes to installing or repairing irrigation lines, it is often best to bring in a professional who has the experience and tools to do the job right. The irrigation team at Graham Landscape & Design can work with you to make sure your lawn is getting the water it needs, where it needs it, so you can enjoy a healthy, beautiful lawn all summer long. Give us a call today at 54-729-8029.

So often when people start thinking about a landscaping project, it's common to get swept up in the "ooh la la" aka the features and the plants and how everything is going to look gorgeous together. It's rare when someone thinks about irrigation first unless of course, you do this for a living.

There are many options to consider when planning your irrigation, and if planned well, you can save money for years to come. Here are some tips to help your planning.

1. Where are your underground utilities?
   Before you start digging or get your heart set on the placement of any special landscape features, it is wise to contact your local utility companies and find out where all your underground services are located. Doing this ahead of time will help save you money by avoiding costly re-routes and or line ruptures.
   
   
2. How much water flows through your pipes and at what pressure?
   So, this might sound like an odd thing to consider, but it's important to know how much water flows through your pipes, as well as how much pressure you have. Weak or slow flows will affect your ability to irrigate your landscape properly. As a rule of thumb, to run an irrigation system, your house needs water pressure of 40 to 50 pounds per square inch (psi). The easiest way to measure water pressure is to call your water company and ask whether they have that information for you. If not, use a water-pressure gauge and measure psi by turning off all the faucets inside your house. Then, hook up the gauge to an outside spigot, turn the spigot wide open, and read the pressure. Water pressure can vary, so measure your psi several different times during the day and average the readings.
   
   You also need to know how much water flows through your pipes, measured in gallons per minute (gpm). To figure this out, place a one-gallon container under an outdoor spigot and time how long it takes to fill up with the water running at full blast. Divide this time into 60 to determine your gpm. For example, if it takes 20 seconds to draw 1 gallon of water, 60 divided by 20 equals 3. In other words, your system flow rate is 3 gallons per minute.
   
   
3. How many zones or valves will you need?
   First, think about how many different types of areas you will have that need watering. For instance, your lawn will have different watering needs than your plant beds or your trees. And, you will want to think about front yard vs. back yard, lawn areas, planter beds, vegetable gardens, etc. Your gpm and psi figures will indicate how many sprinkler heads you can have per valve. Every irrigation system is different but with these figures, you should be able to calculate the number of valves needed to meet all your watering needs.
   
   
4. What type of controller is right for you?
   Next, think about how hands-on you want to be with running your irrigation system. There are several options available for manual systems and programmable digital systems. Are you the set it and forget it type? Programmable would definitely be your speed.
   
   
5. What type of sprinklers will work best for your plantings?
   Once you have the planning part figured out, consider alternate types of sprinklers or watering systems. If water conservation is top of your list, drip systems can be highly customized and are excellent at efficiency. But, if you have a lot of activity planned for your landscape, an underground system is probably best so that heads are not easily damaged and lines don't get pulled up.
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If this all seems like too much to figure out, we can help. At Graham Landscape & Design, we have an exceptionally talented irrigation crew. Our team can meet with you to discuss your specific needs, explore ideas, and help you install an irrigation system perfect for your space. Give us a call today at 541-729-8029.

If you're like most people, irrigation is not something you really think about. Chances are, the irrigation system you have on your property was installed by the previous owner and you've never had to deal with it, or you've installed a system but then took the 'set it and forget it' approach. Both situations put you in company with the vast majority of people we work with and that's okay.

​But what you might not realize is that much like how lawns need maintenance, so do irrigation systems. A neglected system needing repairs can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars, so maintenance is important. The following are a few tips to help you keep your irrigation system flowing smoothly.

1. Implement a maintenance schedule. A routine schedule should include examining sprinkler heads, evaluating dry spots and overwatered spots, watching for any clogs, and routinely looking for broken or leaking lines. Seasonally, it should include backflow testing and winterization.
2. Know your plants. Just as your yard changes with new or removed plants so do your irrigation needs. Before you start digging to expand or relocate irrigation lines, consider where the lines are located so you don't accidentally break a line with your shovel. Also, make sure to read the labeling of new sprinkler heads to make sure the water pressure and spray can deliver the right amount of water where it is needed.
3. Understand the capacity and programming of your irrigation system. One area where we see common issues is a property either not having a system with a capacity that corresponds to the size of the yard it is watering, or the property owner has a good system but simply doesn't know how to operate it. Having a professional evaluate your system and explain/demonstrate how to work your irrigation system can save you money, time, and lots of headaches.

Working with irrigation systems doesn't typically fall into everyone's wheelhouse or skillset. The good news is that there are professionals who can help with both maintenance and repairs.

In the Eugene-Springfield area, Graham Landscape & Design works with small residential irrigation systems as well as large commercial irrigation systems. Our team of experts can work with you to assess your needs and develop a plan that makes sense for your objectives and budget. Give us a call at 541-729-8029 to schedule a consult today.

A weird question, we know... but, it's an important one! After our record-breaking rainy season, chances are any issues you have with drainage in your landscape have shown up. How would you know? It's easy... Think about any spots in your yard where after it rains, water sits for hours and sometimes for days. These are the problem spots we're talking about.

Why is proper drainage so important? Well, there are a number of reasons but a few of the top concerns include root rot in your lawns, shrubs, and trees. In addition, poor drainage reduces your ability to enjoy your yard for fear of getting your shoes sucked into the muck or extra muddy. And, if either of those weren't bad enough, sitting water creates a breeding ground for all sorts of pests.

So, if you have drainage problems, what can be done? Here are a few ideas to help:

• Divert rain water with rain gutters, making sure not to create a new problem where the water exits.
• Install French drains around your house to prevent water seepage into your foundation.
• Asphalt covered driveways could benefit from a sump connected to the sewer system or a series of draining pipes that drive the water away.
• Plant "wet plants" appropriate for the amount of sunlight in the problem areas. There are varieties perfect for sunny spots (chokeberry, buttonbush, leatherwood, etc.) and shady spots (dogwood, witch hazel, serviceberry, sorrel, etc.), too.

But, before tackling any of these solutions, it's a good idea to consult with your landscaper to really uncover the underlying cause of the issue and to help you plan the proper remedy.

At Graham Landscape & Design, our team of experts can help you do just this. Please give us a call so we can turn your drainage problem into a thing of the past. 541-729-8029