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.
   ​

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

Graham Landscape and Design LLC, in Eugene Oregon, has well over 150 years combined experience in designing, estimating, installing, renovating, and repairing irrigation and sprinkler systems. From galvanized metal to copper to PEX and PVC, we have seen the gamut in underground irrigation systems.

Are you interested in finding out more about the best type of sprinkler system for your landscape? Drip irrigation is one great option for many landscapes in Eugene Oregon and the surrounding Willamette Valley.

Drip sprinkler systems use a lower rate of water flow and application at the root zone of your landscape plants to be one of the most efficient types of irrigation systems. ​Trees, shrubs, and perennials take precious water up to their foliage through their roots. It seems plain then that the best way to apply water through a sprinkler system is at the base of the plant rather than "overhead" watering.

Drip irrigation applies a smaller amount of water over a longer period of time than traditional types of rainbird sprinkler heads. This reduced "precipitation rate" is also a large difference between overhead watering and drip irrigation. Drip sprinkler systems apply a quantity of water closer to the plants natural ability to uptake this water. Therefore, less water is wasted from run-off and puddling.

Another benefit to using drip sprinkler systems is generally less weed growth in landscape beds. Because water is only being applied to the base of the plant and not in the entire landscape, weeds are less likely to grow in the areas not receiving automatic irrigation.

While drip irrigation has a number of benefits, from saving water to less shrub bed maintenance, it is not necessarily the best option for all landscape areas. Lawns, in particular, are better served by overhead watering (though drip irrigation is a possibility for a new lawn install also). Just because overhead water is needed in a particular landscape application, it does not mean that water needs to be wasted or applied inefficiently.

Read more about types of Rainbird sprinkler systems for the latest advances in more efficient overhead sprinkler systems.

From drip irrigation to large rotors to the latest water saving nozzles studied by EWEB, Graham Landscape and Design LLC can advise you on the irrigation system that will best suit your landscape needs in the Willamette Valley.

Do you have an existing irrigation system that needs renovation because your landscape outgrew the original irrigation design? Do you have repairs that need to be completed for your sprinkler system to work properly? Call Graham Landscape and Design LLC for prompt, reliable, and expert service in Eugene and surrounding areas. 541.729.8029 Licensed, Bonded, and Insured for all Irrigation Services (#8920)

Graham Landscape and Design LLC is also licensed for backflow testing and repair. Many homeowners wonder why they need to have their backflow tested yearly. The backflow device or assembly is integral in preventing contaminated water back into the city water and/or well water supply. By having the backflow tested yearly, we can be assured that it is doing its job to protect our drinking water supply.

Contact us today to have your sprinkler system checked or repaired and to have your backflow device tested.

Graham Landscape and Design LLC, in Eugene Oregon, has well over 150 years combined experience in designing, estimating, installing, renovating, and repairing irrigation and sprinkler systems. From galvanized metal to copper to PEX and PVC, we have seen the gamut in underground irrigation systems.

An integral part of any automatic sprinkler system is the backflow prevention device. The backflow device is the component in the sprinkler system that prevents water in the sprinkler pipes, valves, and fittings from re-entering the public water supply.

The question arises of how water in Eugene sprinkler systems and other municipalities can be "pulled" back into the public water supply. This can happen much easier than you might think. Anytime back pressure exists in the public water supply, water can be siphoned from the residential or commercial sprinkler system. Water draining downhill from a Eugene sprinkler system can even build up enough pressure to re-enter the public water supply.

​Another common danger of back pressure, where irrigation water can be pulled back into the public water supply, is when the local fire department is using large quantities of water from the nearest fire hydrant. Irrigation system water can easily be "pulled" back into the public water supply, unless a properly functioning backflow device is installed on the sprinkler system.

The next logical question might be, "What would be the harm of the sprinkler system water re-entering the public water supply"? Well, sprinkler systems have open ports wherever water emits out of a sprinkler head, a drip line, a manifold drain, etc. These openings can easily accept fertilizers from the lawn, weed control materials in the beds, organic materials in the landscape, not to mention many other items.

If these materials can be pulled back into the public water system from the sprinkler system, contamination can occur. The backflow device is the single most important component in a sprinkler system to prevent this public water supply contamination.

Graham Landscape and Design LLC has two licensed backflow testers on staff to certify that your backflow device is operating properly. We have invested the time and expense in having two certified testers so we can assist our irrigation customers in making sure their system is maintained to public health code.

Backflow devices in Eugene/Springfield and surrounding areas are required to be tested one time per year in all water districts (EWEB, SUB, Rainbow, etc.) Graham Landscape and Design LLC maintains a database to automatically test these sprinkler system components on an annual basis for a large portion of our customers. We will make the service visit without you having to remember to schedule the service and we will send the test report to the appropriate water purveyor to keep your sprinkler system in Eugene/Springfield and the surrounding areas in compliance.

We know that our customers do not need one more "to-do" item they need to remember each year. A sprinkler system is supposed to save you time, water, and stress, not add to it.

The minimal cost of the annual backflow test pales in comparison to the danger that exists if there is no backflow device on your sprinkler system or it is not functioning properly.

Graham Landscape and Design LLC's certified testers are required to renew their certifications on a regular basis through the ABPA (American Backflow Prevention Association). We must also have our backflow testing gauges calibrated each year to make sure that our tests are accurate. Certainly not one of our prettiest services, but we offer this service to the community to make sure that all of our precious water supply remains safe for us and future generations. 

Contact us today to make sure that your sprinkler system is doing its job to protect our public water supply!