The Art of Irrigation
One of the challenges for a gardener is managing the proper use of water. The lack of water can be damaging, or deadly, to anything growing outside. DK Landscaping shares the art of irrigation and will help you prepare your garden for it.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
By using drip irrigation, your garden will use less water, will require less maintenance, and help discourage less weeds and pests. You will be giving them the moisture they need, where they need it: at their root zone.
It will save you up to 90% compared to watering with a hose. It saves you time having your drip system on a timer. You control your irrigation timer and adjust it for seasonal changes (for instance, August heat in Northern California consumes the most water). Together with mulch creates an organic weed control without the use of harsh and unhealthy chemicals. Watering only the roots of your plants with drip irrigation also cuts down on water-borne pests and fungal diseases that spread by water movement.
With a timer, you can control how much water your plants receive by setting up your drip system with different size emitters, which are the system’s delivery mechanism. You can use a small emitter, such as one that delivers 1/2 gallon of water per hour, at the base of small plants, such as herbs; for larger plants, such as trees, you can provide more than one emitter that delivers 3 gallons of water per hour, or more.
DK Landscaping also recommends that all valves feeding the drip system should have:
Large Filter: A small filter or no filter will result in debris clogging the system.
Pressure Reducer: Absence of it will result in emitters being blown off the main feed line. Drip systems are designed to work under low pressure (nominally between 25 PSI to 35 PSI) while normal pressure on the water main line is nominally 70 PSI.
Pressure Compensated Emitters: Pressure compensating drip emitters (PC Emitters) deliver a consistent output of water, even with increase changes in elevation or pressure due to long drip runs. PC Emitters are best used in landscapes and gardens that have drops in elevation that would cause an increase in pressure.
Emitter Hole Punch: Oval or wrongs size holes will result in leaks.
For more information and a free consultation on your irrigation system, please contact Kathy Lee at DK Landscaping. Kathy is our QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) Certified Irrigation Expert. We are also a certified WaterSense Partner. QWEL and WaterSense are certified by the EPA.
Irrigation Sensation
Summer is just around the corner which means, for most of us…the “dog days” are coming!
DK Landscaping brings you tips on how to beautify your landscape while maintaining the lusciousness of your lawn through irrigation.
A great lawn is a start to an exceptional landscape. Landscaping will not only make your property look better, but will also raise your property values. Adding effects and color can increase the value of your home and property by as much as 10% depending on your lawn, landscape and property.
Watering your lawn is essential to protect your landscaping investment. A residential sprinkler system improves the overall health of all plantings because of the consistent water being delivered. It not only helps manage your water usage — but you will have a greater appreciation for when your water bill arrives each month.
DK Landscaping recommends the best time to water your lawn is in the morning, before the heat of the day has set in, so moisture has time to evaporate before the evening. Watering in the evening can result in rot and fungal infections of the plant roots being left moist and cold at night. We also believe it is far better to water a lawn deeply once a week than to give it shorter periods of water more frequently.
For more information and a consultation on your irrigation system, please contact David Lee at DK Landscaping.
Welcome to the new Blog!
We will be updating this section of the website with news about landscaping trends, tips and resources. Stay tuned!
Fallen Soldier Trust Fund Nova for Sgt. Ryan Connolly
Help us help Kayla Connolly with her education trust fund so that she may be able to go to college someday. Kayla’s father Sgt. Ryan Connolly was killed in Afghanistan serving our country. DK will donate $50.00 to Kayla’s education trust fund for each new maintenance account.
Senior Complex Gets Comfort after Attack
David Lee read in the Press Democrat that an 81 year old senior got raped at the Copeland Creek Affordable Senior Apartment Homes. A special town hall meeting was held and the seniors asked for the tall plants to be cut back so predators can’t hide.
David and Kathy Lee went to the complex and asked the manager if their landscaper had taken care of it. The manager said no. Since this is a low income apartment for seniors, we offered to cut back all the plants as community service. The manager accepted.
West Santa Rosa Baptist Church
Cleaned up church grounds and maintained landscape for 1 year. We were glad we were able to serve.
Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue
Matt LaCoco’s Eagle Scout Project involves renovating the landscape at Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue.
We were one of the major corporate donors for Matt LaCoco’s Eagle Scout Project for the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue. We provided the expertise and a crew of 4 and installed a drip irrigation system.
Drive and Thrive Program
Carolina Linares was chosen for a $1,000 car repair through our “Drive and Thrive” program honoring hard working Hispanic workers. DK Landscaping paid for the repair done by Acur-It Imports. Linares needs the car to drive to her job.
The free one-time service took place on César Chavez Day as a tribute to César Chavez, a champion for Hispanic workers.
