How to Get the Best Sprinkler Systems in New Jersey

With a long summer and big lawns being the norm in New Jersey, irrigation systems are becoming increasingly popular. A good lawn irrigation system can save you hours and hours every week in the summer and keep your lawn looking green. But what should you look for if you want one? In our experience, the best New Jersey irrigation systems follow a number of standards:

• Proper installation – With the cold winters (especially this past one), all New Jersey irrigation systems must be properly installed. You don't want underground sprinkler lines cracking or developing leaks during the cold months and then failing during the months when you need them the most. Talk to your irrigation provider about their install methods—a proper installation will maximize your sprinkler's lifespan.

• Minimal lawn disturbance – Obviously, laying down the irrigation water lines will involve cutting narrow, shallow trenches through your yard. But like a good surgeon, a good sprinkler company can minimize how much damage they do. They should have a specialized device to cut the turf cleanly, not use just shovels and never a regular ditch digger. Similarly, turf should be laid back over the completed lines, with extra soil as fill if necessary, at grade level so your yard can "heal" quickly.

• Sprinkler head height – Sprinklers that stick up above the ground can be tripping hazards and can interfere with weekly lawn mowing. In other words, they're a safety hazard. Instead, all sprinklers should be installed to be flush with the ground level. This allows them to function without interfering with normal use of the yard.

• Rain sensor – What happens when there's a rainstorm outside? Do your sprinklers still come on? If they do, it means a massive waste of water—and in a heavy rainstorm it can even contribute to soil erosion. Neither of these are what you're looking for in a sprinkler system. The best systems come with an automatic 24/7 rain sensor, which overrides the normal sprinkler schedule when it's raining out.

• Qualified staff – Whoever is installing your irrigation system should have lots of experience doing it. Additionally, a licensed plumber should be the one hooking up the water supply and checking everything over.

If you live in New Jersey, irrigation for your lawn might be a good investment. Do you currently have a lawn irrigation system, and what do you think of it? If not, what makes you want one?

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Fall is upon us and with winter just around the corner, now is the time to start preparing your lawn for the harsh and cold months.  Some homeowners don't realize the importance of prepping the grass for the following year, so take a look at these tips to get the most out of each blade!

-       Clean The Lawn

It is a disservice to your lawn when you end up leaving debris on it such as leaves, branches, toys and other items that can smother the grass.  Not only can debris create various diseases, but it can also invite other pests such as insects and rodents to the area, creating even more destruction.  Clear you lawn as much as possible!

-       Lower Your Lawnmower Blade

The last several times you mow your lawn for the year, lower the blade by a half inch to an inch.  Grass that is too long can be more at risk for freezing and thawing conditions. However, do not cut it so short that the crown of each blade is exposed; this can be just as damaging.

-       Create Spike Holes

Utilize a specific aerator tool or a garden fork, and spike holes throughout the lawn to allow for the surface to be aerated.   This is an excellent way to also improve drainage during thaws!

-       Fill the Holes

Once you create the holes, fill them with horticultural grain sand to prevent them from closing, and to allow both air and water to move freely throughout. 

-       Spread Dressing

Use a dry top-dressing and spread it over the remainder of the grass to help with drainage and to fill in any low spots throughout the lawn.  A rake works well to spread it evenly over the grass.

These steps will help your lawn to survive throughout the winter, and will ultimately make it ready for irrigation.  If you are in New Jersey, contact a professional lawn care and irrigation company to get the most out of each blade of grass!

Keeping Up with the Jones's with Irrigation Services

If you live in a suburb or even a rural neighborhood in New Jersey, you'll know that there's an unwritten, unspoken, friendly (or not so friendly) competitiveness to landscaping and yard upkeep. It may manifest itself in the way your next-door neighbor always waits to see what kind of holiday lights you put up, then puts up more on his own home. Perhaps the flowerbed that you buy will be echoed with a larger, more opulent design or the most expensive and rare flowers. Perhaps, less drastically, your neighbor will be obsessive about keeping his yard green and vibrant. You'll see him pondering a brown patch and spraying special fertilizers on it.

You may not engage in the crazier parts of this behavior, but you do care about the state of your lawn. After all, you spend a lot of money on your home and anything that you invest in that heavily deserves to be treated right. You take pride in the glossy richness of the grass and the bright, almost-electric green hue, as well you should. But what if you are having trouble keeping it up?

Many homeowners have busy schedules: children will need to be taken to baseball/football/soccer games, you may have grocery shopping to do, or perhaps your boss has needed you to put in some extra hours at the office lately. With a full life to live, lawn care may sometimes fall by the wayside. In addition, sometimes your lawn may simply be inconsistent for reasons that are a total mystery to you. New Jersey's weather can be a real roller coaster sometimes, making watering schedules and care a dicey, day-to-day challenge.

If you are trying to keep your lawn looking its best and need help, an irrigation service might be the right choice for you. A quality lawn care service will install sprinklers that will be programmed to run automatically. That way, even if you don't have time to water the lawn, the job will get done. Truly advanced systems like ours will also have sensors to detect when it is raining (why waste water on your lawn when nature is watering it for you?), a licensed plumber to ensure that the system is properly connected to the water supply, and equipment that doesn't get in the way of the lawnmower.

When you want your lawn to look good for yourself (or the neighbors), our New Jersey Irrigation service can help! Steeplechase will ensure that your lawn looks every bit as cared for as it should. And just remember, if the neighbors decide to copy you, it was your idea first!