Irrigation Is A Crucial Component To Your Landscaping
It’s no secret that landscaping plays a huge role in a property’s overall curb appeal. The right combination of plantings and stonework can turn a blank exterior into a custom reflection of its occupants.
A boring entryway can be turned into an exotic entrance, and a plain patio can transform into a tranquil retreat. It’s all about choosing the right plants to meet your vision and incorporating the right support systems to keep those plants healthy and happy. One of those necessary support systems is proper landscape irrigation.
The Need for Thoughtful Irrigation Design
We all know that plants have a few basic needs that must be met in order to grow and thrive – sunlight, soil, and water. With too much or too little of each of these factors, a plant can quickly take a turn for the worse.
A true landscaping professional will help you select plants that are eye-catching and fit your style, while also accounting for the plants’ needs. Thoughtful and professional irrigation design will ensure that all plants are receiving just the right amount of water, protecting your initial landscaping investment by minimizing plant loss.
Here in Minnesota, seasonal temperature changes can pose a challenge for people and plants alike. A good Minnesota landscape professional understands the risks of freezing temperatures and should be able to point you in the right direction when designing and maintaining an outdoor irrigation system.
Factors That Impact Landscape Irrigation Needs
When considering irrigation design, there are a few factors to keep in mind, such as:
- Climate
- Ground slope
- Soil type
- Types of plants
- Sun exposure
Minnesota has its own landscaping challenges due to our sub-zero winters. An irrigation system must be able to withstand these freezing months and be properly winterized ahead of time.
Aside from that, sloping terrain may lead to runoff and excess water at the lowest points on the property. Different soil types also retain water differently, which can either dry out plants prematurely or leave them with soggy roots, both issues of which can quickly kill a plant.
Landscape professionals must also look at sun exposure around the property. This will help determine which areas get full sun and which areas will do best with shade-loving plants. Sun exposure is also factor into how much water is needed, as lots of sun will lead to drier soil.
Questions to Ask a Minnesota Landscaping Company Before Installing Irrigation:
Q: How much experience do you have with landscape irrigation and design?
A: Look for a company that has been around for several years and has specifically done irrigation design, in addition to general landscaping. You want someone who’s experienced and knowledgeable when it comes to the local Minnesota climate and plant needs.
Q: Do you have any past customers I can speak to?
A: Checking for references is always a good idea. Look online for reviews and see if you can speak directly with any past customers. They may offer more personal insights than you can glean from search engine results.
Q: What type of irrigation system will work best for my property?
A: Every property is different and will, therefore, have different irrigation needs. Even next-door neighbors will have different sun exposure, ground slopes, and potentially different soil compositions. All this, combined with the fact that each person has their own preferences when it comes to plants, will factor into the irrigation design.
Your landscape professional should be able to assess your current situation and make recommendations based on all these considerations. Don’t be turned off if they don’t have a final recommendation by the end of their site visit – it just means they want to take the necessary time to adequately review all the information gathered at the property.
Q: What maintenance will be necessary for the irrigation system, and will you provide it?
A: Just like your car needs regular maintenance, so too does your irrigation system. This is an important question to ask as this is a major expense that you’ll want to protect over time. See if the irrigation provider will perform regular maintenance and offer seasonal recommendations to keep everything in working order between scheduled services.
Q: What should I know about winterizing my irrigation system in Minnesota?
A: Minnesota winters are brutal and must be planned for. If you’ve never had an irrigation system or water feature installed before, it’s important to know what to expect when it comes to winterizing the system. Is this a service that the company provides? Or do they offer a step-by-step guide for customers to do it themselves?
Q: What are some common challenges we may run into, and how should we address them?
A: No matter how well an irrigation system is planned and programmed, external factors can always pose a challenge. For example, an unusually dry season may mean that the originally programmed irrigation isn’t enough to sustain the landscape. Alternatively, a rainy period may mean wasted water and soggy conditions.
Keep an eye on weather patterns and adjust your irrigation programming accordingly. If you need assistance, Scenic Specialties is here to help.
How the Right Irrigation System Can Save You Money
By asking questions and hiring the right landscaping professionals, property owners can save time and money in the long run. A well-designed irrigation system can reduce water usage by preventing overwatering and runoff. It can also be adjusted remotely during rainy weeks.
Providing regular check-ups and maintenance will keep things running smoothly and eliminate costly breakdowns. This is probably the biggest money saver of all, since replacing the entire system, or even just damaged sections, could easily cost tens of thousands of dollars.
And, finally, the landscaping itself. Along with your landscaper, you’ve chosen plants that suit the local climate while providing much-needed curb appeal. Rather than frequently having to replace these plants due to care issues, installing a custom landscape irrigation system will keep them well-watered and healthy.
Start Designing Your Landscape Irrigation System Today
Our professionals at Scenic Specialties will start and test your irrigation system in the spring, blow out the water lines in the fall, and take care of all the routine maintenance in between.
We’ve been designing award-winning landscapes for 20 years. Much like a blueprint for new home construction, having a custom design plays a vital role in assuring that all elements of your project are executed properly.
Our irrigation designers will meet with you on your property to determine the needs of the project. From there, we’ll begin creating your landscape design in our studio. Contact us today to set up a consultation.