Summer Lawn Irrigation and Water Conservation in Charlotte

Summer weather is quickly approaching, so for many lawns that means extreme heat and potential drought. These conditions can make it hard for your lawn to reach a healthy appearance. Irrigation & Lighting Specialist wants you to know there are ways to ensure your lawn irrigation successfully survives the intense summer heat, while conserving water at the same time!

"It's common for people to over water their lawns during extremely hot days, when homeowners should only water their lawns when they need it," says John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. "The easiest way to know when your lawn needs water is by simply looking at it. That way you're watering in a way that allows your lawn's roots to penetrate deeper into the soil where moisture resides."

Summer Lawn Care Tips for Hot Weather with Less Water

Below are a few tips to help you use less water when caring for your lawn during hot summer heats:

1. Time Your Watering - Early morning (5:00am - 10:00am) is the optimal time to water your lawn. This allows plants to absorb water before the midday sun evaporates all the moisture in the soil.
2. Water What Grows - Adjust your sprinklers often to ensure that water is reaching your lawn and landscape at all times, not a mailbox, car parked next to your lawn, or the sidewalk. Misguided watering systems waste water and do not get vital water to your thirsty lawn.
3. Remove Weeds - As soon as you see any plants resembling weeds, remove them. They are responsible for absorbing moisture that's in the soil for your lawn.
4. No Force Fertilizing - Feed your lawn in cooler temperatures. Fertilizing your lawn is most effective before your lawn has established root systems. Adding fertilizer to already heat-strained lawns accelerates heat related stress on lawns.
5. Mow Lawns High - Grass that grows taller above ground has deeper roots. Deeper roots are more drought-resistant, and less likely to become a victim to various insects or diseases.
6. Do Your Research - There are over 9,000 species of grass. Before you invest time and money into your lawn this summer, take some time to understand what kind of grass you have. Different types of grass require different amounts of watering. 

Maximizing your water efficiency is critical during the summer months both for your lawn and your wallet. Just because it is hot, doesn't mean you have to spend hours watering your lawn.

With Irrigation & Lighting Specialist's Smart Controllers, the watering aspect of lawn care is taken care of. Our systems not only water your lawn for you, but they also save you up to 60% in water! The Smart Controller system is a revolutionary irrigation technology that only applies water as needed to lawns and landscapes. 

To learn more water conservation tips for your lawn irrigation and landscape during the hot summer temperatures, or to schedule a free consultation, call John Minor with Irrigation & Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. We look forward to helping you conserve water, while attaining a lush healthy lawn!

How Smart Controllers Can Save Lawns from Summer Heat

If the recent spike in temperature is any indication, Charlotte is in store for a scorching summer. One thing all North Carolinians can agree on is that summers here can be sweltering and dry. These conditions can make it difficult for lawns to reach a healthy status.

Have you decided how your lawn will stay watered in the hot summer climate? During the busy summertime months, finding the time to regularly water your lawn can be difficult. Irrigation & Lighting Specialist’s smart controller is an automatic watering system that combines performance and efficiency into one.

The Irrigation Association defines smart controllers as systems that “estimate or measure depletion of available plant soil moisture in order to operate an irrigation system, replenishing water while minimizing excess water use.” The dependability and durability of this technology is unparalleled in the landscaping industry. Smart controllers make attaining a lush, healthy lawn even in the hottest of temperatures easier than ever before!

“Healthy lawns in the summertime require proper and frequent watering,” says John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. “The benefits these systems provide are great for busy Charlotte homeowners, who don't have time to water their lawns.”

Benefits of Smart Controllers

Below are a few benefits of using smart controllers:

• Saves Time - Smart controllers calculate weather conditions by using a radio, internet, or phone connection to receive weather patterns from a central data provider. This feature automatically dispenses water so you don’t have to, saving you the time of turning water sprinklers, hoses, and valves on and off.
• Conserves Water – Smart controllers monitor soil moisture levels through a moisture sensor. As your lawn’s soil starts to dry out, it automatically waters the grounds through an irrigation system. This sensor allows homeowners to avoid using excessive water, saving them significant amounts of money, and also prevents up to 60% of unnecessary water usage!
• Saves Money -  Homeowners save money on monthly water bills because of the smart controller system’s accurate watering cycles. Lawns are watered only when moisture levels are low.
• Improves Convenience – Automatic watering schedules allow homeowners to spend less time watering their lawns, and more time doing what they enjoy.
• Improved Lawn Quality – Smart controllers eliminate the threat of overwatering. The system helps lawns reach maximum growth by giving them the perfect amount of water. 

“There are many factors that homeowners have to keep in mind while having their lawns irrigated, and smart controllers ensure watering is not one of them,” says Minor. “For example, specialized features like remote operation serve as a long-term solution for lawns needing additional watering or attention. Homeowners can keep a close watch on their lawn’s health from the comfort of their home.”

To learn more about our smart controller systems, or to schedule a free consultation, call John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist at 877-433-5833 or email John. No matter how hot it gets this summer, let us help make sure your lawn stays properly watered!

Implementing Outdoor Lighting Principles: A Basic Guide for Charlotte Homeowners

Since outdoor lighting's debut in the landscaping industry, customers have been steadily exploring the possibilities of lighting outdoor spaces. Many designers implement distinct lighting principles to guide the illuminating process. These principles are used to evoke particular moods out of viewers. They are design elements that when applied correctly, turn the vision you have for your home's outdoor scene into an eye-popping sight.

Originally, homeowners implemented outdoor lighting as a security measure. Now, the market has come to the realization that outdoor lighting techniques are multifaceted. They can be used to enhance the usability of outdoor space, the value of landscape and the overall beauty of a home.

"Lighting what was once a dark space outside your home, creates a sort of magical feeling," says John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist. "When applied correctly, outdoor lighting principles can provide safety, aesthetic appeal, visual balance, and mood enhancement. All of this with the same system!"

Principles of Outdoor Lighting

Below are a few principles to keep in mind when designing an outdoor lighting system:

1. Depth - Refers to the how far of the viewer's gaze travels as they observe a home. The designer controls the viewer's gaze, and primary focus.


2. Perspective - Your outdoor space is a three dimensional canvas for light. You can create visual interest from different viewpoints.


3. Focal Points - Visual "destinations" or points of focus in the observation experience. Focal points are used to take the viewer through the landscape, step by step.


4. Quality and Direction - Using lights as if they are paint, and "painting" your landscape surrounding your home with various lighting intensities and directions to reach the desired mood and visual impact.
5. Symmetry and balance - Highlighting areas, structures, or parts of the home that have natural beauty.

We have developed our own signature system of applying these design principles. Under our new system we take a different approach, not only  focusing on  how you can use space outside your home after dark, but what kind of lighting delivers the absolute best accents to the landscape and beauty of your home.

For a limited time customers can add our outdoor landscaping and accent lighting at off-season, low prices!

To learn more about our outdoor lighting services or to schedule a free consultation, call John Minor of Irrigation & Lighting Specialist at 877-443-5833, or email John. We look forward to helping you get the most out of your home's outdoor environment!