With more rain in the 2012 season NTMWD has eased restrictions for watering to 2x a week.  Dallas is reviewing permanent restrictions to 2x per week watering.  We’re happy to have watering back to a normal schedule but it is important to save our most precious resource and create an effective, efficient irrigation system.  Systems over 5 years old will benefit from a review for changes to water saving nozzles, drip systems for beds and shrub, smart controllers that can be accessed from anywhere by smart phones, tablets and pc’s to adjust the watering schedule anytime.

Before we are in the hottest part of the season take some time to check out the irrigation systems for leaks, misaligned heads, damaged nozzles, and use water saving schedules on your watering day.

The NTMWD has delayed implementing Stage 4 Drought Restrictions until at least June 1st.  Now is the perfect time to check your  irrigation system for water waste.  Is your irrigation system as efficient as it can be?  Schedule a tune-up; check and repair leaks,  install effient nozzles that are better suited to tight Texas clay soils, install ET controllers.   Use the latest in irrigation technology to control and reduce wasted water.  Choose to install drip irrigation in beds to eliminate the loss of water to evaporation and wind.  The use of multi-stream rotator nozzles can reduces excess run-off on tight clay soils.    Using native plants in the landscape also reduces the need for supplemental irrigation and can lower maintenance costs.  Contact BKL for complete run through of your irrigation system. 

Micro Spray Heads

July is smart irrigation month.

Tune up your irrigation system and check for; leaks, misaligned, leaking heads, poor spray patterns, clean or replace damaged filters, and nozzles.

Use cycle/soak settings; on tight clay soils during dry conditions its more efficent and you’ll get more from your irrigation $$.  Put the water where it counts at the roots!

Use the shade for seating, trash stop, or pet walk.

Properties with mature trees where roots and shade make an impossible medium for grass to grow make  ideal settings for pet walks, park benches, and  strategic placements of litter and pet waste receptacles to help keep the neighborhood clean.  Smart use of hardscape can reduce irrigation waste.

Gravel mulch, stone path, park bench in parking island

Patio sitting area and small bed

Plenty of seating for company

Late winter is the time to trim Crape Myrtles; open up to improve air flow in the canopy,  remove rubbing branches, branches touching and those that overhang the house or other structures.  

Crape Myrtles love the sun, plant in locations where there is plenty of sun and good air flow.  There will be less trouble with powdery mildew if planted in the right location.

For our area now through mid February is the time to trim most types of  overgrown shrubs with little to no damage and possibly improve the plants health.    

Most shrubs will have increased vigor after trimming.  Start by removing dead limbs, then work on improving shape,  and if your fearless cut back to your desired height!  Don’t select a hedge row unless you’re committed to possible removal, (sever pruning can kill).  

Leave spring blooming shrubs until after blooming.  Select shrubs that have lost their vigor.  Remove crossing and/or rubbing branches, branches that touch the house or other plants, remove.   Open up the plant from the center to maximize light penetration use thinning cuts. Prune back what  touches the ground and suckers. 

Use the right tool for the job too; it should be sharp, large enough to cut cleanly through the branch or stem, if it crushes, the blade is not big enough.  Biggest part of the job now?  Is raking, bagging, bundled clippings and dragging to the curb. 

Apply mulch,  fertilizer, water in fertilizer and wait. 

When the plant comes out of dormancy and you see new growth on an old favorite you know it went well.  

Don’t have the heart to cut back your favorites let us know we’ll tackle your clean up projects.   The service team is regularly trained on proper pruning techniques and we have the right tools for the job.