August 30th, 2010
As a property owner, when you inquire about getting an irrigation system installed, you would be concerned about the detailed dynamics involved in designing irrigation systems.
An Irrigation Association certified design company is required to present to the client an Irrigation Design Plan that includes:
- Site-specific information like site map, landscaped area for each hydrozone, prevailing wind direction during normal period of sprinkler system use, heritage trees and reference to local information regarding location of subsurface utilities
- Identification and location of all irrigation components including points of connection and locations of water meters, station/zone valves, flow sensors, backflow prevention devices, “smart” controllers, and sensors
- Basic hydraulics (pressure losses and calculations) like static water pressure, valve and pipe sizing criteria and recommended system dynamic (working) water pressure
- Station/zone and hydrozone information for each station/zone or hydrozone
- Design of monthly irrigation water budget
- Seasonal (or annual) irrigation water budget
- Monthly and seasonal landscape water allowance
- Monthly irrigation schedule (for each station/zone)
- Source of local historical or current evapo-transpiration data
- Source of local historical or current rain data including sources used such as the National Weather Service, local weather channel, local weather station (state location) and state cooperative extension service
- Recommendation for frequency of irrigation system inspection
- Pumps (if required)
- Component warranty and product literature (provide to owner)
- Recommendations for water conserving devices like rain shut-off device, soil moisture sensors, high-wind shut-off device and automated control system
- Copy of The Irrigation Association’s “Irrigation Consumer Bill of Rights”
If your irrigation design firm does not follow through with this list, find one who does. Contact us at Flora Terra Landscape Management to learn more.
Posted in Landscape Renovation, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
August 24th, 2010
Flora Terra Landscape Management is proud to announce that its owner, Gene Ebertowski, has become officially certified as a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor throughout the USA, and practicing locally here within the San Francisco Bay Area.
Certified landscape irrigation auditors are involved in the quantification of landscape irrigation water use, including the collection of site data, making maintenance recommendations and performing minor repairs, performing field measurements and observations, determining irrigation uniformity and efficiency, developing a basic irrigation schedule, and working with a water manager or property owner to manage overall irrigation water use.
Certification is issued through the Irrigation Association and must demonstrate experience in the field before being eligible. An on-site audit is submitted for review by an Irrigation Association certified auditor, and a comprehensive written test must be passed.
Gene is one of very few Certified Landscape Auditors in the San Jose / San Francisco area. Flora Terra has been a leader in water management and irrigation services, and is an EPA Water Sense Partner and CLCA Certified Water Manager.
For more information, contact Flora Terra Landscape Management at 408-275-1200.
Tags: clia, Company News, landscape auditor, Water Use Reduction
Posted in Company News, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
August 20th, 2010
A well-designed irrigation system needs regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to efficiently and uniformly distribute the water, ensures optimum growth and management of your plants and trees, and help you to conserve water resources.
A comprehensive irrigation system maintenance plan should include:
- Periodic maintenance schedule for inspection
- Periodic review of the system components to verify that the components meet the original design criteria for efficient operation and uniform distribution of water
- Assurance that the replacement hardware used for system repairs matches the existing hardware, and is in accordance with the design
- Ensure that system modifications are in keeping with design specifications and do not cause landscape water demand to exceed the hydraulic capacity of the system
- “Winterization” protocol wherever required and a subsequent process for system activation in the spring
By maintaining your irrigation system’s health, you are ensuring that your landscape will benefit from years of proper watering and feeding cycles.
Posted in Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
August 17th, 2010
Even though common irrigation design and installation guidelines are not difficult to follow, large scale adoption of these best practices is yet to happen here in Northern California. Every year in July through September, the demand for water required for irrigation is at its peak. As a property owner or commercial complex manager, you can do your part to conserve water resources by installing a well designed irrigation system; one that is adapted to the local needs and is economical, practical and sustainable.
Your sustainable irrigation system design plan should:
- Meet all applicable state and local codes including plumbing and electrical codes.
- Specify manufacturer, model, type, and size of all components to eliminate ambiguity at construction and to facilitate management of the system.
- Minimize installation and maintenance difficulties
- Identify a water source that meets peak demands and ensure protection of the water source in accordance with state and local requirements.
- Specify a metering device for commercial and residential installations
- Design the layout of heads and other emission devices for zero overspray across or onto a street, public driveway or sidewalk, parking area, building, fence, or adjoining property
- Use drip/micro-irrigation where appropriate to reduce evaporation losses and surface runoff
- Provide a monthly irrigation water budget
Need help with it? Give us a call at 800-455-0304.
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August 10th, 2010
“Smart” property owners adopt “smart irrigation” methods to counter high water demands during the summer and early fall months in Northern California. A well designed irrigation system that uses advanced irrigation control systems is economical, practical and sustainable.
Here’s how you can benefit from installing advanced irrigation control systems:
- Automatic adjustment of irrigation schedule based upon recent rain events, local weather conditions, and soil moisture within the root zone.
- Reduced water use
- Overall savings in the labor required to monitor and integrate current (real-time or daily) data into irrigation schedule adjustments
- Continuous balance in the changing requirements of the landscape with the changes in the environment
Flora Terra provides expert irrigation control system design and installation services for commercial complexes, medical campuses, business parks, retail and industrial properties, estate properties and home owners’ associations in all areas of San Jose, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Livermore Valley, Walnut Creek, and the Napa region.
Give us a call if you would like to learn more.
Posted in Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
August 3rd, 2010
Water efficiency must be considered from the initial irrigation system design phase through installation to ensure optimal performance. Consistent management and maintenance is also essential. Failure to do so can result in losing more than 50% of irrigation water due to evaporation, wind, poor management, and/or improper system design, installation, or maintenance.
Whether installing a new irrigation system or retrofitting an old one, there are many options to improve water efficiency. Some of the best management practices for smart and efficient design of the irrigation system for maximum performance are:
- Assure overall quality of the irrigation system
- Install the irrigation system to meet the design criteria
- Maintain the irrigation system for optimum performance
- Manage the irrigation system to respond to the changing requirement for water in the landscape
A sensible balance of automation with landscape and irrigation management can result in attractive, water conserving landscapes.
Flora Terra can help you with the design and installation of an irrigation systems that delivers great performance ongoing and helps use water wisely. Contact us online or call us toll free at 800-455-0304 to discuss your irrigation system requirements.
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July 27th, 2010
July is traditionally the month of peak demand for water in North America. Flora Terra and the Irrigation Association have declared July as Smart Irrigation Month (www.smartirrigationmonth.org) to increase public awareness of the value of water-use efficiency and to increase demand for water-saving products, practices and services.
Smart Irrigation Month will help you:
- Learn ways to save on your water bill – and help the environment
- Learn how the latest irrigation technology can make an impact on your world and your budget
- Discover simple things you can do to cut your irrigation costs while keeping your landscape beautiful
- Reduce your utility bill while helping out California
One of the most water-intensive practices and wasteful use is irrigation, since many plants have extraordinary water needs. By creating smart irrigation systems, you will minimize the risk of over-watering your plants, use every drop of water you pay for, as well as make yard maintenance easier and more convenient.
Flora Terra can help you answer questions about the Smart Irrigation Month and eco-friendly irrigation practices. Contact us online or call us toll free at 800-455-0304.
Tags: reduce water usage, smart irrigation
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July 17th, 2010
Invest in the right resources for efficient landscaping and you’ll have a lot to smile about! Attractive landscapes play a significant role in increasing property values. Landscapes that are poorly managed can increase maintenance costs, waste natural resources, and pollute the environment.
Adopt efficient landscaping practices that can improve the health and appearance of your landscape while protecting and preserving natural resources.
- Use compost to keep your plants and soil healthy. Composting helps to keep the high volume of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food scraps out of landfills and turns it into a product useful for soil restoration.
- Use Integrated Pest Management which encourages healthier, disease-resistant plants and reduces the amount of pesticides, fertilizers, and other toxic runoff entering storm drains, polluting creeks, lakes, and rivers.
- Reduce the use of water by adopting water efficient practices like drip irrigation.
- Re-use materials found on site like used bricks, broken concrete, used lumber, boulders and rocks. These can be incorporated into the landscape to give a beautiful natural effect.
- Choose plants that need less water, have few pests, and thrive in the local climate.
By proper utilization of resources and sustainable landscaping practices, professional landscaping companies like Flora Terra can help you create a beautiful landscape that is resource-efficient, sustainable and cost-effective.
Posted in Sustainable Landscaping, Water Use Reduction | No Comments »
July 10th, 2010
As summer approaches and the chances of wildfires increase, many property owners worry about how to protect their structural assets from these fires. One good option is to use fire resistant plants around the house or building while planning your landscape.
Fire resistant plants are plants that don’t readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. Although they can be damaged or even killed by fire, their foliage and stems don’t contribute significantly to the fuel and, therefore, the fire’s intensity.
Fire resistant plants have the following characteristics:
- Leaves are moist and supple.
- Little or no dead wood and tend not to accumulate dry, dead material within the plant.
- Sap is water-like and does not have a strong odor.
A professional landscape company will have recommended plant lists for your specific region. A cross reference of these lists with fire officials will enable you to make a suitable conversion to fire resistant plants.
Most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant. However, if fire-resistant plants are not maintained in a healthy condition, even they can burn.
Maintenance of fire-resistant plants includes regular pruning, removal of dead and dying vegetation and correct spacing between plants. Low-growing plants must be kept within 30 feet of the home. The closer the plants are to the house, the more care that needs to be taken.
Get an experienced landscape maintenance company to look after your property and make sure that you stay safe from wildfires this summer! Include fire resistant plants in your landscape plans.
Posted in Landscape Renovation, Sustainable Landscaping | No Comments »
July 3rd, 2010
Fire preventive landscaping is a frequently neglected area of safety for commercial properties. While other preventive measures like fire hydrants, extinguishers and even fire safety plans are usually in place, not many companies include fire preventive landscaping on their safety checklist.
All areas in California should have some concern about wildfires threatening your property. Property owners are becoing more aware that your landscape can actually be a safeguard and preventive measure against possible disaster.
Improper landscaping can greatly increase the risk of structure and property damage from fire. While planning and designing your fire preventive landscape, property owners should ensure the following:
- Create a secure space around the structure that helps to reduce the intensity of the fire and keep it away from the building
- Use fire-resistant plants in the landscaping that hinders the fuel source of a fire
- Incorporate structural elements in the design around the buildings like walkways, retaining walls and concrete or flagstone decks and patios that deter the spread of fire
- Use of proper irrigation systems to keep critical areas properly watered for reduced risk
The use of these and other safety features designed into your commercial property landscaping can save your property, or give you more time to protect it if a wildfire emerges in your area.
Posted in Landscape Renovation, Sustainable Landscaping | No Comments »
