Can you guess what these three phrases have in common?
- Lush, green and healthy.
- Sympathetic to Florida's unique climate.
- Considerate of important environmental concerns and challenges.
If you do happen to be on a board you’ll also know that all the above factor into the need to meet expectations your residents have for a lush, green landscape - while balancing those desires with protecting the environment, conserving water, being mindful of the climate and being cost-efficient. It's a huge remit!
If like some, you’re dealing with an irrigation system that’s old and somewhat ineffective, some big decisions might be required. However, don’t lose heart; it could still be worth making smaller improvements in the meantime - while those bigger discussions around whether to repair or replace your pump station, for example, are taking place.
All it takes is the power of a team – experts in their own areas but working together to achieve a common goal – with you taking the lead. Sounds tough, but it can be done – without you or your residents having to become pro gardeners!
So, here are our top tips for working with your irrigation partners and helping your community's landscape flourish!
Your Landscaping Partners
Solid foundations
Start by helping them get to know your site. If you already have a chosen partner, take time out every few months to walk around and discuss what’s going on - you’ll always find something worthy of discussion and even some things that need re-evaluating. Is your site a sun-trap or set in the shade? Is an area that was always in the shade, now too dark for even the most shade-loving plants? Do you have very wet or very dry spots? Your landscaper will recommend the right choice of plant types and positions. Think long-term – look into pest-resistant plants and do consider their expected size at maturity. They won’t be seedlings forever!
Consider Hydro-zoning
Effective irrigation (more about that later) can reduce water bills, satisfy Florida’s water ordinances and ensure a luscious lawn. So, ask your contractor about ‘hydro-zoning’. Is your landscape set up for a hydro-zoning concept so you can successfully irrigate different areas according to their specific needs? If you have a water-conscious landscape paired with a great water delivery system, you’ll enjoy best-in-class irrigation.
Protect your water
If your site hugs a lake, pond or stream, it needs to be taken into account. Your landscaper will make expert recommendations – for example, establishing a wide border that can remain free of mowing, fertilization and irrigation - along the shoreline or using easy-to-care-for plants as a buffer, for example.
Your Irrigation Partners
Take control of your irrigation!
Over-watering or under-watering are two of the most common problems arising from a lack of control over irrigation - both how much, and how often, irrigation takes place. This causes many problems - not least of which are a reduction in the lifespan and health of plants and turf, as well as curb appeal. Thanks to the application of smart irrigation and the expertise that a good irrigation company can provide, watering schedules and quantities can be determined by the data. Real-time local weather information, soil type and sprinkler application rate can all play their part in managing your irrigation more effectively. The result? An eco-friendly, climate-considerate landscape your residents will love.
Make irrigation impactful
If your sprinklers are watering sidewalks or roads, something’s wrong and action needs to be taken. Are areas that used to be well-watered now looking dry and impoverished? Perhaps there’s a leak somewhere along the line. Equally damaging and wasteful, perhaps you’re seeing areas that are sodden underfoot and getting way too much water. Finding out why things are not working as they should is vital and you need help figuring that out. If your irrigation partner isn’t being proactive, seek out an experienced company that comes highly recommended. Have a look at some of the work they’ve done. Talk with your other HOA peers about who delivers on what they promise and start a conversation.
Your Landscape Manager
Understand exactly what your irrigation system should deliver.
Make sure your landscape manager knows how to use your irrigation equipment to keep your community looking its best. If you’re about to invest in a smart irrigation system, for example, make sure it has an easy-to-use interface, simple design and that ongoing support and training is offered.
Our Florida summer showers provide lots of water but, actually, it can be too much for the soil to absorb and in addition, our climate and rainfall patterns are changing. This means that irrigation is not a wholly seasonal task - it can be just as essential after a storm. Irrigation has to be managed - ask how your landscape manager is going to accomplish this. If you’re told someone will come round every 30 days and turn on the sprinklers to make sure they’re spraying you probably need a better answer. Going back to our point about smart irrigation, you’ll get 24/7 visibility on what’s happening and what needs attention - make sure your landscape manager knows how to use the tools and that you understand what those tools should deliver.
Maximize nutrition
Organic or synthetic fertilizers are a sure-fire way to give green areas the best chance of flourishing. A good landscape manager will explore what the site and its plants need; won’t over-fertilize and will read the instructions! Long-term, they can add nutrients by recycling the waste produced on-site. Bear in mind however that a healthy root system is vital if any nutrients provided by fertilizers are going to have an impact. If there is no healthy root zone, all the fertilizer in the world won’t make a difference for the better.
Be clever with problem areas
Unsure how to deal with a steep slope or a dark spot where grass won’t grow? Suggest letting fallen leaves evolve into self-mulching areas or create man-made mulch from bark or eucalyptus. The result is attractive planting areas and healthy soil.
Your Residents
Make it invite-only
Suggest homeowners invite friendly visitors into their yard with a bird feeder or table. Encouraging birds will help control some garden pests. And when it comes to yard pests, the earlier they find them, the better! Carrying out regular spot checks really helps to uncover and remove anything nasty before it takes hold. When it comes to pesticides, let your community know these are not always essential (healthy plants are more tolerant than you may think!) and honestly, pesticides are rarely environmentally friendly, despite the marketing hype.
Ease the runoff threat
Unabsorbed rainwater can travel out of the yard and into waterways where it becomes toxic. This ‘stormwater runoff’ is bad news for water quality and conservation. Could those in your community use rain barrels? They will collect and store runoff, saving water for a dry spell! You may want to discuss longer-term options with your landscaper – creating absorbent walkways, patios and driveways (think mulch, bricks, flagstone or gravel) for example.
