Last Updated on August 29, 2023 by ILGM Ninjas
I have made an observation over the last decade and it is becoming more the norm and it will impact how you approach your landscape. We are seeing a shift in the seasons that are having a negative effect on how we manage our landscapes, let me explain. In the years 2015, 2019 and 2021 we noticed a phenomena. The amount of the precipitation in the spring increased and the temperature stayed cool if not frigid. On the other end of the season we have noticed the Falls getting warmer and drier. This is causing a problem and you are paying for it, sometimes dearly. What I am speaking of is stress, not so much caused by the weather but by the timing inconsistency that is created in between the weather and your irrigation system. Here is the dilemma. If you have read one of my earlier posts you will know that September is the month in which the state of the next year is determined. Here is why. When plants experience a hard freeze they begin to go into dormancy. The stress that they incur at this time is crucial as it must be lessened or eliminated. If the irrigation system is turned off this stress is amplified and drives most of the repair, playing catch up and general aggravation the following spring. This is the elephant in the room that no one is talking about. We want to do away with this. In essence we want to help people transition into a system where we can facilitate an escape from this in two steps, the first one that will help people water in the what we call “the big 12 weeks”, the two period of six weeks before and after the time in which we normally turn irrigation systems off and when when normally turn them on in the spring. The second step is transitioning from step 1 to an irrigation system that is autonomous, that will completely eliminate the need for winterization, thus eliminating a huge amount of stress and creating more continuity and consistency in the landscape and can also help to automate the soil and fertilization needs creating a system that is eliminating work rather than creating it for you. We call these systems the Weather Bender and The Never Winter system. We feel that this will revolutionize the landscape experience and make your life a whole lot easier.