Be Prepared - Prepping for a Spring Garden in Denver

Be Prepared - Prepping for a Spring Garden in Denver

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Already most of your landscape is exposed since the majority of Denver’s snow has melted. Soon plants will start budding with new foliage and flowers. The lawn will need the first cutting, trimming and edging to make things look sharp. The lawn sprinkler system will need activated and all sprinklers repaired to start the growing season off right. Plan now in order to be prepared for Denver’s upcoming lawn mowing and garden maintenance season.


The twigs from shrubs protruding are looking bleak among the mulch and trees. The bare ground where your lush garden stood last year is still active and growing in your Denver garden. These apparently baron sticks will bring forth leaves and early spring flowers. Fruit trees will present their beautiful and fragrant blossoms. It is important to tend to these plants in the correct season to add consistent splendor to your Colorado garden.




Whether you live in Englewood, Golden, Lonetree, Greenwood Village or in the heart of Denver your lawn will need to be trimmed multiple times in April. This prevents shock and stress to the turf grass which occurs when you take off more than 1/3 of the grass’s leaf blade. Usually in the Denver metro area, a Denver lawn mowing contract would be from the beginning of April and last through the end October. During the first month and the last month of the lawn mowing season, April and October, the grass is usually only mowed twice due to the turf areas growing more slowly at these times. Irrigation systems for your lawn and garden might affect how quickly your grass grows.



A properly functioning lawn sprinkler system is essential in Denver. With our weather patterns always changing ,we never know when the next rainfall will occur. Your Denver lawn sprinkler system repair’s need to occur when the irrigation system is started up. All sprinkler zones need to be ran through and adjusted on a regular basis, weekly after mowing is best, through out the season while actively irrigating your residential or commercial landscape. Having your system tuned up by a qualified sprinkler repair technician is an important way to help prevent water waste from irrigating your lawn and garden.



A wise person prepares for and takes stock of what needs to be done. If you need some assistance, A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC provides full gardening & flower maintenance, lawn mowing contracts and sprinkler repair services. Call on us, (303) 433-3750, if you need help this year. Not only will your plants be healthier and happier, you will have A Better Garden.

Supplemental Water in a Colorado Landscape- Do I Need a Lawn and Garden Sprinkler System in Denver?

Supplemental Water in a Colorado Landscape- Do I Need a Lawn and Garden Sprinkler System in Denver?

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Colorado has a semi-arid, or a high plains desert, climate which needs supplemental water at times. Rainfall is inconsistent and sometimes sparse throughout Denver’s growing season. Automatic lawn and garden sprinkler systems are the best way to properly water the landscape at your Denver home or business. Just remember, most cities require contractors to pull permits and to be licensed & insured. It is important to make sure things are done correctly to prevent problems in the future.


Plants need supplemental irrigation to survive the high light intensity produced at the higher elevation of the Denver front range. The sun at our altitude can place more stress on plants at a much quicker rate. The rainfall varies from year to year. At times there is nothing but afternoon thundershowers which drench our lawns, gardens and Denver streets. Yet there is weeks of endless Colorado sunshine with high temperatures which cause drought conditions. These times make our parched plants scream for water to survive. During these periods of drought, water must be applied to prevent stress and provide healthy growth.


The best way to supplement water is with a system which efficiently provides it to the plant. It is important to ensure that the system is installed properly to achieve water wise management of the turf and garden areas. If a Denver lawn sprinkler system is not installed in a manner to irrigate similar areas with the same style of sprinkler head, or areas are not split to be ran by themselves, you will have water wasted in your landscape. Drip systems should be used whenever possible as the provide the water to the root of the plants, which deters a lot of foliage disease. Annual flowers for spring and summer color should be on a zone to allow them to be watered individually throughout the heat of the day. Make sure you hire a professional, with water wise experience, to design and install your Denver lawn sprinkler system.


At A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC we specialize in lawn sprinkler systems and garden drip irrigation systems. We provide lawn and garden sprinkler system renovations, design/build sprinkler systems based on pressure and available water, provide spring start-ups and sprinkler activation, install & service backflow devices, and also service the Denver metro area with a sprinkler repair technician & parts service. If your lawn is getting parched, needs a new sprinkler system or if you need to renovate your existing system to make it more water-wise we are here for you. Call us (303) 433-3750 to setup an appointment. Make sure you and your contractor understand the unique needs of your Denver lawn and garden landscape in order to have A Better Garden.

Sodding in the Rockies - Sod & New Lawn Sprinkler System installed in Denver in the month of November.

Sodding in the Rockies - Sod & New Lawn Sprinkler System installed in Denver in the month of November.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Most people would be shocked to know that lawns & gardens gets installed in the winter. Landscape Construction can always be performed with the right equipment and the right conditions. The cool temperatures allow plants to support with ease and transport energy into the roots over the fall and winter. This newly installed sod and perennials needs to be watered over the winter. They are still actively growing and can suffer stress from lack of water. A lack of water over the winter from limited snow and rainfall which is not supplemented can cause dessication and dieback of the plant. Deep watering allows roots to grow deep limiting potential drought stress.

This yard below was requested to have a complete landscape and garden overhaul.

The garden along the Denver house had volunteers close to the foundation. The massive cottonwood in the center of the landscape had suckers all over the base and lower trunk. Landscape fabric was showing and plants needed cut back to their basal growth. The mixture of weeds and various grasses needed removed along with amending the soil with 5 cubic yards of composted dairy manure for every 1000 square feet of area.

The whole area was roto-tilled and lines were trenched in for the Rainbird lawn sprinkler system to be installed.

This quaint Denver home had an automatic three (3) zone RainBird Lawn Sprinkler System professionally installed. The lowest points of each zone had a Seal-A-Matic Rainbird 3504 Rotor installed to prevent water waste. The zones were nozzle to match precipitation rates. An outdoor controller was utilized to reduce the hassle of going inside for the lawn sprinkler system running outdoors. The inside tap and backflow prevention device requires a permit issued from the city and county of Denver. (These permits should be hung from your front window in plain sight). And a FebCo ¾” 765 was installed as required by Denver code.

The final touches of sod, perennials, and mulch were placed and the sprinkler system activated on November 7, 2009 as shown above.

Anytime is a good time to plant in the Denver Metro area, but Fall and Winter is a great time to plant. Give us a call today to setup a free estimate for your lawn sprinkler system, sod installation or shrub & perennial installation.

(303) 433-3750.

Freeze Alert Denver Front Range - Local Weather Centers Issue a Freeze Warning for Saturday October 10, 2009

Freeze Alert Denver Front Range - Local Weather Centers Issue a Freeze Warning for Saturday October 10, 2009

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Professionally having a lawn sprinkler winterization or lawn sprinkler blowout performed reduces the risk of damage to your Denver Lawn Irrigation System.



Denver’s Weather forecasters have predicted a rain/snow mix on Saturday into the night. Low temperatures are expected to reach mid to high twenties (25-28 Degrees Fahrenheit) everywhere across the Denver Metro Area from Golden through Greenwood Village all the way down to Lonetree, Colorado. Across the Denver Metro Area we have already experienced a light frost roughly a week ago. This frost expected Saturday would be a harder freeze which would be more damaging to Backflow Prevention Devices (BP). There are several ways to delay and hopefully avoid the onset of freeze damage to a Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) or Reduced Pressure Assembly (RPA).


Allowing an irrigation system to continue watering the turf and garden areas requires the Backflow Prevention Device to be wrapped in Insulation. The Reduced Pressure Assembly (RPA) or Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) is wrapped in Encapsulated Insulation and secured with Duct tape. Black Trash Bags are used to protect the insulation from water. The bags must also be secured by Duct Tape. Denver Area Commercial properties usually have the irrigation system running until the end of October and sometimes later. This is usually based on how low temperatures fall in Littleton, Englewood, Golden, Denver or the rest of the Denver Metro Area.



The most common method to avoid damage under short notice is to drain the Backflow Prevention Device. This only allows for expansion of the water through opening such as the Test Cocks. Backflow Prevention Devices (BP) should have the water to the irrigation system turned off. All Test Cocks/ Pet Cocks must be opened and left to a forty-five degree angle. Turning ball valves to a forty-five degree angle will also help reduce possible damage. Some Backflow Prevention Devices (BP) sometimes have a brass drain elbow or a brass drain coupler installed to help drain the pipe completely. It also has an added value of allowing water to drain over the winter if you have a defective Gate Valve.


Defective Gate Valves often are the true culprit of damage to Backflow Prevention Devices after they have been professionally winterized. The reason is because, Gate Valves contain a rubber gasket which over little time wears through or disentegrates and prevents seating of the valve. When the valve does not seat, water slowly and continuously leaks through your main shut-off to your Greenwood Village or Arvada lawn sprinkler system Backflow Prevention Device (BP). Defective Gate valves can be replaced with a ball valve by a company, such as A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC, which is licensed for Inside Tap and Backflow Devices.


If anyone would like to get a Denver Metro Commercial or Residential Property’s irrigation system winterized , please pay attention to the listing of the areas we will service dependent on the day. We still have openings on Mondays and Thursdays for the South Denver Metro area (Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, etc.) and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the North Denver area (Denver, Arvada, Thorton, Highlands Golden, Morrision, etc.) till the end of October.



As an added incentive, every customer you refer to us for sprinkler winterization you receive $5.00 off your own bill. Sign up as a friend or fan on Facebook, MySpace or Twitter and receive $5.00 off of your sprinkler winterization bill as well. Get four or more of your neighbors in a four block radius together and sign up for our group rate. Call (303)-433-3750 or contact us at our website at www.abtrgarden.com to schedule your sprinkler winterization scheduled today.

Seasonal tip from ALCC- How to get your sprinkler system ready for winter.

Seasonal tip from ALCC- How to get your sprinkler system ready for winter.

A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Winterizing most sprinkler systems is in the $100 range or less and goes a long way in helping you avoid costly water damage and repairs. Repairs caused when your sprinkler system freezes can be many times that amount. Plus, depending on what freezes, you may be looking at water damage to your property.


So when you think about putting your landscape to bed for the winter, the sprinkler system needs to be high on your priority list. Each year, many Colorado homeowners have serious water damage when the sprinkler system left in summer-mode freezes in November or December. This headache is followed by expensive repairs to the sprinkler system itself that could have been avoided by taking some precautions.


Instructions for getting your sprinkler system ready for winter


Wrap the backflow prevention (BFP) device located outside to keep it from freezing before your system is fully winterized. If temperatures get into the freezing range, wrap the BFP with and old towel, cover it with a plastic trash bag and tape it in place. This keeps the device dry and helps to prevent freeze damage prior to the winterization.


Shut off the water to the sprinkler system. There's usually a shut-off valve inside the house in the basement.


Drain the system using the valve that's inside your house - usually in the basement.
Look at the valve shut-off and know what kind of valve you have:


Ball valve. This type of valve is more reliable in terms of freeze damage.


Gate valve. This valve is very common in Colorado and can often be defective even when the valve looks like it's turned off. When the small washer inside wears out, water will slowly drip and accumulate to the point where if there is a freeze, the part can burst and lead to serious water damage. Have an expert check out this valve.


Draining the system is not enough. Some people think that draining their sprinkler system is all they need to do. But even when you drain the system, water often stays in the pipes and even in the sprinkler heads. When that water freezes, much of your sprinkler system can end up damaged and needing expensive repairs. That's why it's best to play it safe and get your sprinkler system winterized before freezing-cold weather sets in.


Use the right size air compressor. Winterizing is done with an air compressor-and because of the equipment, usually requires the help of a landscape contractor. Many homeowners have small-sized compressors in their garages (for paint guns, nail guns, and so forth), but generally, these compressors don't have the capacity to create the volume of air required to push the water out of a sprinkler system.


Technically speaking, the rating of pounds per square inch (psi) does not determine the compressor size you need (common misconception). What you really need to determine if a compressor is strong enough to be effective is the measurement of cubic feet per minute (cfm) which is a measure not of pressure-but of volume.


To be adequate on a residential property, a compressor needs to be in the range of 100-500 cfm. The psi should be no more than 80 psi or the heat generated could melt the fittings. Before you let you neighbor offer you the good-buddy special to winterize your sprinkler system, check out the size of the compressor because a small compressor may not be up to the task.


Once you have the right size compressor, the final step is to hook it up to the sprinkler system. The compressor will be used zone-by-zone to push air from the compressor into the sprinkler lines which will in turn push water out of the pipes and out of the sprinkler heads. Getting all the water out takes 1 to 3 minutes per zone. This is the best way to make sure your sprinkler system has no water in it that can freeze, create damage and lead to costly repairs.



This article is republished off the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado ( http://www.alcc.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:seasonal-tips&catid=9:resources&Itemid=58)

Fall is great for New Sod - The time to install sod, shrubs and seed is now.

Fall is great for New Sod - The time to install sod, shrubs and seed is now.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

The summer is winding down and fall is on its way, yet now is a perfect time to think about next year. In the fall you should take time to make sure your contract for lawn, sprinkler and garden maintenance is in order, get new shrubs installed, get a lawn sprinkler system installed and even get a new sod lawn installed. Any and all of these items are great things to have performed in the Fall. The thing to remember, any plants installed in the fall must be hand watered throughout the winter months. During Denver's fall and winter months, plants are still active and need water.



Plants being active during the winter in Colorado is actually a good thing. During the fall in Denver, the above ground temperature drops dramatically while the soil temperature is buffered. The protected soil still has the trapped energy of summer to allow roots of plants to continue to grow during the winter and spring. In winter wheat, the process of roots growing laterally is known as tillering. Colorado farmers plant wheat plants in the fall to allow better establishment of the "stand," by tillers, for the next seasons crop. This is great since the newly installed sod is looking to establish roots. By planting in fall, you reduce the immediate heat stress conditions and encourage good rooting of the freshly laid lawn in Golden, Littleton, Arvada or Greenwood Village. Whichever city you live in, it is a good time to plant in the Denver Metro Area.


Yes, the hose needs to be dragged, a water trailer utilized, the irrigation system reactivated to water your new or established plants. The alternative option is to pay someone to perform the services above, which are offered by A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC., over the winter months for your newly installed plants & established plants. Anytime the winter temperatures are above 40 degrees farenheit with no snow on the ground, it is recommended to water all plant material(sod, perennials, shrubs, sod & turf areas). It is recommended to deeply water to allow deeper penetration and deeper establishment of roots.


There is something more important to root establishment in newly planted areas then just watering. The ability for the roots to grow though the soil and the ability of the soil to hold water is important as well. This is increased by ammendment of the soil by adding composted manure and rototilling. Various cities require a different number of yards of composted manure per thousand square feet. I recommend and install approximately five (5) cubic yards composted manure per thousand square feet. This is done prior to grading the areas which will have sod installed. It is important to make sure the grading is done correctly(away from the house, proper drainage, etc.) and is smooth without rocks or large chunks/clods of dirt. When installing sod, it should be layered with the second row of sod being a half piece off laterally to prevent gaps and the help prevent the sod from rolling.



Watering is the best way to prevent gaps and rolling of the newly installed sod. The soil below the sod needs to be saturated to not shock the sod. As soon as the sod has been installed the areas should be watered and then placed on a regular schedule to water the sod at least three to four times a day for the first three to four weeks. After that point the regular irrigation schedule should suffice but should not be depended upon. If the plants look stressed, water should be applied.
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If there are any questions or if you would like to get an estimate for sod, sprinklers, or maintenance give me a call (303) 433 - 3750 or send an email to abettergarden@abtrgarden.com .

Sodding and Seeding - Fall is a great time to install sod or seed in Colorado.

Sodding and Seeding - Fall is a great time to install sod or seed in Colorado.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

I've gotten many calls asking whether it is a good time to install sod in the Denver area. Its not just a good time, but a great time to get a new lawn installed. In the fall the ground below the sod remains warm, yet the air above is cold. This causes the sod to root more effectively. The same is true with seed and most all other plants. As long as they receive supplemental water to establish, both immediately and over the winter, these newly installed plants will thrive.


In any situation our Colorado soil needs to be ammended. This is where the soil has composted manure incorporated into its structure to make it better. Organic Matter plays a huge factor by increasing the water holding capacity of the soil. Many micro and macro nutrients are introduced to the soil as well.


Also remember a lawn sprinkler system is a needed item in a Denver landscape. Since our Denver weather patterns are unpredictable and never consistent, we need to supplementally water our lawns and gardens. Here at A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC we can install whatever landscape you need to fit your budget and needs.


Call us today (303) 433 - 3750 to set up an appointment to get an estimate. We service both residential and commmercial properties across Arvada, Denver, Golden, Wheatridge, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Cherry Creek, Cherry Hills Village, Lonetree, Highlands Ranch, Ken Caryl, Centennial, Englewood, and Littleton.

Rain Smart Technology - Update your controller and have options.

Technology - Update your controller and have options.

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

It is amazing to see the progression of the green industry in Colorado. Ten years ago we had just started installing user friendly controllers with rain sensor shutoffs for lawn sprinkler systems. In 2009 we now have irrigation controllers which can have soil moisture sensors, internet connections to your own computer and even soil salt content sensors. We even have controllers based off evapotranspiration (ET Controllers) specific to the immediate area based on a variety of factors and soil conditions.





Whether you just need a basic controller to turn on your denver lawn sprinkler or want a complete computer based irrigation system for Greenwood Village estate, we can help. A Better Garden is here to provide any sprinkler repair service and renovation across the Denver Metro Area. Here at a Better Garden we also provide basic maintenance in dealing with sprinkler shut offs / sprinkler blowouts /sprinkler winterizations and other irrigation repairs.

Sprinkler Controllers - Modern Technology and Rain Sensors

Sprinkler Controllers - Modern Technology and Rain Sensors

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Turning off the lawn sprinkler system during a rain storm, it may seem like a small thing but it saves a lot of water and money. It is a hard thing to remember to do as a Golden homeowner. It is impossible to keep up with Colorado weather, knowing if it will rain at one of your commercial properties. In either situation it is best to allow technology to be utilized.



Most modern irrigation controllers are equipped with a rainsensor bypass option. This allows the circuit to be interupted within the Automatic Sprinkler Controller which shuts off the cycle once the the preset amount of water has fallen (usually 1/2"). This prevents irrigation of an already saturated Denver Garden or lawn. In turn saving you money from literally going down the storm drain. Call today to get a rain sensor installed on your lawn and garden sprinkler system's controller.



If your current irrigation controller does not support a rainsensor A Better Garden's staff will be happy to quote you a price to have a modern and customer friendly controller for you. This price will be quoted over the phone and will be assuming the contol wire and/or electricity is accessible and no additional materials are needed. Installation include the controller, pigtail(outdoor only), mounting material, labor to mount and program the controller. Additional wire or other materials and labor caused by this will be charged as extra. We provide free estimates on new lawn and garden sprinkler systems only. Contact us today to see how we can best suit your sprinkler needs in pursuit of A Better Garden.

Installing a Lawn Sprinkler System - Always choose a qualified contractor

Installing a Lawn Sprinkler System - Always choose a qualified contractor

By:Jonathan Manning, CLT
A Better Garden Maintenance, LLC
Denver, CO

Delivering water to a garden or lawn turf area seems like it would be a simple matter. Yet the installation and maintenance of a lawn sprinkler system requires a license and permit in some municipalities. The water which is supplied to the lawn being mown is connected to a public drinking water supply. This supply is mandated to be protected by city and state regulations. Water drop due to a connection by firemen to a local fire hydrant would cause a backflow of water to the system main line and potential health problems without the regulations. Besides the safety issues, there are items to be addressed for your personal residence to ensure you have a proper & effective lawn sprinkler system.



Sprinkler system designs are based on available water. Both pressure and volume influence the requirements of a lawn sprinkler sysem. Most municipalities require a backflow prevention device. Sprinkler heads are utilized depending on space and design requirements. Minimal systems can be installed at cheaper rates, yet a system should be installed to meet the specifications of the area being irrigated. To remain fully pressurized and functional, each zone should not exceed the maximum amount of water at a given pressure which is available at you point of connection.



Residential systems are usually installed by mean of an indoor tap off the main water supply. The tap off the water supply is usually isolated by use of an indoor ball valve which has a drain towards the backflow device. Gate valves are no longer used as they have a tendency to leak as the rubber gasket deteriorates over time. Ball valves are useful to shutoff the sprinkler system during the cold Colorado months. These valves feed into a backflow prevention device (usually RPA or PVB) which protects families and municipalities from contamination of pesticides and other chemicals in the lawn & garden.



Some systems require the use of a stop-n-waste valve connected between your water meter and the connection of your house. This can be beneficial if it allows a higher pressure or larger volume of water to be allotted to your lawn sprinkler system. The backflow prevention device must be utilized after the stop-n-waste valve as it is a point source for contamination.



All lawn sprinkler systems contain a mainline or in most residential situations a manifold. This is the water line which is constantly under pressure to supply the lawn sprinkler sytem. Zones, or isolated areas to be watered are supplied off this via an electric control valve. Each valve is controlled by an irrigation controller which can be installed indoors, in the garage, in a shed or outside if the component is manufactured for such use. The standard is that a similar grouping of sprinkler heads are included on a single zone.



Most zones are planned for a residential lawn sprinkler system to have a water flow of 10-12 gpm at an acceptable pressure. This allows for approximately 3-5 rotar pop-up heads and 4-7 stationary pop-up heads. The number of drip emitters availble are calculated by the total gallons per hour divided by the gallons per hour of the drip emitter being utilized. With drip systems the key is to realize what type of drip you are using (spray or emitters) and separate them. Also it is important to keep the annuals on a separate system as they usually require more water.



Remember a quality system shouldnt need replaced for at least 15 years. They will need to be maintained. This should include a yearly spring start up, periodic adjustment (heads, controller, etc), sprinkler repair as necessary, and in Colorado a winter shutdown. Contact us today if you wish to get an estimate to have a new lawn sprinkler system installed or if you need a qualified technician to service youre existing system.