We see it so often driving down the road; some poor homeowner that’s left for work has their own geyser in their front yard from a broken sprinkler head.  Unfortunately that broken sprinkler head can lead to several problems:  increased water bills, dead grass, weeds, disease and the list can go on!

So before spring rolls around and you get caught with your own national monument, you should have your Irrigation System inspected by a professional.  Make sure they check your:

• Timer box – is it set correctly for the type of sprinklers you have, watering restrictions and the amount of water your landscape needs?
• Zone pressure – is there enough pressure to each zone to ensure water is covering the entire zone? 
• Sprinkler head type – do you have the right sprinkler heads for the type of watering your landscape needs?
• Rain sensor – is your rain sensor working properly?  Do you have one installed?
• Zone coverage – are your sprinklers covering the entire zone?  Are they misdirected? Do you need risers installed?

Don’t stop there though!  Irrigation systems require ongoing maintenance and should be maintained and monitored more than once a year (our Irrigation Maintenance Program is quarterly).

Leave Old Faithful where she lies!

This week much of the Southeast is expected to experience freezing temperatures, which can cause severe damage to lawns, trees and shrubs.  Here are a few tips to take when a freeze is in the forecast:

• Irrigate before a frost or freeze to ensure there is proper moisture in the soil root zone, however make sure irrigation is stopped early enough to allow time for leaves to dry to avoid ice forming on them.
• Cover cold-sensitive plants with blankets or boxes, but not plastic.  Be sure to remove the covering as soon as the temperatures begin to warm up.
• Do not mow turf that is frozen, and keep the lawn mowed high.  This can reduce cold injury in two ways.  First, it will promote a deeper root system that will provide greater stress tolerance.  Second, it will create a warmer micro-environment within the lawn.
• Avoid foot traffic and vehicular traffic on frozen turf, as it can increase damage.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or visit our freeze information page!

Just this week it was announced in West Palm Beach that because of drought conditions, they were ordering one day watering restrictions.

These restrictions are important because they protect our water supply. However, even with proper nutrition and fertilization, these restrictions in combination with the heat and drought can affect the appearance of your lawn.

Here are a few expert tips you can follow to ensure that when you are watering your lawn, you are watering it effectively:

• Inspect all zones to ensure you have proper coverage
• Water with the right amount of water (3/4 to 1″ per zone is generally sufficient)
• Check your timer to make sure each zone is operating effectively

Check out our video to learn more about proper coverage for your zones!

Early this year, we experienced some of the coldest temperatures in decades, which resulted in severe damage to lawns, trees and shrubs. As we are expecting freezing temperatures in many areas this week, below are some tips on how you can care for your lawn and shrubs. Though freezing temperatures can result in unpreventable, sometimes permanent damage to landscapes, following these tips will help minimize the damage. 

Freeze-damaged shrub

• Irrigate before the frost or freeze to ensure there is proper moisture in the soil root zone, however, make sure irrigation is stopped early enough to allow time for leaves to dry in order to avoid ice forming on them. Please Note:  Do not irrigate during a freeze. This practice is beneficial in nurseries and citrus groves only because they are equipped to water non-stop until the ice is melted.  If not done properly, this practice can prolong the amount of time that plants are subjected to the harsh, cold temperatures.
•  Cover cold-sensitive plants with blankets or boxes but NOT plastic. Be sure to remove the covering as soon as the temperatures begin to warm up.
• Do not mow turf that is frozen, and keep the lawn mowed high. This can reduce cold injury in a number of ways. First, it will promote a deeper root system, which will provide greater stress tolerance. In addition, higher mowing heights can create a warmer micro-environment due to the extra canopy cover provided by the longer leaf tissue.
• Avoid foot traffic or vehicular traffic on frozen turf as this can increase damage.

Click here for more information and additional tips

There is a Freeze Warning tonight through Friday in Central and Northern Florida. The current forecast is predicting overnight freezing temperatures for extended hours which will likely result in some amount of damage or death to lawns and landscape plants. Here are some tips that will help minimize the harmful effects of low temperatures:

• Run your irrigation system for 15 minutes per zone for rotor heads and 5 minutes per zone for spray heads tonight and again in the morning once temperatures rise above freezing.
• Cover your cold-sensitive shrubs and ornamentals (see list below) with sheets or blankets, but not plastic.
• Don’t mow or walk across your lawn if it is frozen or if there is frost present.

If you have any questions, whether you’re a Massey Customer or not, please call us at 1-888-2MASSEY (262-7739).

Most Common Cold-sensitive plants*:

• Gold Mount Duranta
• Queen Sago
• Australian Tree Fern
• Palm trees
• Bird of Paradise
• Variegated Schefflera
• Cardboard Palms
• Hibiscus
• Tibouchina
• Firebush
• Plumbago
• Cardinal Plant
• Roebellini Palm
• Bougainvillea
• Staghorn Fern
• Fire Spike
• Lantana
• Croton
• Ixora
• Allamanda
• Philodendron
• Mandevilla
• Heather
• Oleander
• Butterfly bush

*This is just a list of the most common plants. If you have plants not on this list that are fruit bearing or annuals, it is recommended you cover them.

Proper mowing and watering dramatically impact the health of your lawn. The following tips will help ensure your lawn looks its best:

• Mow frequently. Don’t remove more than 1/3rd  of the leaf blade height in any single mowing. Mow at least once per week during the growing season.
• Mow high. During the heat of the summer, you should mow your lawn at the highest recommended cutting height to help grass retain water.
• Water deeply and infrequently.  Our Florida sands dry out quickly so set your sprinkler system to run twice per week to deliver ¾ inch of water per zone.  Clay soils may not need to be watered as frequently. Check your local extension service for recommendations or contact us fora free inspection.

Look for signs indicating your lawn is too dry:

• A dull bluish-gray coloring to your grass
• Foot tracks that seem to remain in the grass
• Leaf blades that are folded in half or wilted.

The key to a healthy landscape during dry periods is a balance of proper irrigation and proper maintenance. Either too little or too much irrigation can lead to an increase in weed, pest and diseases. For help keeping your landscape healthy and green all year long, contact Massey ServicesGreenUP for a free, detailed inspection.

Despite drought conditions, one of the more common problems homeowners have is over-watering their landscape. Usually, causes are related to improper irrigation, such as incorrect or broken heads, clogged lines and improperly timed zones. Over-watering causes a multitude of problems, from encouraging the growth of certain weeds, like dollarweed, to the development of fungal problems to the run-off of valuable top soil.

Over-watering also contributes to the mounting water shortage.  There are several state,county and city government agencies that have placed strict regulations on watering.  Please be sure to check with your local water management district to determine if there are any restrictions in your area or you could be facing fines and add to the increasing shortage.

Having your sprinkler system optimized and regularly maintained will ensure that your landscape gets the right amount of water it needs and that we’re all doing the best we can to conserve our water. Contact Massey GreenUP for your free irrigation inspection. We can fix any problems, plus provide regular expert maintenance.