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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Lawn Care Questions
Is fertilizer important?
Lawns require fertilizer to maintain health and vigor. A well fertilized lawn, a Pudenz Irrigation lawn, will be better at preventing weed infestation as well as drought and disease. Pudenz Irrigation lawns are thick and healthy to help the environment by producing oxygen, filtering and enhancing ground water quality, cooling the air during hot weather, trapping and absorbing urban dust and pollution, and providing a safer playing surface.
When Should I cut the grass?
Your lawn should be mowed regularly at their proper heights. This means that your lawn may require mowing more than once a week during peak growth and only once every two weeks during periods of slow growth. Since the root system of a grass plant grows proportionately to the above ground parts of the plant, a longer cutting height (2.3 to 3 inches) results in a stronger, deeper root system.
How long do I need to stay off the lawn after Pudenz Irrigation visits?
You need to respect anything applied to your lawn. Obviously, you want to be aware of when an application is made to your lawn, and that's one reason why we post signs in your yard when we apply. You should then wait at least until the application dries before going on the grass or letting the pets out, and that can be 15 minutes or a day. It's important that you know that these products have all been carefully screened and are regulated by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency. On top of that, we as lawn care professionals have a broad range of products to choose from, and at Pudenz Irrigation we focus on selecting the ones that are safest for our applicators.
Why do you apply 4 applications instead of everyone else's five?
Lawns need continual feeding. Pudenz Irrigation applications are mixed to provide gradual release of the fertilizer. This allows your lawn to get food longer with less applications. What also means your lawn may not turn green the day after our applications, instead your lawn will green up gradually as the fertilizer releases.
In addition to Pudenz Irrigation fertilizer and weed control, what can I do to make my lawn healthier?
Proper watering and mowing are the two biggest issues to be aware of. You need to mow at least once a week during growth periods. When mowing, sharp mower blades are important because rusty or dull blades rip the grass instead of cutting it, providing opportunity for problems like disease to infest the lawn. As for irrigation, you don't want to over water because that will set the grass up for disease problems. At the same time, underwatering stresses the turf and creates opportunities for weeds to grow. Also, make sure the sprinkler system covers the lawn well and irrigates deeply to encourage deep root growth and makes the turf less susceptible to drought. Lastly, as your landscape develops, keep an eye on trees and shrubs and make sure they remain properly pruned or thinned to allow sufficient light to reach the lawn.
Just because a front yard and backyard are on the same property, there's no guarantee they will have the same problems. And there can be any number of reasons for this. Perhaps the airflow isn't as good in the backyard because there is a fence and a more significant landscape there. Maybe the grass in the front yard is different than what's in the backyard, or the soils might even be different on various sides of the house. Any of these differences could lead to problems in one area but not the other.
Should I remove grass clippings?
Grass clippings should be left on the lawn when mowing. "Grass-cycling" is natural and an environmentally beneficial practice. Grass clippings are about 90 percent water by weight. Because they are high in protein they should be left on the lawn to decompose and add nutrients to the soil. Grass-cycling also reduces waste and conserves landfill space. It is only necessary to remove lawn clippings if they are long and will smother the lawn.
Do I need weed control?
Weeds compete with desirable lawn grasses for water, space, light and nutrients. They are very aggressive and can take over a lawn if not kept in check. It is when this type of imbalance occurs that many customers request help from professionals like Pudenz Irrigation. Regular fertilization, proper mowing and correct watering practices, helps keep weeds in check.
Sprinkler System Questions
Why should I get a sprinkler system installed?
- Convenience - Many people do not want to water their lawn themselves.
- Increase Market Value - The key factor in determining the market value is the appearance of the home. The yard is the first impression for a potential buyer.
- Extend Plant Life - Regular watering has been shown to improve the plants health and appearance
- Lower Water Usage - If you currently water manually, an automatic sprinkler system will lower your water usage
- Show Up The Neighbors - admit it, who wouldn't love to have a better lawn than their neighbor!
How much does a sprinkler system cost to have installed?
It depends on your yard. I know not the answer you wanted. A rough estimate for a 10,000 square foot lawn is $2,500 to $3,500. Depending on the particular yard it could be lower or much higher.
In order to give an estimate we need to look at the yard, any obstacles, look at the plumbing, and get yard measurements. We will then put together an estimate for you. Contact us to schedule your free estimate.
I have a well, can I still get a sprinkler system?
Absolutely! When we give an estimate we will get information about your well to determine how much water is available and we will design your system around that amount. On the rare occasion that your pump is not able to produce enough water you may need to replace the well pump.
You can also pump out of a lake, river, or stream. We have installed many of these types of systems.
Will my sprinkler system water if it rains?
Every system Pudenz Irrigation installs includes weather sensor. Once this sensor receives the required amount of water, usually a 1/4 inch, the system will shut off.
Will I have difficulty operating the sprinkler system?
When Pudenz Irrigaiton is finished with your system the controller will be set up for your lawns individual needs. You will be instructed on the operation of the controller and the manual will be left for you. The truth is most customers rarely have to touch the system once we set it up.
When should I water my lawn?
To water your lawn efficiently, you need to provide the right amount of water, in the right places at the right time.
Early in the morning (before sunrise), evaporation is minimal and the lawn drinks in the most water. Do not water in the evening because water will sit on the lawn and may cause disease. Do not water in the heat of the day because the sun will evaporate water before it can be used by the lawn.
How often should I water my lawn?
To answer this there are three factors to consider: weather, type of soil, and depth of roots.
- Weather is the most obvious. When it is hotter you'll need to water more frequently.
- Type of soil affects houw much water is available for the lawn to use. Heavy soils, like clay, holds the most water and you'll probably water less frequently. Sandy soils do not hold water well, so you'll water more frequently.
- Depth of roots is the most important. Deeper roots mean a healthier lawn. Grass roots should be six inches long. It is wise to establish watering practices that encourage deep root growth.
How deep into the soil should water penetrate?
Water should penetrate to the depth of the roots or the depth the roots are desired (usually 6 inches). Water should be scheduled to allow deep penetration of the soil.
