Premier Irrigation &

Landscape Newsletter
March 10th, 2015

Volume 13

Inside This Issue

Irrigation clock settings
Rose Bush Maintenance
Irrigation Start-up Procedures
Service Agreements
Smart Controllers and ET Sensors
Website & Facebook addresses
Reminders of the services we provide
Thank you for your business

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Irrigation Clock Settings

IRRIGATION CONTROLLER UPDATE - The Seasonal Adjust or %
Adjust feature on your irrigation clock should be in the 30% range. I
know weve had a little rain, but some of the landscape beds Ive seen have
been pretty dry. Its just about that time to get your irrigation system up
and running. Well, for those of you on city water or a well system at least.
For those of you on an irrigation district, lets just keep an eye on when the
water will be released into the canals.

Rose Bush Maintenance

Below is a good article about pruning your roses. There are many resources
on pruning rose, so I just wanted to remind everyone about timing. I
always suggest from February 15th to about March 15th as a good time to
get your roses pruned.
Pruning Roses
Barbara McMullen, MG (OSU Extension Agent)

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

Finding time to prune the entire garden in one session might not be easy. I
usually like to prune plants in groups. This seems to make the task a little
easier, and I tend to enjoy the project more.
Dormant spraying after pruning roses is always good. The following
information is on the basics of rose pruning. The Lane County Extension
Office has more information if you need it. I like to prune after the 20th of
February or later. The later you prune, the later your first bloom flush will
occur.

paul@premierirrigation.net

Why do you prune roses?

Web page:

We prune roses to encourage new growth and a succession of flowers

throughout the growing season. First, remember you want to remove

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Dead canes
Dying canes
Diseased canes
Roses are pruned annually to encourage healthy plants. Know the type of
rose you have. You don't want to prune your favorite climber as if it were a
hybrid tea.
If you neglect proper pruning, the result may be a weak-caned plant with
poor form and very little air circulation. Under pruning year after year is the
most common cause of an unproductive rose bush. Pruning can rejuvenate
a rose that has not been pruned for several years.
A rose needs to have the correct form for its variety, and it likes to have
plenty of air circulation. Crossing canes are not good for the plant as that
tends to promote damage to the canes, and that encourages disease.
When do you prune?
In the Willamette Valley the best time to prune is mid-February to early
March. Pruning mid-month or later is recommended. This timing is
suggested because generally we will have weather that encourages the
plant to start growing. Pruning earlier (before the last frost or forecast bad
weather) will cause the rose grower problems. If you prune early, you may
experience dieback and have to re-prune again after better weather arrives.
The pruning cut
Every cut large or small should be clean. The cut needs to be made just
above a bud eye. The recommended angle is forty-five degrees, cut toward
the bush's center. Make the cut toward an outward facing bud eye.
One method of locating the bud eye is to strip the rose bush of foliage two
weeks before pruning, and nature will send an urgent message for foliar
rejuvenation. The new eyes will swell and make it easy for you to see them.
If you choose to remove the foliage of your hybrid teas, be sure to cut the
leaves off and avoid tearing them as this will damage the dormant eyes.
Dormant spray

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

www.premierirrigation.net

Most pests and diseases are not killed by winter weather but wait out the
season in soil, inside leaf buds, and on the canes of your roses. You can
eliminate some pest problems by using a dormant spray after you have
pruned. The spray needs to be applied when the bush is dormant early in
spring before the rose sends out new shoots. The dormant oil is not harmful
to the environment, and it coats canes, buds, and leaves where it suffocates
pests and the spores of overwintering fungi.
Pruning tools
It is well worth the investment to purchase the best garden tools that you
can afford. The ideal of most gardeners is to have the appropriate tool on
hand for every job. When it comes to pruning this is particularly true for
cutting tools. When you shop for them, be sure that they feel comfortable in
your hand.
Pruners are the most important and useful of the cutting tools. Bypass
pruning shears will cut a woody stem up to three-quarters of an inch. Do
not try to exceed their capability as you may damage both the tool and the

plant. Never cut wire with the blades. Keep your pruner sharp, for a sharp
tool makes a clean cut.
Loppers usually have long handles that make it easier to cut a cane that is
thick. I recommend using a bypass lopper. Loppers are available in several
sizes, and I urge you to try all of them out before you purchase one.
Pruning saws are really great tools. Once you have the art of the saw
motion, you can cut almost anything with ease. Pruning saws come with
wooden handles, and several models have a handle that the blade folds into
for storage.
Alcohol. When pruning roses you should clean your shears by dipping the
pruner blades into alcohol before you start working on each plant. By
cleaning your shears this way you will avoid spreading plant disease.
Gloves are an optional tool. I do prefer leather gloves when I prune.

Irrigation System Start-ups

Below are the steps we take while starting up your irrigation systems. Now
each system is different, so some of these steps may not apply to your
system, but you can see the depth of our work while at your house.
1. Inspection
Pump system - Make sure that all the connections are secure; this
includes power, communication, if it exists, and relay wires. Components
also should be checked for ice or water damage in small tubing, centrifugal
pump volutes and drain lines. Depending on the pump system location and
its history, the pump system and pump house should be checked for
damage from vandalism, as well as for various animals that may have found
it a comfortable home during the winter months.
The pump system is the heart of any irrigation system and, as such,
requires a good deal of attention at start-up. Additionally, replacement
parts can take a while to arrive and should be factored into your timeline.
We have a detailed checklist for the pump system start-up, it is a good idea
to use the manufacturers or to work backward from your own winterization
checklist for the pump system, assembling and reconnecting as opposed to
dismantling and disconnecting. Start-up procedures will include lubricating
motors through the grease zerk fittings (one or two per motor depending on
the horsepower), filling motors with oil and checking the fuses in the control
and electrical panels.

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

As part of the start-up procedure, the power should be shut off and you
should make sure all the wire connections are tight. Valves should be
opened, safeties reset and drains closed. If the drain plugs were removed
on the centrifugal pump volutes, they need to be replaced. If you removed
the copper tubing from the pressure-regulating valve and/or relief valve, it
needs to be reinstalled and the little wye strainer filters cleaned. If you have
a tank, it needs to be filled with water and possibly the air/water balance
adjusted.
Finally, if you have a suction line, make sure it is in place and the foot valve
is holding water. If you have turbines, check to see that the wet well has
water in it. If you have a self-cleaning screen, re-hook the water feed and
make sure it is rotating. Reset its pressure-regulating valve.

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Sprinklers and equipment - While checking the sprinklers look for broken
valve boxes and missing covers, both of which can be a hazard.
Piping system - It is difficult to inspect the piping system for damage until
the system has been pressurized and you can look for leaks. However,
during the initial check make sure that no piping has become exposed or
dug up by burrowing animals or winter construction projects.
Control system - Like the piping system, the control system will be easier
to trouble-shoot once it is in use. Before that occurs, however, it should be
checked for various inhabitants. A voltmeter should be used to make sure
that all the controllers are receiving not only power, but also the right
voltage. Minimum operating voltage for most controllers is 105 volts.
Controllers should be checked for physical damage. Make sure the
controllers are not loose on the pad and the doors can be opened and
closed. You may need to trim the landscape around the controllers to deter
pests from nesting and to keep excess moisture from accumulating within
the cabinet.
2. Pressurization
The most critical part of any irrigation system start-up at the beginning
of the season or any time after the piping system has been drained is the
pressurization. If the system is not properly pressurized, major damage can
be done and the useful life of the pipe and fittings can be drastically
reduced. Caution is equally important when the system is blown out with air
and when it is refilled. The imperative word here is "slow."
It's important not to rush the process and to allow the pipes to fill for a long
period of time before pressurizing.
Because air is not as dense as water, it can move faster and compress in
the piping system. In the spring, the air will be in front of the water and
must be released to keep from being compressed against a valve or
sprinkler and causing severe damage.
The rate for refilling a piping system should be a maximum of
approximately 40 gallons per minute. To ensure a slow fill (incremental
velocity), the discharge isolation valve on the pump system discharge
should be three-fourths to seven-eighths of the way closed to back-pressure
the pumps. Although this will cause the filling of the system to take a while
it is necessary. Filling the lines too quickly creates high velocities that can
result in surge pressures that damage and wear on pipes, fittings and swing
joints.

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

Remember: Any low-pressure safeties will be off or on override when filling

an empty pipeline.
Before pressurizing, open the isolation valves on all air vacuum/relief valves
that were closed during winterization. If the valves are not open, the air
cannot escape. If the system does not have air relief valves, then a number
of quick couplers should be keyed open to allow the air to escape. Using
sprinklers to let air escape wears on the gear drives and nozzles and in
general is not a good idea. Pressurize the system section by section,
starting with all the mainline isolation valves closed. Then make pipe repairs
in each section as needed before moving on to the next. The procedure is
continued until the whole system is charged with water.

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3. Testing
Once the pump system has been checked and the piping system
pressurized, you should run test cycles to operate all of the sprinklers. The
sprinklers should be checked for on/off, pop up/pop down and rotation. The
sprinklers also should be observed for misting, broken nozzles and proper
operating pressure. If the sprinkler is not working, the controller and valves
will need to be checked.
Depending on your winterization procedure and type of controllers, the
start-up procedure may include replacing batteries and reconnecting wire
ribbons and fuses.
Examining systems that aren't winterized
Many irrigation systems are not winterized because they are used
continuously; some may not be used often, but do not need to be
winterized for geographical or climatic reasons. If the system is off for an
extended period of time, it should be routinely inspected for problems. If
your system is used continuously, there are still checks and adjustments
that need to be made, especially with the pump system. Individual motor
amperage, voltage, bearings, motor shaft packings, motor oil levels and
pump controller operation should all be checked.
Just because your system is not started and stopped annually does not
mean that it should not be checked. "Start-up" becomes more of an
evaluation. A thorough look at the system operation during a non-critical
watering time is all that is needed.
Start by carefully going over the pump system, looking for leaks and
tightening any loose connections. Shut down the power and tighten the
various wire connections. You can use this as a basis in later years to
determine whether your pumps are beginning to wear or if there are
problems developing with your piping system.
Turn on and observe the operation of sprinklers at a number of locations.
Don't just see if they go on and off, but look at their turning speed and how
they are distributing water. Has anything changed from previous years? If
the distribution looks weak or different, check the nozzle for wear. This is
done most easily with a set of drill bits. Insert the proper size bit for the
nozzle and see how much you can move the drill bit around. If it is loose,
the nozzle has been worn and should be replaced.
How often is the pump cycling? Is it more than usual? How often was it
cycling in the past? This is also an indication of leaks in your system.

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

www.premierirrigation.net

There also are irrigation system items that need to be checked during startup, but not on an annual basis. These items require the irrigation contractor
to be proactive with the irrigation system so that major failures do not occur
during the season. Gate valves especially main line valves should be
exercised to make sure they are still operational.
Clamps on grounding rods should be tightened and grounding grids should
be megged for resistance. Surge arrestors should be checked and may need
to be replaced, as they wear out over time. Failure to evaluate your system
after a period of down time will result in frantically reacting to problems that
otherwise might have been found earlier.
Starting up an irrigation system can be a simple process or a nightmare.

Some projects have 5 -10 breaks each spring. Others spend just a couple of
hours on maintenance. Bringing in expert help when needed makes the job
go faster and smoother and will save you time and money. Keep your time
line in mind so the irrigation system is ready and able when you need it.

Service Agreements
This is a good time of year to sign a service agreement. That way you can
schedule the entire years irrigation services and know your system will be
maintained properly throughout the year. We can also include the service
of your outdoor lighting systems as well.
Our service agreements offer:
Priority service Guaranteed within 48 hours year around
Any additional repair work is billed at the discounted $55.00/man hour
Any additional parts are billed at the discounted 15%
The service usually includes a Spring Start-up and a Fall Shut-down, plus
(3) to (5) visits throughout the irrigation year. As a reminder, the entire
agreement can be modified to fit your needs.
What benefit will a Service Agreement provide you and your irrigation
system and or outdoor lighting system? You will know that your irrigation
system is on our Priority list and your work will be scheduled before any
other work. You will also gain piece of mind that we will inspect and fix any
problems throughout the year, for trouble free operation.

Smart Controllers and ET Sensors

Here at Premier Irrigation & Landscape, we specializes in trouble shooting,
maintenance, repairs and installation of irrigations systems. One of the
most important tasks we routinely embark upon is Smart Watering
upgrades. These tasks can be from installing new technology Smart
Clocks, to installing moisture sensors and weather stations, to re-working
systems into Hyrdo-zones, (Condenses water use into particular zones for
the specific water needs of individual plants), to installing high efficiency
sprinkler heads and nozzles, down to the simple repairing of leaks. Recently
we have had a good percentage of our clients ask about or have had us
upgrade their irrigation systems to Smart Controlled irrigation. Now this
can be accomplished through a Retro-fit if the existing irrigation clock is
weather station compatible, and if not, a completely new control system can
be installed.
Below is some information on Weather Based and Smart Irrigation
Controllers.

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

www.premierirrigation.net

Weather Based and Smart Irrigation Controllers

Evapotranspiration, or ET, is the process by which water evaporates
from the soil and plants. Plants transpire by releasing water through
tiny pores called stoma (Just think of a human sweating). Plants also
use water in photosynthesis. ET measures all these water losses from
the landscape.
ET controllers are irrigation controllers that use some method of
weather-based adjustment of irrigation. These adjusting methods
include:
o

Use of historical monthly averages of ET.

Broadcasting of ET measurements.

Use of on-site sensors to track ET.

The ET rate is dependent on such weather factors as sunlight,

temperature, wind, and humidity, and varies throughout the day. ET is
usually measured in inches per day and is highest in the summer and
lowest in the winter. Some ET controllers have the watering schedule
programmed into their computer chip based upon historical ET data for
a given region. Other ET controllers can change the water schedule
weekly based on the past weeks weather for a region via radio signal.
By scheduling watering based on ET rates, plants can receive the
required amount of water to remain healthy without over or under
watering since the ET controller adjusts the watering schedule
automatically. Because many homeowners do not adjust a
controllers watering schedule often enough, ET controllers have
the potential to increase watering efficiency. Most
manufactures project a 30% savings in water use through this
technology.
Most irrigation upgrades, which include adding an ET Sensor or Rain
Sensor, are averaging from $300.00 - $350.00 (Installed) that is if the
irrigation clocks are sensor compatible. If you would like to have us
complete an evaluation of your current irrigation system, just give Paul a
call.

Visit Our Website & Like our Facebook Page

If you havent visited the web site, please take a minute to do so. There
are tabs of some of our projects, and what we find has the most positive
feedback is our Landscape Hints section. There are tips on fertilizers,
planting, growing healthy grass and all sorts of other topics. I also have an
extensive library of material on a vast number of topics, so if there is ever
anything you have a question about, please let me know and I might be
able to help. You can visit us at our web site at: www.premierirrigation.net.
Also please visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/PremierIrrigationMedford
If you Like our Facebook page, you will get a 10% discount on your next
irrigation winterization or start-up invoice.

Reminders Of The Service We Provide

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

www.premierirrigation.net

Outdoor Lighting
Water Conserving Irrigation Systems (Smart Clocks, Weather Stations)
Paver Patios, Walkways & Segmented Block Retaining Walls
Synthetic Turf, Including Putting Greens
Ponds & Water Features
Large Scale Site Work & Excavation
Vineyard & Orchard Irrigation Installations
New Construction and/or Newly Installed Landscapes
Custom Irrigation Design, Using The Most Up To Date Technology
Irrigation Installation & Maintenance
General Landscape Installations
Sustainable Landscapes
Water/Rain Harvesting

Thanks For Your Business

I am lucky to have a group of really great clients to work with, and I hope
we continue to serve your needs in the future.
Thanks again for all of the support,

Paul

Premier Irrigation
& Landscape
PO Box 1492
Medford, OR 97501
Phone:
(541) 778-2421
E-mail:

paul@premierirrigation.net

Web page:

www.premierirrigation.net