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How to Plant a Tree

April 8, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

planting a treeThere’s more to planting a tree than just digging a hole in your yard and putting the roots into the ground.  Not paying attention to method can result in damage – or even death.  Taking the time to do it right the first time will ensure a longer, healthier life for your tree and fewer headaches long-term for you.

Think it through

Before you even plant, think about the kind of height and shape you’re looking for and whether you want a deciduous or evergreen tree.  Also determine where you want to plant it and the conditions (e.g., light, soil type, moisture level etc.) that characterize that site.

Purchase carefully

Buy a tree that looks green and healthy.  Also be sure that it has a large root ball to help it get established and achieve healthy growth.

Make your calculations

Measure the width of the root ball with a tape measure and multiply that number by three to figure out how wide to make the hole.  Use the information to guide you as you dig.

Prepare the soil

Soften the ground using a pickaxe then dig the hole using the shovel.  Make sure that the hole is deep enough so that the top of the soil around the root ball will be 2 or 3 inches above the level of the ground where the tree is planted. Lay down fertilizer and soil conditioner inside the hole evenly.

Plant your tree

Place the tree in the center of the hole and loosen the root ball.  Shovel the dirt back into the hole around the tree and rake the soil smoothly around the tree.  Mulch with pine straw.

Clean it up

Remove any branches that need pruning to shape the tree. Then water the ground thoroughly around the tree.

At South Austin Irrigation, we’re here to help you with irrigation system inspection and repair.  Contact us today!

 

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: horticultural advice, how to plant a tree, landscaping tips, tree planting tips

Building a Raised Bed Garden

March 30, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

raised bed gardenGet ready, Austinites – spring is almost here! If you’re looking for new landscaping ideas for the new season, consider adding a raised bed to your garden. Not only can it improve soil fertility and drainage. It can also help you grow larger, healthier plants.

Step 1: Find a level area in your garden
Once you’ve found a spot for your raised bed, carefully measure the area. Divide the total area into rows three to five feet wide. Adjust the width of your rows based on the mature size of the plants you intend to grow in each row. Mark the outer edges of each row using wooden stakes.

Step 2: Begin digging
Excavate the soil inside the area you marked off using your shovel to a depth of one foot. Pile the dirt nearby on the plastic sheet or tarp. If your soil has a heavy clay or sand content, mix it with compost to improve fertility and drainage.

Step 3: Multiply and mix
Multiply the length, width and height of your raised bed (above ground) to determine the volume of topsoil needed to add to your raised bed. Mix the topsoil into the dirt you removed from the bed. Use a shovel to loosen and aerate pit soil to a depth of one foot.

Step 4: Begin building
Begin placing masonry blocks around the pit perimeter to create a wall around the edge. Stack blocks in horizontal layers and stagger the blocks in each layer so that the ends of each block are above the middle of the blocks underneath them. When the wall reaches two feet in height, stop adding blocks.

Step 5: Fill in the bed
Shovel the new mixture of topsoil back into the area inside the wall. Apply the soil evenly over the excavated area, but avoid walking on or compacting it. Scan the soil for any large rocks or trash and remove them.

No matter the season, South Austin Irrigation is here to help you make the most of your outdoor environment.

Call us when you need help with your irrigation system!

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: garden tips, horticultural advice, landscape tips

Xeriscaping in Texas

March 9, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

Xeriscaping in TexasXeriscaping is an excellent alternative to a traditional lawn and garden, especially in water-scarce Austin.   This landscaping method uses drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants, which conserve water and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides.  While a xeriscape garden takes more planning and effort in the beginning, it requires less maintenance once it gets established.

Setting up

Make sure that the site you choose for xeriscaping is free of obstructions, such as trees with wide root systems and building foundations.

Preparing the ground

Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches, then spread a two-inch layer of organic matter such as shredded pine bark, rice hulls, compost or manure on the turned surface.  Re-till the soil and mixture then rake the area to a smooth bed.

Plants/planting

Use vegetation that’s native or adapted to Texas.  For example, if you decide on a lawn, use Buffalo and St. Augustine grasses.  Also be sure to plant your garden according to plant spacing requirements.  For example, autumn sage (a native Texas shrub) needs three to six feet of space.

Watering

Xeriscape plants require deep infrequent irrigation.  Wait until the soil surface dries and the plants begin to wilt to hydrate them during the garden’s first season.  During the fall and winter, water once a month, but only if those months are dry.  In the second season, water only in case of a drought: established native plants thrive on normal rainfall alone.  Use soaker hoses: these operate best two inches from the base of your plants.  If you’ve planted grass, use a sprinkler instead.

Mulching

Apply a three-inch layer of mulch to the uncultivated areas of your xeriscape garden.  Use pine bark, wood chips or compost to reduce water evaporation and suppress weeds.  Cover the soaker hose with the mulch material and replenish the layer as organic matter decomposes.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: drought-resistant perennials, horticultural advice, saving on water bills, xeriscape garden, Xeriscaping, Xeriscaping in Texas

About Bermuda Grass

February 19, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

Mowed Bermuda Grass or Cynodon dactylon; unsharpened fileBermuda grass is popular in Austin because it’s low maintenance. It’s also easy to care for and looks good even during the summer and times of drought.

Types

Bermuda grass is usually divided into two categories: common and hybrid.  The common variety is grown from seed and used for erosion control, agriculture and some residential lawns. Hybrid Bermuda grass, on the other hand, is planted as sod rather than seed.  The major difference between these two types includes leaf width, color and susceptibility to disease and weeds.

Characteristics

Both common and hybrid Bermuda grass varieties grow best in full sun.  During the cooler weather seasons, they turn brown and go dormant. All Bermuda grasses have textures that range from medium to fine, are very hardy, salt tolerant and drought resistant.

Planting

The prime time for planting new Bermuda grass is late spring or early summer.  Although fall is only a month away, it’s wise not to plant during this time.  That’s because Bermuda grass needs stable nightly temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in tandem with the extreme heat of Texas summers to grow and get successfully established.

Watering

The beauty of mature Bermuda grass is that it can live on as little as half an inch of water a week.  Austin water restrictions allow for watering once a week: on the day you are allowed to water, remember to do it at dawn or dusk.  If you water in the heat of the day, the water will evaporate before it can replenish the Bermuda grass.

Mowing

Because it grows so quickly in the heat, Bermuda grass should be mowed once a week during the summer.  Always use a sharp mowing blade and set your mower cutter at a moderate level, as you do not want to cut it too short. Clippings left on the lawn can help the grass to retain more moisture and require less watering.  Never mow Bermuda grass when it is wet.

South Austin Irrigation specializes in irrigation system inspection, repair and replacement.  For the service and advice more Austinites trust, contact us!

 

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: bermuda grass, caring for bermuda grass, horticultural advice, hybrid bermuda grass, landscaping tips, planting bermuda grass, water conservation tips, watering bermuda grass

Winter Landscaping with Potted Plants

January 8, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

south austin sedum spurium plantUsing potted plants as part of your landscaping scheme can add beauty to your outdoor environment even in the dead of winter.  And the good news is container gardening does not differ significantly from gardening in general.

To get started, you’ll need to buy pots that have good drainage and are also frost-proof. Containers made of fiberglass, metal or stone resist low temperatures especially well.

The soil should also have good drainage.  If you decide to put two or more different plants in a single container, make sure they have similar growing requirements.  Be aware that you’ll need to repot your plants every two to three years to ensure they don’t get root-bound.

Some good choices for container plants include:

Sedium spurium

Decorative in appearance, sedium spurium produces scallope-edged reddish-bronze foliage all year long and blooms in the summer.  It grows to approximately half a foot in height and thrives in full sun.  However, it can also tolerate partial shade.

Variegated redtwig dogwood

This deciduous plant produces dark red branches and variegated leaves with white margins and gray-green centers.  To keep it looking beautiful, be sure to remove old branches after winter has passed.

Heucheras

Heucheras are colorful, low-growing plants that produce white, pink and red flowers.  Its foliage is shot through with silver veins that run through green or purple leaves.  This plant can tolerate full sunlight to full shade.

Golden sword yucca

The foliage on this variety of yucca is shaped like a 2-inch wide sword that is dark green with a golden center.  The margins of its leaves produce curly fibers.  It can grow to between 2 and 3 feet tall and produces a 3 to 6 foot flowering stalk in summer.  The golden sword yucca prefers full sunlight but can tolerate some shade.

Winter landscaping doesn’t have to be dull.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: cold weather landscaping tips, horticultural advice, winter landscaping tips

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Important message:
South Austin Irrigation is very mindful of the health and safety of its customers and employees and we are taking all possible precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
For customers practicing self-isolation or social distancing, please be assured that we will perform repairs and adjustments to your sprinkler system at a safe distance and without the need for close contact.

Our Services Include:

  • Consultation
  • Main and Lateral Line Repairs
  • Pop-up and Rotor Replacement
  • Broken PVC and Copper Pipe Repairs
  • Electrical Troubleshooting
  • System Leaks
  • Backflow Replacement and Installation
  • Valve Locating Repair and Replacement
  • Reroutes for Mature Trees and Patio Additions
  • Controller Replacement and Upgrades
  • Water Conservation by System Upgrade
  • Custom Scheduling
  • Drainage Repair & Maintenance
  • Lawn Irrigation System Adjustments
  • Sprinkler Head Replacement
  • Underground Sprinkler Weatherization
  • Unclog and Adjust Heads and Nozzles
South Austin Irrigation

Google Reviews

South Austin Irrigation, LLC
South Austin Irrigation, LLC
5.0
Based on 19 reviews
See all reviewsWrite a review
Ed Burgess
Ed Burgess
16:09 18 Aug 20
Most excellent work! These... guys know their stuff, and take the time to make sure the work is done right. Very professional and conscientious!read more
Russ Brown
Russ Brown
00:06 15 Jul 20
On time, efficient, quality... work at a reasonable price. Highly recommend.read more
Becca Friedman
Becca Friedman
14:22 12 May 20
I've been waiting to write... this review for far too long. I wanted to do it justice. Still worried it won't be good enough ;)I saw the stellar reviews for South Austin Irrigation and with a mystery leak on my hands, really wanted the best. So I gave them a call. Matt promptly responded, listened to my issue, set solid expectations, and then sent Dave to my home.Dave arrived on time (early, if i recall) with the biggest smile on his face. I knew it was going to be a good visit. Dave was straightforward, no bs, and fun to talk to. He helped me understand my system, pointed out things I could do to improve it if I wanted, but never over-sold. He was honest about what the return on investment could be, and helped identify the cause of the massive water loss experienced (glitch or incidental adjustment of the system).My water bills were immediately back on track after that visit, and I had a plan for the future. But more than anything, I'd had a great time learning about something I never thought I'd ever enjoy - irrigation. And I feel like I've made a friend in the process. I trust South Austin Irrigation. That's hard to say about home service. You should too.Now if only they weren't so good at their jobs I'd have a reason to call on them. Can you teach other businesses how to operate? lolThanks again Matt and Dave. Really spectacular service. I recommend you to all my friends.read more
John Boozer
John Boozer
00:52 05 Feb 20
First time working with Matt... today and couldn't be more impressed! He is very knowledgeable and helpful, and not only took care of the problem I had, but also gave me lots of helpful tips to prevent further problems. I'll definitely be referring Matt to anyone I know that needs help with their sprinkler systems. Thanks Matt!read more
Ben Schreiber
Ben Schreiber
22:04 01 Dec 19
Nathan Erwin
Nathan Erwin
23:14 15 Oct 19
Dave came out to provide an... evaluation since someone (me) ruined the drip line in the front of our house when aerifying. It didn't take him but a few seconds to know it was going to need to be replaced. The other 59 minutes he taught and walked me through everything I didn't know about my irrigation system, which was a lot. I would recommend SAI to anyone who wants to better understand how their system works or has an issue that needs to be addressed.read more
Karen Shah
Karen Shah
21:44 15 Oct 19
Dave did an excellent job not... only replacing a control valve but thoroughly explaining and showing me the issue. He was super quick to respond, coming out within an hour and a half of my call. Reasonable price, fast, friendly - couldn't ask for more. Highly recommended!read more
Lee Polson
Lee Polson
22:47 29 Aug 19
On time, friendly and... inexpensive.read more
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
Jackie Jason Sabella Roche
16:52 27 Aug 19
Highly recommend South Austin... Irrigation. Matt did an excellent job replacing our sprinkler system’s control panel. He made sure everything worked properly, and he spent time explaining the settings on the panel. He also quickly replaced a broken line in a flower bed. We hope we don’t have issues with our system in the future, but if we do, we will not hesitate to use them again.read more
Allan Hawkins
Allan Hawkins
18:08 31 Jul 19
I’ve known Matt and his team... for at least 5 years. He’s done multiple projects at 2 of my homes. He has always been reliable, honest, and knowledgeable. He will walk you through your issue and discuss options without up-selling. If you have an irrigation need, and you can squeeze into his schedule, he is a great choice.read more
Cue Boykin
Cue Boykin
17:01 22 Jan 19
I've used Matt at South... Austin Irrigation for years. Matt is knowledgeable, efficient, courteous, prompt, and reasonable. South Austin is my one-stop shop for all my irrigation needs.read more
Jeff Roberts
Jeff Roberts
22:33 10 Dec 18
Just had Matt out to work on... a customer's sprinkler system that one of our driver's accidentally broke. Matt was incredibly capable and had every tool-of-the-trade imaginable. The troubleshooting and work was completed swiftly, and the price was very reasonable. I will definitely be using South Austin Irrigation in the future and highly recommend them for any sprinkler system maintenance needs.read more
Phil Evans
Phil Evans
18:00 20 Aug 18
Thorough in sprinkler repair.
John Land
John Land
20:17 02 Jun 18
Excellent Service - I have... been using Matt and his company South Austin Irrigation for the last 6 or 7 years and could not be happier with his service. He is courteous, communicates well and has a great attitude and sense of humor. Matt is the best at what he does. He explains his work and advises well with providing the pros and cons with budget in mind. I wish that everyone I hire to perform services at my home were as good as Matt is, he sets a high bar of excellence.read more
Philip Watts
Philip Watts
05:55 11 Feb 18
In a recent long freeze our... sprinkler system suffered from a burst. I switched off the irrigation water and called Matt from South Austin Irrigation. He came out pretty quickly, investigated the problem and talked over how to fix it, how to winterize it in future, and answered other questions I had. He was very knowledgeable and helpful, and fixed the system after ordering a part. I am very happy with South Austin Irrigation's work and employees that I dealt with. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who needs their services.read more
Joan Jackson
Joan Jackson
13:52 08 Oct 17
Excellent, quality work. ... Matt, the owner, is reliable and explain all charges clearly, with options for how to repair.read more
Emanuel Saba
Emanuel Saba
21:22 02 Mar 17
I've worked with Matt on a... few different occasions and every time he has been extremely professional, timely and most importantly does it right. He really knows the business. His work lasts and is done right. Highly recommend for anyone needing any type of irrigation repair, adding lines, fixing leaks, etc...he does it all!read more
David T
David T
03:17 16 Oct 16
Matt with South Austin... Irrigation has been my go-to irrigation company for many changes we've made to our yard over the last 4 years. We've done extensive rock work throughout the front and back yards (which required major irrigation changes); converted an entire zone of our irrigation system to a low-pressure drip irrigation system for my 1000 sq ft "in-ground" garden, plus a recent drainage project to top it off.My experiences with South Austin Irrigation have always been good - Matt is professional and punctual, and has always known what to do to solve the issues I've thrown at him. I was using other companies before I found him, so I can say that his rates are very competitive as well.Matt is a good communicator and doesn't mind taking time to explain the reasons for doing something one way or another, and then letting you make an informed decision about how you want to handle it. Of course, if you'd rather just stay out of it and let him make the decisions (I'm too curious for that!), he's more than capable of doing that as well.read more
Raymond Loren Naylor
Raymond Loren Naylor
14:56 02 Jan 12
Knowledgeable service... technician. Work performed a quickly and efficiently. Pleased with ovaerall experience. Even helped understand importance of wartering timing.read more
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Our sprinkler repair service areas include:

  • Austin, TX
  • Lakeway, TX
  • Spicewood, TX
  • Horseshoe Bay, TX
  • Dripping Springs, TX
  • Wimberly, TX

Give us a call for sprinkler repair and service in your area: (512) 534-7449

We Service Many Irrigation Brands:

  • Toro
  • Nelson Turf
  • KRain
  • HydroRain
  • Berkeley
  • Irritrol
  • Rain Bird
  • Rachio
  • Hunter

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South Austin Irrigation accepts Visa and Mastercard

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Irrigation in Texas is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) (MC-178)
P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087 · www.tceq.state.tx.us
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