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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

Plant Varieties for Central Texas Gardens

March 24, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

The heat and humidity of a Texas summer – which will officially begin on June 21 – make this season less than optimal for most kinds of planting. Nevertheless, it’s still a good time to consider the types of vegetation you may want to include as part of a long-term landscape update and/or renovation plan.

Succulents

One succulent you may wish to consider is the scarlet hedgehog cactus. It can form large, mounded clumps of cylinder-shaped dark green stems that are about 16 inches long. In spring, these mounds bloom with 3-inch-wide, red-orange flowers. The red yucca is another fine choice. It forms clumps of slender, tough leaves that can grow up to 3 feet tall. Flower stalks rise above the foliage to bear striking tube-shaped red flowers.

Shrubs

The Texas mountain laurel grows 15 to 20 feet tall and about 10 to 12 feet wide, which makes it a good shrub plant. In the spring, it produces showy, fragrant clusters of purple flowers as well as silvery seedpods. Female yaupon holly bushes grow to about the same height as Texas mountain laurels, but have stiff, gray-green colored leaves. They bear glossy red berries in fall and winter, but only if they have male bushes nearby for pollination.

Trees

If you’re looking to add a few trees to your landscape, the plateau live oak will add not only beauty and grace, but eventually shade. A slow-grower, this Texas evergreen tree reaches 20 to 40 feet tall. Another evergreen with scale-like, fragrant leaves is the eastern red cedar. At maturity, the red cedar is 40 to 50 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide.

Perennial grasses

Lindheimer’s muhly grass makes a wonderful, fine-textured landscaping plant. Typically, it grows in clumps 2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and produces gray-blue arching leaves. In the fall, flowering stalks grow to 5 feet. If you want a larger grass, try the big bluestem. It has wider, dark green leaves and grows to 6 feet tall, with flower stalks rising even higher.

All of these plants are native to Central Texas. That means that they are all pre-acclimated to our weather patterns (and, in most cases, to drought). Despite recent heavy rains, water conservation remains an ongoing issue for Austin.

For your irrigation system needs, call South Austin Irrigation at (512) 534-7449

 

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: landscape tips

A Word About Texas Weeds

March 21, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

Irrigation sprinklersNo, you’re not imagining it. Lawn weeds in Texas grow faster than lawn grass between cuttings. And unfortunately, weeds not only consume the water, fertilizer and sunlight meant for desirable plants and grasses, they can also spread plant diseases as insects migrate from one plant to the next.

Here are some of the weeds that are most likely to crop up in your lawn:

1. Poison ivy, pigweed, purslane, chickweed

More commonly known as broad-leaf weeds, these pests thrive in disturbed soil. They have adapted to cover bare ground quickly and stabilize soil.

2. Bermuda grass, Johnson grass and grassbur

The weeds in this group resemble grass but with two important differences. They are prolific seed-producers and usually have large seed heads. They also have tough root systems to help them recover from grazing pressure in the wild.

3. Crabgrass, henbit, sandbur, wild oats, wooly cupgrass and barnyard grass

These annuals grow one or two seasons and produce seeds that sprout when weather conditions are favorable. Their seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.

4. Yellow nutsedge, Bahia grass, dallis grass, white clover and bindweed

These perennials die back to the ground and reappear under the right weather conditions. Not only do they produce seeds, they also spread underground roots and rhizomes.

The way to minimize the presence of these “green parasites” in your lawn is to make sure your turfgrass is healthy. Weeds tend to do best in lawns with low fertility and bare spots where turf grass is sparse or non-existent.

At South Austin Irrigation, we are committed to helping you achieve and maintain more beautiful lawns and gardens. We offer everything for irrigation system inspection and repair.  Contact us today!

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: landscape tips

Preventing Yellow Spots on Blades of Grass

March 15, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

Dried Grass

You’ve worked hard to get our outdoor landscape just the way you want it. Then you begin to notice yellow spots developing on blades of grass all over your lawn. What happened? And what can you do about it?

Assuming that you’re watering your lawn properly and not over-fertilizing, disease and pests are the most likely culprits. The most common diseases are iron chlorosis, which indicates nitrogen deficiency in the soil and yellow patch, which causes large spots or patches with yellow margins in the lawn. As for pests, chinch bugs cause irregular brown spots that turn yellow.

Each of these three problems has its own particular set of symptoms. Iron chlorosis manifests as yellow or striped yellow and green patches of grass blades on alkaline soils with high phosphorus levels. Yellow patch manifests as 6 to 12-inch wide patches on grass blades that occur in areas that are prone to either excessive shade or moisture. Chinch bugs cause yellowing by sucking essential juices from grass blades.

Once you’ve determined the nature of the problem, you can treat it as follows:

Iron chlorosis

Using a foliar application of iron sulfate, spread a one-quarter inch-thick compost over the turf and aerate the lawn twice a year.

Yellow patch

The damage caused by this disease is usually no more than cosmetic. But if the outbreak is severe, you may need to use a registered fungicide.

Chinch bugs

Aerate the soil one to two times a year to treat chich bugs and apply a registered insecticide to deter them.

If the problem is with how you are watering your lawn, grass blades will look different than if they are diseased or overrun with pests. Overwatering causes grass blade tips turn yellow and the blades themselves wilt. Underwatering causes grass blades to fade to yellow before turning brown and drying. If you are improperly fertilizing your lawn, then you will see a scorching effect that strips it of its healthy green color.

To address these particular issues, remember to use the recommended amount of fertilizer at the specified time/season. And if you haven’t been careful about watering, be sure to provide your lawn with — depending on the heat — anywhere from a half inch to one-and-a-half inches of water every week during the summer.

At South Austin Irrigation, we’re committed to helping you achieve and maintain more beautiful lawns and gardens. We offer irrigation system sales and repair service as well as expert horticultural advice. For all your landscaping needs, contact us today!

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: drought, fall landscape tips, landscape tips, landscaping tips, lawn & garden watering solutions

5 Steps to Laying Down Autumn Sod

March 12, 2021 By Matt Sorenson

Save your lawn with proper watering

The heat of summer can burn bare patches into even the best-kept lawns. But the good news is that early fall – which is now only a month away – is prime sodding season.

Sod is essentially a mature grass cover that has been professionally cultivated and cut into easy-to-lay-down squares. What makes it so popular is that it allows you to see the results of grass landscaping much more quickly than if you planted seeds.

The first thing to determine is how you will use your sod. It is just as effective for “patch jobs” as it is for redoing entire grassy areas. Once you’ve done that, then you can begin the actual work of laying it down.

Step 1: Turn over the soil

Do this to a depth of 4 or so inches. If you are only working a small area, use a pitchfork. Otherwise– and especially those covered in hard soil – us a rototiller for large areas.

Step 2: Prepare the planting area

Rake the soil using a garden a garden rake to create an even surface. Wet the soil thoroughly with a soaker hose or sprinkler 2 to 3 days before planting the sod, which needs dampness to get established.

Step 3: Begin sodding at a landmark

This is important so that you will have as straight a pattern to work with as possible. For example, if the sod will abut a driveway, sidewalk or path, begin sodding against these pre-established landmarks.

Step 4: Treat sod squares like bricks

Lay squares of sod side-by-side. Build the first row and then move on to the next. Use a carpet knife to cut pieces of side to different lengths and don’t forget to stagger the joints as though you were laying down bricks.

Step 5: Water newly sodded areas

Use a soaker hose to wet newly laid sod to a depth of four inches. After that, be sure to water daily for the first two weeks. Sod takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks to get established. Because Austin is still under stage 2 water restrictions, you will need to water it once or twice a week.

Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Filed Under: Landscaping tips Tagged With: garden tips, landscape 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
Next Reviews

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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