12 | SUNRAYS JANUARY 2015
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CA NEWS
When it comes to keeping your turf and
landscape alive and looking good during
a Texas summer, the wealth of available
products can make it hard to know where
to invest your dollars. Should I install a
SMART irrigation controller? Should I
irrigate with spray heads or drip? Should
I add a soil moisture sensor to my system?
Should I change my soil’s profile? Should
I replace turf with hardscape? And what
exactly will be my return on investment
should I choose to make major changes?
In an effort to resolve these questions, we,
at the CA Landscape Department, would
like to share some of what we’ve learned
in our ongoing effort to find effective and
affordable landscaping solutions. Over
the past year, we have been testing two
products, the pros and cons of which we
would like to discuss. We’ll start with
an amendment to our existing irrigation
system.
Probably you are aware of the little plastic
rain sensor on your roofline which shuts
off irrigation during a rain event. Ever
wonder if it does what it’s supposed to do?
A simple check after a rain event will give
you the answer. Open your controller after
a rain event, and you’ll find a little red
light, along with the notification “Irrigation
Suspended by Rain Sensor.” Of course,
your rain sensor switch must be in the
“ON” position in order to work properly.
What if you want to check it right now,
with no rain in sight? Simply get out your
garden hose and get the rain sensor wet!
The light will come on when the sensor
interrupts the circuit. Generally, these
rain sensors hold up well, but upgraded
sensors recently have been put on the
market. Consider investing in a wireless
Rain/Freeze sensor.
PROS
The wireless sensors can be situated in the
perfect location along the roofline, away
from the controller. Make sure there are
no tree limbs overhanging the device and
that the sensor is facing north (and please
let the professional get on the ladder).
The Rain/Freeze sensor also will suspend
irrigation in the event of a freeze. When
temperatures drop to 38 degrees, the
irrigation system will not be allowed to
run. Should you forget to cut your system
off, no one will pay to skate on your lot’s
new ice rink.
Cons
One common complaint about the rain
sensor prevails: It dries out quickly in
wind and sun. So, while an inch of rain
may fall and thoroughly saturate the soil,
the irrigation system will still run on the
next scheduled day unless the controller is
physically turned off. What is the solution
to this problem?
Just as your rain sensor suspends
irrigation during rainfall, devices known
as “Soil Moisture Sensors” will suspend
irrigationwhile soil is already wet. Sensors
range from wired to wireless, and one
product even has a built-in freeze sensor.
Should you opt to add the soil sensor to
your lot’s irrigation system, we suggest
not disconnecting your rain sensor. Rain
sensors save gallons during a rain event,
just as a soil sensor saves gallons after
a rain. Overall, it’s more savings for you
when sensors are used in combination.
Over the past year, we have been collecting
data on 35 Maintained Homes equipped
with both sensors. During 2014’s mild
summer, we saw plenty of rain events and
great results. Perhaps most amazing was
the soil sensor’s ability to pick up on a
heavy morning dew and, calibrated and
set correctly, save irrigation water.
The new city ordinance for new landscape
construction requires a soil moisture
sensor to be installed along with existing
rain sensors. Installation of this product
is fairly simple, but is best left to a
professional with the experience and know-
how to troubleshoot issues.
Expect an average investment of around
$200-230 for an average water savings of
30% (though in some of our test homes,
we saw up to 60% savings, on average).
The more rain we receive, the bigger the
savings. Once all is dialed in, you can leave
town for up to six months, confident in
your conservation.
Now: What if you could increase your
soil’s moisture holding capacity, leaving it
wetter, longer? Until our article continues
in February, we’ll say only this: Aqua
Smart!
Water Conservation Methods: A Test of Two Products
Submitted by Catrin Dubois, Landscape Superintendent
January Schedule: Landscaped Maintained Homes
Happy New Year! What is going on in the Landscaped Maintained Homes?
TCB is working on the perennial cutbacks of dormant plant material which was
missed due to December Christmas lights. TCB will also continue to perform
monthly irrigation checks, weed control beds and apply mulch to maintain a
two inch depth throughout. Pruning and canopy lifting for building clearance
will be performed in February and March on any installed trees.
Aaron and I will continue to monitor landscapes and start planning for spring
replacements. Water wise and drought tolerant plants will continue to be uti-
lized, as well as the implementation of xeriscaping principles where applicable.
Next LMH meeting
Wednesday, January 7, 10 a.m., AC MR 3/4
JANUARY Scheduled Landscaping Maintenance
Monthly irrigation check - Weed control in beds
Insect and disease monitoring - Mulch application
Questions or suggestions
Email: David Longacre -
Email: Aaron Johnson -
Landscaped Maintained Homes News
Submitted by David Longacre, LMH Technician
