Dig up summer-flowering bulbs such as tuberous begonias, caladiums, cannas, dahlias, gladiola and tuberoses once their foliage has died back or as soon as they are killed by frost. You’ll want to gently clean the soil from the corms and tubers, but don’t wash them or force the tops off. They will shrivel and separate when they are ready. Store bulbs in a fine dry peat, sawdust, sand or vermiculite at no lower than 60 degrees with low humidity.

You can assist your overwintering plants harden off by changing your irrigation schedule. The cooler weather will slow evaporation from the soil as well as transpiration from plant foliage, so irrigation is needed less often. It is important to decrease the number of times, but not the length of time you water. For example, water once every two weeks instead of once per week, but still water for as long as you would have normally. Making this change will still provide necessary water to roots while allowing for longer periods for the soil to dry between watering. It will also discourage new frost-tender growth on your plants.

If you have broken sprinklers, or need help with other irrigation issues, please contact us to find out what we can do to help.

Now is the time to plant a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers to give them a good head start before the cold months of winter arrive. That is a lot to do with most of our busy schedules. Many people choose to depend on professionals to plan and complete all of their landscaping for them. If you are considering professional landscaping for your yard you might not realize the many environmental benefits of a carefully planned landscape:

• Trees moderate the amount of heat created by extensive paved areas. Lawns can cool a home at the same rate as a one-ton air conditioner and also trap dust, absorb noise and provide a comfortable living area for children and adults.
• One tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air every year and releases about 13 pounds of oxygen-enough for a family of four on a daily basis.
• Plants reduce noise pollution up to 50 percent.
• Plants control runoff and erosion. They allow soil to absorb water, returning it to aquifers… decreased runoff means less flooding.
• Lawns slow the spread of wildfires to homes.
• Plants provide food and habitat for wildlife, which contributes to biodiversity and a healthier environment.
• Landscaping creates green space for human rest, recreation and renewal.

Simply contact us and we will be happy to discuss what we can do to help you achieve these benefits.

During wet weather you can tell just how good or bad your natural drainage is. Patches of water on the surface are the most common signs of a drainage problem.  You can check your drainage in dry weather by digging a hole about 24” by 12” in your garden. Fill the hole half full with water, and leave it alone for 24 hours. In well-drained soil, the hole will empty. On very wet land however, the hole may actually fill!

The type of drainage used depends mostly on the extent of the problem. Sprinklerscape is here to help! Please contact us today to discuss how we can help you with your garden drainage needs.

Fall is the time that most of us really start to plan out our garden for the following year. We spend endless hours plotting it out, controlling weeds, planting seeds as well as flowers and trees. It’s also an excellent time to consider making big changes to our garden and landscape. Have you considered making the switch to artificial grass? Many of your neighbors probably already have. Some of the many benefits include:

• No Watering - the majority of your landscape watering is spent watering your lawn. With strict water restrictions in most communities, the growing need to conserve water and finding ways to cut back on your water bill… artificial turf is the answer.
• Saves Time - with artificial grass you eliminate the need for watering, mowing, edging, fertilizing and many other chores that come with owning a beautiful lawn. Artificial lawns come with the benefit of being “evergreen” with very little to no maintenance. Enjoy the amount of free time that you have with your yard instead of spending it all on maintenance.
• Pets, Pests and Allergies - Artificial grass is great for keeping pests and allergies at bay. The lack of lawn trimmings, pests and other allergens makes a healthier environment for grass allergy sufferers. You also won’t have to worry about the pet damage any longer. Imagine… you can finally have a dog and a beautiful green lawn!
• No Chemicals or Fertilizers - Gone are the days of spreading fertilizer and chemicals to increase the growth, cover a brown patch or fill in a bare spot. Artificial lawns stay green without the use of chemicals.

Interested? Please contact us for more information.

With so many threats of drought in Southern California more and more people are giving up their ideas of lush, sprawling green lawns and replacing them with expansive patios, stones and container plants and trees. These water wise gardens keep turf grass to a minimum and instead use drought tolerant grasses. Trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers that have similar water needs should be grouped together, and potted plants should be arranged so that they shade each other. Plant plenty of trees they are known to help lower air and soil temperatures thus reducing plant and soil moisture loss. Large trees should be placed strategically, so that they shade the yard, keeping it cool and also managing water evaporation. If you’re ready to switch to a water wise landscape please contact us today to find out how we can assist you.

If you live in a fire-prone area and haven’t taken preventative measures yet this year, now is the time to do so. Remove dead limbs and leaves from trees and shrubs, especially ones near your house. Cut tall grasses and weeds all the way down and clear your gutters of debris.

Succulents are well known for their sturdiness, foliage colors and sculptural forms, but another advantage is that they contain lots of water in their leaves, making them an ideal choice for fire-scaping, or landscaping to prevent or minimize fire damage. A “defensible space” should be created which is a clearance at least 30 feet from your home or 150 feet if you are on a hillside. Please contact us today for details on how we can assist you with all of your landscaping needs.

Just because you have a swimming pool in Southern California doesn’t mean that you can’t be water conscious while at the same time complimenting the climate with a tropical feel. As a general rule, you’ll want to surround your pool with concrete because of its slip resistance and durability. Planting shrubs, colorful plants and flowers throughout the landscape will help to soften out the stark white of concrete. Slip-proof brick and pavers, which come in a variety of colors, can also be used to create a different look. Plants and trees that tend to drop leaves, nuts, fruit and berries should be planted far from the water, to reduce pool maintenance. Trees and shrubs can be placed strategically around the yard’s perimeter to create a natural privacy barrier and to help control the climate. For any questions you may have on how we can help you with your landscaping needs, please contact us today!

If you are considering repairing or replacing your pool, Yorba Ridge Pools will be happy to assist you with whatever you need!

Now is the right time to shop for Crape Myrtles. Most varieties are in their bloom period right now so it will be easy to select the perfect color for your particular landscaping needs.

Traditionally, the favorite hangouts in the home have been the kitchen and family room. But today, the backyard is taking over as the favorite gathering space for cooking, entertaining and relaxation. More homeowners are bringing all the comforts of their indoor rooms to the outside by creating multipurpose outdoor living spaces that function as inviting extensions of their home.

With its versatility and ability to withstand all types of weather, decorative concrete, tile and brick expand the possibilities of outdoor living. Concrete, tile and brick can be used to build nearly every structural element of your outdoor room including patios, pool decks, countertops, fireplaces and built-in seating. Outdoor living spaces can match the colors, textures and styles of your home, making it a seamless visual transition.

There is a certain romantic ambiance that surrounds an outdoor fireplace. The glow of the flickering flame invites guests to sit down, relax and enjoy life. Outdoor fireplaces encourage conversation and help to soothe the soul.

Another area popular with outdoor living spaces is a kitchen. With sinks, bars, refrigerators and storage areas your backyard kitchen can be both highly functional as well as decorative. Fire pits are another growing trend in outdoor living. Fire pits provide warmth, light and a cooking source, s’mores anyone? A dancing flame has a mesmerizing affect that encourages you to unwind and settle in.

Sprinkler Scape has the experience and skill to make your outdoor living space a place you’ll want to come home to. If you would like to schedule an appointment to have us evaluate your outdoor living space, contact us and we will be happy to come out for a proposal.