Winter time on Long Island can be a difficult time for many of us due to cold weather and short days. As I write this, spring is 28 days away and we will be back to business designing and installing sprinkler systems. If weather permits we will be turning on sprinkler systems and making necessary repairs. We like to begin early so that you may have your system ready to go when the weather turns warm and dry.
Many of my clients wonder what I/we do during the winter and I appreciate their interest. First, let me say that I do not spend my time in Florida. However, I do travel and spend some down time away from home. Seriously, winter time is a busy time here at Rain Rich as we close out the previous year and prepare for the season to come. Repairing trucks, machines, equipment, tools, etc. takes several weeks to have ready. More importantly, it is time to reflect on the previous year and review how we did. Did we service all our clients properly? Let us know! I take a hard look at each client service history and ask did we perform at our best? Did we meet our client needs? Was there anything we could have performed better? Do we see any issues with our clients systems and landscape that we should make them aware of and prepare for in 2020? Going forward, how are we making improvements in all phases of our service business?
Each winter I attend many different seminars that range from the technical aspects of irrigation design, installation, and service. I also attend many of the landscape and lawn seminars here on Long Island and elsewhere. On the business side; improvements to software, accounting, taxes, banking, and credit card management, client management system, scheduling software, and web site.
Some of the training I have attended includes learning and implementing Smart Irrigation Controllers. The new controller’s software operate in the cloud. This allows us to access and manage your irrigation program and scheduling from anywhere in the world providing there is a WiFi. This is a giant leap in water management that can save you 30- 50% in water usage. Also, the new smart controllers use real time local weather data to automatically increase or decrease your watering based upon temperature, wind speed, humidity, and sunlight. Depending upon the manufacturer, alerts can be sent to you and notify you (and me) if there is a break in a pipe, broken head, and or electrical problem. As an added benefit, reducing unnecessary irrigation reduces nutrient runoff and fertilizer costs.
Fertigation continues to grow in popularity and rightly so as it is a proven technology to apply fertilizer and bionutrients through the irrigation system with little or no waste. Additionally, new and improved products enter the market each year that provide healthier turf and landscape. This year we will be recommending a product that introduces organic material into the soil increasing the beauty and health in turf and plants and reducing susceptibility to disease.
Landscape lighting continues to improve in both efficiency and durability. Advancements in LED’s that can reduce electricity up to 90% along with new controls that work with smart technology and allow for simple operation and adjustments.
Too much rain? Wet basements? Flooded yards? I have been designing and installing drainage systems to successfully eliminate this serious problem. There have been a number of improvements to better catch surface, below surface water, and pipe away from home and property.
Yes, the next few weeks will be tough to get through and March can be when the real winter shows up. It’s up to us to make the most of this time and be ready when the good weather arrives. If you have taken advantage of some of the nice days by spending your time outdoors and thinking of improving your landscape, lawn, and sprinkler system and need some help with the process then I invite you call me at 631-423-2211 or click here to contact me. Stay warm! –Rich.
Rain Rich Sprinklers has been serving Long Island for 37 years. Rain Rich prides itself on providing outstanding service and the best value.
