In the beginning, Lawns by Dr Vaughan was solely focused on lawn chemical treatments and installation/maintenance of fertigation pumps. We first experience a problem with irrigation companies correctly winterizing fertigation pumps. Then we noticed many irrigation companies provided minimum assistance in scheduling irrigation run times. One thing leads to another and the amount of time spent performing irrigation services has grown where we have asked ourselves are we an irrigation company?
Our core focus is chemical treatments, fertigation maintenance and support, and irrigation scheduling. Irrigation scheduling assistance (irrigation run times and how frequent) is the key area of irrigation focus. Many of the homes since 2013 have been retrofitted with weather stations or been replaced with WIFI irrigation controllers. These smart controllers automate the irrigation scheduling process. If we are unable to “automate” your irrigation system (within the first year) because of complex drainage issues, shade, and/or off site sources of water, the responsibility of managing “wet” and/or “dry” spots and irrigation run times will be the home owners responsibility to manage.
Some people have best described our irrigation service as “Basic” or “Lite”. Irrigation repairs that taken less than 90 minutes will be attempted to be fitted into our schedule. There might be times where we just can’t fit the repair into our schedule in a timely manner. In such situations, we will provide our clients with names of other irrigation companies in town that should be contacted to make needed repairs.
Something is wrong with my trees and/or shrubs.
Lawns by Dr Vaughan is not responsible for trees and shrubs. As our company name implies, we only do grass. This answer could be confusing if you have observed us applying a mosquitoe treatment. When we treat for mosquitoes, we spray around the perimeter of your home and the shrubs and trees where mosquitoes like to hide. This could give the illusion that we are caring for your trees and shrubs. There are companies that focus solely on trees and shrubs that would be much better capable to answer your questions and provided treatments.
My Lawn Doesn’t Look Good. Why haven’t you done something?
This questions infers that Lawns by Dr Vaughan will identify and correct proactively all lawn problems before homeowner observe the problem. We are not GOD. If you ever feel the yard is not looking how you feel it should please contact us and we will address it. If it is a matter of more fertilizer and chemicals (that are a part of your premium and/or traditional lawn care package), we will make an additional applications at no charge as long as the turf is not being cut too short, proper watering is being maintained, and/or shade is not the culprit.
Irrigation controller run times haven’t been changed all season!
As the seasons change, the irrigation controller run times need to be adjusted. Effective 2013, There are a three of options to choose: Weather Station (One Time Fee), Manual (Fee Based), or Do-It-Yourself (Free).
Weather stations measure four environmental conditions and then calculates the water needs based upon your zip code. Irrigation run times will be increased, decreased, or shut off based on weather conditions. It works like a home thermostat. Water cost savings can range from 25% to 40%! In addition, your lawn will be stress free and healthier.
Manually adjust irrigation controller run times used to be offered free of charge. We underestimated the time required and the inability to perform this service as efficiently as a weather station. For clients that prefer the personal touch of us manually adjusting your controller throughout the season, we will be offering a fee based seasonal adjustment program. A scheduled service visit will be made to adjust your controller for Spring, Summer, Fall settings. Note, we must have access to your irrigation controller by either a garage code or hide-a-key! Your account will be billed $15/visit if we are able to do perform this task while treating your property. If a separate visit is required, an additional trip charge of $75 will be added.
Do-It-Yourself – A customized irrigation schedule is posted near your irrigation controller with recommended run times per zone for three seasons of the year. Many irrigation controllers have a “Seasonal Adjustment” feature. By simply adjusting this one controller setting to the average daily high for the month and/or week, you will be in close proximity to the lawn’s water needs. Weekly seasonal adjustment settings are posted on our website at http://lawnsbydrvaughan.com/weekly-watering/ . If needed, a one-time on site training session is available for $75.
Yard is soaking wet. Irrigation controller isn’t working!
There can be many other factors than irrigation controller run times that contribute to an area of your yard being wet. Factors such as a natural spring, gutter downspouts, time of year (Spring vs Fall), neighbor/neighborhood drainage, leaking irrigation components, patios and/or other impervious hard surfaces can all contribute to “extra” water. Checking your irrigation run times is the first step. If possible, isolate “wet” area by turning an irrigation zone off. The worst thing to do is to turn off the entire irrigation system to allow an area to dry out while the rest of your yard starts to experience moisture stress (burning up). We believe in lawn democracy. Don’t let the wet spot “wag the tail” of the entire irrigation system. Irrigation adjustments in small weekly increments is the best way to “dial in” the best irrigation run times. Reduce irrigation run times by 5 minutes for rotors and 2 minutes for sprays. For example, reduce rotor run time from 40 minutes to 35 minutes and check the area one week later. Repeat the process again until wet areas firm up without creating new drought spot areas in lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawns by Dr Vaughan an irrigation company?
In the beginning, Lawns by Dr Vaughan was solely focused on lawn chemical treatments and installation/maintenance of fertigation pumps. We first experience a problem with irrigation companies correctly winterizing fertigation pumps. Then we noticed many irrigation companies provided minimum assistance in scheduling irrigation run times. One thing leads to another and the amount of time spent performing irrigation services has grown where we have asked ourselves are we an irrigation company?
Our core focus is chemical treatments, fertigation maintenance and support, and irrigation scheduling. Irrigation scheduling assistance (irrigation run times and how frequent) is the key area of irrigation focus. Many of the homes since 2013 have been retrofitted with weather stations or been replaced with WIFI irrigation controllers. These smart controllers automate the irrigation scheduling process. If we are unable to “automate” your irrigation system (within the first year) because of complex drainage issues, shade, and/or off site sources of water, the responsibility of managing “wet” and/or “dry” spots and irrigation run times will be the home owners responsibility to manage.
Some people have best described our irrigation service as “Basic” or “Lite”. Irrigation repairs that taken less than 90 minutes will be attempted to be fitted into our schedule. There might be times where we just can’t fit the repair into our schedule in a timely manner. In such situations, we will provide our clients with names of other irrigation companies in town that should be contacted to make needed repairs.
Something is wrong with my trees and/or shrubs.
Lawns by Dr Vaughan is not responsible for trees and shrubs. As our company name implies, we only do grass. This answer could be confusing if you have observed us applying a mosquitoe treatment. When we treat for mosquitoes, we spray around the perimeter of your home and the shrubs and trees where mosquitoes like to hide. This could give the illusion that we are caring for your trees and shrubs. There are companies that focus solely on trees and shrubs that would be much better capable to answer your questions and provided treatments.
My Lawn Doesn’t Look Good. Why haven’t you done something?
This questions infers that Lawns by Dr Vaughan will identify and correct proactively all lawn problems before homeowner observe the problem. We are not GOD. If you ever feel the yard is not looking how you feel it should please contact us and we will address it. If it is a matter of more fertilizer and chemicals (that are a part of your premium and/or traditional lawn care package), we will make an additional applications at no charge as long as the turf is not being cut too short, proper watering is being maintained, and/or shade is not the culprit.
Irrigation controller run times haven’t been changed all season!
As the seasons change, the irrigation controller run times need to be adjusted. Effective 2013, There are a three of options to choose: Weather Station (One Time Fee), Manual (Fee Based), or Do-It-Yourself (Free).
Weather stations measure four environmental conditions and then calculates the water needs based upon your zip code. Irrigation run times will be increased, decreased, or shut off based on weather conditions. It works like a home thermostat. Water cost savings can range from 25% to 40%! In addition, your lawn will be stress free and healthier.
Manually adjust irrigation controller run times used to be offered free of charge. We underestimated the time required and the inability to perform this service as efficiently as a weather station. For clients that prefer the personal touch of us manually adjusting your controller throughout the season, we will be offering a fee based seasonal adjustment program. A scheduled service visit will be made to adjust your controller for Spring, Summer, Fall settings. Note, we must have access to your irrigation controller by either a garage code or hide-a-key! Your account will be billed $15/visit if we are able to do perform this task while treating your property. If a separate visit is required, an additional trip charge of $75 will be added.
Do-It-Yourself – A customized irrigation schedule is posted near your irrigation controller with recommended run times per zone for three seasons of the year. Many irrigation controllers have a “Seasonal Adjustment” feature. By simply adjusting this one controller setting to the average daily high for the month and/or week, you will be in close proximity to the lawn’s water needs. Weekly seasonal adjustment settings are posted on our website at http://lawnsbydrvaughan.com/weekly-watering/ . If needed, a one-time on site training session is available for $75.
Yard is soaking wet. Irrigation controller isn’t working!
There can be many other factors than irrigation controller run times that contribute to an area of your yard being wet. Factors such as a natural spring, gutter downspouts, time of year (Spring vs Fall), neighbor/neighborhood drainage, leaking irrigation components, patios and/or other impervious hard surfaces can all contribute to “extra” water. Checking your irrigation run times is the first step. If possible, isolate “wet” area by turning an irrigation zone off. The worst thing to do is to turn off the entire irrigation system to allow an area to dry out while the rest of your yard starts to experience moisture stress (burning up). We believe in lawn democracy. Don’t let the wet spot “wag the tail” of the entire irrigation system. Irrigation adjustments in small weekly increments is the best way to “dial in” the best irrigation run times. Reduce irrigation run times by 5 minutes for rotors and 2 minutes for sprays. For example, reduce rotor run time from 40 minutes to 35 minutes and check the area one week later. Repeat the process again until wet areas firm up without creating new drought spot areas in lawn.