Santa Barbara Landscaping Company Offers Water-Wise Sprinkers and Irrigation Systems

January 11, 2013 By Bruce Koehler

Hunter Sprinkler systems

Down to Earth Landscapes Inc. Press Release

Santa Barbara, CA, December 13, 2012 –(PR.com)– Leading Santa Barbara landscaping specialists Down to Earth Landscapes Inc. has recently announced the addition of a new highly-demanded service to their list of landscape service solutions. The company will now be offering installation services for water-saving sprinklers and irrigation systems, which are designed to allow the modern homeowner to minimize their home water costs while still maintaining the look of the property.

In the last decade, the city of Santa Barbara has suffered many long-term droughts. As a result of these droughts, local legislators have placed restrictions on the amount of water that residents can use within their homes. This means that local area residents must now be proactive about securing cost-effective products that help to limit their water usage. This is where Down to Earth Landscapes Inc. can help.

The company now installs advanced water-efficient sprinkler systems. The company’s systems are engineered precisely to provide the right amount of water in order to help homeowners eliminate the water runoff that is a major cause excessive water usage on their property. The water conservation specialists at Down to Earth Landscapes Inc. are up to date on local water conservation regulations, so they are prepared to help homeowners conform to the latest rules set by authorities.

In addition to offering their new water-efficient irrigation systems to their clients in Santa Barbara, the landscaping company is also a valuable source of information on how to reduce water-usage over the long-term. Down to Earth Landscapes has created a list of guidelines to help clients achieve water-use efficiency. They recommend that clients use an automatic moisture sensor to determine when lawns need watering and the installation of a rain shut-off device to override the sprinkler system when it begins to rain.

To request an estimate and discover how cost-effective Down to Earth Landscapes Inc.’s services are, homeowners can visit the company’s website athttp://www.downtoearthlandscapesinc.com and book an appointment with one of their water-wise irrigation and sprinkler experts.

6 Tips for Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees

January 10, 2013 By Bruce Koehler

Santa Barbara and Fruit Trees

Planting Season for Fruit Trees in Santa Barbara

Fruit trees and Santa Barbara go together like peanut butter and jelly. Many of our streets are so named for the groves of fruit trees that used to grace the street that now house much of our community.

Olive, lemon, walnut, avocado: these are just a few of the trees that call Santa Barbara home. As with many of the coastal regions of Southern California, Santa Barbara fruit trees can provide some of the sweetest, tastiest fruit available. January is the best time of year to get those bare root trees in the ground.

Planting Tips for Bare Root Fruit Trees

Tip 1: Plant bare root trees within 24 hours of acquiring them. If you cannot plant them within a day, place tree into a pile of soil or a bucket of soil mix.
Tip 2: Soak the roots overnight in a mixture of water and Vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 can be found at your local hardware store. This will prevent the roots from going into shock.
Tip 3: Dig a whole in which to plant the tree. The hole should be approximately double the size of the root ball. It is not necessary to dig a hole deeper than the length of the rootstock. Soften and amend the surrounding soil. Refer to our previous blog on soil amendment if you are unaware of your kind of soil.

Tip 4: Place the tree on a slight mound in the middle of the hole, and then spread out the roots; don’t let them encircle the tree. Face the bud union of the fruit tree (where the root stock and fruiting section have been grafted, you’ll see the bump) to the north east, away from the direction of the sun. Use quality, rich soil amendment mixed with a slow release fertilizer for trees to backfill tree
Tip 5: Make sure that the tree is approximately 1-2 inches above grade. This keeps the tree from developing root rot and insect damage.
Tip 6: Make sure you install an irrigation system with the tree. We recommend a drip system. If you are unable to do so, you should check frequently for moisture. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO DRY OUT. When you do water, you should water deeply.

*Note: Some suggest that you should paint the tree trunk of a young fruit tree in order to keep the tree from becoming sunburned. This method is unnecessary in Santa Barbara, as the climate is moderate and unlikely to scar young trees.
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