IRRIGATION FAQ

Why does my sprinkler run when it’s raining?

Sprinklers without rain sensors cannot tell when it rains and when it does not. If you do not have a rain sensor, you’ll want to monitor how much rain is coming down and adjust your timer as needed.

If you do have a rain sensor, then there may not have been enough rain for the sensor to turn off the sprinkler. Think of it like a bucket, when it fills up, the bucket will notify your timer to turn off until the bucket is low again, meaning your lawn is ready to be watered again.

Why does my street or driveway get wet?

Sprinkler heads can move over time due to normal wear and tear and during the freeze/thaw cycle. This can cause a problem when the heads are facing areas that have asphalt or concrete. Watering driveways and streets can cause damage, and waste money. If the head is damaged, replace it and adjust it right away.

Why do I have dry or brown spots in my yard?

Dry and brown spots may occur for many reasons. A sprinkler may not be working or may need to be adjusted. Sprinkler heads need to be adjusted from normal wear and tear so having a professional come check your irrigation system is important to properly water your plants and maintain your lawn.

Why do I have a soft or wet spot in my yard?

Soft and wet spots can be indicative of an issue in your irrigation system. This could be a leak or just as simple as adjusting the times. It is important to call a professional so we can find that issue and repair it and be able to adjust the necessary areas, so you don’t waste water or money.

How do I program my controller?

If you have a manual controller, you will want to consult the manufacturer’s manual or a professional. If you don’t have a physical copy of the manual, many are found online.

If you have a smart controller, there are many ways to program your timer. You can use the app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Some smart controllers are compatible with Amazon Alexa! And your irrigation professionals should also have access to adjust your controller as well.

Reach out to us with any other questions you may have!

It’s very exciting with the changes of season how beautiful the houses light up with fall lighting. Fall lighting can come in a few different forms: security, with purpose, for style, and a combination of these.  Some people like to have extra lighting for the changing of the seasons so people can see where they’re going without fear of tripping. Other people like the extra lighting to add highlights to the beauty of their home, or even add a pop of color! Either way, we at Garden State Irrigation are gearing up to help all our customers’ visions to come to life. For this to be a smooth transition, like Summer to Fall, we are asking for you to be prepared to install fall lighting.

You may be asking, “Prepare for fall lighting? What does that mean?” It’s quite simple! Check out the list below to see how you can help your local outdoor lighting company:

• Cleaning your lights: After all our summer fun, it’s important to clean your lighting. This allows you to examine your lights one by one, being able to see which bulbs are dead and which fixtures need to be replaced.
• Tidying up your landscaped areas: Falling leaves and raked lawns risk accidentally hiding one of your fixtures. We want to be able to examine all your lights, making sure your lights are working and covering the areas you’d like to be lit.
• Adjust your lights: Many people decide they want to add lights during the fall, so if that’s something you’re considering, you may want to have your lights adjusted before adding new. Check out your property and be sure to have an idea of what you’d like done before your appointment to have fall lighting installed.
• Adjust your timer: With Daylight Savings around the corner, it’s important to remember to adjust your timer accordingly. This will make sure your lights come on at the right time and there won’t be any worries when it starts to get dark earlier.

We look forward to installing your fall lighting. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or would like to schedule a FREE estimate.

We love to perform custom jobs for our customers! We love bigger challenges such as installing lighting in an Amish Pool House or smaller changes like matching a lighting to the rail nearby to make it pop! Check out some of the custom jobs we have done below:

AMISH POOL HOUSE

This customer had Amish contractors build him a beautiful pool house, but it was missing something: lighting. After being told by three electricians that nothing could be done, we were tasked with installing lighting that would not ruin the beauty that the Amish built.

FIBER OPTIC LIGHTING

Using Fiber Optic Lighting can be an interesting way to highlight different areas of your lawn at night. We used it to outline this customer’s pool area to give it an extra pop at night!

TVS INSTALLED IN FLOWERBEDS

We also installed outdoor speakers to be paired with the outdoor tv. This allows you to listen to your outdoor tv with beautiful sound.

HIGH TO LOW VOLTAGE

We worked on this beautiful patio area without disturbing the current look and were able to adapt the high-voltage lighting to support our low-voltage lighting.

LIGHTING INSTALLED IN FENCE

This custom job is about the light in the fence itself. There are no visible wires, but it is still able to highlight the sidewalk in front of the property. Being able to input a light that matches the fence without question that they’re separate is an incredible accomplishment.

FLOOD LIGHTS FOR BASKETBALL COURT

We input flood lights on this property. You see a lot of sports stadiums use this type of light to expose a large area without blinding the players. If you have a sporting area like this, you may want to consider investing in some flood lights.

LIGHTS PAINTED TO POP

As you can see in the before photo (pictured on the top left) you can see the lights blend in with the wall and edge behind it. The customer was looking for something a little more stylish for their home. We perfectly painted and matched the railing to the stairs so you can get a hint of gold on the lighting that matches the railings nearby. View the after photos on the bottom/right.

PAVER LIGHTING

This picture shows the custom job we did surrounding the firepit. We squeezed lighting into their stone area. Although this job takes planning and patience, as you can see how beautiful it looks, it’s well worth it.

SPOTLIGHT FOR CHIMNEY

This light is built into the ground, so we can get a beautiful view of the stonework on this customer’s chimney. Happy to install it, you shouldn’t have to worry about tripping with the lack of wires around.

If any of these custom jobs have sparked your curiosity, give us a call and we can schedule a FREE estimate for your property. You can reach us at 201-848-1300 or email us at [email protected].

The biggest concern when discussing irrigation is water conservation. No one wants to over-use water, it costs money, and it could drown the plants. As a company who prides themselves in using products that help the environment, we would love to address why we use the products we use, even after Water Conservation Month ends.

Starting with the Hunter Dripline (HDL), we use this high-efficiency and ultra-durable upgrade to accommodate a range of drip needs. The HDL comes in 3 varieties: HDL-PC for standard installation, HDL-CV for sloping or subsurface applications that require a check valve, and HDL-R when using reclaimed water. There are more than a few key benefits:

• Pressure-compensating emitters for consistent flow and uniform coverage
• UV resistant facilitates product longevity
• Non-draining check valve prevents low-point pooling and allows all emitters to open/close at the same time for greater system efficiency
• Full-sized emitter outlet pool and raised wall inhibit debris and roots from entering the emitter
• And more!

Our company sets up irrigation systems with MP Rotary zones. These sprinkler heads have the slowest precipitation rate for pop-ups in the industry. A slow precipitation rate across a larger area leads to less pressure loss and allows more heads to run on one valve. More heads on each valve makes for simpler design layouts and less pressure loss makes for increase in pressure for the system itself. Along with this, they are formed with a double-pop feature, unlike some competitors. Other nozzles have open orifices that may get clogged, especially after a few cycles. The MP Rotator Series are made to protect the nozzle from debris, making them more durable and less wasteful.

Paired with the MP Rotator Series, we also use Hunter Pro-Spray bodies. These bodies can function not only with a loosened cap, unlike some competitors, but can function properly when the cap is turned 360° at 50 PSI. The Pro-Spray bodies allow less accidents to happen, which saves you water, time, and money.

Another Hunter product we use would be the Hunter Check Valve (HCV). We use the HCV for systems that requires ups and downs due to the landscape, so the water does not seek out low points when the system is not being used. When this does happen, it results in puddling at the heads and ultimately wasted water. The check valves stop this issue by only allowing water to flow in one direction so it cannot fall back towards the lower points of the pipes.

Although it is not a Hunter product, we are also excited about the Rachio Wireless Flow Meter. This meter provides insight to your outdoor water use. It can detect broken heads, ruptured pipes, and low flow leaks! We also prefer this flow sensors to others because it is completely wireless. Installation and handling are both easier than the other brands we have tried.

We do have a product that we can install and service but is not a very popular product: the Hunter Accu-Sync. The Accu-Sync is a pressure regulator that saves water and extends the life of the irrigation system. This is achieved by the regulating the pressure for each zone. It takes into consideration the equipment and the type of irrigation needed for each zone and adjusts the pressure for efficient coverage.

Next, we have one of the easiest ways to save water for your irrigation is by installing a Rain Sensor. Many people forget to turn off their sprinklers when the weather turns bad. The Hunter Rain-Clik has an instant quick response rain shutoff and freeze shutoff at 37°F, adjustability for shorter or longer reset periods, and compatibility with most normally open or normally closed irrigation controllers. This product is a set it and forget it type. If you’re the type of person who is likely to forget to check the weather to make sure you wouldn’t be wasting water or overwatering your lawn, this is a must have!

Lastly, we have two recommended timers: the Hunter Hydrawise and the Rachio Wifi Controller. Both have an app that you and your trusted irrigation professionals can have access to adjust the timer from anywhere if you have connection. There are benefits to both systems, as we have outlined below.

Hydrawise Benefits:

• Virtual Weather Station (VWS) in built into the controller itself. The VWS uses complex algorithms, satellite data, physical weather stations, atmospheric data from airplanes and pressure readings from cellphones to calculate a highly accurate weather reading for the area. This is impressive, but is not as accurate as an on-site weather sensor
• Remote Access through phone, tablet, or computer
• Works with smart technology, such as Alexa, HomeSeer and Control4
• Runs reports on water usage and savings
• Automatic reports for broken pipes and leaks
• You and your contractor receive flow and electrical system alerts

Rachio Benefits:

• Watering program based on what makes your lawn unique
• Fine tunes water schedule by plant type, soil conditions, zone specification and more
• Weather Intelligence predicts weather changes and adjusts your schedules automatically
• Remote Access through phone, tablet, or computer

Lastly, this is not necessarily a product, but an assistance. When we necessarily have all the above products placed within a system, we can perform a water audit. This consists of laying cups out and letting the system run for 30 minutes and then assessing the pressure and lawn coverage accordingly. With this, we can see what zones have too much water and the others not enough. We can adjust the schedules and make sure we are saving water, while taking care of your lawn.

We hope to show that irrigation can conserve water and make a landscape beautiful and manageable.

If you have ever looked at your home or commercial areas and wondered how to make your outdoor areas brighter, safer, and more enjoyable, than you are in the right place. Let us help you assess your lighting needs.

Spotlights

Spotlights are a generalized term, as it just means lighting that only shines in one direction. If you are interested in showing off your beautiful house, landscaping, sculptures and more, then you could be looking to add spotlights to your home.

Flood Lights

If you are looking to brighten a larger area, you may want to consider flood lights. These lights add added security to your property, being able to see in a larger area. Some people look to put them in their driveways, other prefer to brighten outdoor seating areas in the back of their house.

Up/Downlights

Up lights and downlights are directed spotlights. These are particularly good in highlighting specific areas of your

property. If you are looking to highlight your large beautifully landscaped area, you may be interested in investing in some up lighting. Some people prefer downlighting, to provide lighting to a smaller landscaped area.

Step Lights

Step lighting is exactly what its name implies: lighting for your steps. Now there is no need to worry about missing a step in the dark when you casually brighten the stairway from one area to the next with your new step lights.

Garden Lights

Garden lights are lights that are directed down and a little outward, so you can show off your beautiful flowers and garden areas without staring directly into the bulb itself. These allow you to admire your beautiful scenery late at night without having spotty vision.

Bollard Lights

Whether you are looking to brighten a sitting area or to brighten a pathway, these are the only lights that will shine all around, and not in a single direction.

String Lights

String lights, also known as Bistro lights, allow you to beautifully decorate an area by hanging these lights above. It gives lots of lights to areas you are looking to entertain guests in.

Moon Lighting

This lighting is placed extremely high up in the trees and gives a gentle glow down on to the area below. It mimics the look of moonlight, so you can enjoy a peaceful glow to your property, even on nights without the moon.

If you would like to go over the possibilities for your home or commercial buildings, please reach out to us to schedule a free estimate!

As lighting is in our name, we pride ourselves on having easy to maintain lights for your outdoor areas. Not only are LED lights more efficient, but they are also eco-friendly.

ENERGY EFFICENT

95% of the energy LED lightbulbs use are converted into light and 5% into heat. This is amazing in comparison to the average fluorescent light, which majority of the energy is converted into heat and only 5% is converted into light. With less energy required to make the same amount of light, it saves energy to light up your outdoor areas.

DIRECT LIGHT

Other bulbs require more bulbs to light the same area that LEDS can. This is due to less light pollution and being able to control where the lighting hits. By using LED bulbs, you can save money and space on the number of lights you have.

NO TOXIC CHEMICALS

LED lights do not contain any toxic chemicals. When the life of the LED bulb ends and it is disposed of, it will no longer contaminate the environment in landfill waste, and does not need to be arrange through a registered waste carrier. This not only saves cost and time, but the environment from these hazardous chemicals.

MORE DURABLE

These lights last up to six times longer than other types of lights, reducing the need for more maintenance and replacements. This means you can worry less about your lighting needs and enjoy it for about 50,000 hours. You could run these lights for 24 hours a day for over 5 years!

LESS PESTY GUESTS

You can enjoy your outdoor lighting even more because pests are not as drawn to LED lighting. Light insects are generally attracted to the heat that is given off by traditional lightbulbs, but as explained, LEDS give off a lot less heat. This means, these pests are more likely to leave you alone.

With LED lights, you will be able to better enjoy your outdoor area longer in a more manageable way. We look forward to hearing from you about your lighting needs.

With COVID-19, everyone has been home with their loved ones in their shared space. This may make you think, “Is it time for an upgrade?” Here at Garden State Irrigation, we pride ourselves on the safety of our employees and our customers. Whether installing, servicing, or designing a new system for your home, our employees follow these guidelines:

• Wearing face masks and gloves
• Keeping hand sanitizing kits within each truck
• Maintaining 6 feet apart for social distancing
• Working by appointment only scheduled remotely by our office staff
• Staying home and getting tested if an employee shows any symptoms
• Although not all of our employees are vaccinated yet, we are urging them to get the vaccine

We are all spending a little more time at home, so reach out to us if you are ready to take your shared space to the next level.

We work in accordance with CDC guidelines and will continue to update and change our practices as the CDC recommends.

Spend more time outdoors this season with safe and effective mosquito control for your outdoor space. Now you can rid your backyard of annoying mosquitoes without spraying chemicals all over your lawn. With the mosquito repellent fixture you can effectively cover up to 100 square feet with mosquito protection.

This fixture is designed to look great outdoors with its simple, discreet, and low profile to blend in seamlessly with the landscape. It can be added to an existing low voltage landscape lighting system to provide light and repel annoying bugs or it can be used just as a mosquito repellent fixture. With mosquito coverage of up to 110 square feet, you can enjoy more time outdoors and not have to worry about the potentially harmful bugs. Within 15 minutes you can have protection against all types of mosquitoes including the aedes aegypti and aedes albopictus, which are known carriers of the Zika virus.

One cartridge provides about 195 hours of protection and you will easily know when it’s time to be replaced when the green LED light begins flashing. Don’t hassle yourself with messy sprays and traps this season. Give yourself and your family the freedom to get outside again. The combination of low voltage lighting and mosquito repellency gives you what you need to spend more time outdoors. Use it around decks to provide lighting and a bug free environment, line the perimeter of your yard to add security as well and keep pests away BBQ.

Let us help you make your backyard a place to enjoy and not to avoid. The process is simple and quick to install. Call today for more information or to schedule a free estimate.

Outdoor speakers are perfect for any backyard party, but do the speakers you use blend into your yard? At Garden State Irrigation and Lighting, we have partnered with TruAudio to install the SubTerrain Outdoor Speakers that are put underground. The only thing you see is the mushroomed top sound system that easily complements and mixes into your yard. Using the sound system could not be easier as everything can be accessed through your phone or tablet just by downloading the app. We recommend setting up more than one speaker so you can get the full effect of surround sound. The sound quality is crisp and clear promising that it will fill your outdoor space fully.

The SubTerrain Speakers come in three different sizes which makes them great for any size backyard. They’re completely durable through all types of weather so there is no need to worry about replacing them either and they guarantee you having the best sound. TruAudio outdoor speakers are designed to cut through gusts of wind, background noises, rain and they eliminates any echo that usually happens with regular portable speakers. Give us a call today if you’re ready to have the best sound system on your block!

Who says lighting needs to just be for the interior? Not only does outdoor lighting make your yard stand out, but it also has many other benefits you might not have known. At Garden State Irrigation, we have experienced lighting contractors who can create your desired lighting design. With our years of experience, we also have some tips and benefits of outdoor lighting that can help you consider having it for your home. Here are a few:

• Safety: Helps you find your way around the house at night and can help prevent crime.
• Inviting: Outdoor lighting creates a welcoming feel to any family or friend or comes over for a visit.
• Highlights: Adds drama to unique and beautiful landscape and architectural features in any garden.
• Entertainment: Perfect for outdoor parties as it creates comfortable surroundings for seating areas.
• Curb Appeal: Curb appeal is increased not only for yourself but also if you ever decided to sell your home.

                                   
Although these benefits are significant, it is important to know how to get the presence of outdoor lighting perfectly executed. For instance, the first step to take is to decide where you would want to place the outdoor lights. You should try to assign the lighting to specific areas in your backyard. An example would be placing a standing light behind a bench to illuminate it and making it a stand out feature. To give your yard a softer feel, you can hide landscape lighting under shrubs. If you have a pathway leading to your backyard, we would recommend using a chain or short stake lights on either one or both sides. If you wanted to highlight a certain feature (fountain, statue, etc.) we suggest placing various lights at different angles since a single bright light can cause harsh shadows. If you have any questions or are interested in an outdoor lighting estimate, please feel free to give us a call at 201-848-1300.

Not only do gorgeous gardens give you a tranquil place to relax, but you can also use them to attract wildlife with gardening. With so many of our natural resources disappearing around us, we have to do our part- especially being in the green industry and eco-conscious gardening is a great way to achieve that. Various plants and flowers can actually help the environment and help to increase its resources. Being in the outdoors and green industry means that we must do our part in keeping the delicate ecosystem going. Sprinkler systems can be a great tool for water conservation and make sure that there is no wasted water. Even outdoor landscape lighting has come a long way with LED bulbs that burn longer reducing the number of times you need to replace the bulbs. LED bulbs also require less energy to keep them going.

For now, let’s take a look at the different ways your garden can help the ecosystem to thrive and encourage wildlife to visit:

1. Add a bird bath to your outdoor space or garden.

It doesn’t take a lot of water, you want to keep just an inch or two. Just enough to attract the birds looking to cool off or take a drink.

2. If you have space, add groves or thickets.

Plant native trees to your area or berry bushes. The fruit from the plant encourages the wildlife as well as a homegrown snack for yourself. For a clean look, keep the bushes of the same species or keep the color to a set pattern.

3. Add layered plantings.

Space permitting, add canopy like maple trees or cherry trees farther back in the planting area. Then layer in front of that medium-sized trees (Japanese Maple) and keep going from there with bushes or shrubs. In the front, you can add perennial flowers that attract birds, bees, and butterflies.

4. Plant native fruit trees.

How convenient to be able to walk outside and grab your own fresh fruit? Planting native fruit trees not only supply you with delicious, in-season produce but attracts and supports birds, caterpillars, and butterflies.

5. Add a pool or pond

Water features are a fabulous way to bring wildlife to your backyard. While providing a habitat for plants and animals, it allows you to create a relaxing retreat right in your own home.

6. Add vines

Vines are great in small areas where you want to create a space for wildlife. Since they grow up, there is little space required. Hummingbirds are known to visit trumpet honeysuckle and native clematis.

Once you have decided on what type of landscaping you want, it’s important to maintain it with proper watering. Each plant has different needs and properties can vary in their water retention and shade. Hiring a professional landscaper as well as irrigation company will ensure that the needs are being met of your landscape. While there are many DIY platforms out there, there is plumbing that needs to be done on a sprinkler system or if you are planning on adding a water feature. Leave the hard work to the professionals and let yourself enjoy your new backyard oasis.

As winter gradually gives way to warmer, Spring-like temperatures it’s a good time to think about outdoor projects. Creating a space to relax and enjoy the fresh air is a great way to extend your living space. Whether it be working in the garden, relaxing on the deck, or reading on the patio, you may want to consider adding outdoor speakers. Transform an average space into something a bit more special with music on outdoor speakers that can be controlled from the convenience of your smart device.

Backyards come in all different shapes and sizes and require specific placement for optimal sound. You’ll want to consider where most people will be so those are the areas to ensure get sound. Is your property close to neighbors where volume will be an issue? Things like pool equipment, spas, and water feature s should also be taken into consideration since they give off noise that can interfere with the speaker volume. The outdoor speakers should also blend in with the environment and be less noticeable.

It’s also important the speakers are specifically designed for outdoors. The outdoor speakers need to stand up to any temperature and withstand the natural elements such as wind, rain, snow, and the pounding sun. The speakers and their accessories should be able to take the heat, moisture, and almost anything else Mother Nature can drum up.

There are plenty of options to choose from depending on what you are going for. The most common installation is under the eaves of your house. But there have been so many advancements in the speaker design that you can be way more creative than that. Adding a subwoofer helps to deliver a fuller sound that you would expect from the confines of your home. In-ground options are great for delivering quality sound but not creating an eyesore. The latest outdoor speakers are designed to blend with the outdoors allowing you to place them all over your backyard. So no matter where you are, gardening, by the swingset, or lounging poolside you will be able to listen to your favorite music.

While there are many speakers and outdoor audio systems sold at almost every store, for truly great sound and quality you should have them installed by a professional. Having the experience with speaker placement outdoors gives the professional the advantage. Knowing exactly where the place the speakers to give you optimal sound is something that comes with experience. Our installations are done with great sound, quality products while keeping your current landscape in mind.

When you think of Spring, landscape lighting may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But after a long and messy winter like we have had your landscape lights may need a tune-up. During the winter plows, shoveling, and the amount of snow that dumped on most of Northern NJ means your lighting fixtures got buried and possibly damaged. It could also mean that after a long Spring you are looking forward to spending more time outdoors! And if that’s the case adding outdoor lighting means you can extend your time out there.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when thinking about landscape lighting:

Do you currently have landscape lighting?

• Yes? Is it LED? Most earlier landscape lighting systems were installed using halogen bulbs. Since then advancements in the lighting industry have led to smarter, safer, and more energy-efficient lighting options. Halogen lights burn hotter than an LED bulb. A common danger is after mulch is put down, if the lights are covered they can catch fire from getting too hot. An LED bulb does not get nearly as hot as a halogen but and is much safer. Once one bulb goes out it puts a strain on the other bulbs on the line which can cause more bulbs to go out. LED bulbs can cost more from the start but since they don’t use as much energy you will see the savings over time.

Are you looking to put in a whole new lighting system?

• Yes? It would be worth the time to call in a professional to discuss your options and see what will be the best options for your home. While there are a ton of options and blogs on do it yourself lighting systems unless you are in the lighting industry it’s better to have a professional company come in and see what needs to be done and have it completed safely.

What areas or objects are you looking to light?

• Deciding what you want to highlight or add light to is an important decision to make in your landscape lighting design. There are many different kinds of lights that best suit certain areas. String lights are great for a patio area but not so much if your goal is security lighting. Bullets are a great option to light up a landscape design or tree such as a red maple. With so many options contacting a professional can save you time.

What kinds of lighting will you need?

• Well lights, path lights, string lights, deck lights, bistro lights….. oh my! Depending on what you are looking to highlight you will want a specific light. Each light gives off a different amount and kind of light.

You have your house and now you have decided that you want to add low voltage landscape lighting. But where to start? Designing a low voltage landscape lighting system takes more than adding lights. There’s an aesthetic you want to reach to accentuate the architectural details of your home while also providing a safe walkway. Just walk into any home improvement center and you can see just how many lighting options you have. Some lights work best in certain areas and some are better to lighting a path than a tree. Having a lighting professional come to take a look at your property and design a system that works best for your property is a good place to start but here are some things to take into consideration when designing a low voltage landscape lighting system.

A great place to start is what you want to achieve with your landscape lighting. Are your lights for safety? For aesthetics? Go for a walk around your property at dusk to see what areas you need to light. From the inside of your home, you might want to look out the back or front and see what you would like to have the ability to see at night. Maybe you have a seating area that would benefit from bistro lighting, a deck that could use lights to guide you around at night. You want to look for possible areas that you would want as a focal point. Red maples are great trees that look incredible at night with a bullet underneath it. It can almost transform the entire look of your property at night. You want to make sure that the lights are also out of the way of people walking, cars coming in the driveway and landscapers.

Photometrics is something to keep in mind when you are choosing the style of fixtures and bulbs. You can use a lamp guide to help determine the light output and the beam. All lamps put out a different amount of light so knowing what bulbs are being put in will help determine how many lights are needed overall while also being pleasing to the eye.

Installing the right transformer is important. Having the proper wattage based on the fixtures ensures there is no wattage drop or tripping of the transformer. If the wattage is too high for the transformer you can split it between two transformers or install a higher wattage, more powerful transformer.

You can avoid a voltage drop (when lights are furthest away from the transformer they will have a lower voltage – those placed closer to the transformer will have a noticeably higher voltage) by using the following ways to minimalize it:

• use a more powerful transformer
• shorten the cable lengths
• reduce fixture wattages
• remove some fixtures on lighting run

All fixtures provide a different look and are best in or with specific elements of your landscape. There really is a fixture for each and every area of your landscape. Finding the right one for your needs will take time. The market is filled with options to light your home. Unique lighting is a great quality company with loads of lighting fixtures to choose from. Here is a list of commonly used low voltage landscape lighting fixtures and possible placements/ uses for them:

BULLETS: Great for uplighting ornamental trees, gardens, or features such as a fountain.

PATH LIGHTS: Light a way to your front door, line a driveway, or outline the perimeter beds for better lighting at night. It provides a safe, lit path, while also being aesthetically pleasing.

WELL LIGHTS: Mounted on the ground, well lights are great for lighting large landscape features or areas.

These are just a few of the many lighting options out there. Deck lights and step lights are great for creating an extended outdoor living space by lighting otherwise dark areas. Bistro, or string lighting, is gaining in popularity for many outdoor spaces.

Read more on low voltage lighting systems here.

Spring flowers and perennials are going to start sprouting up before we know it. But there are things you can do now to begin getting ready to make sure your landscape is prepped and ready for beautiful spring flowers.

You may want to get out and begin gardening as soon as warmer weather begins but resist the urge! Soil that is too wet can cause compaction making it harder for plant roots to grow. Before too many plants begin their spring growth you will want to begin a clean up. Remove the dead plants from the winter and other decaying matter. Leaving the decaying matter can harbor pests and diseases that can ruin your garden and landscape.

Shasta daisy, asters, coneflowers, and tickseed have green rosettes at ground level that will need to be exposed in order to grow in the spring. Other perennials such as the daylily, geranium, bee balm and others can be cut back almost to the ground and will regrow from there.

Once cutting back and deadheading has been done the next step would be to begin weeding. This is the best time to have them all pulled out before they become even bigger and overgrown. Be mindful that you may come across some of your perennials so be sure to not pull them out. If you come across a seedling that you do want to keep you should wait to transplant it until it becomes a little bigger and the weather gets a little warmer.

Fertilizing would be the next step to take as well as mulching. Inorganic fertilizer shouldn’t need to done every year. As long as compost has been consistent but older beds might need the boost. Fertilizers with fewer nutrients such as organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly and can be added each year. Start slowly with the fertilizer – it’s better to apply too little. Adding too much fertilizer could result in lush leaves but no flowers. It also adds to runoff and end up in ground or surface water.

When mulching the beds be careful to mulch carefully. A thickness of 2-3″ is enough for open areas being careful to not cover the base of perennials. Flowers such as a peony will never flower if there crown- or base- is covered. Shallow rooted plants such as certain bellflowers and yarrow can be killed by over-mulching.

When it comes to dividing or moving it’s best to wait until mid to late spring. Some perennials may not need to be moved unless they had few blooms the past season. If they are being moved make sure they are 2-4″ tall before doing so. Poppies, bearded Iris, Siberian iris, and true lilies (not day lilies) are best divided after they bloom and peonies should wait to be divided until the fall.

Depending on the weather in your area once your garden is prepped it would be a good time to have your sprinkler system turned on. Hiring a professional to do so means you will have someone familiar with the needs of certain plants and landscapes as well as trained in sprinkler systems and smart irrigation.

Check out this article for tips on watering your lawn: https://gardenstateirrigation.com/importance-watering-lawn-properly/

Whether it’s porch lights to welcome you home after sunset or ground-level lights that give your home’s landscape a dramatic nighttime flair, you’ll find more choices of outdoor lighting fixtures than ever before. There are upgrades that can even be made to your current landscape lighting system. From smart timers to LED, energy saving bulbs, many advancements have been made in the industry.

LED bulbs are long lasting which saves you save money in the long run. The upfront costs of a LED lighting system are higher than a halogen system but the bulbs don’t have to be replaced nearly as much. A halogen lighting system does not run as efficiently as an LED lighting system. If a halogen bulb goes out it will cause other bulbs to burn faster and need to be replaced. There is a risk of halogen bulbs burning hot enough that is mulch is left around it can cause it to possibly set fire.

Landscape lighting creates a whole new feel to your outdoor space. Adding a few to light a path or step lights are a great addition which look great and also make it safer to walk at night. Hiring a professional company to install the lights is recommended. While there are many DIY sites to help with the process, a professional knows the ins and outs of what is needed to have a quality lighting system that will be long-lasting.

A backflow device is found between your home’s main water supply connection and your sprinkler system to prevent any backwards water flow. Without one, or if one is broken, could mean that outside debris from your lawn or garden, can get back into your home’s drinking water.

Over time with years of use the backflow may break or malfunction. Even with proper care and maintenance, just as with any other mechanical part, it will wear out and need replacement. Hiring an irrigation professional who has the expertise and knowledge to successfully complete this repair is important. Keeping an irrigation system running requires routine maintenance throughout the season.

A slow and consistent drip or leak from the backflow could mean that debris is backing up. An experienced technician will need to come out and take apart the relief valve and clean the valve seat. This can often be a recurring problem at your property for a slow leak from the backflow. Those constant visits can add up and become costly. At that point, it would be recommended that a filter is installed to prevent this from happening. A filter will help keep debris from getting into the backflow as often and stop the backflow from clogging.

To learn more, keep reading here.

There’s more to just turning on your water and checking the timer when it comes to getting your irrigation system going after the cold winter. A sprinkler turn on checklist is a great way to know what to look for once the winter is gone and it’s time for the sprinkler system to be turned back on for the season. Keep reading for great tips and an informative link from Hunter Industries, a leading supplier in irrigation systems and who we at Garden State Irrigation and Lighting use on all our jobs.

The freezing temps over the winter can cause damage within the sprinkler system that you may not see right away. A main line leak wouldn’t be something you would notice right away. Little by little over time water would begin to reach the surface and pool on your lawn. This can create muddy, swampy areas to your landscape that cause issues such as bugs and lawn mowers sinking and causing damage to the turf.

Having a professional perform the Spring turn on of the sprinkler system ensures that a trained eye will take note of each area and every single zone to check for issues. Some repairs like a broken head would need to be replaced right away. A broken sprinkler head will gush water causing areas to be too wet and be a tremendous waste of water. Other things to look for are heads that may need to be adjusted or moved. When the system was shut down months ago your plants and landscape were at a different stage and needed to be positioned differently or required a different nozzle. In the Spring when plants are new and young, they will require different attention. Service technicians will make sure that each head is set up for the current plants and needs of your property.

If you are interested in reading more tips on what took look for in the Spring, take a look at this link for pro tips from Hunter Industries.

There is no denying the growing popularity of extending your living space with outdoor spaces and including an outdoor speaker system is a great idea. An outdoor speaker system allows you to listen to your favorite music from your backyard or other outdoor space. We use TruAudio outdoor speaker systems that are made to last and to blend in with the outdoors. There are so many products on the market for outdoor speakers but TruAudio has proven to provide a clean sound without being overwhelming. There’s no need to worry about your music bothering the neighbors with these high-quality speakers. The sound is so clear you don’t need to blast it in order to hear it. With our experience, we provide a comprehensive layout of the speakers so that there is never a need to not hear the music. Speakers have come a long way since sounding like the music was coming from a loudspeaker. Today’s speakers provide a wide range of sound and top quality audio.

We have done our research to know that the placement of the speakers is key to an outdoor speaker system. And when using quality speakers you shouldn’t need to have the speakers taking over your space. TruAudio has designed a speaker that is meant to be hard and NOT seen. Quality craftsmanship makes these speakers hands down the best. Their design alone sets them apart from the rest. No one wants to have speakers hanging off their house or tripping over the cords. These speakers are made to blend in with their surroundings and are weather resistant. Rain or shine TruAudio speakers are built to withstand the outdoor elements.

Just think that at your next get together you wouldn’t have to worry about bringing a radio or one little Bluetooth speaker outside. By adding Sonos to the TruAudio outdoor speaker system the music is controlled by your smart device. Take your favorite playlist with you after a long day at work outside as you relax. All you need is your smart device and you have your favorite tunes at your fingertips. Here’s a great video by TruAudio showing the great speakers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fqtN0c8FtU

Fall calls for different gardens and plants for your home. Which means when those plants are put in they will need to be watered and may need adjustments. Over the season your system is adjusted for new plantings and for plant growth. By the time fall comes those same sprinkler heads may need to be changed.

Your beautiful mums might not need the same watering schedule, nozzle, or amount of water that was needed in the Spring and Summer. Mums need saturation daily. They don’t call them “hardy” mums for nothing! Newly planted mums need frequent water to become established. If the soil is dry to the touch it’s time to water. You want to water them so that the root ball becomes moistened but not soggy.

If your mums are in containers they will need water every day 1-2 inches deep. Adding drip or micro mists to your pots is a great way to ensure that you plants get adequate water and negates the need for your to hand water every day. And no matter what you have planted the drip can be adjusted for all new plantings. And the drip is discreet as to not be an eyesore or take away from your plants.

Asters are another frost tolerant flower great for planting in the fall. They are a dainty, daisy like flower great for adding in a pot that is well drained. Which is why adding a micro mist line in your pots is a great idea. It takes the guess work out of figuring out how much water is needed. Slowly the water is delivered straight into the pot. …

Fall plants and irrigationRead More »

Amazon Alexa is now compatible with the Hunter Hydrawise smart controller. This season has been THE season for integrating your sprinkler system into your smart home. Hunter Industries has produced an incredible smart controller for sprinkler systems. The smart timer allows access to your system any time, any where. Even contractors can sign in as well as the customer to make any changes that are needed to a particular zone.

So now when you are having new plantings put in the time in that specific zone can be changed remotely. It also comes in handy for times when you need a specific area or zone turned off for an event at your home or during a time you may have construction going on.

Take it a step further by installing the optional flow meter. With this you can monitor that actual water usage of your sprinkler system. You can be alerted to overwatering in a specific zone that may be a potential problem if left unnoticed.

By using the app on a smart device you can monitor your sprinkler system 24 hours a day from any location. During the summer when you may be on a long weekend or vacation, you can add watering times when it’s been especially dry. But the great thing about the timer is that it syncs with local weather stations and will adjust accordingly if you choose that option. So your sprinkler system now becomes “smart” by knowing whether it needs to water or not.

Partnering with Amazon Alexa now allows you to use your voice to control specific areas of your sprinkler system. So when you are relaxing sitting on the couch and remember that your new flowers could use some extra water, just add the Hunter Hydrawise to Alexa’s skills and you are set. Just say, “Alexa, turn on the flower bed mists for 20 minutes” without even getting up.

Sprinkler systems have come a long way from just attaching a hose to water your lawn. They have now become part of the green movement and the smart home industry. We are proud to be a part of this industry and keeping on track of all the innovations that are made in it. For more on incorporating the smart controller with the Amazon Alexa watch this You Tube link.

Seems like the summer came and went quick and not fall is upon us. Which means you should begin thinking about scheduling your appointment for a sprinkler system winterization. Sprinkler winter service should be part of the routine care that you have done on your system. There are several important benefits to having a trained and experienced company winterize your commercial or residential sprinkler irrigation systems, with the main benefit being financial savings. Irrigation systems are important investments and help maintain your property’s health and beauty throughout the year, so protecting this investment is worth the price of winterization. Any water left in irrigation system pipes, valves and other components can expand during a hard freeze and crack or damage the system, leading to hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars in replacement and repairs. Also, many people mistakenly believe that Houston does not get cold enough to impact their irrigation systems, when in fact the irrigation pipes are buried just below ground and are easily impacted by a good freeze.

Sometimes it is easy to forget about your sprinkler system. Many people believe that since the irrigation system is underground it is safe from the cold and damage. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Water left in the main lines or even the sprinkler heads can be problematic in the spring. By having a trained technician use a compressor with specific pressure to ensure that no water is left. The freezing water left behind can expand once it freezes. This expansion is what causes the breakage and possible repairs needed come the spring.

Protecting an irrigation system from the protects the beauty and health of your property. Repairing or replacing an irrigation system can wreak havoc on a beautiful and well-maintained lawn since replacing components such as mainlines, manifolds and valves require many sections of turf to be dug up. Also, many property owners do not realize they have had irrigation system damage from a hard freeze until well into the spring, when lawns, trees and landscape gardens need a great deal of water. Any delay in getting an irrigation system repaired or replaced can lead to tree damage or unhealthy lawn, which can increase overall landscape costs and decreased curb appeal.

Landscape lights in Bergen county is a service Garden State Irrigation and Lighting has been providing in the Northern NJ and Bergen County areas for over 25 years.  We strive to provide quality landscape lighting to homes in and around Bergen County.  Landscape lighting can provide security lighting as well as be pleasing towards the eye.  Our trained technicians know that proper placement of the lights makes the difference to your home.  We offer a wide range of lighting fixtures and options to choose from.  From color changing lights that can be changed and controlled from your phone to a more modest lighting scheme aimed to provide safety and security to your home.  We can provide an estimate designed for your needs and landscape with a face to face meeting.  Getting to know the customer as well as the property allows us to create the look that perfectly suits your needs.

Landscape lights can be used to highlight architectural details of your home. Adding up lighting to porch columns creates a look of grandeur.  A few well placed bullets on a Japanese maple or river birch makes your landscape a showcase of your property.

On patio or lounge areas wall lights installed directly into a retaining wall or other surrounding structure adds a creative look and allows you to spend more time outside safely.  Add step lights to your deck lighting the way for guests to enter and leave your home.

There is an endless array of lighting possibilities for your home and landscape.  Our years of experience and professionalism shows in our quality installation of outdoor landscape lighting.  We provide an in depth consultation and free estimate for your property.  Visit this link to see more of our previous lighting projects.

Creating a Halloween lighting display is something kids young and old LOVE to see.  From creepy and eerie designs to a more innocent and rustic display, there is something they have in common- LIGHTS!

Imagine creating your spooky decor and being able to change from green, to blue, to purple, to orange any time you want.  The best part?  You can do the controlling from your phone!  We offer the FX Luminaire Luxor ZDC (Zoning Dimming Color) for your home.  This low voltage lighting system allows you to control different areas and sections.  Make one tree blue and another orange.  Create an area that shines bright or one that is more ominous and dark while still providing some light.

And even when the holidays are done and over, you can set the lights white as a part of your landscape lighting.  Turn some areas on and some off.  Dim an area close to a bedroom at night.  Other areas can remain on and bright giving you added security at night or to extend your living space outside illuminating a deck or patio. 

Planning for holiday lighting in your home and other Bergen County surrounding areas is exciting AND stressful.  We offer holiday lighting to help offset your stress.  With a free estimate we come out to your property and take a look at your home.  By taking a look at your home firsthand we have a good idea of the amount of lights you would need.  We also take the time to talk to you and get to know you and what you are looking for in your lights.

You will have the peace of mind that you are in good hands with our team.  From colored lights, to LED, wreaths, candy canes, garland, and timers you are covered.  Our technicians have the lighting and installation experience needed to provide our customers with a high quality lighting diply

From start to finish we are there to assist you in any way for your holiday lighting needs.  No matter what holiday you are celebrating we offer the right lighting display for you.  We can even put up your own lights, provide new lights, bows, and wreaths, as well as provide safe storage for your lights until the next season.

And it’s not just for homes.  If you are looking to spruce up your business for the holidays we can do that as well.  A clean, crisp outline of your business structure, light up the trees along your building, add a big wreath to the outside to show your holiday spirit.

Helping to take the stress out of the holidays is our job.  We know how important this time of year can be to spend more time with family.  Taking care of the holiday decor is just one less thing for you to worry about!  Giving you a little more free time to see family, prep for parties, go shopping, or to just have a little extra “me” time to yourself.

Creating an outdoor space is a great way to let your indoor living area flow to the outdoors. Especially in the summer months and early fall many people want to add more living areas outside.  Decks are a great way to add outdoor space and value to your home.  But with the addition of outdoor lighting you can take it to a whole new level.  It adds security as well as the aesthetic and giving you a space to spend the warm summer nights in.

And there is a design that fits each home and space.  Keep it simple with a light on each corner post providing just enough light. Or add one to each post on the deck adding light and security while you are entertaining. You can install the lights at the top or the base of the post, depending on the look you are doing for.

There are many different styles to choose from to create the right amount of light for your deck.  Add step lights to your deck for safety.  Step  lights provide a soft light that leaves you and your guests able to walk around safely at night.

Adding deck lighting adds a subtle light that can add hours on to your next gathering.  Even the pathways to your deck can be accented with a path light.  Outdoor lighting provides a cozy setting as well as a deterrent for intruders.

Having the right professional help you create this space is important.  We take the time to meet the customer and see their property to make sure that our design fits the needs, wants, budget, and home of each and every one of our customers.  Our owners personally design each lighting plan.  And all our technicians are trained to install and maintain outdoor lighting systems. Check out some of our own lighting designs here.

So you’re walking around your property and stumble upon a leak in your sprinkler system. It’s not uncommon and can happen anywhere in your irrigation. And the problem is that there is not quick fix. It can be a long process. Especially in the difficult area of the valve box.

Sometimes in order to repair a break in the PVC, you may need to replace multiple valves. This can also happen when a valve malfunctions and needs to be replaced. A common problem of this happening is when the valves were plumbed too close together. Not leaving adequate spacing is a problem and leaving a minimum of 1′ spacing between manifold valves is suggested to ease the need of getting at the valves for future repairs. A big “no no” is the use of putty to stop the leak. And while it may work temporarily it is not good fix, just merely a “band aid” approach.

Getting things done the right way is the only way. Your sprinkler system helps protect your lawn and plantings. And as most things over time, repairs are needed and need to be fixed. The band aid approach is faulty and will end up being more costly in the future. This is the type of repair where a professional is needed. Cutting out the bad or broken PVC and redo with new PVC and fittings. Once repaired and glue is set, your system is back in business.

Fore more information on valve leaks and repairs, check out this website.

Ever taken a stroll around your yard and noticed areas with too much water? Are some spots are soggy and drenched? This could be the effects of a waterlogged lawn. This can make your lawn become really messy and muddy- not good. Here are some of the things that may be creating the swamp like effect on your lawn:

• Inefficient drainage: Your gutters could be to blame. They may not be the proper drainage system for your home causing too much water to gather in spots. Without a proper gutter system your lawn can become saturated by all the run off coming from a misdirected gutter. It’s important to keep the gutters clear of debris to ensure it is functioning properly and not causing your lawn to look like a mess.
• Too much watering: Watering twice a day is not necessary. Less is more sometimes when it comes to your sprinkler systems’ watering schedule. Deep watering just once or twice is week can be all you need. This is where having an automatic sprinkler system works best. Being able to monitor and control the watering of your system helps prevent over and under watering.
• Compacted soil: If you aren’t guilty of number 1 or 2 the problem may lie with your soil composition. Most commonly you will find that clay based soils are less permeable. But all soil types can become impacted over time. To alleviate this you can limit foot traffic in those area or have your lawn aerated.
• Broken/cracked valve: With an underground sprinkler system the valves and pipes are all buried. If one (or more) are cracked or broken, you may notice areas of your lawn pooling and having too much water collecting. With time the sprinkler technician can track out and repair the issue for you before it causes more damage to your lawn and plants.

So why is too much water bad for your lawn? Soil need air pockets in order to grow lush and stay healthy. The plants need their roots which live in the soil to be able to breathe. Soil and lawns that are over watered basically suffocate the plants. This causes the plants to rot and eventually die. If you might be experiencing areas with too much water, give us a call. Let us find out the problem and see what is the issue and fix it.

Summer is quickly approaching and our landscapes will begin to need more attention. Higher temperatures and longer sun can make the grasses dry and plantings begin to wilt. Installing a smart sprinkler system can help you maintain your landscape all season long. And with the innovations in the industry, sprinkler systems are becoming more and more “green” and smart. New smart timers can be controlled remotely from any place and any time. Keeping a closer eye on the system cuts down on over watering helping you save on your water bill.

New timers can retrofit into existing systems. The smart timers offer benefits:

• Real time monitoring of your zones watering
• Add extra time to specific zones from anywhere
• Adjust watering schedule based on water restrictions
• Shut off zones as you need
• Cut down on service calls and having to be at your home to give technicians access

Take it a step further by adding a flow sensor. With the flow sensor you can see the amount of water being used by your irrigation system each time it runs. By signing onto the app you can see the water usage charted out for you. If there is a leak or a potential issue, the app will alert us and potentially save you money by catching an the problem early.

Rain sensors are a smart way to also make your sprinkler system run more efficiently. The sensor can measure the rainfall and tell the sprinkler system whether it needs to run or not. If enough water has fallen over time it will know to not let the system run. Once a certain amount of rainfall has accumulated, the sensor will shut the electrical current system to the causinto not run until it dries up.

Another great addition to a smart sprinkler system is adding drip zones. Areas such as arborvitaes, green giants, certain bushes, and other plants can be watered with drip irrigation. Lines installed underneath the ground delivering water right to the roots. These systems are estimated to be boost your systems efficiency by 90%. It’s a smart, easy, and inexpensive way to bring the right amount of water to specific areas.

Read more on sprinkler systems here.

Landscape lighting has many benefits. Most people judge landscape lighting as an “extra” for their home. Thinking of it as a luxury and not a necessity. Which can be true. But landscape lighting can look great AND be added security for your home. Ensure walkways and driveways are lit for safety when coming home at night. Just a few strategic pathlights can make quite an impact. Add lights near back, side and front doors so you can clearly see where you and your family are going. Illuminate sidewalks, driveways, and around your garage. A well lit back yard and property shows you care about your home. It’s a great deterrent for trespassers or burglars. Most wont approach a home where they will clearly be seen.

Think about the added safety of a well lit property for neighbors and walkers. When your home is lit up there’s less chance for someone to trip and fall over something. When you are having company over, having entrance areas lit make them feel safe and secure when coming to your home at night.

And in the warmer months ,who isn’t spending more time outside. Extend the life of your parties or get togethers with back yard lighting around your gathering areas. Guests and your family will feel safe and have a sense of comfort spending time outdoors when it’s dark with outdoor lighting. More parties means you may be grilling up a storm. Bistro lights can add just enough light allow you to see more clearly. If your grill is near a fence. think of adding lights to the fence posts for more light. Large back yards can benefit from additional lighting so letting your pets out at night is safer.

By using the new smart controllers you can also control your lights from your smartphone. If you go away for vacation and forget to turn the lights on, there’s no need to worry. Turn the lights on right from your phone.

There are so many ways to add comfort, safety, and aesthetic to your home with outdoor landscape lighting. Having a professionally installed system means that whatever your needs are in the lights are met. Read more on landscape lighting and the Light Logic timer here.

If you have an irrigation system you already know the importance of protecting your investment. But there is more to just turning the sprinkler system on when it gets hot or when you put new plants or seed down. Proper watering times are key to keeping your plants happy and lawn looking lush. A few minutes per cycle is typically just enough water to wet just the very top layer of soil. By watering deep, the root system of the turf will grow deep and be able to absorb that water. Just keep the deeper soil levels moist, and that takes longer irrigation times.

Water 3 times a week, but not everyday. It’s not needed more than that unless seed or new sod was put down. In that case, watering two times a day for 2 weeks is needed for the sod to take. Do not set your sprinkler to come on or irrigate in the evenings, as this keeps the turf damp all night and could lead to turf disease. And don’t water in the middle of the afternoon, as with the heat and sun, some of it will simply evaporate and be lost. Have your sprinkler system programmed to come on early in the morning, so more of the water can soak into the soil, and as the sun comes up it will dry out the grass.

The key to efficient irrigation is to adjust watering schedules frequently during the season. If you set your automatic controller once and let it run all season, you’re wasting a lot of water that could be damaging your plants and your pocketbook. Most modern controllers allow you to easily set your base schedule and then adjust your weekly watering schedule based on the weather.

While this all may seem complicated, there are ways to simplify it. Having a knowledgeable sprinkler system company can help. A trained staff with years of training can routinely come and make sure that plants are getting watered for their specific needs . There is also the technology advancements reaching the irrigation industry. New cloud based, WIFI controllers can tap right into local weather stations and water according to your local weather reports. Reports are kept to see when the system last watered, for how long, and even spot potential issues.

It can be overwhelming to decide what to do to create a more inviting outdoor space.  There is an incredible amount home improvement contractors out there ready to help.  And yes, we are one of them.  Let us help you design exactly what you need.  Even if you are looking to update an existing patio or install one brand new, our design team can help.

Outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes can be fitted to what you need.  From creating an extravagant party space to just a quaint, relaxing nook to sit back and enjoy at the end of a long day.  Hardscapes add a great aesthetic.  They are a perfect project to create a retaining garden or wall, steps to help bring you to different levels on a multi leveled back yard, or even an area to sit around the custom built fire pit.

And there are many things to consider when doing a hardscape. While it’s important to have a level patio, you need to make sure it does slope away from your home’s foundation and toward an area that can either handle additional moisture or is an existing drainage area. Plan for a quarter inch drop in elevation for every two feet of distance.

Help minimize the effect of movement of your pavers.  Plan for a good solid edge by using additional pavers, a solid cement lip, or metal or vinyl edging. This will help creeping weeds as well as keeping the pavers in their place.

And you never know when your paver style is discontinued.  It’s smart to make sure that are left with some extra in case you need replacements for any reason. Broken pavers can be removed by prying them out with a couple of screwdrivers or a thin pry bar. If the paver needs to be cut to fit, be sure to cut it slightly smaller than the length of the opening to allow for sand to be repacked around it.  A proper cut is key especially when trying to achieve a certain design with the pavers.

Find more paver and hardscape tips and ideas here.

I’m sure so many of you have tiki torches outside. And if you don’t, I am sure you are thinking of putting them out or may buy them this season. They not only are a great aesthetic to your back yard, but also add light and help repel mosquitoes.

It’s been all over the news and papers that bug season is going to be bad this year. Mainly due to a warm February and all the rain we have had. Our back yards are turned into prime breeding ground for these annoying bug. Which is why so many of us constantly spray our yards, stock up on foggers, drench ourselves in repellent, and will try any new product that says it will repel mosquitoes. But what if I told you there were other ways to help rid your space of these bugs. For more on the possible mosquito invasion, click here for an article recently published.

Well here it is!

Garden State Irrigation offers tiki torches WITH low voltage lighting. What this means is that you are not only helping to rid your back yard of mosquitoes but it also adds great light to your space. Giving you the ability to spend more time outside this season. We only use quality, made to last products that are made to withstand the outdoor elements. These tiki torches are made to retain their look and work for years to come.

You can also add mosquito repellent to your sprinkler system. This way, each time your system is set to water, a mosquito spray is evenly applied. This eliminates the need to call a company and have the property sprayed. It’s basically a hands off way to keep your family safe from these pests all season long. All you need is the tank installed and the repellent to fill it with.

Imagine being able to enjoy your backyard this season without the worry of getting bit all night long. And with the tiki torches, you also allow yourself to extend the time you spend outside. Fire pits become even more fun when you aren’t swatting bugs away very minute.

Sprinkler systems are a key way to go green and cut costs while being eco friendly. And with the latest technology, you can become even more green by tracking the water used.

With drip irrigation, you are getting water to plants that are in tough spots that normal irrigation heads cannot reach, such as planter boxes and window boxes. Drip irrigation using plastic tubing to bring water to these areas.

Micro-irrigation is basically a black delivery tube with smaller spray nozzles that you can place wherever you need to irrigate a specific plant or group of bedding plants. When a nozzle gets clogged, you can see it is no longer delivering water where you need it.

Drip irrigation lines often come with pre-installed emitters, spaced from 12 – 36 inches along the poly tube. All emitters act as regulators to control the quantity and rate of water coming out. Although emitters available on today’s market have many common characteristics, they will differ in size and shape. Output rates for emitters range from ½ to 2 gallons per hour, and those with different output rates can even be installed on a single run of tubing. This allows you to compensate for plants with diverse watering needs located in close proximity. There are also emitters available that offer flow rate options – adjustable from a steady drip to a slow stream of water. Which is what makes drip irrigation so important to a properly installed and designed irrigation system. Different plants, trees, and shrubs all need different watering times.

Emitters deliver the right amount of water directly to the roots of the plants. However, it is still necessary to choose the correct emitter to fit your needs. While emitter hoses and miniature sprinkler head systems are more suited for closely spaced plants, drip emitters are best in situations where plants are more widely spaces, or even in separate containers.

Visit this link for more on drip irrigation systems.

Mother’s Day is May 14th- and if you are like most people, it will be here before you know it. Malls will be packed, lines will be out the door, and many things may go up in price just due to demand.

So why not spare yourself the craziness of retail and give Mom something shes can enjoy for a while. Moms have some of the toughest jobs out there. Always wearing more than one hat and taking care of everyone before themselves. The hours are long and the pay, well, the pay is pretty much non-existent.

How do you think she would like being able to come home after the last load of laundry is done and lunch is packed for the next day, go outside, and relax on her patio with a glass of wine underneath bistro lighting? Maybe she would like a fire pit to make memories with the family. Or how about a water feature with the calming and soothing sounds of a cascading water?

Maybe she’s been wanting to redo a paver patio or cracked driveway. Think outside the typical Mother’s Day box this year for Mom. Give her her own sanctuary to read a book, a place to kick off her shoes and let her hair down… Even if it is just for 5 minutes.

She deserves it! Give us a call today and treat Mom to something truly special this year!

May has reached us and here’s a little fact – It’s National Photo month.  We’ve seen social media flooded with people’s favorite photos. And why not?!  I love seeing what everyone is up to, new things to try out, recipes to make.   And even in our business photos are important.  It’s our way of showing before and afters, the latest products, and even what issues can look like such as leaks and broken heads.

This month we are going to try and showcase even more of our work.  We offer so much more than just sprinkler systems.  And there’s no better way to let everyone know what we can do better than showing you.  You will see more of your landscape lighting work, outdoor speaker systems, paver jobs, water features and ponds.

It’s becoming more and more common for people to want to create an outdoor living space.  Backyards are more than just a spot to let out the dog.  Outdoor spaces are becoming a place to extend your indoor living space.  If you are looking to create a beautiful, outdoor retreat, you might want to consider a water feature.

Water features are a functional and eye-pleasing consisting of several different elements working harmoniously together.  Adding water to your landscape is a great way to add a unique aesthetic. Including a water feature in your landscaping provides some unexpected benefits.

You work long hours, and it’s not often possible to get away from it all and enjoy nature’s soothing sounds. Bring nature to you! With a custom design for your and your backyard, the soothing sounds of nature can be just outside your doorstep.   Imagine coming home, maybe getting the kids put in bed, pouring a glass of wine, and heading to your patio or deck to sit and relax to the comforting sounds of trickling water.

An interesting benefit of a water feature is enhancing your local ecosystem.  Birds will come to visit,  dragonflies will be buzzing around, all helping increase nature in your very own back yard.  Water features can be fit into any back yard.  Small back yards or large, there is a size for your space.

Simple wall fountains, huge cascading waterfalls, and other pond-less water features are great choices if you don’t want to deal with much maintenance.  Essentially the water re-circulates, meaning less water used and little bacteria.

If you are interested in water features and the benefits they will bring to your life, click here for a great article.

Reminiscent of the outdoor cafes you see in movies, bistro lights are the latest thing for outdoor lighting.  Perfect for any back yard.  Bistro lights can help make your parties last longer.  So many people are treating their outdoor spaces as an extension of the indoor.  With low voltage outdoor lighting, you can create a warm space outdoors.  Great for a little patio area, a quiet spot in a corner of the yard you want to make into a gathering area, and even for decks.

String lights are not just for the holidays any more.  Bistro lights come in different shapes – from a vintage look to a more known round bulb, like what you wold see at an outdoor cafe.  Using the lights you can create a space to use more.  Extend that party longer by having the relaxing light illuminating your space.  Maybe you are hosting a graduation or even a wedding, bistro lights have become quite popular for even larger scale vents.

You can create exactly the space you are looking for with bistro lights.  By stringing them differently you can get many different effects.  

All you need to do is spend 5 minutes on Pinterest to see the many ideas for bistro lighting.  Check out this site for more ideas.

You will find LED bulbs and lighting systems popping up everywhere nowadays. From making the switch of your interior bulbs to the exterior, there are many ways to save with using LED bulbs.

Starting with the cost, halogen are the cheaper way to go. LED is a more costly upgrade. BUT, halogen bulbs go out much quicker. Typically, an outdoor halogen bulb system will need to be replaced every 8-16 months. Over time, you are paying more to maintain your LED system. Once one halogen bulb goes out, it puts more pressure on the other bulbs causing them to go out prematurely.

Swapping them out is easy! LED bulbs can retrofit into the existing system you already have. And here is an interesting fact, changing out ONE old 35 watt halogen bulb with a 3 watt LED bulb will put out the same light and color. Less watts used means less energy needed which equals SAVINGS!!! These savings are why so many homeowners and contractors are making the switch to LED.

Halogen lights are also more dangerous. The heat that the halogen bulb gives off can cause too much heat to be given off. So imagine if you are having mulch put down and your landscapers are not paying attention. Covering a halogen light can cause it to catch fire. LED bulbs run more safely and cooler. LED bulbs are even cool to the touch.

LED lamps are also easier on the transformer. Back in the day, before LED, transformers were loaded up to 80%, leaving no room left for upgrades. Now, with LED, that is not the case. LED lighting systems require less wire (more SAVINGS!) and leaves room to add more in the future.

Our team can custom design, build, install, and maintain these systems. We will design the system to suit your home and needs.

To read more on the benefits on LED versus halogen lighting, visit this site to learn more.

Now that Spring is in full swing I’d bet you are seeing plants and flowers sprouting up every single day.  And if you have a garden, you know how long it can take to get it watered.  Having drip irrigation installed at your home can be a game changer for you  and your landscape.  Plants need water at their roots to reach their full growth potential.  And to hand water takes time and energy that you may not have on a daily basis to give your plants what they need.  Not to mention hand watering can be inefficient and not very cost effective.  With a drip system you can water exactly how much your plants need as well as making sure the water gets to the roots.  We have seen great results in the incredible gardens that some of our customers have.  No one wants to spend their mornings or nights watering.  Here’s a great article on the benefits and reasons why you need drip irrigation for your garden.

Spring brings us many great things: warmer temps, longer days, flowers… What all these things have in common?  They are all a part of the wonderful outdoors.  And April specifically brings us Earth Day.  A day we can enjoy and help learn new ways to preserve this amazing planet.  Our entire business is based on the earth.  Many look at sprinkler systems as wasteful and costly.  But that couldn’t be further than the truth.  By having a quality irrigation system installed and maintained, you can SAVE money and go green at the same time.

For instance, the type of heads you use are best in certain areas and with certain foliage.  Professionals know the right type of head for each area, saving water which equals money savings.  While hand watering means you are literally watching as it waters, it is still wasteful.  Sprinkler systems are designed specifically for your landscape and weather conditions.  By having your landscape monitored throughout the season you make sure that the watering times are adjusted for the season ass well as adjusted due to growth or possible changes in the landscape.

You can also have the possibility of a rain sensor to know when to shut off your system after a certain amount of rainfall accumulates.  Invest in a smart controller which allows intricate details regarding your sprinkler system.  We can see zone by zone if there is an issue, the last time it watered, how much water it used by having a Flow Sensor installed with it.  Real time alerts are sent to us to know of potential issues such a stuck valves, broken pipes, or an electrical issue.

We spend time to learn all ways of saving money and keeping up with all technology advancements in the industry.  Keeping our clients happy and helping them is our goal.  The only way to do that is making sure that we provide our customers with the absolute best service.  Call us, we are more than happy to tell you all about the ways we can help you save money. From installation of new systems to helping you to maintain your existing system.

Read more on the ways to save money with a sprinkler system here.

It’s finally been feeling more like spring lately.  The sun has been shining and the phones have been ringing with customers scrambling to get their water turned on!  It’s our favorite time of year and we are completely prepared for it.  Our winter was spent on training and attending seminars on all the new trends and products being offered.  One that we cannot stress enough is the Hunter HC Hydrawise.  The reasons are endless as to why this smart controller is not only a must for all tech lovers out there but anyone who is ready to protect their investment.

Despite all the snow and rain we saw in March we are still in a drought in Northern NJ.  While the soil may be wet and sot now, water usage will be monitored very closely this year as well.  And your lawn and plants will need water, the ground won’t stay wet forever!  But anyone who’s even somewhat eco conscious will not want to use their water wastefully.  There is still hope and plenty of options out there to help manage your water AND being green.

It starts with smart landscaping. You can look for hearty plants that require little to no water.  It also pays to get to know what is being planted.  Knowledge really is power.  We can help to make sure that your sprinkler system is running when it needs to be.  We know that different trees, plants, and foliage require different watering schedules.  The smart controllers that we have now also take the guesswork out of watering.  They have the power to connect to local weather stations and change their schedules based on the forecast.  So long periods of rain mean your system will know to shut off – Saving you money on your water bill and a call out to us to adjust your timer.

Take it one step further with the Flow Sensor which monitors the water usage in real time.  See if there is a possible leak, or break, or stuck valve before it could become a costly problem.  And we are alerted to all these issues and can either remotely fix the issue or know that a technician needs to be sent out.

If this smart controller has you interested, take a look at this link for more information.

Outdoor speakers are nothing new.  Every speaker place sells their speakers and tells you how great they are.  At Garden State Irrigation we have spent months finding the best speakers out there and investing the time to try them out.  We have perfected bringing your favorite tunes to the outdoors seamlessly and beautifully.  Using TruAudio speakers, they are meant to blend in with the outdoors and not stand out.  By using your smartphone or mobile device, you can stream the music from the palm of your hands.  No need to get up and down tot change the music or adjust the volume.  These outdoor speakers give you the time to enjoy your next party or BBQ without messing around with speakers and music all night. With the Spring here and Summer around the corner, it’s a great time to invest in these TruAudio outdoor speakers.  These aren’t your ordinary speakers either.  We are talking sturdy, weatherproof, and meticulously made speakers that provide a full sound meant to be heard not overwhelm.  We’ve done the research and tried them ourselves which is why we are ready to bring them to all our customers.   Our technicians have been trained and will provide our extraordinary service and installation with these speakers.  By a one on one estimate, we will give you an estimate for the custom speaker package that is best suited for your home and landscape.  By walking around your property and talking to you directly allow us to better assess what you would need.  Our service doesn’t stop there, we are here to assist you throughout the process to answer any and all of your questions. And if you are not sure if you are ready to make the full commitment with these outdoor speakers and may be the slightest bit curious, give us a call to hear about trying them out for yourself! Check out this informative video from TruAudio.

We have been anxiously awaiting the new smart controller from Hunter Industries.  This smart controller can be retrofit into your existing system with ease.  No matter the size of your system, this is great way to keep constant eyes on your property.  Even if you are on a maintenance plan with us, the constant monitoring of your sprinkler system ensures that your investment is protected. From unexpected storms to summer water restrictions, save time and money by just giving us a call and remotely adjusting your system accordingly.  Another concern of many people, whether contemplating an irrigation system or if you already have one, is the water usage. With the Flow Sensor your water is gauged per zone with real time water usage.  It also alerts us to leaks potentially preventing a larger problem.  The HC also allows us remote access during your visits.  Unless there is a need for us to access the plumbing, by using the HC controller, we no longer need access inside your home during service visits.  Using the app, we can make watering changes, turn on and off specific zones, and check for leaking valves or current water usage. This smart controller is a game changer in the industry.  Hunter Industries is bringing the latest in smart technology to the world of irrigation.  We have spent the winter months training, installing, and making sure that we are up to date on the use and management of this controller.  We know what an investment landscape and irrigation is to your home.  Which is exactly what the Hunter HC controller can protect.  Using it’s smart technology, it logs into local weather stations for the latest forecasts and adjusts watering times. And if there is a power outage or any other electrical issue, the HC will send an alert.  It can even let us know the location of the valve that is having an issue.  Check out more about this incredible new smart controller from this Hunter Industries article:

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As the season winds down we have been working on many new and exciting things to benefit our customers. Our goal is to bring the ease of the latest technology in irrigation, lighting, and outdoor speakers to each of our customers.  There is an endless amount of information out there and we are doing our best to bring all that information to you.  Which means that at Garden State Irrigation and Lighting we are always here to help with any questions or concerns.  The winter may mean we are not as busy, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t working!  

The holidays always seem to creep up on us.  We dread seeing the holiday decor in the stores just after Labor Day but it is a reminder that it will be here before we know it.  While it is a time of family and for being thankful, we know if can stress us out the most at this time of year!  Parties, shopping, getting the house ready for guests, cooking, baking, decorating… The list goes on and on.  Which is why we are here to help.  Let our professional team install, take down, and even store your holiday lights.  We have so many options, whether you want us just to put up your own, provide the sets of lights for you to own, store them, or take them down and leave them with you – there’s something for everyone.  We can provide you with a free estimate based on what you want for your home.  We are waiting to hear from you!

We are excited to now provide the Luxor ZDC controller to our customers. The possibilities of this are endless.  Imagine being able to provide different lighting colors from the palm of your hand- literally.  With the app you can control these lights from your smartphone!  The Luxor ZDC gives you the ability to create a vast range of 30,000 colors using RGBW LED technology. With ZDC, you can create custom colors can for outdoor holiday displays, team spirit themes, company colors, or special events. Color temperatures can be adjusted to match vegetation and architecture, offering unique landscape looks throughout the year.  Already backed by FX Luminaire, it’s a quality product we stand behind 100%.  Our technicians can install the new controller and walk you through the whole process so you understand exactly how to use the controller to it’s full potential.

We are so excited to tell you about a new and exciting service we now provide- outdoor luxury sound systems by TruAudio! TruAudio is a luxury, state of the art speaker system that will complete your outdoor living space.

Sit back, relax, and play your music outdoors from the comfort and convenience of your smartphone. Control a crown amplifier packing 1000 watts of power with a Sonos controller – all at your fingertips.

Technology is everywhere, and now it’s hitting your irrigation and lighting systems.  With the new controllers, you can control the programming from anywhere! Smart phone, tablet, iPad, and your computer.  This smart sprinkler controller maintains the watering schedule for you. Automatically adjusting for changes in weather and seasons while using as little water as possible to get the water bill down. It can actually watch the weather for you and make necessary changes to the program for you and alert you to these changes.  

This technology is not just for your irrigation system.  The convenience of controlling your system remotely is also available for your lighting system.  Going on vacation?  How about added security?  You can turn the lights on and off from your fingertips, even if you are not home.   It uses astronomical timing – adjusting automatically to dusk and dawn based on your location and seasonal changes.  Another benefit? No worries if there is a power outage- it keeps your programming so there’s no need to have to reprogram!  If you have multiple lighting systems you can also manage them all on one app.  Even if you have an existing system it can be used with it.  Capable to control not only your lighting but ponds and water features as well.

If you’re considering outdoor lighting, keep reading.  There are so many benefits of adding outdoor landscape lighting to your property. Here are just a few:

1. Extended living space
2. Security
3. Safety
4. Highlight decor
5. Curb appeal