Advanced Irrigation Blog Posts

Winter Tree Care

Posted by & filed under Landscaping, Lawn Care Services.

In the winter, you might not give the trees on your property that much thought. You might assume they go dormant until the spring, so they don’t need any attention during the cold months. However, this is not the case! As experts on lawn care in Edina, we have a few suggestions on how to help your trees survive the harsh Minnesota winters by doing a few simple lawn care and tree care tasks.

After a snow fall, go out to your yard and gently shake the snow off of your tree branches if the snow that fell is dry and fluffy. You can use a broom for this task, but be gentle. Keep an eye out for snow that is building up on the branches and, if it is safe, run outside during the snow storm to shake the branches if necessary. This bit of lawn care can help preserve your trees and keep them healthy. If your tree branches are covered in ice or heavy and wet snow, you can leave them alone if the limbs are not damaged. If you do notice some damage to the tree limbs, go out and prune them as soon as the weather allows. Taking care of this tree care and lawn care chore can save you some hassle and time this spring.

You can also wrap your trees in plastic wrap or in burlap. This might sound silly, but wrapping your trees can help keep them healthy for next spring. Sometimes, when the sun hits the bark, this can cue the tree to emerge from dormancy. And later in the day, when the sun goes down, parts of the tree can be hurt when the temperatures drop. Wrapping your trees can help protect them and help them regulate their temperature. Wrapping your trees can also protect them from critters that eat tree bark for added nourishment during the winter months. This is an important part of lawn care and tree care, and taking the time to wrap your trees can help them grow again this spring.

Taking the time to give your trees a little extra TLC this winter can make lawn care and tree care much easier on you this spring. Just keep an eye on your trees and other parts of your landscaping to ensure the cold temperatures and freezing precipitation are not damaging your plants and trees beyond repair.

Do you want more information on lawn care in Edina, especially for the winter months? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

How to Find the Best Commercial Snow Removal Company

Posted by & filed under Snow Removal.

If you are a business owner, then you already have a full plate of commitments. You might be thinking about hiring a commercial snow removal company so you have one less chore to worry about when bad weather strikes. We are a commercial snow removal company serving Minneapolis, and we have a few suggestions on what to look for when you start your search.

Word-of-Mouth Recommendations

The best way to find out a reputable commercial snow removal company is through word of mouth. You could ask other business owners in your area which commercial snow removal company they use and if they are happy with the service. Or you can go online and read reviews that other people have left about the commercial snow removal company. The Internet is an excellent resource for this sort of thing. And don’t just read one review. Try to read a handful so you get more of an idea of how good the commercial snow removal company is and whether or not they deliver on what they promise.

Commercial Snow Removal Services Offered

Ask the commercial snow removal companies what specific snow removal services they offer. Is it just one guy with a shovel and some rock salt? Or do they send a team of workers with a plow, shovels and a few different kinds of de-icer? And how soon after a snowfall do they come to your business to clear the snow and ice? Also, ask about fees charged. Is it a flat fee or do they charge per hour?

Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA)

Advanced Irrigation is a member of the Snow and Ice Management Association (SIMA), which is a non-profit trade organization for snow and ice industry professionals. It promotes professionalism among its members, it gives its members networking and educational opportunities and it provides leadership for those in the snow and ice removal industry. While it’s not a requirement that commercial snow removal companies be a part of this organization, it is always a good sign that the company is interested in the educational and professional opportunities that SIMA provides.

Of course, if you call Advanced Irrigation for commercial snow removal, you won’t have to worry about any of this. We have a great reputation in this area for our commercial snow removal services!

Do you need trustworthy and reliable commercial snow removal in Minneapolis? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Lawn Care

Posted by & filed under Lawn Care Services.

It is a new year, and that means many of you have a list of New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you are trying to remodel your home or tackle another home improvement project, but what about your lawn and landscaping? As a lawn care company serving Elk River, we have a few suggestions on what should be on your New Year’s resolutions list.

Start Planning

It is never too early to start planning for spring. Start thinking about what you would like to have planted, and start thinking about what tools you will need for your lawn care. You should take a look at your lawn and landscaping to see if there is anything you would like to change for the upcoming warm months. Do you want to transplant anything? Do you want to plant a new tree or shrub? Sketch some designs and start thinking about any changes you would like to make. Transplanting trees is usually easier in the cold months, so now might be the best time to do that.

Start Cleaning

Like we have recommended before, winter weather does not mean you should stop lawn care chores. Even if you only take a few minutes each week, be sure to keep debris off of your lawn and out of your flower beds. Take some time every week to look around your yard and landscaping for toys, leaves and anything else that might be sitting on your lawn.

Spring Start Ups

Sure, January is not when you want to schedule your spring start-up for your irrigation system. But now is the time to start planning for that. When would you like to be on our schedule for your spring start up? Be sure to give us a call soon to make that appointment. That way, you will not have to worry about this aspect of lawn care because it will already be scheduled and taken care of!

With a little bit of planning and preparation early this year, your lawn care chores should be easier to handle once the warmer weather hits. Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner! Take some time to plan your lawn care in advance to make your life a bit easier once the seasons change again.

Do you want more information about lawn care in Elk River? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or you can contact us to get a Free Estimate.

Eight Tips on Shoveling Snow Safely

Posted by & filed under Snow Removal.

Snow shoveling is one of the most dreaded winter chores. While we’re taking care of your commercial snow removal needs at your St Paul business, you might be busy shoveling snow at your home. However, shoveling snow doesn’t have to break your back! Here are a few of our favorite snow shoveling tips.

  • Treat snow shoveling like you would any other exercise. Warm up before you start. Pace yourself and try not to overdo it. If you have to take a few breaks, do so. Stay hydrated too. You might be outside in freezing cold temperatures, but you will probably sweat. And that can cause dehydration if you aren’t careful.
  • If you feel any major pain, stop shoveling and seek assistance. It could be something minor, but this could also indicate something bigger is going on. While clearing up snow and ice is important, your health is more important.
  • Make sure you have the right type of snow shovel. Try to find one with a curved handle, and make sure the shovel is the right size for your height. You should be able to bend your knees and flex your back at a 10-degree angle or less as you’re starting the first part of the shoveling stroke.
  • Try to find a shovel with a plastic blade. These tend to be lighter in weight than a metal one.
  • When you go out to shovel, don’t pick up the snow and throw it aside. Use the shovel to push the snow where you want it to go.
  • Remember to lift with your knees, not your back, if you have to pick up snow with your shovel. Make sure your hands are about 12 inches apart so you get the best amount of leverage. This will help reduce the strain on your body.
  • Buying a snow blower might be something to consider, especially in an area like St Paul. This can make clearing out snow even easier on you than shoveling.
  • After the snow has been cleared, use some de-icer if need be. Use it sparingly and only put it on sidewalks and driveways. Never use de-icer on your grass, as it can cause the grass and other plants to die.

Do you want to learn more about our commercial snow removal services in St Paul? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or get a Free Estimate.

Winter Lawn Care Tips

Posted by & filed under Irrigation Systems.

Let’s face it: winter is here, even if the calendar says we have a few more weeks of fall. We have been winterizing irrigation systems throughout Minnetonka and the surrounding areas. So here are a few tips on how to keep your lawn and landscaping in good shape so they look great this spring.

Cut back on dead plants

If you have perennials in your yard or garden, now is a good time to cut back on their brown tops. This is the part of the plant that has grown and died. So cutting back on them now gives new growth a chance to blossom once spring rolls around again. Just be sure the part of the plant you are cutting back is fully brown. Don’t cut anything that is still green or even yellow. And when irrigation systems kick back on this spring, these plants should come back fairly quickly.

Take care of your mower

After irrigation systems are blown out for the fall and winter months, that is a good cue that your mower can hibernate for a few months too. Take the time to drain the gas tank and give your mower some more TLC – change the oil, clean it (especially the under-side), sharpen the mower blade and replace the spark plug if it needs replacing.

Keep the snow clear

When your area gets a significant snowfall, don’t just shovel your driveway and call it a day. Take the time to clear snow off of tree branches. Snow can weigh them down and cause damage. However, if they are coated in ice, just leave them alone because trying to break the ice off of the branches could result in more damage to the tree.

Beware of foot traffic

When there is snow or ice on your grass, try not to walk on your grass. A lot of foot or sled traffic could compact the grass and make it harder for the grass to grow in and stay upright once spring rolls around again. Of course, you can walk on your yard if you want to, but try to keep it down to a minimum if possible. This also helps irrigation systems get your yard looking good again when springtime is here again!

Are you ready to learn more about irrigation systems in Minnetonka? Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675, or you can contact us for a Free Estimate.