• Phone:
    325.692.1838
    Fax:
    325.692.2129
    Email:
    masterscapes@masterscapes.com
    Address:
    MasterScapes Inc.
    330 Bacacita Farms Rd
    Abilene, TX 79602

Ask the Expert

This area is devoted to you! Your specific questions about property care and water management are answered by members of our qualified staff.

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Ryan McCorkle, commercial applicator

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Jordan Phillips, licensed irrigator

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Scott Warren, certified arborist

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Comments or Questions?

  1. MasterScapes - Jordan Phillips
    September 11, 2009

    Abilene Guy,
    You could definitely benefit from these great devices. Both of these sensors help to save water (and money). They are designed to shut off your irrigation system during rain and freezing situations, then return the timer back to automatic watering when the conditions are right. So, you won’t be watering in the rain and you also minimize the potential for broken pipes and dangerous sidewalks/driveways during a freeze.

  2. Abilene guy
    September 11, 2009

    I’ve heard about rain sensors and freeze sensors, but I don’t really know anything about them. Do I need it (or them)?

  3. MasterScapes - Ryan McCorkle
    September 5, 2009

    Ginny, two good questions! To answer your first - How often should you be watering your sod - the key is moisture. During the first few weeks of watering, you should concentrate on keeping the sod surface moist. This is best accomplished by lighter, more frequent watering, especially on hot sunny days. Lawn areas in full sun will need more water than areas in partial shade. If you have an irrigation system, lawn edges and curb areas may require some hand watering. Pay close attention to areas that have some slope since they tend to dry out faster. The best rule of thumb is “if in doubt, water.” Once the sod is rooted you can cut down the watering frequency and water more, but less often. With regard to our current watering restrictions, new lawns that have been seeded, sodded, or mulched may be watered by an irrigation system daily for a maximum of 8 minutes during each of the following periods: 11a-1p; 2-4p; 5-7p; and regular intervals between 9p-10a. This schedule is permitted for a maximimum of three weeks.

    How often should grass seed be watered? Again, it is important to keep the soil moist, but not over saturated. After the seeds have germinated you must reduce the frequency of watering and increase the amount of water applied each time. Don’t allow water to puddle or stand - too much water can inhibit germination and promote disease.

    For more watering information, please refer to the Irrigation Recommendations at Water Management services on this site.

  4. Ginny D
    September 4, 2009

    How often should we be watering the sod we put down?

    How often should grass seed be watered?

  5. MasterScapes - Ryan McCorkle
    August 27, 2009

    Joseph, thanks for the question. Most lawns in the area will have grubs. However, it takes 8-10 grubs per square foot to do major damage. To find out if you have an infestation, mark off a 1′x 1′ square and dig up the area. Look through the soil and count the grubs that you find. If there are only a few grubs, then you will not have grub damage.

  6. Joseph from Abilene
    August 27, 2009

    I saw a grub in my flower bed and a few in my lawn. Do I need to treat for grubs?

  7. MasterScapes - Scott Warren
    August 12, 2009

    john b: Yes! Tree trimming is not the only option for ridding trees of mistletoe. There is a spray that can be applied when the tree is dormant, but with a few requirements. First, temperatures must be above 65 degrees and, second, no rain within 24 hours of application. A surfactant must be added as well. After treatment, you should see results after about 3 weeks. Re-treatment may be necessary the following year if the mistletoe is really bad.

  8. john b.
    August 11, 2009

    Is there anything that will kill mistletoe in my trees other then trimming?

  9. MasterScapes - Jordan Phillips
    August 11, 2009

    Clay, that’s a good question. The best time to water your lawn is early morning and there are a couple of reasons why. First, the wind velocity is usually lower during the early morning hours which helps reduce the amount of loss through drift. Also, you will have less evaporation during the cooler morning hours.

  10. Clay from Tuscola
    August 11, 2009

    I’m still not so sure about watering. Whens the best time of day to do that?