Advanced Irrigation | Twin Cities Lawn Sprinklers

Spring is coming! We may still have some snow to plow, but soon the flowers will be blooming and the grass growing. With spring on the way, we want to remind you of all the services we offer.

For homeowners, we offer landscaping, irrigation systems and landscaping supplies. For commercial property owners, we offer landscaping, irrigation and lawn maintenance. Let us know how we can help your yard this season!

Call Advanced Irrigation at 612-599-8675 or request a free estimate.

How do you find a reliable snow removal service provider?

Step 1

Be Proactive; Start your search for a service provider early.  SIMA recommends starting no later than August or early September each year.

Step 2

Be Selective; Create a plan to qualify service prospects.  Use resources like the web, colleagues, and SIMA’s membership database to research service providers.  Consider creating a Request for Information (RFI) to further pre-qualify.

Step 3

Build your RFP; Take time to identify your needs and create a Request for Proposal (RFP), including a Scope of Work that outlines what the property should look like once service is conducted.

Step 4

Align with best practices; Ensure that a professional company is hired to do the work.  Use the official SIMA Best Practices Checklist, available at www.sima.org/bestpractices, to help assess potential providers and compare apples to apples.

Step 5

Seek Trust; The risk of service failure during a storm is simply too high.  Hire a provider that seeks to share liability, provide on-time service, and proactively address concerns.  Consider hiring contractors who are members of SIMA and are dedicated to their profession.

AS A MEMBER OF THE SNOW & ICE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (SIMA), WE ARE A PROFESSIONAL AND RELIABLE SNOW REMOVAL COMPANY. It’s just snow removal, right?  The truth is that hiring a service provider to clear or remove ice and snow from your facility is one of the key safety and financial decisions you’ll make in a given year.  Here are some things that can go wrong when you hire a provider without a solid process in place:

A patron is severely injured due to ice at your facility

A slip and fall claim results in a significant or even catastrophic financial settlement

The entire annual budget for exterior maintenance is blown due to a heavy winter

Operations at the facility slow or stop completely during heavy snow or ice events

It seems like just yesterday it was summer but snow could be falling any day now. Whether you’re a seasoned Minnesotan or are a new business owner just learning the ropes here, it is vital to be prepared for the weather ahead. The annual average snowfall here in the Twin Cities area is approximately 54 inches, with nearly half of that falling in November and December. The first big snow could happen any time now. So don’t delay on setting up professional snow plowing!  If you do, you may find yourself frantically trying to make calls and set up plans for an impending snowstorm. Snowfall can impact your business in a variety of ways so it is essential to be prepared. Snow can create transportation and safety issues leading to empty inventories and reduced productivity that fail to meet demand. This can cause decreased business, less purchasing by storefronts and reduced revenue for production companies and other businesses. So, before the winter weather hits, the experts in snow plowing for Monticello and the surrounding areas would like to offer information on how to avoid disastrous effects on business this winter.

Commercial properties require a lot of planning. Many factors must to be taken into account when determining the time and cost of snow plowing and ice treatment for your property. Professional snow removal experts will consider its overall size, number of walkways, the size of the parking areas, time of normal business hours, and type of business to create a snow removal plan best suited for you. That way, when snow hits, you can bounce back sooner than later.

It also doesn’t help that the snowy months are also an incredibly important commercial season. Black Friday marks the beginning of the shopping rush leading up to Christmas, and there will likely be several inches of snow already by the time it gets here.

Aside from the understandable aggravation of driving in inclement weather, if your parking lot and other roadways are left unattended, they became a breeding ground for automobile accidents. This cause a high incidence of calling out as well as decreased productivity. Make sure your employees feel confident knowing that when they come to their office or storefront they will be greeted by a professionally plowed lot.

Lawn looking not-so-green? The late summer can bring dry conditions and high or fluctuating temperatures that can result in a crisp, dry lawn. And let’s face it, crisp and dry is not ideal for any landscape. Lush and green is what everyone property owner is looking for and the experts here at Advanced Irrigation are here to help. We can install and maintain a water sprinkler system for your Maple Gove home to ensure your lawn is getting what it needs.

Here is some more information about how a water sprinkler system is an essential to your late summer lawn care:

Your lawn should receive about 1/3 an inch of water every two days in order to maintain deeper roots, thus helping protect against drought. A water sprinkler system can be programmed to water the lawn and ensure your yard is getting all the water it needs to grow. Plus, these systems come with a rain sensor, so it will automatically turn off or adjust the amount of water according to how much rain has fallen. A water sprinkler system is also a great way to help conserve water, and it also helps make sure every part of your yard and landscaping is getting an even amount of water through the rest of the growing season.

Another essential part of late summer lawn care is the correct amount of mowing. This is usually a very simple chore, but it is incredibly important to help maintain your lawn’s health when it’s hot outside. And don’t over mow your lawn. The grass blades are what turn sunlight into food. Lots of food encourages the growth of a vigorous root system and healthy roots produce more grass blades and you get a thicker, lusher lawn. If you cut too often and too short, your grass won’t be able to retain the water and food it needs to grow.

It is also a great time to think about scheduling your fall blowout. Now is a great time to call Advanced Irrigation to schedule a fall blow out for your water sprinkler system. This is basically a way to make sure your irrigation system and its components don’t freeze and break when the outdoor temperatures start to plummet. We will come to your home and do tasks like draining the water out of your system and draining the pipes, among other things.

Summer doesn’t officially begin until later this month but hot summer-like weather has already hit the Twin Cities. Is your business’ lawn and landscaping prepared to beat the heat? One of the best ways to arm your commercial landscaping against the dreaded brown lawn is with a commercial irrigation system from Advanced Irrigation. We are the experts in the installation and maintenance of commercial irrigation for Minneapolis. We can custom tailor an irrigation system to meet the needs of your business’ unique property as well as monitor and maintain your system to ensure it is working efficiently throughout the season.

Water is the key ingredient to a lush lawn and can help provide your business with fantastic curb appeal. But it is important to ensure the water is reaching the grass’ roots. The rule of thumb is to water deeply but infrequently: this will encourage the roots to grow deep into the soil. If you water too frequently, the grass will grow shorter roots and the grass will dry out during dry spells and droughts. Your commercial irrigation system can be programmed to do just that. Irrigation systems can help ensure your business’ lawn is getting the water it needs to grow its best.

It is also recommended that the irrigation system does its work during the morning so that less of the water evaporates in the heat and more goes into the ground. If you come to us for irrigation systems, we can put one in place that will water your grass properly; at the right time and at the right amount. In fact, there are many variables that can alter the design of the system. We take into consideration:

Lawn shape

Landscape layout

Soil type

Soil density

Weeds

Lawn damage

And more

Really, the most important thing you can do to combat a dry, brown lawn is to utilize a commercial irrigation system. Being sure you get the water deep in the soil will help keep it looking nice and green. And, by by targeting the areas most in need of hydration, water can be conserved, benefitting both the environment and your business.

The first day of spring was March 20th and our area is beginning to feel the warmth and joy of spring! Now is an exciting time for spring cleaning and bringing the lawn and landscape back to life. If you haven’t started planning your spring and summer landscaping or if you are unsure if it’s something you even want to tackle at all; we are here to remind you of the many benefits it can offer! In addition to looking and smelling amazing, there is real, tangible value in proper landscaping; well-managed landscapes offer tremendous benefits for people and for the environment. As the expert landscaping company for Buffalo and the surrounding areas, we would like to offer up some of the most exciting benefits to investing in landscaping for your home or business. And, when you’re ready to get started this spring, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we can plan and install a beautiful landscape custom tailored for your unique property.

Natural Cleaner

A growing body of research has demonstrated how important it is to incorporate tree canopies, grasses and parks into cities and towns. They provide a wide range of lifestyle benefits that improve the quality of life for residents. So, don’t neglect this beneficial aspect for your own landscape. Grasses are natural environmental cleaners that can even play a vital role in cleaning up the air around your home. It can capture dust, smoke particles and other pollutants as well as produce oxygen. In fact, grasses absorb carbon dioxide and break it down into oxygen; producing clean air to breathe for you and your family!

Cooling

And, grass is also much cooler than blacktop and cement. With green grass and a canopy of trees surrounding your home, you can enjoy a cooler environment that can even help reduce your cooling costs.

Mood Lifter

It is important that lawns and landscapes remain a viable component of healthy communities. After all, having a lush, green landscape can improve overall morale and mental health. The benefits of human interaction with plants, trees, and grass are also well studied and documented and workers are even more productive when working in environments with plants.

It’s simple; people feel better when they’re surrounded by beautiful grass, trees and plants. Did you know that the U.S. Forest Service found that neighborhoods with tree-lined streets and larger yard trees  experience reduced crime rates? Landscapes are amazing!

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the upper midwest region should expect snow well into March. So it is essential us Minnesotans have a trustworthy snow removal plan in place to tackle winter and early spring snow. Even if you don’t have a plan in place already, there is still time to do so! Here at Advanced Irrigation, we specialize in more than irrigation systems and expert lawn care services, we also provide professional snow plowing for Buffalo and the entire surrounding area. We can provide you with comprehensive, dependable snow plowing and snow removal for your business property for a safer, snow-free winter.

Not sure about the benefits of professional snow plowing? Or, are you unsure how to hire the right snow plowing company? Here are some important tips to keep in mind:

After a snow storm or big snowfall, your property’s sidewalks, roads and walkways can become slippery and dangerous. It is important to ensure your entire perimeter is safe to walk on with snow plowing services you can depend on. You may have a few shovels to take care of an entrance or two, but in order to have all walkways and parking lots safe and clear, you’re likely going to require professional snow plowing.

When it comes to something as important as safety, it is important that you hire the right company to ensure you have the right action plan in place. By hiring and scheduling professional snow plowing services you will be able to align with snow plowing best practices and receive an outline of what the property should look like once the snow plowing service has been conducted. Then, once a big snow hits, you will know who’s taking care of it and what to expect when they’re finished.

It is also important you hire a reputable snow plowing company that has your best interest in mind. Advanced Irrigation is a member of the Snow and Ice Management Association or SIMA, which is a non-profit trade organization for snow and ice industry professionals. It promotes professionalism among its members, gives its members networking and educational opportunities and it provides leadership for those in the snow and ice removal industry.

If you call Advanced Irrigation to schedule your snow plowing, you won’t have to worry about what will happen in the event of a big snow for the rest of the winter! We have a great reputation in this area  so you can depend on us to get the job done right.

You may be thinking to yourself “Isn’t it a little early to be planning for snow removal?” However, for commercial property owners and managers, now is the perfect time to make these types of winter preparations and for a number of reasons. As professionals in commercial snow removal for Edina and the surrounding areas we would like to tell you why.

For one, it’s Minnesota. And, Minnesota winters have a mind of their own. The first big snow could happen any time now. So don’t procrastinate or you may find yourself frantically trying to make calls and set up plans for an impending snowstorm. And, the high quality, dependable commercial snow removal providers like Advanced Irrigation fill up quickly. They can only take on so many customers in order to clear them all in a timely fashion so if you wait too long, you may be out of luck.

Large commercial properties require a lot of planning. Many factors need to be taken into consideration when determining the amount of time and the cost of the snow removal and ice treatment of your property. Professional snow removal experts will consider its overall size, number of walkways, the size of the parking areas, time of normal business hours, and type of business to create a snow removal plan best suited for you. That way, when snow hits, you can be back in business sooner than later.

When it comes to something as important as safety, it is important that you hire the right company well before winter even hits to ensure you have the right action plan in place. By hiring well in advance, you will be able to align with snow plowing best practices, create a request for proposal, and receive an outline of what the property should look like once the snow plowing service has been conducted.

At Advanced Irrigation, we’re ready to respond to snow or ice emergencies 24 hours aday. And we closely monitor weather conditions so we’ll be ready to jump into action when we’re needed most.

Don’t put off your commercial snow removal preparedness one more day! Contact the experts at Advanced Irrigation and we can get your snow removal plan underway!

Summer is coming to an end and it’s time to begin preparing your property for the cooler months ahead. One of the most important steps in this process is a fall blowout and winterization of your water sprinkler system. Why aren’t you able to merely turn off the water, leaving the system in a dormant state? It is essential to hire professionals to perform this task for many reasons. You may feel you want to take the chance. However the experts here at Advanced Irrigation strongly recommend professional maintenance of your Minnesota area water sprinkler system: Here are some reasons why and how it works:

Water will be found at different points throughout the system that will freeze and expand as it turns into ice this winter. With expansion on these levels, the system itself will be overwhelmed. It is far too much for the water sprinkler system’s fittings, pipes, valves and other parts and they could become damaged beyond repair, calling for replacement. With this type of damage you will be left footing the bill for a replacement. However by hiring a trusted company that knows how to prep your irrigation system to withstand the annual freeze, you can help safeguard your water sprinkler system.

How does it work? The water sprinkler system will be drained using the automatic or manual drain valves to get most of the water out of the piping. Once this portion of the job is complete, compressed air in effect dries out the system, ensuring not an ounce of water is left within to freeze and damage the system. When we use compressed air, we calculate just the right amount to not damage the sprinkler system or any of their more delicate parts.

Then, we make sure the main valve is closed, keeping the water from flowing into the water sprinkler system and freezing when the temperatures get below freezing. Any timers in existence will be turned off, preventing the system from starting up at any point during the winter months.

However, if you have not had our water sprinkler services team out to handle your fall blowout or winterization, freezing or breakdown may prevent the system from turning back on come spring.

If you are considering a new landscape design for your home or business, it is important to create one that is right for your unique needs and property. From a space to entertain guests to an area for growing a garden to building a communal space for employees; there are many considerations that must be considered. Have you considered the amount of shade you would like for your landscape design? As experts in landscape design for Minnetonka and the surrounding areas, we can help you answer these very questions and then design a landscape for your unique wants and needs. But first, we have a few suggestions to help you get the wheels turning on what you might want for your new landscape. And, when you’re ready to started, contact the landscape design professionals at Advanced Irrigation! We look forward to working with you.

First, when it comes to color, composition and design; start thinking of your landscape in terms of plants and flowers that will complement each other but don’t match exactly. Plan to have them planted in groups and not rows. Groups of flowers are easier to maintain, plus they are more interesting to look at rather than rigid straight rows. Also consider plants and flowers that are different heights. Plan to plant them together as well, and it will also make your garden and landscaping more interesting to look at.

Will you want to incorporate hardscaping into your landscape design? Retaining walls are some of the most functional types of hardscapes. They either separate garden rooms or areas, or they hold soil up across varying elevations of your home’s landscape. Patios are also great forms of hardscaping. They offer an open area for holding furniture and for relaxation. Patios are lovely hardscapes that can give you even more room to entertain guests or hold outdoor meetings. How about walkways? Our landscape design experts can help you choose where to place those as well.

Have you considered shade trees? Many lawns and landscapes are fully exposed to constant sun. If you wish to be part of and directly enjoy your property, perhaps in a hammock, sometime you just want to lay in the shade. Why not implement some shade trees into your landscape design? Advanced Irrigation can help you with all of your shade tree needs.

Earth Day is April 22nd and in its honor we would like to clear up some misconceptions about lawn irrigation systems and water usage. After all, here at Advanced Irrigation, we believe in doing everything we can to conserve water when we design, install and program every one of our irrigation systems. As experts in sprinkler system installation for Buffalo and the surrounding areas, we believe in helping Mother Nature and the environment through water conservation. This Earth Day, consider sprinkler system installation for your home or business as a way to save water and promote a healthier landscape. Ready to learn more? We would love to tell you more about our unique sprinkler system installation and a few of the things we do to ensure efficiency.

Protecting the environment is a community and group effort. Everyone has to pitch in to make sure our planet stays healthy. And, one of the best ways to keep your yard looking good while also doing your part this Earth Day is to have weather-based controllers included in your sprinkler system installation.

Gone are the days of over-watering and wasting water with a hose and sprinkler or sprayer propped up in one spot. This old, outdated way of watering the lawn is incredibly wasteful. But, with a sprinkler system installation from Advanced Irrigation, you get a weather-based controller. Weather-based irrigation controllers work by calculating something called evapotranspiration. This is the combination of the water that the ground evaporates and the water that plant materials transpires. The weather-based controllers calculate this in real time by monitoring a weather station 24/7. The on-site weather station monitors conditions like rainfall, the wind, humidity and solar radiation.

The weather-based controllers are programmed by using unique characteristics of each microclimate within your yard and landscaping: plant and soil type, slope, sun and shade exposure and precipitation rate. Based on these factors, the controller will automatically adjust the watering times and frequencies for each zone in your yard. No water goes to waste and every drop is used to help your lawn grow lush and green.

And, not only does water efficiency from a sprinkler system installation benefit the environment, it can also benefit your wallet! Using less water means money savings un the long run.

Though Jack Frost still lingers, spring is just around the corner. And, one of the most exciting times of the year; spring mulching! The smell of new mulch symbolizes the beginning of the growing season and the look of mulch breathes new life into the landscaping. Our professional landscaping company for Elk River not only has an endless bounty of mulch in stock but we will gladly bring it along with us to help spring-ify your lawn. But, when is the best time to mulch? We’ve put together some guidelines for mulching as well as some of the benefits mulching your landscaping can offer.

The first thing to keep in mind is that mulch is best applied from mid- to late spring to autumn, when the soil is moist and warm. It is best to avoid applying mulch in winter and early spring as the soil is too cold, and in summer, when it will be dry.

Mulch gives your garden a neat, tidy appearance and can reduce the amount of time spent on tasks like watering and weeding. Mulch can help soil retain moisture in summer, prevent weeds from growing and protect the roots of plants in winter.

Not having a hearty base of mulch surrounding your burgeoning plant-life can drastically limit the life and overall blossom of your landscaping efforts. So, don’t hesitate to call your trusted landscaping company to get started on mulching as soon as the ground is warm!

Whether you like it or not, always consider the option of a professional landscaping company, we can do it all at Advanced Irrigation. Mulch is made up of a combination of organic materials that run the gamut from bark or wood chips, leaves, grass, moss, straw and more.

In addition to its aesthetic value, mulch helps in the prevention of erosion that would otherwise occur on soil left uncovered. Primarily, rain and wind are the culprits behind erosion, causing a runoff effect. Erosion can ultimately expose the roots of your plant-life, where they then are left to face the elements. In addition to the prevention of nutrient depletion, mulch also adds nutrients to your soil as it breaks down over time.

The snow, wind and ice is here in Minnesota. So, if you’re unhappy with your commercial snow removal company or if you don’t have one scheduled yet, now is the time! Hiring a commercial snow removal company you can trust is important when bad weather strikes. We offer commercial snow removal in Buffalo and we have a few suggestions on what to look for when you start your search.

The Internet is an excellent place to start. 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 they provide. Another great way to find 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 their commercial snow removal.

Advanced Irrigation is a member of the Snow and Ice Management Association, which is a non-profit trade organization for snow and ice industry professionals. Is your commercial snow removal company a member? 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.

Ask the different companies you talk to what specific snow removal services they offer. Is it just one person with a shovel and a bag of 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?

Keep in mind that 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 and give you a complete rundown of what you can expect. So, don’t wait for the next snow to fall, contact us today!

“Mark was fantastic – efficient, professional, definitely an expert at what he does, [he] showed me malfunctioning pieces, [he] always checked to see if I wanted the additional items done, [and] made sure that I understood what he was saying, etc. I now realize the importance of having work done by an established Angie’s List company rather than someone who drives up in an unmarked truck and offers us a great deal. Thanks Mark!” 

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“Excellent. Chris responded promptly to our request for an estimate and answered all questions. His rate was very competitive with others we received. The install team showed up on time as planned and did a great job. Everything was done in one day including the plumbing connections to the house. The in-ground box with all valves, etc. was installed in the surrounding landscape and not in the grass – a nice bonus. The installer came back two days later, on a Sunday when we were home to review the system with us. He also showed us all the sprinkler circuits and made a few adjustments to several sprinklers so that they watered the landscape more – a preference we had. The system is very flexible and easy to use. In just a couple weeks, our yard looks better than it ever has.” 

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The first day of autumn was September 22nd and with the cold winter months right around the corner, it is time to start thinking about scheduling your fall blowout. Have you considered your lawn sprinkler systems need some TLC before winter to avoid damage? As experts in lawn sprinkler systems in Buffalo, we know just how important fall blowouts and winterization can be. We would like to provide a rundown of the process as well as some of the benefits you can expect. And when you’re ready, call Advanced Irrigation as soon as possible to make sure your lawn sprinkler systems are on our fall blowout schedule.

Why is it so important for sprinkler systems to be prepped for winter? Can’t you just turn off the water and leave the rest of the system alone?

If you try this, there will still be water sitting in your lawn sprinkler system which can freeze and expand in cold weather. When it expands like that, it will be too much for the system. Thus, pipes, fittings, valves and other parts could crack open or burst. That means you could end up spending a lot of money to get those parts repaired or replaced when spring time rolls around again.

This is where the ‘fall blowout’ comes in. We drain the remaining water from the sprinkler system, ensuring all water if removed from your pipes. We use an air compressor to “blow out” the overall network, making sure there is no water left in there that could potentially freeze and damage the system.

After choosing the area of your lawn that is furthest out from your home, we will work our way back in towards it. Your sprinklers will run for two to three minutes, allowing all water to drain properly. Once the water switches over from mist to just air kicking out, we move on to the next one, and so forth.

We will then make sure the timer or controller is turned off. This means that the system will not turn on during the winter months, but you will not lose any of the programming in the system either.

Have you considered a freeze or rain sensor for your lawn sprinkler system? If you don’t already have one, this is a great way to monitor the outdoor air temperature and rain fall. That way, if the temperatures drop below freezing before your system has had its proper fall blowout, the sensor will keep your lawn sprinkler system from turning on.

The summer is the time of year that landscaping and lawns are expected to look lush and well-kept. And, as a property owner, you understand the importance of quality landscaping and lawn care in order to attract customers, clients, renters and new employees. After all, you only get a split second to make a good first impression on those that visit your commercial building.

You can always call on Advanced Irrigation for help with commercial lawn care in Minnetonka and the surrounding areas. We offer an entire spectrum of commercial lawn care services and can come out on a scheduled or as-needed basis and can always fully customize our commercial lawn care services to meet your company’s needs. But, until then, here are a few of our favorite commercial lawn care tips.

Deep watering is best for your grass as well as other plants. An irrigation system and specialized commercial lawn care can take care of this task for you. And, a sprinkler system can automatically water based on the type of plant, where it is located in relation to the sun and shade and how much rain has fallen as of late. Irrigation systems help maintain steady, efficient watering unmatched by hand watering. This is one of the many commercial lawn care services we specialize in, so give us a call for more information and to have one installed.

Corrective pruning is one of the best ways to ensure beautiful flower beds. Our commercial lawn care company will go through your flower beds and prune the flowers that need it. We can do the same for any trees and shrubs on your property as well.

After you are done mowing, leave the grass clippings on the ground. They can help with happier and healthier grass.

Cut the grass to the correct length; not too long and not too short. If you mow the grass too short, this can cause the grass to turn brown or it can damage or destroy the root system. The mowing length mostly depends on the type of grass, but the general rule of thumb is to only cut about 1/3 of the blade. Longer grass blades encourage the root system to grow even deeper into the soil, which promotes healthy and green growth. The experts at Advanced Irrigation are well-versed in all commercial lawn care best practices including mowing and can keep your grass at the length ideal for great looks and optimal growth.