Finally! Irrigation AI

Although it’s been a while that CAD programs were supposed to automate the creation of irrigation plans, it looks like they’re finally doing so in a usable way. We can create graphics that auto-calculate (mostly), pipe sizing (mostly), pressure loss calcs (mostly). Why “mostly”? Because the plan is schematic, so pressure loss won’t be what’sContinue reading “Finally! Irrigation AI”

It’s white, it’s round, it’s underground. But PVC pipe is not all the same

Choose well when installing PVC pipe for your irrigation system. The two main types of pipe are class 200 and schedule 40. The former carries more water for a given pipe diameter, with the annoying trade off that it’s more likely to break. The older the pipe, the more brittle it gets – and theContinue reading “It’s white, it’s round, it’s underground. But PVC pipe is not all the same”

Municipal flower bed installation, France

Municipal flower beds are a big thing in France. Often, as one enters a town there is a sign proclaiming it to be a “ville fleuri” – a flower city. It seems that every city and town competes to see who can create the most original and extravagant flower beds. By July, these beds willContinue reading “Municipal flower bed installation, France”

Ready to plant!

After the irrigation and lighting systems are installed, it’s time to plant. Often nurseries don’t have all the required plants, so flags are used to mark the position of plants that will arrive later. All the plants are carried to their approximate position on site and placed, still in their pots. After walking around theContinue reading “Ready to plant!”

Water conservation interpretive signs, Fair Oaks Park

We helped an ecological landscape group by staffing a booth during a recent harvest festival in Fair Oaks Park. After our shift ended, we strolled around the park, which includes a community garden, native plant garden and water conserving plantings. At the back of the native plant garden, we came across a series of interpretiveContinue reading “Water conservation interpretive signs, Fair Oaks Park”