[Bill Kisich]

I think maybe what Hans is saying is, It’s really dead here in Phoenix, work wise.

[Bill Kisich]

Dan is right. The only success I’ve had in this situation is to work through the homeowner (or the person who writes the checks) and get them to prioritize your design.

[Bill Kisich]

Ha ha ha. Thanks for the laugh, Nick. Later on, I’ll need to re-negotiate my rhizomatic deliverables. Or maybe think about posting something to my blog.

[Bill Kisich]

Yes, the PC Control looks very interesting. I love to “tinker”. Have they updated the system recently? I was looking for information recently and couldn’t find the page or the forum they had set up.

[Bill Kisich]

I hate open ended threads… Thankfully, I’ve been really busy. I decided to go with Vance’s advice (Thanks Vance), I bought the suite. I’ve barely had a chance to look at it yet. My wife said, “Oh no, another new program”. She knows me. 🙂 Sketchup is next. 😉

Thank everyone for the recommendations,
Bill

[Bill Kisich]

If they buy into the turf removal, I would suggest some plants and emitters around the base of the palms. It’ll help irrigate the palms. They’re probably used to getting an even pattern of water. Or maybe a multi port emitter like the Bowsmith and run the dist tubing in a pattern out away from the trunk a little. That’s much better then bubblers, IMO.

Good luck,
Bill

[Bill Kisich]

Sorry I haven’t replied earlier, Marko.
I had a similar situation with a small multiuse city park here. A row of fan palms in from the street about 25 feet. The grounds keeper said the rotors would discolor the trunks. I have no idea if it really injures them or it’s just the look that bothered him.

I made a recommendation that they remove the turf from the area (to save water and money) and plant the areas near the palms with native grasses or other low water use plants. Maybe I should have presented a drawing instead of recommending it in conversation. However, my roll there was strictly irrigation.

I ended up adding in a couple rows of fixed sprays and started the rotors inside the palms. They were happy. They also paid a little more for my design and the installer too, I think.

MP rotators?

Happy piping!
Bill

[Bill Kisich]

Ok, do you think the difference in the way they are programmed is a problem? Duration (minutes) and frequency (water days) is the old way. The new Smart controllers ask for soil composition and root depth, exposure, plant type, precip rate. etc.

Of course, we as designers or irrigation pros take all these things into consideration. This is a good thing but, it isn’t anything new. The problem is I have never seen a system or a landscape so perfect that you can answer those questions 100%. There is always a compromise; tons of tropicals under a tree, high water use plants planted very close to agaves or something similar in water need. Sometimes I find that soil compositions can very greatly within a property. Then there is the problem of the property owner or the maintenance guy getting involved. On commercial properties, this isn’t as serious and issue. In residential there is a very broad range of professionalism (I’m being nice).

In my mind it always comes back to rate, duration and frequency. Why not program it that way and then have an ET program take over?

[Bill Kisich]

Here in the Phoenix metro area we are in USDA zone 9 and 10 I believe. Sunset zone 12 and 13. Few people here are familiar with Sunset zones except the nurseries. Most publish the USDA information only though.

I have always had issues with the USDA listing. We share some of the same USDA zones with the Los Angeles – San Diego areas. However, many of the plants that thrive on the South West coast will not survive the summer here although the winters are similar. Sunset does have Phoenix in a completely different zone.

I like to stay in the field a lot and have become familiar with the plants that grow well here. As I’m sure many others do, I have my own list of favorite performers and I specify locally grown plant material whenever possible. Additionally I don’t design or work in other climates, so for me I guess it isn’t that big an issue.

You have me thinking now, though. Another line on the January To-Do-List.

[Bill Kisich]

I’m not a LandFX user. Are you talking about using the hatch patterns as a coverage area?

[Bill Kisich]

Are you allowing yourself time to change gears? Sometimes I come in from the field or some sort of management meeting and no wy can I wrap my mind around any kind of creative work. I personally can not just move directly from one to the other. I have to coast for a bit or do something easy for a bit. Then I can get into it. Exercise is the best thing. I used to shut my door and do push ups in my office. The point is to get some blood flowing and your mind off of whatever you were doing. After that, Ice cream.

If this isn’t what you’re talking about then as the little old lady on SNL says, “Never mind”.

[Author]

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