2. Landscape Projects Optimized …
It’s all about the Dirt!
Reduce Landscape Cost
Reduce Water Usage
Improve Results
Prepared by:
Michael Huff
mwfitzhugh@yahoo.com
Howard R. Asher
Howard.Asher@2GLS.com
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 2
3. Reduce landscape cost by over 30%
Reduce Water by 25%
Improve Results by 60%
http://eetd.lbl.gov/env/mlf/soilcarbon/scalup.html
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 3
4. Ground-up Planning vs. Plant Down
! Project Grading Removes Top Soils
! Post Final Grade
! Build Hyper Nutrient Perfect Soil directly in the planting areas
! Plant 1 to 2 sizes smaller Plant Materials
! 5 Gal. Plant Looks like 15 Gal. in 3 Months & 24” Box in 6/9
months—in Perfect Soil
! Plants Perform 3x Better than Classic Soil Prep
http://www.digitalseed.com
http://www.rain.org
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 4
5. Reduce landscape cost by over 30%
! Plant a Small Plant in “Perfect Soil”
OR
! Plant a Big Plant in “Dirt”
! Spend a Little Money on Perfecting the Soil
OR
! Spend a Lot of Money on Real-Big Plants
! The Landscape Looks “Good” Instantly
OR
! The Landscape Looks “Outstanding” in 3 months—
Beautiful in 6 months—Award Winning in 9 months and
3 years established in 12 months
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 5
6. Building Perfect Soil
! Soil Test* Planting Areas, by types of plants planned
! Amend and Supplement, per soil test result & Lab’s instructions
! Normal ingredients for most California coast & valley Soils
! Aged Manure
! Agricultural (washed) Grade Course Sand
! Compost Amendments Rich in Micronutrients
! Fertilizers with Select Trace Micronutrients Elements & Chelator†
! Thoroughly Till (12 /18”) into Soil at least 60 days prior to planting
! Deep water in every 10 days with temporary overhead systems
! 60 days - Spot Retest Soil
! Re-amend per Lab’s instructions
! Re-till lightly (6”) the planting areas
! Install subsurface irrigation
! Prepare planting areas and plant
! Spread 10 lbs Earthworms** per 1,000 sq ft
*http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu/ben/avo_handbook/resources/labs.htm ** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm † www.drbensonsmix.com
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 6
7. Reduce Water by 25% to 40%
! Subsurface Irrigation System
! Less Material Cost vs. PVC + Overhead System
! Less Labor Cost vs. PVC + Overhead System
! Less Maintenance Cost vs. PVC + Overhead System
! Fertilize in-Line irrigation system
! No Runoff, Soil Erosion or Overspray
! No Hardscape or Garden Light Damage
! No Water Spray Staining or Auto Paint Damage
! Reduce Recycled Water Warnings and Issues
! No Mosquito or Mud Puddles
! No Sprinkler-head Damage, Repair or Adjustment
! No Sprinkler Relocation as Plants Grow
! Grass and soil surface always dry to mow or walk-on even during
irrigation cycle
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 7
8. Reduce Structural Damage & Waste
Runoff, Soil Erosion or Overspray Mosquito & Mud Puddles
Hardscape Damage, Water Spray Staining or Auto Paint Damage,
Sprinkler-head Damage, Repair or Adjustment
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 8
9. Reduce Water by 25% to 40%
! Sub-surface Irrigation System
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 9
10. Reduce Water by 25% to 40%
! Subsurface Irrigation System
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 10
11. Place Fertilizer at the Root
! Subsurface Fertilization System
Fertigation is a process in which
fertilizer is dissolved and distributed
along with water in your subsurface
or spray irrigation system. There is
abundant research available that
supports the superiority of fertigation
as compared to traditional fertilizing
techniques.
http://fertigator.com/
www.ezflofertilizing.com/
www.drbensonsmix.com
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 11
12. Reduce Water by 25% to 40%
! GeoFlow Subsurface Irrigation System
Geoflow International Group, is headquartered in Corte Madera, California
THE nano-ROOTGUARD ADVANTAGE
Nano-ROOTGUARD is the key to Geoflow’s success with subsurface drip irrigation.
ROOTGUARD technology combines Treflan® with the drip emitter to inhibit root
growth. The herbicide is released at a uniform rate, maintaining sufficient http://www.geoflow.com
concentration in the soil immediately surrounding the drip emitter to prevent root
growth into the emitter. Built-in ROOTGUARD protection is guaranteed by Geoflow to
prevent roots from growing into subsurface drip emitters. Nano-ROOTGUARD is a
patented Geoflow improvement which increases the expected life from 20years to 30
years.
Geoflow movie
http://www.geoflow.com/geoflow.rm
American Architectural Review with Morley Safer
Video
http://www.geoflow.com/movie.html
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 12
13. Irrigation, Wastewater, Filters &
Controllers
! Netafim Subsurface Irrigation System
Netafim International Group, is headquartered in Fresno, California
http://www.netafimusa.com
Online Videos http://www.netafimusa.com/landscape/literature/online-videos
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 13
14. Reduce Water by 25% to 40%
! Subsurface Irrigation System Resources & Vendors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drip_irrigation
SSDI SubSurface Drip Irrigation Turf & Water Management
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYD6s0hUXpY
Subsurface Drip Irrigation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p7tfQqfdLY
Greywater reuse system Bilby Aqua
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2YTzAKmGmY
Drip Irrigation .org http://www.dripirrigation.org/
Fertilizer Injector www.ezfloinjection.com
Very Best Inline Fertilizer www.drbensonsmix.com
Onsite Weather Monitors www.smartline.com
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 14
15. Improve Results by 60%
! Combine “Perfect Soil” with Subsurface
Irrigation will Optimize Landscape Portion of
Project
! Reduce Landscape Installation Budget &
Maintenance
! Greatly Reduce Water Usage and Runoff
Waste and Soil Erosion
! Resulting in a Beautiful Landscape Aesthetic
! Improve Profit
6/13/10 Open Source Methodology 15
