Fredell enterprises know how to design and install irrigation the right way.  We don’t stretch zones to water more than they should or place rotor and spray heads on the same zone. We don’t stretch the spacing between heads that requires you to water longer in order to get all areas the water needed.  We use quality Rainbird irrigation components and controllers.  Whether you have 6 zones or 36 zones the ESP (Extra-Simple Programming) controllers we use are among the best in the industry, allowing for rain delays, rain sensors, multiple programs and start times, cycling, battery-backup, and surge-protection.

Your irrigation system is one of the most important features of your landscape.  Most irrigation components are underground and not accessible, so it’s important to have a reliable system installed by experienced professionals.

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Preparing an entire meal, dining, and sipping drinks entirely outside, without having to go camping, is a unique experience.  Outdoor kitchens with built-in barbeques, refrigerators, granite counter-tops, and even sinks can make cooking in the backyard fun and easy.  Dining outdoors can be just as comfortable as indoors when sitting on furniture equipped with weather-resistant cushions.  Warming up next to an outdoor fire place or fire pit can end the night romantically or provide the perfect space for socializing.

Outdoor living isn’t just about the amenities, but also the mood that is created by the plants and colors that are integrated into the space.  Plant material enhances the enjoyment of being outdoors.  The colors and textures chosen for the plants and the amenities, such as the deck, shade structure, etc., all contribute to the mood of the space.  For example, an outdoor living space designed using wood as the primary material and evergreen trees as the background for plant material can make the space feel like it is set in the mountains.

Countless hours are easily spent in the backyard when the right equipment is there to support comfortable outdoor living.  Friends and neighbors will want to be invited over for the unique dining experience that only an outdoor living space can offer. If spending time outdoors is valuable to you, there’s no better way to do it than in the comfort of your own backyard.

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• Fertilize (late April-Early May)
• Apply a pre-emergent to help control excessive weeds
• Aerate
• Mow as needed removing up to 1/3 of grass height (leave clippings on lawn for fertilization)

Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials:

• Fertilize
• Apply a pre-emergent to help control excessive weeds (avoid using anywhere seed germination is desired)
• Cut back ornamental grasses (March)
• Remove dead plants
• Prune summer flowering shrubs if they are overgrown or need shaping (Spirea, Potentilla, etc.)

*Note: Shrubs that are grown for their foliage instead of flowers can be pruned any time.

• Top dress mulch as need to maintain 3” depth
• Cut back spring bulb foliage after it yellows
• Plant (after Mother’s day)
• Pull weeds as needed

Irrigation:

• Start System (when there are no more hard freezes)
• Perform an audit to ensure efficiency (i.e. check for broken heads, missing drip emitters, leaks, etc.)
• Replace any broken/missing irrigation parts
• Ensure proper spray coverage to reduce unnecessary overspray
• Adjust irrigation times appropriate for weather and maturity level of the landscape

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Our designs are prepared by a degreed landscape designer and licensed landscape architect with over twenty years of combined experience designing hundreds of landscapes in the Colorado Springs area.  That experience combined with over twenty five years of landscape construction makes us confident that we can give you a better landscape than any of our competitors.  Call us today to set up a consultation.

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Concrete is the most formal and expensive walkway surface.  Asphalt has good durability and traction (for steep slopes) and is surprisingly cost-effective.  Our most popular material is something we call ‘soil-cement’, which is a mixture of breeze gravel (crusher-fines) with cement and coloring.  It has a finished look similar to a trail, except that the cement binds the crushed material together to create a durable path that provides significant resistance to erosion from water and foot traffic.

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The primary goal of xeriscaping is to be environmentally conscious by using less water.  One way to achieve this is to place appropriate, drought-tolerant plants in a suitable location. It is often thought that xeriscapes don’t need any supplemental irrigation, however new plants that aren’t established yet will need irrigation for the first few years, and it’s a good idea to water established plants in extended periods of little or no precipitation.  When watering, it is important to use efficient irrigation such as a drip-irrigation system, which puts the right amount of water directly to the root system for a deep watering. Xeriscaping encourages other water-saving techniques like installing a rain sensor so the irrigation won’t run while it’s raining and the use of mulch, which retains moisture.

Xeriscapes also tend to need less maintenance than high-water usage gardens.   That is not to say that xeriscapes don’t need any maintenance because they do; just not as much as other types of gardens.  High-water plants generally require more maintenance.  The practice of mulching helps keep weeds in check.

A common image of xeriscaping a desolate garden made of rocks.  However, xeriscapes can be lush and colorful.  Many of the plants that are appropriate for this region are colorful, interesting, and flourish in our gardens.  Even the use of turf is acceptable as long as size and the use of space are considered.

Xeriscaping is a water-friendly approach to creating a beautiful garden that thrives in its region.  Not only does it encourage environmentally friendly practices, it also can help a homeowner   save money on water bills.

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They can either be planted in mass, in order to achieve a stunning eye catcher, or they can be planted in little pockets here and there, in order to add more subtle splashes of color throughout the landscape.  Bulbs are versatile in that they can be used in a variety of garden styles.  For example, crocuses and hyacinths can be used to enhance a more wild or natural garden, while tulips and irises can be used to enhance a more formal or cottage style garden.

Most bulbs perform best in sunny areas.  Their leaves should not be cut back immediately after blooming because this is how they store the energy necessary for flowering the following year.  Instead, wait for the leaves to wither before cutting them.  A general rule of thumb is to plant them at a depth of three to four times their height with their tips up in a well-drained soil.  A bulb fertilizer will help keep blooms looking good each season.  The best time to plant spring bulbs is in September.

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Before any ideas are actually formulated a site-analysis should be taken in order to thoroughly understand the site conditions, which ultimately determine what can go where.  Determining circulation and purpose of spaces is the next step before creating the design.

Having a plan can also help significantly when trying to determine the estimated cost of a project.  When a design is drawn to scale it is fairly simple to take measurements and counts of materials needed. Additionally, many costly contingencies can be avoided.

Having a well thought-out design will make the installation phase a lot easier to navigate through with a lot fewer mistakes being made. The result will be a beautiful landscape with a sense of harmony.

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For the lucky ones, who already have lush landscapes, spring is simply the cue to turn the sprinklers back on and call the gardener.  For the rest of us, spring is the cue to call a landscape designer to create a beautiful backyard that incorporates all the desired amenities from water features to outdoor living spaces where entertainment at its finest takes place.

The first step to attaining a dream landscape is to consider what the space will be used for and what features are desired.  The next step is to create a design, which can be complicated than it sounds.  To make it easier, hiring a landscape designer is recommended.  Now it’s time to install it!  Finding a contractor to do the installation can be tricky.  It’s a good idea to find a company who is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and a member of ALCC (Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado).  Depending on size and complexity, entertaining and relaxing in a new backyard can be made possible in just a few months!  Spring is almost here; it’s time to contact your landscape designer.

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