The Importance of Maintaining your Landscape Irrigation System in Middle Tennessee

parke-irrigation-landscape-water-nashville-tnRegularly performed preventative maintenance is the single most important thing you can do to extend the life of your landscape irrigation sprinkler system. In Nashville, Tenn., these pieces of equipment are exposed to snow, sleet, hail, rain, heat, not to mention the home pets and wildlife that find something new to play with. By ensuring that your irrigation investment is properly maintained, you will be setting yourself up for success in the long run. Here’s how:

  1. Saves Money: Newly installed irrigation systems last anywhere from 10-30 years. That’s a pretty wide margin, and the aim should be to make your investment last as long as possible. Scheduling regular maintenance work on your irrigation system will ensure that it can hold on for longer. Though this involves expenses on a more regular basis, it increase your chance of holding out on the larger purchase for a longer period of time.
  2. Saves Time: As with the money, devoting a few hours a month to maintaining your irrigation system will save you the major chunk of time that gets zapped when a large emergency arises from little or no preventative maintenance.
  3. Saves Headaches: Unplanned expenses and replacements always bring about unwanted stress. Avoid the headache of dealing with unplanned for problems by consistently checking the status of your irrigation equipment. Irrigation companies typically provide general maintenance check-ups on equipment they’ve installed, so use that resource.

Consider employing a certified irrigation contractor to perform these general preventative maintenance tasks. Located in Nashville, Tenn., The Parke Company is available for questions about the costs and procedures associated with the upkeep of your irrigation system. Contact us today at (615)-207-8390.

Identifying Trees for Landscaping — Tennessee State Parks and The Parke Company

As venture into the last leg of summer, activities flourish and the heat of summer continues to sizzle. If you find yourself looking for things do outdoors, consider spending it out on the trails of some of Middle Tennessee’s beautiful state parks. Not only is Tennessee’s wildlife the most prosperous during this time of year, but it’s a great opportunity to get the entire family together and spend some time outdoors.

One of the great things about the state of Tennessee is the ample state parks and hiking trails available to its citizens. With most trails, a collection of information and history of the grounds is available to visitors upon request. And as one might assume, at the Parke Company, we like learning about species, history and life of the trees within the trails. Here are a few state parks that dedicate trails exclusively for tree species:

Edwin Warner State Park (Nashville, Tennessee) — The highly-rated park has their tree specimen trail right along the “Old Roadway” in Edwin Warner and is labeled for hikers to read as they walk. For a map of the park, click here.

Percy Warner State Park (Nashville, Tennessee) — This tree specimen trail is nestled through a one-way vehicular road and a mossy ridge trail, that is both easy and moderately challenging, so you can decide on the level of adventure. For a map of the park, click here.

Long Hunter State Park (Hermitage, Tennessee) — The Couchville Lake Arboretum is right on the state park’s property and they have a self-guided tour!  With over 40 identified species, this hiking trail is great for a day out with the family. For the self-guided trail, click here.

Other state parks in Middle Tennessee include (but not limited to):

  • Radnor Lake in Nashville, TN
  • Long Hunter in Hermitage, TN
  • Cumberland Mtn. in Crossville, TN
  • Cedars of Lebanon in Lebanon, TN
  • Harpeth River in Kingston Springs, TN

If you have a tree that you’re unsure of the species, take a photo of the tree you want identified and give the Parke Company a call. They will be happy to assist you in identifying the tree and how to properly care for it. For more information, please call (615) 405-6548.

Ticks and Mosquitos in Nashville: How Can Parke Company Help?

It’s the middle of the summer and outdoor activities are thriving, from backyard barbeques in Franklin to weekend camping trips in Percy Warner Park. But ticks and mosquitos are prominent little pests in Middle Tennessee and can range from a small, itchy bump to a serious illness. Though Lyme disease is not as prevalent in Tennessee as West Nile Virus, it’s important to take special precautions in order to understand the risks and how you can protect you and your family.

A few facts about ticks and Lyme disease

  • Over 25,000 people develop Lyme disease every year.
  • Blacklegged ticks live in moist and humid areas.
  • Symptoms of Lyme disease include rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes and more.

A few facts about mosquitos and West Nile Virus

  • According to the Metro Public Health Department and the Tennessean, the West Nile Virus has been confirmed in mosquitos in Bellevue, North Nashville, East Nashville and Goodlettsville.
  • Seventy to eighty percent of people who get infected with the virus do not develop symptoms.
  • There are over 170 species of mosquitos.

How can you protect you and your family?

  • Perform checkups to make sure there are no ticks or untreated bites on the body. (Be sure to check your pet too!)
  • Use repellent with 20 percent or more DEET before spending time outdoors.
  • Know when and where the insects thrive, how to avoid them and stay alert for signs of illness.

How can the Parke Company help?

  • Fallen trees are great opportunities for possible wet areas to host mosquitos. The Parke Company will remove any fallen tree from your property to avoid nests that could potentially carry disease.
  • Limbs and brush in backyards are eyesores, but they also are hotbeds for ticks, that might be carrying Lyme disease. Clean up your yard and have the Parke Company come remove the excess limbs and deadwood from your property.
  • Ticks thrive in wooded and shrubby areas. If your yard needs a facelift, contact the Parke Company for landscape consultations to trim up your property and create “tick-safe zones.”

For more information about the Parke Company and their services for the Nashville, Tennessee area, call (615) 405-6548.

Nashville’s Summer Weather Fluctuation: How to Tell When Your Trees Have Had Enough Summer Fun

Fourth of July has come and gone this year. And for many Nashvillians who stayed in town, we all know it was a tad wetter and cooler than last year’s Independence Day. So instead of boating on Percy Priest Lake or enjoying a picnic in Centennial Park, most people enjoyed their holiday inside. And while the Parke Company is sure you all made the best of the rainy situation, it just goes to show that Mother Nature can be a fickle woman, and it’s important to keep your trees healthy and ready for anything.

Last year, Nashville was at a daily record high of 103 degrees Fahrenheit with rain nowhere in sight, and there is no telling what it is in store for our Fourth of July festivities next year. That’s why it’s important to be ready for the fluctuation of the heat and precipitation of weather and keep an eye out on your trees for any signs of distress throughout the summer.

Some things to keep an eye out for:

  • Loss limbs or deadwood
  • Insect infestations or nests
  • Invasive plant species
  • Dehydration during draughts
  • Flooding and excessive water
  • Signs of disease or other problems

The summer is only half way over, so your trees still have some time to spend out in the heat. If you see signs of disease or distress, call the Parke Company for a consultation. Not only can they assist you with your piles of deadwood from your summer storms, firewood, stump grinding and tree removal services, but they can also perform extensive health analyses of your trees if anything calls for concern during these unpredictable months. For more information or questions in Middle Tennessee call the Parke Company, please call (615) 405-6548.

4 Signs You Need a New Landscape & Irrigation System in Nashville, TN

irrigation-system-leaks-nashville-tnChange can be hard. We’re creatures of habit, and sometimes buying a new pair of tennis shoes can be just as difficult as deciding on a new career. Spending money on a new piece of equipment for your home or lawn is no different. Knowing when to overhaul an existing irrigation system requires sufficient research and proper planning. In Middle Tennessee, our landscape & irrigation systems need timely renovations to ensure uninterrupted business.

Don’t let your irrigation system fall under the threat of indecisive decision-making. Here are 4 signs that you need a fresh start:

  1. How old is your irrigation system? If you’re operating with an irrigation system that is 20+ years old, it’s time to consider the sum of its parts and the effectiveness of the system. These systems typically last 10-30 years, so it’s important to take inventory on a consistent basis. Twenty years isn’t a do-or-die date for a replacement, but it’s a good guide for checks and balances.
  2. Are you getting leaks? If your lawn is suffering from too much water it could mean that the heads are inconsistent and that broken pipes may exist. Pay close attention to the level of irrigation that your lawn is receiving, and use that information to analyze the overall health of your system. How does it compare with similar lawns? Use aerial shots to view the lawn in its entirety to get a better idea.
  3. Who installed the system? It doesn’t hurt to check up on past vendors at your site. A simple Google search of a company will provide you with countless customer reviews. Using this information you can decide whether your irrigation system may be in need of an overhaul sooner rather than later. Always be sure to use a certified irrigation contractor.
  4. How do costs compare to previous years? This is one of the most telling signs that you need a new system. If costs are going up it means something is out of whack. Compare maintenance and water prices to the previous year’s budget. Have there been any spikes in cost? If so, this means that something isn’t operating properly and an irrigation auditor might be needed.

It’s important to document the negative effect an aged irrigation system is having on your lawn. Typically, investing in a new irrigation system is a group effort, and showing the ailing parts and high costs will go a long way in convincing your partners to invest in a new system. In Nashville, Tenn., The Parke Company is available at (615)-207-8390 to answer any questions about aged irrigation systems.