What's New to the Landscaping Industry this year-LED Lighting!

What's new in the industry this year....LED outdoor low-voltage lighting & smart controllers.....

  Is LED Lighting for you?
Looks like the lighting industry is finally starting to produce some good, cost efficient outdoor 'LED' low-voltage Lights (check out our website: http://www.jpc-designs.com/product-links/). The pros & cons of LED....very efficient,~5watts per fixture instead of 20watts (standard 12-volt). That also means smaller transformer sizes, and more lights can be used on the same 12-2 wiring (easy to add more lights to a system that is maxed out on available power). But, the fixtures can cost on average ~ 2x the cost of standard 12 volt. Contact us for more information, or to schedule on on-site evaluation of your current system to see if LED is right for you....
 Did you Know?

Smart irrigation controllers are the hot new product for this year. Although they have been around the commercial industry for a while, we are seeing them a lot more in the residential market. Smart controllers use sensors & more sophisticated programming to save on water usage, and provide better monitoring of your gardens water needs. With local on-going water rationing being implemented, this can be some pretty big costs savings over time, plus it saves water (which can help lift rationing). Contact us for a water audit & evaluation of your current irrigation system & controller.
 Seasonal Tips:
Time to adjust your irrigation controller, or turn it off ... if you are watering your lawn areas more than a couple times a week this time of year...you are overwatering (turn it off after rainy or cool weather begins).  Does your lawn look thin or patchy, show little growth and/or not deep green in color (typical this time of year after the summer season). Add seed to 'bare areas' and fertilize with a winter fertilizer (be sure to water in after application). Time to rotate annual summer flower color...replace with fall & winter color (i.e. snapdragons, impatiens, and cyclamen), cleanup dead leaves & prune back perennials (i.e. grasses, bulbs, summer blooming plants) & plant spring bulbs this month!!!!! You can also still get one more bloom out of your roses....prune the spent flower buds, and fertilize with a rose food (seasons over when the first frost comes). Also, give your flowers beds and pots a boost by adding bone meal now. 
Fall is the best time to plant ! Consider planting or trans-planting trees and shrubs this time of year, the cooler season is ideal for plant rooting and getting a jump start on spring. A few hours of work now will reap huge rewards come spring. And, once your outside, you'll find what many gardeners already know....fall is truely "the best time of year to spend in your backyard"
Want more information about Landscaping for the Fall, click here: http://www.thisismytownusa.com/jpclandscapedesigns.php
JPC Landscape Designs

How Do I Maintain Stamped Concrete?

The value of decorative stamped concrete is the material's inherent strength and endurance. Like conventional concrete, stamped concrete will provide decades of service when properly installed and maintained, even when exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Many times, stamped concrete can be more durable than standard concrete, especially if a color hardener has been applied to the surface. The hardener not only imparts color but it also makes the surface stronger and more resistant to abrasion and water penetration. Most contractors will also apply several coats of protective sealer to block the penetration of dirt, chemicals, oil, grease stains, and other substances. A quality sealer not only makes the concrete easier to clean, it offers other benefits, such as enhancing the color and preventing fading from UV exposure.

A properly sealed stamped concrete will require some routine maintenance, depending on exposure conditions and the type and amount of traffic it receives. Although a sealer will inhibit stains, you should still sweep and wash the surface occasionally to avoid dirt buildup. Exterior surfaces can be pressure washed or scrubbed with a mild detergent. For interior surfaces, wet mopping or dry dust mopping of the floor is typically the only upkeep needed.

Other outdoor maintenance tips include avoiding the use of deicing salts, especially during the first winter after the pavement is installed. If the stamped surface begins to dull or lose its sheen after time, recoating with sealer will usually restore the luster. Ask the installer for recommendations of the best sealer to use.

On stamped interior floors subject to lots of foot traffic, it is especially important to maintain the sealed surface to prevent wear patterns. Application of a floor wax or polish can provide extra protection.  Call JPC Designs 916.933.9913 – your design experts!