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Elite Landscaping

Category: Wi-Fi

01 Jun 2022
By Mike Pasquarello Landscaping, Wi-Fi , , ,

Audible Landscape: How to Incorporate Sound Into Your Outdoor Entertainment Space

Summer is here, and soon those barren wastelands of patios and decks will be alive with activity again. Grills will be fired up, furniture cushions placed, and portable stereos plugged in.  Time out… “Portable stereos?” It’s time to retire that Boom Box you’ve had since high school, purge those mounted “lunch box” style outdoor speakers, and take advantage of today’s technology. How about introducing symphony quality sound to your outdoor entertainment space? Innovative designs are gaining popularity with easy installation and control.

Top technology

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are two words most people are familiar with and use daily. Permanent outdoor sound systems have the same capabilities to be controlled by either of these platforms using a smartphone app. Whether the streamer for the system is a simple Bluetooth connection or more advanced Wi-Fi, such as Sonos, they both can be installed on a home’s exterior. In conjunction with an amplifier, your entire audio system can remain within the vicinity of the outdoor space without any costly interior wiring or renovations. A GFI electrical receptacle is all that is needed to get this outdoor powerhouse control center up and running.

Sound quality is undoubtedly the most critical product of a well-designed system, but speaker type and placement are key. They should be in the landscape surrounding the space to create an absolute sensation of immersion. Directional speakers will deliver sound to specified areas while being considerate to neighbors’ ears. Combination 3-way speakers are also available, which provide subwoofer, woofer, and tweeter all in the same unit. Speaker durability and longevity should be considered as well. We live in a region where temperature extremes and shore salt exposure can wreak havoc on outdoor electrical devices, so speaker housing materials are very important. Coastal Source is one of the leading manufacturers of these turnkey plug and play systems and has designed them to fit any application.

Sound in an outdoor environment can enhance any experience and influence the dynamic. Installing a properly planned sound system can foster relaxing alone time or a-rockin’ party. In addition, imagine being able to control the whole vibe and tone of the space without even leaving your seat.

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence” – Robert Fripp.

01 Jan 2022
How and Why Should You Update Your Landscape Technology in the New Year?
By Mike Pasquarello Audio, Landscaping, Wi-Fi , ,

How and Why Should You Update Your Landscape Technology in the New Year?

Technology and landscape are terms that sometimes evoke more of a feeling of conflict than complement when used together. However, the truth is they can be integrated seamlessly. Smartphones and tablets are taking control of our daily lives with apps and features to manipulate just about everything. Home automation from these applications has become commonplace in new construction and renovations, so why not extend that same ease of WIFI use outdoors.

LED landscape lighting, irrigation systems, and outdoor audio can all be controlled with just a simple swipe of the hand.  These functions make operation a breeze and are environmentally friendly by optimizing water usage and energy consumption.

LED Landscape Lighting

LED landscape lighting technology has come a long way since its inception.  The initial cold, bluish led lamps are now warm and inviting with the added option of an array of vibrant colors.  WIFI-driven transformers can group light fixtures throughout separate outdoor spaces and adjust light intensities as chosen through a phone or tablet.  Presets can also be programmed into the smart device so lighting will automatically turn on or dim when it detects the device within that space.

The ability to change colors on individual fixtures right from the palm of your hand I find the most versatile in creating the mood.  The overall appearance of an outdoor space can be changed multiple times throughout the evening (or season), captivating your audience intriguing them to wonder what’s next.

Irrigation Systems

The constant question of- “When should I water and how much?” has finally been answered.  WIFI-enabled irrigation control units are linked to your device and web-based weather forecasting systems.  Variables such as sun exposure, plant species, and lawn types are first accounted for throughout individual zones on the property.  Watering schedules are then adjusted and set based on forecasted temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind speeds. These systems even can detect a change in water flow due to a break or obstruction in the piping.  An alert is immediately sent to the smart device, and you can schedule a repair promptly to avoid costly water loss. This smart technology leads to water savings and a beautiful, healthy landscape.

Outdoor Audio

Nothing completes the outdoor experience than some good tunes from a well-balanced speaker system. The most recent trend in outdoor audio is incorporating satellite speakers and subwoofers hidden within the landscape to create an immersive experience.  WIFI-based units, such as Sonos, provide similar capabilities to their indoor counterparts. The smart device communicates with the WIFI driver and transmits the signal to an amplifier and speakers. Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and many others can easily be streamed right from the comfort of your patio seat and surround you with digital music. Individual speaker levels can also be adjusted to provide sound where needed most and gentle listening for more intimate spaces. Multiple users can play DJ and select their favorite jams from their phones for an entertaining evening.

Most of us are connected to our smart devices 24/7, so why not put them to use for a practical and unique outdoor experience. What better way to coax the whole family away from the TV and Facebook than to get them outside with beautiful lighting and great music?

This year, get them back to the playroom we all had growing up – the great outdoors.

01 Aug 2021
Dog Days of Summer
By Mike Pasquarello General, Landscaping, Weeding, Wi-Fi , , , , ,

Dog Days of Summer: How is Your Landscape Weathering the Heat?

School’s out, beaches are crowded, and that giant fireball high in the sky is baking your landscapes. The golf course-esque front lawn and lush landscape plantings you enjoyed throughout the spring may be showing signs of stress due to higher temperatures. Just how we become uncomfortable on a 95-degree day scorching in the sun, our lawns and landscapes are no different. So let’s touch on three aspects that, if addressed, will keep your lawn and plantings growing beautifully into the fall.

Fungus

The silent, creeping killer of lawns and shrub material which is most prevalent July-August. It thrives in hot and humid conditions overtaking the turf of suburbia. Fungus usually shows up as patches of brown, yellow, or white in the lawn seemingly overnight, and most homeowners are inclined to crank up their irrigation systems to bring back that beloved emerald green color. Unfortunately, water only adds fuel to the fire and causes the fungus to spread more rapidly. Once the onset of a fungal infection is identified in a lawn or plant, an appropriate fungicide should be applied. Treating it will halt the continued spread and allow for the regrowth of lawn blades and new leaves.

It also might be necessary to reseed the affected lawn areas if the fungus was there for an extended period as the root system may have also been compromised.

Weeds

Considered by most to be public enemy #1 in the fight to maintain a manicured property. When lawns and landscape plants start to stress in the heat of the summer, it’s a weed’s time to shine. They will overtake any thin or bare areas of an untreated lawn or light mulch covering in landscape beds. The first defense to these unwanted guests is keeping healthy, lush grounds and properly mulched beds. Mulch layers should be a minimum of 2-3″ and bare lawn spots quickly patched with seed. If it’s too late and they have already set up residence, post-emergent selective herbicides will aid in the fight. As with all herbicides, read directions thoroughly and follow manufactures recommendations as there are many limitations to application.

The best practice is not to even give weeds the chance to germinate. Pre-emergents for turf and landscape beds are generally applied in the spring as they last for multiple months throughout the season.

Irrigation

Water is the essence of all life, and plants drink a lot of it, especially in the summer. Unfortunately, drought is commonplace in our area, where there could be little rain for weeks and temps 85 and above. Plants are trained to conserve water in times when lacking, but only to an extent. That is when we need to step in and provide that much-needed supplemental watering either with an excellent old-fashioned hose and watering pale or an automated irrigation system.

Irrigation systems can be programmed to provide water at different frequencies in spring, summer, and fall and gauge the amount of rainfall received to what is needed. In addition, wifi-capable control modules are becoming more commonplace, allowing complete control from the palm of your hand and communicating with local weather forecasts.

Summer is generally the time of family vacations, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying everything outside Mother Nature offers. And, a well-thought-out plan that addresses these necessary maintenance practices will allow more time to appreciate your landscape and not have to overwork at it.

You can also hire a professional! Give our award-winning team a call today at 856-753-1944.