A lot has changed since 1966, when Sheldon Rogers founded Garden Irrigation. Gone are the days of hoping that you have dedicated the right amount of time, water and attention to nurturing a lush and vibrant lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood. Automation and technology have all but eliminated any guesswork from the equation.

Garden Irrigation has embraced the advantage that cutting-edge technology offers today's homeowners. Gregg Rogers, who has followed in his father's footsteps, brings a lifetime of irrigation expertise to his leadership role, explains that the company's "big push right now" is ensuring residential and commercial clients realize the full benefits of investing in the likes of Wi-Fi controllers and rain sensors as the family-owned and -operated irrigation company helps New Jersey's homeowners prepare their yards for spring.

"We check the rain sensor and offer upgrades to the Hunter Hydrawise Wi-Fi smart controller in order to save water," he says. "We, as a company, are usually equipped and prepared to have repairs done while the technicians are there onsite."

The younger Rogers adds, "Based on our data, we've seen Wi-Fi controllers save as much as 30% in water, which is dramatic. Everything is controlled from an app on your smartphone, tablet or computer and the system talks to local weather stations, so it will self-adjust based on the program criteria—that's part of the service that we provide with our installation. We are a certified Platinum Hunter Contractor, so we install, program, teach and warranty it."

Rogers says that before opting for Wi-Fi controls, most people typically go for the rain sensors first. Those sensors communicate with the sprinkler system so your lawn isn't oversaturated by an automatic, regularly timed watering on the days when rainfall naturally gets the job done instead. "After it detects enough rain, the rain sensor will automatically stop the system from running. If it rains a lot, your yard will stay wet longer, versus a quick passing shower, where it would dry quickly."

It's crucial to tend to, install or upgrade those high-tech systems now to ensure a beautiful yard all throughout the year's warmest months.
"This time of year, we want to ensure that people have us out to do a thorough examination of their irrigation system," Rogers affirms. "This will prevent problems going into the spring and summer with dead spots, lack of coverage and broken parts."

Rogers is so passionate about the benefits of proper, efficient irrigation that, as he begins his second term as president of the Irrigation Association of New Jersey, he's advocating for it at the state level.

"I'm meeting both powers-that-be from the Senate and the Assembly," he says. "We are working very hard to push for legislation in the state for mandatory rain sensors or smart controllers on any functioning irrigation system."

After all, for all the modern advancements Garden Irrigation offers its clients, one thing that hasn't changed in its 50-plus years is going above and beyond for the thousands of property owners the team has worked with, oftentimes over and over.

"The best compliment we can get is when a customer uses us again," says Rogers. "We do a lot of homes where people have moved and they bring us with them because they only want our team to install, service and maintain their systems—I just went to one and that's exactly what the owner told me. He said, 'You did my house 20 years ago, I only want you guys back.'"

It's all part of the education, expertise and knowledge that Garden Irrigation brings to every one of the residential and commercial lawns it cares for.

"The biggest thing I always tell people is that to get 50 years' experience, it takes 50 years," Rogers notes. "My dad is 81, and to have him a phone call away means he's at your disposal—and he still knows all the answers. I might know 98%, but he knows that other 2%!"

Garden Irrigation
316 Tennent Road, Suite 203, Morganville
(732) 972-9100
WetLawn.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 23, Issue 6 (April 2023). 
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