Category: Agricultural

Summertime can be a challenging season to keep your crops healthy. During the dry and hot season, it may take a lot of water and money to yield the crops you have in mind. Check out these three foolproof tips to help you achieve the best, healthiest crops with less money and hassle.

1. Healthy Soil Yields Healthy Crops

A healthy crop begins with healthy soil. In fact, you may always struggle with your crops unless you give the soil the TLC it needs. Sandy soil will not retain moisture long enough to give your crops the necessary moisture. Adding plenty of compost to the soil each growing season will ensure it is nutrient-rich to promote healthy crop growth.

2. Manage Weeds from the Start

Dealing with weeds is one of the biggest challenges that farmers and gardeners face. Pesky weeds can outcompete or smother your crops, which leaves them difficult to harvest or negatively impacts crop growth. For best results, start dealing with weeds immediately with proper garden cultivation practices. Weeds are easiest to manage before they grow out of control.

3. Use the Proper Irrigation System

The number one way to ensure your crops receive the water they need to be healthy is to install a drip irrigation system. You will be able to deliver water to the crops’ roots which is the most effective way to irrigate. With a drip irrigation system, you can also save money on watering costs because you are watering the roots only, instead of wasting water spraying the crops’ leaves.

To achieve a healthy crop this summer, contact the irrigation experts at WP Law, Inc. We can help you find and install the best irrigation system to help you achieve your crop production goals.

Crops can’t grow without the right irrigation, and irrigation isn’t successful without the right water pumping systems. From watering plant roots to frost protection, without the right systems in place, you risk the welfare of your crops. With that in mind, take a look at two agricultural water pumping systems built to withstand any task.

#1: Overhead Systems

In traditional agriculture, overhead irrigation simply means the water comes down onto the plants through the use of sprinklers. With reliable pumping systems, the water comes through nozzles to provide adjustable amounts of irrigation to your particular plants. Overhead systems include:

• Impact sprinklers
• Movable aluminum piping
• Traveling systems
• Effluent spray fields
• Frost protection applications
• Wet log storage

#2: Drip Irrigation

Unlike overhead applications, drip irrigation puts water right at the roots through pump systems that deliver water either right above or right below the soil surface. The benefits of a drip system include losing less water to evaporation and maintaining nutrients in the soil. The primary applications for drip irrigation include:

• Orchards
• Vineyards
• Truck crops such as berries, corn, tomatoes, and watermelon
• Sub-surface drip systems

For any irrigation to be effective, it has to have a pumping system built to meet the task. Sometimes, conventional equipment fits the bill for your needs. Other times, you want and need a custom design to make sure your crops are getting the water they need when they need it. The good news is there’s a team of experts that can handle both. With over 100 years of experience, they’re your go-to for all of your agricultural water pumping needs. Contact W.P. Law, Incorporated today to get started.

Are you using your irrigation system to help protect your crops this winter? When the temperature drops and there’s a frost or freeze warning, instead of worrying about the losses, take a look at how you can prevent damage. Here’s our quick guide to frost protection.

How Water Protects Crops from Frost

It might sound counterintuitive, but watering when the temperature drops to freezing or below can actually protect your crops from frost and freeze damage. Heat fusion is the key and occurs when the air temperature drops below 32°, and the freezing water coats the plants. The process of water freezing is what produces the heat.

Here’s how it works:

• The irrigation system runs as temperatures drop
• Water on the plants freezes, creating a reaction that releases heat under the ice, creating a 2° to 5° buffer
• The heat given off as water turns to ice and protects the plant from the freezing air.

What You Need

When using irrigation to protect plants and crops from frost, the ice must be clear and drip from the plants. If the ice solidifies and turns milky-colored, there isn’t enough water to protect from frost. You’ll need to boost water application. The ice and dripping water should be uniform across the plants, and the irrigation should be continuous. Increase the amount of water as the temperature drops and continue irrigation until the air temperature rises above 32° and the ice melts.

Frost protection during the winter months is critical to your crops’ survival. The experts at W.P. Law, Inc. can guide you in your agricultural irrigation throughout the year, including the freezing months. Contact their team today for more information.

Do you rely on your agricultural irrigation system to keep your farm afloat? Some downright frightening issues can impact that system. Take a look at two spooky things to look out for and avoid.

1: Rodent Damage

Drip irrigation systems have many components that are above ground including drip tubing, emitters, and micro-sprinklers. These items are easy targets for rodents looking for a cool drink. Larger exposed pipes that are left open can also make a nice nesting site during the cold winter months. Unfortunately, many growers don’t realize these problems until it is time to start things up in the Spring.

2: Frozen Lines

It’s vital to take advantage of any automatic drains in your irrigation system in the winter months. Check them regularly to be sure they’re functioning properly and that they remain open and not plugged. Be sure to drain the lines in all of your systems in the fall before any winter freezing to avoid cracks in the equipment and to prevent broken pipes and lines.

Poor preparation for the winter months and crazy weather can cost you big time when it comes to your watering system. For help with prep or repair recommendations should damage occur, trust your agricultural irrigation to the experts at W.P. Law, Inc. With the experience and know-how to get the job done right, they’ll help keep spooky damage far away from your system.

What do you know about water conservation technology? Proper irrigation is vital for crops, landscaping, athletic fields, parks, and more. But all that water can cost a whole lot of money, breaking your budget and putting a strain on your bottom line. The good news is, we can help. Here’s how you can save money with smart controller technology.

What is Smart Controller Technology?

You want to get optimum performance from your irrigation system, which means watering the right amount at the right time. Sometimes you can get it right, and sometimes it’s a crapshoot.

Smart controllers utilize an on-site weather station to adjust irrigation run times on an as needed basis. Smart controllers also take into account the soil type, plant material, and historical climate data. Because smart controllers can “think” they can make irrigation run-time adjustments. They will allow the irrigation system to run more frequently during dry periods and less frequently on cloudy or rainy days.

Benefits of Smart Controller Technology

Saving money is at the top of everyone’s priority list, but so is using less water. Good thing those two go hand in hand. Using industry standards to install this state-of-the-art irrigation controller, you can take advantage of some of these benefits:

Do you want to save 20-50% on your water usage? You can with the right conservation tools for your landscaping or agricultural needs. Contact WP Law today for more information on how smart controller technology can change the way you irrigate.

Do you need to run your agricultural irrigation system during the winter? While you know the value of winterizing your sprinklers before a freeze, you may not know that your crops still need water during the cold months. Here’s how proper winter irrigation will protect your plants.

1. Water Traps Heat in the Soil

Moist soil retains more heat than dry soil, which is vital for your crops if the temperatures drop below freezing. Watering your crops the day before an expected freeze will reduce the risk of frost. Damp soil insulates the roots and helps to keep your plants stronger in cold weather.

Utilizing frost protection sprinklers during the winter is a proven way to prevent frost injury. These sprinklers not only keep the soil moist, but they also keep the leaves and roots of your crops warm.

2. Roots Grow All Year Long

Even though your crops may appear completely dormant during the winter, you can’t see the activity happening below the surface. Many people assume their plants won’t need any water until the spring. But that’s not the case. Roots grow all year long. If you want your crops to thrive, you need to provide the roots with enough moist soil to survive the cold, dry season.

If it doesn’t rain enough, the soil will dry out. Even evergreens and shrubs lose a lot of water when the temperatures drop. The roots may become weak or brittle, and your crops won’t be as healthy during the spring. You can prevent this from happening by watering your plants at least once a month during the winter.

Moist soil will benefit your crops all year long, and you shouldn’t overlook the importance of irrigation during the winter. W.P. Law, Inc. wants to make sure your plants survive the next freeze. We offer a range of products and services designed to help your crops. Connect with us online to get your agricultural irrigation system ready for winter.

How do you find a leak in your agricultural irrigation system? Built-in safeguards make it easy.

Agricultural irrigation is a life-giver. There’s no doubt about the positive impact watering systems have made on modern-day farming. Unfortunately, when your irrigation system springs a leak, you might wish for simpler days. Problems in your system can be hard to find. Here’s how to identify them:

Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill

One of the main draws of modern irrigation systems is their ability to save water and keep expenses low. Leaks rob you of the benefits, so it’s important to stay on top of monitoring your bills. If you see unexpected spikes in usage, it’s time to look for leaks.

Put Your Isolation Valves to Work

Hopefully, upon installation, you added isolation valves between sections of your irrigation system. These might seem like a waste of money at the time, but they’re more than worth the expense when it comes to containing a leak. Isolating sections will allow you to check each one to see where the culprit lies. If you haven’t installed isolation valves, prepare to do some digging!

Check for Lumpy, Wet Soil

An especially nasty problem occurs when your irrigation is on an incline. There’s no telling where your leak might be as any water will flow downhill. It can help to mark down where you bury the major joints for your irrigation line. Otherwise, you’ll have to keep an eye out for saturated soft spots or lumps in the soil.

Call WP Law, Inc., at 800-476-4515 the next time you need help with your agricultural irrigation system.

An amazing range of irrigation and fluid management equipment is available today, much of it ready to install straight from the factory.

But at W.P. Law we’ve been providing top quality irrigation and fluid handling equipment since 1970; so we know that every farm and every business has its unique requirements, and that the off the shelf options are not always the best solution.

Ready-made fixtures and fittings may not offer the size and shape to suit your farm, orchard or factory, particularly if you’re looking to replace older equipment. So although we stock thousands of pipes, pumps, valves and accessories, we also offer a custom fabrication service.

Fabrication Services

Our expert technicians work in our own custom fabrication shop, which is equipped for working with steel, aluminum, industrial plastics and other materials. We are highly experienced in producing a wide range of piping equipment including pipes, pumps, tubes, risers and other fittings.

Flexibility and individual service is at the heart of what we offer.

We can modify or update your existing pieces of equipment or design and build you completely new ones from scratch. And we’re not just about irrigation and agriculture.

Our experienced welders can work with all kinds of metal, and with items such as ornamental ironwork, fences and signage.

Pipe Repair

Leakage due to the failure of a piping system is a potentially disastrous problem for the owner of an irrigation system, and one which must be corrected as a matter of urgency to limit the financial cost and save valuable crops.

But an emergency Band Aid fix is probably not going to last. For the long-term health of your system it’s vital to seek expert help; not just to make a sound repair, but to advise on and implement any necessary improvements to the system to minimize the risk of any future failures.

W.P. Law’s technicians provide this advice as well as repairing damaged system components. We can also upgrade or fabricate new elements as required.

Contact Us

At W. P. Law Inc of Lexington we’ve been advising and assisting South Carolina homeowners, farmers and businesses with their fluid management and irrigation issues on properties of all kinds since 1970.

You can stop by one of our 4 locations at any time, click here to send us a message online, or call 800-476-4515 and we’ll be glad to help you.

A well-designed pond requires very little winter maintenance to keep aquatic life alive. However, a few simple steps taken before and during months with freezing temperatures can ensure your pond will remain looking beautiful for years to come.

Maintaining Plants

Prune off any yellowing plant leaves in the fall. Leaves should be removed from the skimmer daily during the fall too. Dispose of any dead organic debris from the surface and surrounding area of pond to prevent the water from turning dark brown.

Pump Care

Pumps can remain running during the winter in most parts of the southern US. If you choose to remove your pump it should be stored in a room that will remain above freezing. If the weather in your area is typically warm year-round, turning off the pump isn’t necessary.

Keeping Fish Alive

As part of winter pond maintenance, you want to protect any fish you have living inside the outdoor water feature. New pond owners worry that freezing temperatures mean a pond full of dead fish. The good news is fish can survive the winter months as long as the pond doesn’t freeze completely and an air hole is provided. Ponds at least two feet deep typically will not freeze. In addition to providing an air hole, a pond aerator is useful for supplying fish with the oxygen they need to survive.

Removing Snow from Surface

Snow that accumulates on the surface of a frozen pond can block sunlight from penetrating the surface of the water. Lack of sunlight is detrimental to both plants and fish you have inside the pond. Removal of snow from part or all of a pond is critical during the winter months. Installing a de-icer in a shallow area of the pond prevents snow and ice buildup in a section of the pond.

Visit W.P. Law today to see our latest product lines, including water features, ponds, irrigation systems, and much, much more.