By Emma Peterson. 

4 common irrigation challenges and the tools that help outdoor contractors overcome them. 

On the surface, irrigation is simple – get the water to the plants. But in reality, there are quite a few different factors to account for when setting up an irrigation system! Things like soil type, thatch structures, climate factors and drainage routes can make or break a project. To learn about these different factors and strategies for successfully managing an irrigation system, we hosted Luis Andrade of Heritage Landscape Supply Group for an episode of OutdoorTalk™.  

1 - Soil type 

Luis explained, “Let’s use soil as an example. There’s many different types, from sandy to clay to rock, etc. All of these different mixtures are going to react with water differently.” He gave a few examples, sharing, “A sandy soil is going to absorb water fast, but it's not going to spread out evenly because it’s moving down so fast. Alternatively, a clay soil doesn’t absorb water well, you’re at a high risk of runoff, but the water will spread out more.” If you don’t adjust your irrigation system for these different factors, you are likely to encounter issues like flooded lawns, less-than-healthy plants and wasted water. 

2 - Thatch structures 

Thatch structures, or organic matter such as lawn clippings or fallen leaves, are another consideration. Luis explained, “These organic structures that get left will eventually create a mesh as they decompose. And that mesh acts like a water repellent.” This is why irrigation cannot be done independent of other outdoor trades, like lawn care and tree care. Success in each of these individual sectors of the yard relies on success in the other – it’s all one ecosystem. 

3 - Climate factors 

Another big consideration for irrigation professionals is the weather. Different weather patterns can wreak all kinds of havoc on the best-intentioned irrigation system. Think about freezing temperatures for one. If you don’t have freeze sensors and other tools set up, you run the risk of damaging your equipment or even people around the site. Luis gave an example, “There was a case, I believe it was in Texas, where we had a freezing condition and a system did not have a freeze sensor. Their system turned on, was spraying water on the road and created black ice that caused someone to crash and lose their life.”  

This is one of the most extreme scenarios that could come up related to weather, but it illustrates how important it is to plan with the actual site’s environment in mind, rather than just working out logistics on paper.  

4 - Drainage routes 

Another big site-specific consideration is drainage routes. When we’re thinking about irrigation, it can be easy to get caught up thinking about how to get water to places, and forget to consider how to get water out of places too. But it’s equally important. Luis explained:  

Plants, while they need water, also need oxygen to survive. And so, if we overwater them, or if we put them in an area where they're going to be saturated because of lack of drainage, they're going to die. I remember going out to one site, and you could smell the roots of these poor plants rotting because things weren’t draining properly. 

And damage to the plants is just the start of the issues that can stem from improper drainage. Other issues can be extreme as destabilization of soil and damage to house foundations due to pooling water. Luis put it simply, “Planning your drainage, in my opinion, is one of the most important parts of building a healthy irrigation system.” 

Tools to help 

All of this can be a lot to manage, which is why having the right tools for your next irrigation job is key to success. In our conversation with Luis, he mentioned two tools that should be in every irrigation professional’s truck – wetting agents and pressure regulated sprinklers (PRS).  

Wetting agents are an agronomic product that is typically sprayed over a landscape to help water and other products absorb better. They are very useful for avoiding compaction issues tied to your soil type or climate conditions. Luis gave an example of when you might use these, sharing, “Let's say you're going to a drought, and your soil is compacted. This is where wetting agents help. When you spray them on a ground they break down some of that compaction, allowing you to get water and other nutrients into the soil without flooding the space.” Wetting agents can be both liquid or granular. 

As for PRS, they are another tool that Luis highly recommends for irrigation professionals. He explained, “Every sprinkler rotor is kind of its own spigot. But when you don't have pressure regulating head, you might have one rotor sitting at 55 PSI, and then you're going to have another one that has 45 PSI.” He went on, “Because they’re at different pressures, they're applying different amounts of water.”  By utilizing PRS, you can ensure a more uniform application of water that allows you as the irrigator to know exactly what your system is doing so that you can tailor it to each unique site. 

Overall, these tools are just examples of the role technology and innovation has in managing all the different irrigation factors on any given site. As Luis put it, “Pressure regulation or wetting agents by themselves are not the ultimate solution, but they give you more control over your program so that you can use your knowledge of all the other factors to properly irrigate and care for a space.” 

Want to learn more about irrigation and all the factors that go into building an efficient, high-performance irrigation system? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Heritage Landscape Supply provides the products and expertise contractors need to promote vibrant, resilient landscapes. 

Creating a client’s dream backyard landscape takes a lot of time and effort. Not only do landscapers work alongside contractors ranging from siding specialists to hardscape installer and pool designers who all have different logistical needs and requirements, they have to make sure what they are designing looks good for the final project photo and will continue to look good for months and years to come.  

How do you achieve that long-lasting result? Make sure that the right agronomic support is in place. To learn more about what this looks like, we caught up with Susie Anderson, the marketing project manager for Heritage Landscape Supply’s agronomics division, while at the 2026 Cultivate show. 

She highlighted the importance of insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers when it comes to designing landscapes that last, sharing, “If you want those really vibrant, healthy plants, you need to go beyond just irrigation and use things like fertilizer and other agronomic products to enhance their performance.” 

And the key to using those different agronomic products effectively is balance. Which can feel hard to achieve, until you realize that Heritage Landscape has a team on standby who are equipped with all the products and knowledge you could need to succeed.  

Explore Heritage’s agronomic options today! Want to learn more about using products like insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers to get the most out of your plants? Watch the whole interview with Susie!  

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By Emma Peterson. 

Experts from Noble Tile and Heritage Landscape discuss how today’s homeowners are embracing fully integrated outdoor living environments. 

In a new OutdoorTalk™, Karol Weyman is joined by Logan Barker, Jamie Jaramillo and John Zaprala for a conversation about building exceptional outdoor living environments. The conversation started with some introductions. 

Logan comes from a background in general construction, with his introduction to the swimming pool industry coming later. He explained, “I was working for a general contractor in commercial construction and then saw an opportunity in the boom of construction in Texas. I moved down here in 2019, a few things just led to another, and I stumbled into building swimming pools. I got to be a part of building a ton of backyards before I came to Noble Tile in August of 2023 and have been here ever since.” 

As for Jamie, her path to Noble Tile was also indirect. She shared, “My mom was an interior designer, and my dad was a general contractor, so I actually started working in that industry running some design centers...I eventually got introduced to the pool industry through a friend and I've been at Noble Tile for a few years now.”  

And last but not least, John is a product manager for Heritage Landscape Supply Group. Prior to joining Heritage, John was a contractor himself. In his own words, “I have over 25 years' experience as a contractor in high-end residential and commercial installation of landscape, hardscape, all aspects of outdoor living.”  

Together, these three and their extensive experience in construction and design made them the perfect panel to talk to about the role of pools, tiles and hardscapes in modern outdoor living spaces. Logan kicked off the conversation: 

Each element plays a massive role in the backyards that you see today. Growing up, pools were pretty basic. You had concrete, white plaster and water. Today, there are so many different elements going on, like tile selection, stone selection, decking selection, etc. 

And the options are not limited to the pool itself. As John put it, “A lot of what we see today is that the pool is the centerpiece, but the whole backyard is the destination. People are really creating cohesive spaces, so not just a pool but also seating, fire pits and more!” Jamie added, “The goal of these spaces is seamlessness. Not only between the components of the outdoor space but also a seamless transition from the indoor to the outdoor.”  

When looking at what’s driving this demand of connected, cohesive design, our panel pointed to COVID. Logan explained, “I think COVID really brought that to life for a lot of people, because they couldn't go anywhere, so they wanted to bring the vacation home by connecting elements such as fire pits, outdoor kitchens, putting greens, you name it, together to create that whole resort feel in a backyard.” 

For contractors working in this space, the homeowner desire for stunning outdoor spaces that are more than just the white plaster and concrete pools of the past is a huge opportunity. 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording on YouTube to learn more about how contractors can deliver next level backyard spaces. 

In this OutdoorTalk™, Karol Weyman is joined by Logan Barker and Jamie Jaramillo from Noble Tile, along with John Zaprala from Heritage Landscape Supply Group, to explore how tile, hardscapes and pool design work together to create exceptional outdoor living environments. The discussion will cover pool finishes, waterline tile, coping, decking materials, outdoor living trends, installation best practices and common project challenges. Attendees will gain insight into selecting the right materials for pools, patios and outdoor spaces while learning how strong supplier partnerships and thoughtful planning contribute to durable, cohesive projects that exceed customer expectations.

Register today!

By Emma Peterson. 

This webinar explores the growing demand for integrated pool, patio and hardscape designs and the best practices that help ensure lasting performance. 

In a new OutdoorTalk™ on August 18, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET), Karol Weyman hosts a panel of experts from Noble Tile and Heritage Landscape Supply Group for a discussion of the how professionals use pool finishes, waterline tile, coping, decking and more to create exceptional outdoor living environments.  

The panel 

The panel will feature two experts from Noble Tile, Logan Barker and Jamie Jarmillo. Logan is a branch manager based in Dallas, Texas and brings a wealth of knowledge related to customer relations, pool construction, communication, team building and industrial distribution. As for Jamie, she is a design and sales professional with over 20 years of experience and is known around the industry both for her incredible skill as well as for her dedication to educating and supporting contractors in the field.  

Joining them will be John Zaprala, Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s director of supply chain. With over 30 years of experience in the landscape construction industry, John is an invaluable resource for professionals wanting to build their businesses, develop their teams and succeed in their careers.  

The topic  

The OutdoorTalk featuring this incredible panel is titled “From Pool Deck to Patio.” It dives into the intersection of pool, tile and hardscape design. The conversation will start with discussion of the growing demand for cohesive design in outdoor areas, which requires coordination of all three of these elements, as well as how these different elements affect the overall performance of the space. 

From there, the panel will focus on practical tips for helping a client choose the right tile and hardscape products based on performance characteristics such as safety, heat-reflectivity and long-term durability. This section of the discussion will also highlight installation practices such as surface prep and expansion considerations that are key to the long-term success of pool and hardscape projects.  

This is a great opportunity for attendees to learn how to coordinate tiling, hardscaping and pool design to build durable, cohesive projects that exceed their customers’ expectations. 

Register for the webinar, which will be live on OutdoorCoffeeShop.com on August 18, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) today!

By Emma Peterson. 

How modern water management technologies help contractors improve sustainability, save money and keep landscapes thriving. 

In a new episode of OutdoorTalk™, host Karol Weyman sits down with Luis Andrade of Heritage Landscape Supply Group to discuss the smart tools and strategies available to irrigations and landscape professionals. This is a topic that Luis is very passionate about, as he shared:  

I joined Heritage about four and a half years ago. Prior to that, I worked as a specification manager collaborating with cities, architects and engineers on some cool projects like green walls, smart water controllers, moisture sensors, ET flow meters – all of that good stuff that helps us conserve some water.  

Why is it so important to develop all this technology around conserving water? First and foremost, it’s about sustainability. Luis explained, “Only 3% of the world's water is fresh water, and 2% of that is in glaciers. The other 97% is saltwater. So, in practice we only have access to 1% and that’s not a lot. In order to make sure our children and their children still have fresh, clean water, we have to be a good steward of that 1%.”  

In addition to the environmental stewardship perspective, conserving water also comes with financial and aesthetic benefits. As Luis put it, “Smarter water management leads to healthier plants and long-term cost savings. Some of those savings are directly related to having healthier plants, as you’re not having to replace things as much, but it also saves you money on the water bill.” 

So, what exactly do these smarter water management tools look like? A common one is getting a more advanced irrigation controller. Luis explained:  

Most people just go to their irrigation controller and choose an amount of time, maybe 10 minutes, maybe 20 or 30 without any rhyme or reason. And what often happens is that they are running their sprinklers or whatever their irrigation is too long and excess water is running off, not going into the soil. 

By getting a more advanced, “smarter” irrigation controller that has more precise timing capabilities or allows you to control settings remotely, you can better control the timing of your irrigation system, leading to a healthier landscape, a healthier planet and a healthier wallet.  

Listen to the whole OutdoorTalk or Watch the episode on YouTube to learn more!  

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Through education, innovation and relationships, Cultivate’26 showed how horticulture is shaping the future of outdoor living. 

When OutdoorCoffeeShop® traveled to Columbus, Ohio, for Cultivate’26, we knew we were heading into one of the biggest gatherings in horticulture. What we did not fully expect was how directly the conversations would connect to outdoor living. Everywhere we turned, there were ideas contractors and landscapers could use to help customers create outdoor spaces that are healthier, more beautiful and built to last. 

A great place to start was with Heritage Landscape Supply Group during their hospitality events. Those gatherings had the kind of energy I love at shows like this. People were catching up, talking through what they were seeing on the floor and sharing what is really happening in the field. With strong industry partners supporting the events, the conversations showed how connected this industry becomes when growers, suppliers and contractors are working toward better solutions together. 

I also had the chance to sit down with Susie Anderson, marketing and project manager for Heritage Landscape Supply Group’s agronomics division. Susie talked about the work Heritage is doing with greenhouse and nursery growers while supporting the vendors who help those growers protect and strengthen their plants. For me, that conversation made the connection very clear. The same thinking that helps growers raise healthier plants is part of the story contractors are telling when they create landscapes that are beautiful and easy to maintain. 

Susie reminded us that Heritage reaches well beyond agronomics. The work they do touches the full outdoor environment in turn helping bring plant health, water management and design support into the spaces homeowners and commercial property owners enjoy every day. That is exactly why OutdoorCoffeeShop was there. We want to help contractors find the companies and ideas that make those outdoor spaces stronger from the ground up. 

That same theme carried into our visits with Heritage vendor partners. BASF had a fun LEGO® activity that pulled people in, but the real conversation was around helping greenhouse and nursery professionals protect their crops and improve plant health. The same was true across the show floor, where vendor conversations kept coming back to the support professionals need to do their best work for customers. 

Walking the show floor, I kept thinking about the conversations contractors and landscapers have every day with homeowners and building owners. People want outdoor spaces that look beautiful, but they also want those spaces to make sense long term. That is what made Cultivate so valuable. The ideas we found were not just interesting show pieces. They were practical solutions professionals could bring into the spaces they design and maintain. 

That came through clearly in my conversation with Eric Bishop of Urban Organics, a family owned compost and soil company based in Ohio. Eric shared how the company takes horse stable bedding that would otherwise head to a landfill and turn it into healthy, living compost. Because the bedding starts with clean wood shavings and natural organic material, Urban Organics can create a more consistent foundation for soil health. That careful process is behind the company’s Sweet Peet products, which serve garden centers and landscape professionals across the region. 

Eric also talked about Deep Roots; the newer brand Urban Organics is growing for a broader national audience. I loved hearing how they are taking that same family business mindset and building products for today’s growers. The line includes options that support both indoor and outdoor plants, giving homeowners and professionals another way to think about soil health. It was a great reminder that beautiful landscapes really do begin below the surface. 

Foremost was another booth that pulled us right in because sometimes the difference in an outdoor living space is that extra pop of color. Erica Santa, Foremost’s marketing director, shared how the company produces and sells young tropical plants from farms in Guatemala, Costa Rica and Central Florida. She was especially excited about curcumas because they bring dramatic color and beautiful foliage to containers that can move with the seasons. In warm climates, they can shine outside, and when the weather changes, they can come indoors. 

Then there was Woollets, and I have to say, this was one of those products that made us stop and ask more questions. Karen Mayhew, who runs the women-owned company with business partner Elaine Becker, explained how they take waste wool from sheep and turn it into a soil amendment and slow-release fertilizer. The wool is processed into small pellets that expand in the soil and help hold water where plants need it most. For contractors, that can mean less watering and healthier planting while also supporting a product that gives farmers a fair market for wool that might otherwise be thrown away. 

We also could not miss the plant introductions. Terra Nova Nurseries’ Heuchera FYRE WING Series brought the kind of creativity that makes this show so fun. It is the kind of plant story that gives contractors and garden centers something fresh to share with customers who are looking for something different. 

That is what I appreciated most about Cultivate’26. It was not just a show about plants; it was a reminder that every part of the green industry is connected. What growers are learning and producing today will show up tomorrow in the outdoor living spaces customers enjoy every day. 

OutdoorCoffeeShop will continue sharing these stories because this is exactly where our industry is going. Contractors are being asked to know more while recommending solutions that help customers make better decisions about their outdoor living spaces. Cultivate gave us a front-row look at the people and companies helping make that possible, and we are excited to keep bringing those conversations to the industry. Be sure to visit OutdoorCoffeeShop and watch our Cultivate coverage on the OutdoorCoffeeShop YouTube channel to hear directly from the industry leaders we met along the way. 

On this OutdoorTalk™, host Karol Weyman sits down with Luis Andrade of Heritage Landscape Supply Group to discuss the tools and strategies helping landscape professionals make every drop count. From smart controllers and drip irrigation to rain sensors, drainage solutions and low-water landscape design, this conversation will explore how contractors can improve irrigation performance while supporting sustainability, plant health and long-term client satisfaction. Tune in for practical insights that can help contractors build smarter landscapes from the ground up.

Register today!

By Emma Peterson. 

How smart irrigation tools and practices can lead to healthier landscapes, satisfied clients and a sustainable future.  

For decades, scientists have been warning about water usage and an impending global water crisis. And at the beginning of this year, those warnings became far more real with the United Nations reporting that “around four billion people experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, while drought impacts cost an estimated $307 billion annually.” What can be done about this crisis? We can use more efficient tools and strategies that improve our irrigation systems and support sustainability. To learn more about this topic, we invited Luis Andrade of Heritage Landscape Supply Group (HLSG) onto an OutdoorTalk™ webinar on the topic – Smart Watering for Every Season.  

Meet the guest 

Luis’ career in the outdoor industries goes back to 1996 when he worked at Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply as a specifications manager. After working there for over two decades, he joined SiteOne Landscape Supply, the largest supplier of wholesale goods for green industry professionals in North America. Today, he leans on both of these experiences in his current work as HSLG’s South Texas district manager.  

What this OutdoorTalk™ episode will be about 

And you can also lean on Luis’ extensive knowledge by attending the webinar! This episode will open with a conversation about the significance of smarter water management and how to overcome common watering mistakes. Then, Luis will move into tools and strategies that can help contractors create more efficient watering systems and schedules. These solutions include everything from Wi-Fi irrigation controllers and rain/freeze sensors to PRS sprays/rotors and wetting agents. 

Attendees will leave with a strong understanding of how these more water-efficient solutions not only support global sustainability efforts, but also support plant growth, long-term landscape health, economic savings and client satisfaction.  

The Smart Watering for Every Season webinar will be hosted live on July 14, 2026 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET). Make sure to register to attend!

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at Heritage’s new 4-way, post-emergent herbicide. 

Weeds are one of those things that aren’t a problem until they are. Every lawn care professional can probably recall a time when a customer called and needed weed removal done yesterday. Heritage designed their ForceOut herbicide for that very occasion!  

ForceOut is a post-emergent herbicide that features four active ingredients:  2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba and pyraflufen-ethyl. This combination of powerful ingredients allows professionals using ForceOut to get faster and more precise results.  

It is perfect for handling hard-to-kill weeds like dandelions, chickweed, clover, henbit, plantain and ground ivy. At the same time, it was engineered for safe use on everything from fescue and ryegrass to bluegrass, bermudagrass and zoysia grass. This makes it perfect for use on home lawns, golf courses, athletic fields and other high visibility turf sites. And the best part? It does its job fast! Results are visible in 24-48 hours, helping lower the number of complaints and callbacks while improving your reputation.  

Additionally, ForceOut was created with the outdoor professional in mind. It mixes well with some liquid fertilizers (such as Droplex Xtra, Gulfstream Free, Droplex and Windsurf Pro) and is used at a low rate (specifically 48–64 oz/acre). At the end of the day, ForceOut is the economical, efficient and easy way to control tough broadleaf weeds.  

Contact your territory manager to learn about adding ForceOut to your seasonal program.