OCS Influencers from Heritage say smart irrigation and agronomics can help contractors prevent waste and win repeat customers.

Has this happened to you? You're driving past a job you finished last season, and the sprinklers are running at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, water streaming down the driveway, pooling at the curb, going nowhere useful. Nobody called it in. Nobody noticed. But guess what? Your name is all over that system. 

That's the kind of thing that keeps contractors up at night, and it's exactly the kind of thing that smart irrigation is designed to prevent. 

Start with the controller 

The biggest single upgrade you can make to any irrigation system is the controller. Systems like the Hunter Hydrawise and Rain Bird ESP-TM2 with WiFi don't just run on a timer. They adjust automatically based on real-time weather data. If it rained last night, they know. If temperatures drop, they adjust. Your customer's lawn gets watered when it needs it, not just because it's Wednesday. 

For you, that means fewer callbacks, fewer overwatering complaints and a system that looks like it was designed by someone who thought it through. That's the kind of trust that turns one job into ten referrals. 

Put the right nozzles on the job 

Traditional spray nozzles throw water out fast... we're talking faster than most soils can absorb it. The result is runoff, misting and uneven coverage. Hunter MP Rotator Nozzles and Rain Bird R-VAN Nozzles work differently. They apply water slowly and evenly, giving it time to soak in where it belongs. 

Pair them with pressure-regulated spray bodies like the Hunter Pro-Spray PRS40, and you eliminate the misting that happens when the pressure gets too high. What that means is less waste, better coverage and a system that performs consistently across the whole zone. 

Don't forget the beds 

Turf gets most of the attention, but planting beds, trees and shrubs are where a lot of water gets wasted. Overhead spray in a bed is inefficient; most of it never reaches the root zone. Drip irrigation changes that entirely. Rain Bird XF Dripline and Hunter HDL Dripline deliver water right where the plant needs it, at the root level, with minimal evaporation. Plants establish faster, perform better and your customer notices the difference come midsummer when everything still looks healthy. 

Zone smart, schedule smart 

Products can only do so much if the system design isn't right. Grouping plants with similar water needs into the same zone is one of the simplest things you can do to improve efficiency. A drip zone running on the same schedule as a turf zone is a problem waiting to happen. Take the time to zone it right from the start, and the rest of the system has a chance to do its job. 

So now what? 

Water-wise landscaping isn't about doing less. It's all about doing it better. The contractors who are investing in smart controllers, efficient nozzles and drip solutions are the ones whose customers call them back season after season. Not because they sold them something fancy, but because the system works, the water bill went down and nobody's watching their money run down the street. 

Conserve water with Heritage A-LIST Turf Blends 

Heritage selects turf cultivars that thrive with fewer inputs using our patented Turf Tech Tool, which analyzes NTEP results to create high-performance blends. Our **A-LIST certified blends — Artimuss, Calyspow and Posidunn — **deliver superior turf quality while conserving water. These blends are proven drought-tolerant, require less fertilizer and reduce pesticide, herbicide and mowing needs, making them sustainable, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. 

Water-saving impact: Maximize performance while minimizing water use with A-LIST certified turf. 

Conserve water with wetting agents 

Wetting agents improve soil moisture penetration, helping water spread evenly and reach the root zone. They enhance water absorption, prevent dry spots and support healthier, more resilient turf with fewer irrigation cycles. By maintaining consistent soil hydration, wetting agents allow turf to use water more efficiently while reducing runoff and waste. 

Water-saving impact: Every drop counts — wetting agents make irrigation more effective and consistent.

Conserve water with CIVITAS TURF DEFENSE™ 

CIVITAS TURF DEFENSE™ is a multifunctional fungicide, insecticide and plant protection product. Its active ingredient, a white mineral oil similar to natural leaf paraffins, forms a protective barrier that prevents pathogens from taking hold and enhances turf’s tolerance to stress. Applied proactively, CIVITAS improves overall turf health, supports IPM programs and boosts resilience even under tough conditions, helping turf thrive with less water. 

Water-saving impact: Reduce water use by up to 25% while maintaining healthy, resilient  

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore 20 landscaping tools that are shear genius! 

Having the right tools for the job can separate you from your competitors by leveling up your efficiency and professionalism. For example, power tools make it easier for your team to work faster, whether they’re trimming hedges or clearing debris after a storm. But not every tool is built the same!  

It’s important to balance wanting to make an economical decision with getting quality products. As Hilary Walters explains in a Jobber article, “Invest in high-end tools with stronger motors, longer battery life and commercial-grade durability for frequent use. Quality brands with good warranties can save you money in the long run, since you may not have to pay for as many repairs or replacements.” 

So, what types of tools should you look into for your landscaping list? It really depends on what type of projects you’ll be tackling. Here’s 20 great options to help you figure out what your team needs! 

1 – Mower 

It’s important to equip your team with the right mower for the job. If you do a lot of work with clients that have multi-acre properties, it can be worth it to invest in a riding mower. For smaller properties, a gas or electric mower will often do the job. Toro carries a variety of mowers, including riding, walking and robotic, that can help you save time on the job! 

2 – Leaf blower 

Keeping the worksite clean is crucial to having happy customers, however it can be a bit of challenge when you are cutting grass, clearing brush and other landscaping activities that create debris. That’s why a leaf blower is a great upgrade from a rake or broom. Something like Flex-Force 60V Max Leaf Blowers from Toro is especially a good option because it is battery-powered, making it easy to maneuver, without sacrificing power (the Flex-Force has “up to 605 CFM of air volume and up to 157 MPH air speed”). 

3 – Pole saw/pruner 

A pole saw is exactly what it sounds like, a pole with a saw attached to the end of it. This tool is perfect for cutting those hard-to-reach branches without having to climb any trees or ladders.  

In a similar vein, a pole pruner, like what Seymour Midwest carries, is another option for cutting high branches. The difference is that a pole pruner is more lightweight than a pole saw. This means that a pole pruner is better for detail work, while a pole saw is better for larger branches. 

4 – Weed whacker 

Toro also offers some high-quality weed whackers, which are also called string trimmers. These are a great option for landscapers because they can help them tame spaces that have grown unruly and enable them to create clean, aesthetic edges along paths, sidewalks, driveways and more.  

5 – Shovel 

It seems basic, but every landscaper needs a trusted shovel or two. Choosing what type of shovel you want depends on how you use it. We recommend having a flat-bladed spade as it will be the best for edging, cutting and planting along with having a round or pointed-blade shovel for your digger purposes. In addition to those, there are a variety of other shovel types to explore at T Christy Enterprises! 

And if you are offering services in the winter, it’s time to invest in a good quality snow shovel, such as Seymour Midwest’s! They also offer a variety of scrapers and other snow tools that might be useful for wintertime projects. 

6 – Hedge trimmer 

These are especially helpful if you are working in an area with a lot of foliage – we're talking bushes, small trees and other light plant growth. With a hedge trimmer you will be able to make sure that greenery stays tidy and attractive easily. Looking for a hedge trimmer? Get started on Toro’s website! 

7 – Pruning shears 

A lot of your clients probably have these as well, but it never hurts to have a pair of professional pruning shears, such as those from Seymour Midwest, on hand. They are a versatile pair of handheld plant scissors that help you cut and trim small branches. You can also get pruning loppers, which are just a little bit bigger and require two hands to use. While less nimble than shears, loppers give you the power to tackle bigger branches.  

8 – Trowel 

When working on smaller scales where a shovel is a little too imprecise, a trowel comes in handy. Look for something with a round or pointed blade that is metal. There are many different iterations of a basic trowel, such as Japanese Hori Hori garden knives, that can be explored in Corona’s catalog. 

9 – Rakes 

While we do recommend investing in a leaf blower eventually, if you are not there yet a rake is a good middle-ground. There are two types of rakes. One is a leaf rake, which is used to clean grass clipping, leaves and other light debris from yards and is often fan shaped. You will also want what is called a garden rake. These have more squared, flat heads that feature a line of sharp tines. This is perfect for heavier duty, more dense work, such as removing rocks and spreading out soil, mulch and other materials. 

Seymour Midwest carries both types of rake, making them a great starting place for landscapers looking for a new rake! 

10 – Aerator 

Aerating the ground might sound odd, but it is a key method to helping water, air and nutrients enter a lawn. We recommend avoiding manual aerators, as they require a large amount of time and effort to use. Instead, an electric or gas-powered aerator is a great option.  

11 – Tiller  

A tiller’s job is to break up packed dirt into loose soil. This makes it easier to plant later and is a key tool if you are doing a lot of larger-scale planting work. You also might want to consider a cultivator which operates similar to a tiller but with smaller tines that are better for mixing soil rather than just breaking it up. Toro carriers both cultivators and tillers, making them a great place to get started.  

12 – Spreader 

Between using your tiller to break up soil to employing the cultivator to mix it, you might want to use a spreader. This does what the label says and spreads seed and fertilizer over an area. They can come in two types, push and tow. A push-behind spreader is good for using on foot in a smaller space, where a tow-behind is the go-to for larger spaces where you will want to connect it to a truck or mower.  

13 – Sprayer 

Have a lawn that needs fertilizer or pesticide but no tilling? You’ll want to get a pressure sprayer! These come in handheld, backpack and tow-behind styles, and it's really up to you and your needs which one is best. A great place to start exploring your options is The Fountain Head Group’s catalog! 

14 – Wheelbarrow 

Transporting material around a property can be a pain, especially if there aren’t good access points for your truck or trailer. That’s when you will appreciate investing in a good wheelbarrow. We suggest looking for something with 6 to 10 cubic feet of space. Also, consider opting for a two-wheeled barrow like Seymour Midwest sells, rather than the classic one wheel for more control and stability.  

17 – Auger 

An auger, or a post-hole digger, is a type of double-bladed shovel that makes digging round, uniform holes easier. This is perfect for when you need to place fence holes or some other type of post in a space. 

There are gas and electric augers that use corkscrew bits to drill holes. These are more expensive but dig faster. So, it’s a good investment if your team is going to be doing a lot of fence work. Otherwise, you can probably stick to manual options like those from Seymour Midwest. 

16 – Tamper 

A tamper does the inverse of a tiller or aerator – it compacts the soil. This is a key step to installing a patio, paving stones or other flat surfaces, as it keeps the soil from settling over time and messing up your careful placement of stones. There are long handled tampers, such as those from Corona, that are good for small spaces and rolling ones for larger areas. There are gas-powered tampers on the market, but they really aren’t worth the expense unless you’re expecting to tamp very large spaces, very frequently. 

17 – Hose 

There’s likely already a hose set up at your clients’ house, but having your own ensures that you won’t have to worry about not having a long enough hose or a homeowner’s hose bursting. It also gives you control over the nozzle attachment, which can be extremely helpful! We recommend trusted brands like Rain Bird for professional-grade hoses and nozzles. 

18 – Gloves 

And you don’t want to forget about keeping your crew safe and healthy on the job site. The first step is making sure they have a good set of gloves to protect their hands from things like thorns, cuts, insect bites, blisters and more.  

19 – Safety glasses 

Especially if your crew is working with some of the powered or sharp tools we talked about earlier, they need to have the proper eye and ear safety equipment. Bare minimum, we recommend having safety glasses and earmuffs/plugs for them. 

20 – Boots 

Landscaping can be a hazardous job, especially if there’s a lot of heavy equipment and trucks moving around. That’s why ensuring your crew is working in steel-toed boots or shoes is so important. These will help keep them safe from anything that might fall or roll over their feet.  

Conclusion 

This isn’t a comprehensive list, especially in the advent of digital tools. But it’s a good starting point to making sure you and your team have everything needed to succeed when you are landscaping a client’s home. Remember, if you purchase these for company activities, you will want to save receipts and track it as a business expense. Not only will this help you during the tax season, but it will also help you calculate your overhead costs and profit margins.