Some of these may be outdated, but I am going to list my 30 strange but true things that I have learned over the years that may help someone. If not, these are just thoughts from an old grey-haired guy.
Feel free to add to the list!
- Always let someone else try the new stuff first before buying/using (Chemicals/Machinery, etc.)
- Use “Ductile Iron” with plastic coating when fixing large plastic pipe irrigation repairs.
- Use “yelowmine” pipe for irrigation across a bridge or exposed spot.
- Use a Toro “Sidewinder” for mowing under or around trees.
- Use wooden rollers and solid tires on mowers, they last longer.
- Always wear waterproof footwear and have a closet full of clothes/shoes at work.
- If there is a city/public water supply close by, hook your pump station to it. The water is cleaner, usually has a great pH, and if there is a power failure there will always be pressure.
- Never let your owners/boss convince you to hook the restrooms on your property to the irrigation system. The jockey/small pump will constantly run from toilet flushes and will burn up quickly. I will not go into how people will drink the water as well…
- Do not put more than three things in the tank!!! You are not making rock candy!
- If they tell you to use 50 feet of copper wire for lightning protection, say that you want 100 feet. When running it underground, head towards an irrigated area.
- Fruit for snacks during the day, not junk or cigarettes.
• Do not allow employees to listen to music in headphones. It will be hard to hear the word, “FORE!”
• When you see a widow maker in a tree, get it down before it makes a widow.
• Do not allow finger/nose/lip/earring -wearing at work unless you want to see a lot of blood.
- Never go up/down a ladder without someone holding it.
- Paint the hazard lines in both directions.
- Always get the public utility folks to paint the underground utility lines
- Drive carts at night that have headlights.
- Don’t assume that because you are very far away from the playing area you won’t get hit.
- If you lock a gate at night on your property, make sure to check with the local authorities about how they will gain access when you are not there and a map of where everything is located.
- Allow rescue folks to train scuba in your pool at night. Allow authorities to train dogs at night. Makes for great partnerships/friendships.
- Sometimes it’s cheaper to sod cut and sod instead of seeding and spraying.
- Always make time to see these doctors; audiologist, cardiologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist, general practitioner, optometrist, and dentist.
- Always hang “No Pest” strips in irrigation controllers for insects.
- Old Jacobsen Blitzer Units and a tractor can cut all of your rough when long, wet, or you are in a hurry; faster than riding mowers.
- Spend more time with your family than work.
- Have seed, fertilizer, pesticides, and irrigation repair parts always on hand. Do not try to buy these things the day before you use them.
- Do not concrete over irrigation pipes. Use thrust blocks.
- Keep a snake bite kit and deer tick kit on hand.
- Hanging “Irish Spring” soap bars in trees will keep deer away.
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.