Q: How does the Virid system work?
A: The Virid system is self contained in a 5 gallon box. Virid attaches to an existing sprinkler system through two small, 1/4" hoses and some electrical connectors. The water pressure from your system helps drive a simple piston pump system. The frequency of each pump is set by the Virid technician to match each sprinkler or drip zone; more often for more sprinkler heads, less often for fewer sprinklers or a drip system. As the piston fires it pulls fertilizer into the piston and then pushes that spoonful of fertilizer back into the water line to be fully mixed with the water and to your plants.
Q: What does the homeowner have to do to keep the system working?
A: Nothing. Virid takes care of all maintenance, filling of fertilizer and all other services offered. Virid will even check on your sprinkler system on each refill to make sure it is working properly. If there is a broken sprinkler head and Virid can fix it quickly we will gladly do so at not extra charge. If Virid determines that too much fertilizer has been used it is probably due to a water leak somewhere in the sprinkler system and Virid will test the system to identify the leak and notify the homeowner of the leak and the location. Virid has relationships with quality sprinkler repair professionals and can arrange for a repair or a complete system evaluation on behalf of the homeowner. Rest assured, with Virid there are no hidden charges.
Q: What is this pest repellant included in the Virid fertilizer?
A: Virid brews a secret blend of natural spices to make its pest repellant and adds it to the fertilizer solution. This pest repellant "tea" has no impact on humans or pets, it is just too dilute and most people have used and eaten these spices. Pests (certain rodents, insects and other "bugs") are bothered by the spices in the air or in the soil and simply move elsewhere. We have seen burrows coming in from public space toward a homeowner who benefits from this repellant and the burrows stop and turn just as they get close to the property line. It also works well with mosquitos. They can sense the CO2 in our exhalations which draws them to us (similar to bed bugs). When the repellant is used they become confused because they can not sense the CO2 and go someplace else. This is just another example of an automatic, natural solution to a human problem.
Q: What is FreezeGuard™?
A: FreezeGuard™ is Virid's patent pending answer to when to turn on and blow out your sprinkler system AND get a jump on lawn and landscape plant care and feeding. FreezeGuard™ senses when the temperature drops near freezing then automatically turns off the sprinkler water line and drains the back-flow preventer. This way you won't damage your sprinkler system if the temperature suddenly drops one night or during an unexpected storm. Once the temperature rises again, FreezeGuard™ automatically turns back on the sprinkler water line for normal operations. With FreezeGuard™ you can turn on your sprinklers to water and feed your lawn and plants during those early season hot and dry periods or those late fall dry periods, even just to water the plants and trees. There is no need to worry about turning it on too early or getting somebody to blow out your system just before the first freeze.
Q: If it rains and I don't run my sprinklers, do I miss a feeding?
A: Not likely. Virid emulates the way nature feeds plants but makes it more predictable. Rains bring down nutrients floating in the air down to the ground that makes up topsoil. Plants are accustomed to being fed when it rains, Virid and your automatic sprikler system makes this part of the natural cycle more predictable. And with Virid, feeding your lawn, gardens, bushes and ground covers as easy as running the sprinkler system.
Q: Does adding your equipment permanently damage my sprinkler system?
A: No, not at all. We only have to make two very small taps into your existing pipes to install our equipment. If you should decide to cancel your service with us, we will come out and remove our equipment and permanently plug the small holes we made in your pipes, leaving your sprinkler system the way we found it.
Q: Can I save water using the Virid service?
A: Yes, absolutely. Traditional methods of lawn fertilization foster bad watering habits. When traditional applications are first applied, more watering is needed to dissolve the material. Then as the application begins to wear down, and the lawn begins to fade in color, homeowners typically water more to try to keep their lawns green. With Virid, you will be able to keep a consistent watering schedule which will mean less water usage over an entire growing season.
Q: Do I have to worry about my pets and children being on the lawn after a fertilization?
A: Absolutely not. The amounts of fertilizer we pulse out with each watering cycle is so small that you will never have to worry about having pets and children on your lawn. Virid targets an EPA standard for drinking water so fertilize a better way with Virid and stop worrying.
Q: Is weed control put through the sprinkler system?
A: No. Virid includes fertilizer and a natural pest repellant in its solution. The fertilizer combines with the water in the sprinkler system for a dilute feeding of your lawn and landscape plants. The pest repellant drives away harmful pests without killing off the beneficial ones. It is undetected by humans but pests don't like it and they move on. For example, mosquitos sense of "smell" is 10,000 times that of humans. They find their victims by sensing the CO2 coming out of us with each exhale. They pest repellant reduces their ability to sense the CO2 in your yard so they move elsewhere.
Q: What king of fertilizer does Virid use?
A: Virid uses a fertilizer high in nitrogen designed specifically for turf care in your area. There is a small amount of Potassium and Phosphorous in there as well, both are important components of plant needs.
Q: What if I want to feed my vegetable garden something different than what I feed my lawn?
A: Virid will set up a new system with a customized fertilizer solution to meet the specific needs of your vegetable garden, or rose bushes, or xeriscape garden, etc.