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Episode 4: Smart Irrigation, Water Conservation & The After Splash Campaign

In Episode 4 of SprinklerDude’s Podcast, Justin Richards and Tony Wheeler dive deeper into what smart irrigation really means. Is it just a smart controller, or does it include proper design, pressure regulation, check valves, rain sensors, flow monitoring, and ongoing maintenance?

The conversation begins with an introduction to The After Splash, a month-long industry campaign created to keep the conversation about water conservation going beyond Smart Irrigation Month. Justin explains how irrigation professionals, manufacturers, contractors, and homeowners can get involved by sharing their own conservation efforts and helping educate others.

The discussion then shifts into real-world irrigation topics, including:

• What smart irrigation actually is
• Why proper system design matters more than expensive products alone
• The role of rain sensors, weather data, ET programming, and seasonal adjustments
• Hydrawise, Rain Bird LNK2, and Rachio controller comparisons
• Why maintenance is just as important as installation
• Low-head drainage, check valves, and pressure-regulated spray bodies
• LEED, WaterSense, and professional certifications
• The true cost versus long-term return on investing in smart irrigation
• Common mistakes contractors and technicians make in the field
• Why continuing education is one of the most valuable tools an irrigation professional can have

Whether you’re an irrigation technician, contractor, landscape professional, or homeowner looking to understand today’s irrigation technology, this episode is packed with practical advice, industry insights, and honest conversation from two professionals who work with these systems every day.

Learn more about The After Splash and how you can participate:
https://theaftersplash.com

Hunter Industries Training:
https://training.hunterindustries.com/

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If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with another irrigation professional. Your support helps us continue educating the irrigation industry one episode at a time.

This episode was supposed to be all about answering your questions, but I didn’t give everyone enough time to submit them. That’s on me, and we’ll be doing another Listener Mail episode soon.In the meantime, I catch you up on everything that’s been happening. We talk about an exciting irrigation product that was once only available overseas but now has a new home here, making it much more accessible. I also share where you’ll be able to find me at my next industry event and provide an update on this year’s The After Splash campaign.Be sure to leave your questions in the comments for the next Listener Mail episode. Whether it’s about irrigation, the SprinklerDude brand, the podcast, business, or anything else, I’d love to answer it in a future episode.Subscribe so you never miss a new episode every Sunday, plus bonus content throughout the week.Listen on your favorite podcast platform:Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/033KuncR0ooNNxrsLOIrhW?si=772df71629424336Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sprinklerdudes-podcast/id6787806776iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-sprinklerdudes-podcast-338301211Website:https://www.sprinklerdude.org#SprinklerDude #SprinklerDudesPodcast #Irrigation #LandscapeIndustry #TheAfterSplash #SmartIrrigation

Is smart irrigation just about installing a smart controller?Not even close.In Episode 3 of SprinklerDude’s Podcast, Justin Richards and Tony Wheeler take a deep dive into what smart irrigation really means. While smart controllers, rotary nozzles, pressure-regulated sprinkler heads, check valves, and other water-saving technologies all play an important role, they explain why none of those products can overcome a poorly designed irrigation system.During this in-depth conversation, you’ll learn:• Why proper irrigation design is the foundation of water efficiency• The role of the Irrigation Association in advancing the irrigation industry• How rotary nozzles improve distribution uniformity and reduce runoff• Why pressure regulation matters for every irrigation system• The benefits of check valves in preventing low-head drainage• How smart irrigation controllers use weather data to conserve water• Common mistakes that waste water and reduce system performance• Practical ways contractors and homeowners can build more efficient irrigation systemsWhether you’re an irrigation contractor, technician, landscape professional, municipality, or homeowner, this episode is packed with practical information that can help you irrigate more efficiently while protecting one of our most valuable resources.Thank you for listening to SprinklerDude’s Podcast!Subscribe for new full-length podcast episodes every Sunday and bonus Listener Mail episodes every Wednesday

What does it take to grow from one truck to two? When is the right time to hire another technician? And how should an irrigation company be structured as it begins to scale?In this first Listener Mail bonus episode of SprinklerDude’s Podcast, we’re answering some of the great questions submitted by members of the irrigation community. We dive into the real-world challenges that business owners face as they grow, including:• Knowing when it’s time to add another technician• Managing cash flow while expanding• Building an organizational structure that can scale• Defining leadership roles and responsibilities• Balancing installation and service departments• Creating systems that support long-term growth• Lessons we’ve learned from working in and managing irrigation companiesIf you’re an irrigation contractor looking to grow your business, this episode is packed with practical insights from the field.Have a question you’d like us to answer in a future Listener Mail episode? Leave it in the comments below. Your question could be featured in an upcoming bonus episode.Subscribe for:• New full episodes every Sunday• Bonus content every WednesdayCONNECT WITH SPRINKLERDUDEWebsite:https://www.sprinklerdude.orgOnline Training:https://app.sprinklerdude.orgFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/SprinklerDudeInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/SprinklerDudeLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinrichardscitTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@sprinklerdudeYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@sprinklerdudePresented by Nashville Irrigation & LightingWebsite:https://www.nashvilleirrigation.comFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/NashvilleIrrigationInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/nashvilleirrigationNeed help with your irrigation system in Middle Tennessee? Visit Nashville Irrigation & Lighting for professional irrigation, drainage, outdoor lighting, and smart water management solutions.If you enjoyed this episode:• Like the video• Subscribe to the channel• Turn on notifications• Share this episode with another irrigation professional#SprinklerDudesPodcast #ListenerMail #Irrigation #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneur #ServiceBusiness #LandscapeIndustry #Contractor #Hiring #CashFlow #Management #SprinklerDude

n Episode 2 of the SprinklerDude Podcast, Justin Richards sits down with Tony Wheeler, Field Supervisor at Nashville Irrigation & Lighting, to introduce one of Middle Tennessee’s premier irrigation and outdoor lighting companies.

Tony shares his journey into the irrigation industry, while Justin and Tony discuss the history of Nashville Irrigation & Lighting, the vision of founder Sean Orange, and how the company has grown into a trusted name throughout the region. They also highlight the role Zack Orange plays in helping carry that vision forward.

The conversation goes well beyond company history, covering leadership, team culture, smart irrigation, water conservation, customer service, and several hot topics currently affecting the irrigation industry. One of the standout moments is Tony’s perspective on “managing personalities,” a leadership principle he learned from a hockey coach that continues to shape how he leads his team today.

Whether you’re an irrigation professional, landscape contractor, business owner, or homeowner interested in irrigation technology, this episode offers valuable insights and practical takeaways.

Topics Covered:
• Meet Tony Wheeler, Field Supervisor
• The story of Nashville Irrigation & Lighting
• Leadership and managing personalities
• Smart irrigation and water conservation
• Customer service and company culture
• Current irrigation industry trends
• Real-world experiences from the field

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the SprinklerDude Podcast on Spotify and your favorite podcast platform. New episodes feature conversations with industry professionals, educational content, and practical insights designed to help you become a better irrigation professional.

Episode 1: My Story and What’s Coming Next

Welcome to the very first episode of SprinklerDude’s Podcast!

In this inaugural episode, I share my journey into the irrigation industry, from starting as an electrical apprentice to building a career that has taken me through small and large irrigation companies and ultimately led to creating the SprinklerDude brand.

I also explain why I launched this podcast, what listeners can expect in future episodes, and my mission to educate, empower, and elevate the irrigation industry through honest conversations, expert interviews, product discussions, and real-world field experience.

You’ll also hear about my first upcoming podcast guest, industry events I’ll be attending, future interviews, and what’s next for SprinklerDude’s Podcast.

Whether you’re an irrigation technician, contractor, manufacturer, distributor, landscape professional, or simply interested in irrigation, welcome to the show.

Educate. Empower. Elevate.

Live from Studio H2O.