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by Andy Humphrey
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- 3 days ago16 min
#196 - SLIDE App, Building in Public
For years I've watched irrigation contractors, designers, consultants, and water managers wrestle with the same question: How much water should a landscape actually need? The research exists. The science exists. But getting from all that information to something practical in the field often feels harder than it should. So I decided to build something. In this episode, I'm introducing S.L.I.D.E. — Simplified Landscape Irrigation Demand Estimation, a new tool designed to help estimate landscape water demand using plant type, location, and historical climate information. More importantly, I'm inviting you into the process. Visit: SLIDE Calculator and try it for yourself. Be curious about the results. Test your own property, customer sites, parks, or projects. If you find a bug, have an idea, or think something feels off, click the Buoy icon in the upper right corner and submit a ticket. Those messages come directly to me. This episode is less of a launch announcement and more of an invitation to build something together. Additional notes for fellow nerds: The S.L.I.D.E. methodology builds upon research developed by researchers with the University of California Cooperative Extension. U.S. weather and rainfall inputs use historical gridMET reference evapotranspiration and precipitation data averaged from 2021–2025. Canada weather and rainfall inputs use Open-Meteo historical climate archive data. Because sometimes the best ideas happen when we stop pretending we have it all figured out…and start building in public.
- 1 weeks ago28 min
#195 - Straight Out Of NASA: What Irrigation Can Learn From Cellular IoT
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at OptConnect, a cellular IoT company helping businesses connect devices to the internet without making connectivity complicated. Justin Nichols explains how OptConnect supports everything from irrigation controllers to ATMs, kiosks, vending machines, wastewater treatment, solar inverters, EV chargers, security trailers, access controls, and other commercial/industrial IoT applications. For the landscape and irrigation industry, the biggest takeaway is that irrigation controllers do not need much data to be valuable. Most controllers may use only 50–100 MB per month, and often less, but the value of that connection is significant: remote access, monitoring, fewer truck rolls, better uptime, and more reliable service. Justin also explains why choosing the right cellular technology matters. Faster is not always better. For low-data irrigation applications, Cat M1 can often be a better fit because it has stronger building penetration than higher-speed cellular options. A few key themes from the conversation: OptConnect is not just selling hardware; they are simplifying connectivity. Irrigation is one piece of a much larger IoT world. The same connectivity principles used in ATMs, solar, EV charging, security, and industrial monitoring also apply to landscape irrigation. Antenna selection and placement are often overlooked but can be the weak link in the system. Multi-carrier and eSIM technology can make deployments easier because the contractor or end user does not need to manually choose the best carrier. The goal is fewer truck rolls, better uptime, and a more professional connected experience. OptConnect's experience across other industries gives the irrigation market access to technology that has already been proven at scale.
- 2 weeks ago55 min
#194 - Hard on Process, Soft on People with Erik Dyba
What does it actually take to turn around and grow an irrigation business? In this episode, Andy sits down with Erik Dyba from The Bruce Company to talk about his journey through the industry. From learning irrigation in the mountains of Colorado to rebuilding and scaling a department at David J. Frank from a few hundred thousand dollars to over $1.5 million. We get into what really moves the needle: building the right team, investing in training, creating systems that actually work, and leaning into partnerships with organizations like the Irrigation Association. Erik also shares his perspective on water conservation, why education is one of the biggest opportunities in the industry right now, and how his experience in both irrigation and snow removal has shaped the way he leads. This is a conversation about doing things the right way—and what happens when you commit to getting better over time.
- 3 weeks ago29 min
#193 - My Design Landscape Beta w/ Scott Allison
In this episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy Humphrey is joined by Scott Allison from Hunter Industries to talk about My Design Landscape Beta, Hunter's new contractor-focused design platform for irrigation and landscape professionals. Scott shares how Hunter has been building digital tools for contractors for years, from runtime calculators and site recommendation tools to lighting design software. Now, with My Design Landscape, Hunter is bringing that experience into irrigation design with a tool built to help contractors create better layouts, proposals, hydraulic plans, as-builts, and customer-facing presentations. This conversation is about more than software. It is about helping contractors communicate value. For many irrigation contractors, the biggest challenge is not just designing the system. It is helping the customer understand why proper head-to-head coverage matters, why one system costs more than another, and why professional design can protect water, landscapes, and long-term performance. In this episode, we talk about: Why irrigation design is becoming a stronger sales and communication tool. How My Design Landscape can help contractors create plans faster. The value of visual design when explaining coverage, zones, valves, controllers, and drip irrigation. How contractors may use as-built drawings as an added service. Why beta users have a chance to help shape the future of the software. How better visuals can help justify price, professionalism, and system quality. Why technology may help level the playing field for everyday contractors. Scott also walks through the beta version of My Design Landscape, including image upload, scale setting, hydrozones, sprinkler placement, drip layout, controllers, valves, sensors, project summaries, bill of materials, and PDF exports. If you are an irrigation contractor, landscape professional, designer, distributor, or anyone interested in where irrigation design software is headed, this episode is worth watching. Learn more about My Design Landscape from Hunter Industries: https://www.hunterirrigation.com/my-design-landscape Subscribe to The Sprinkler Nerd Show for more conversations about irrigation, water, technology, contractors, and the future of the green industry.
- Apr 17, 202614 min
#192 - Let The Grass Grow
What if the most important action is no action at all? In this solo episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy explores the idea that patience is not something standing in the way of the process… patience is the process. From wanting to get ahead when you are young, to waiting for a customer to sign a proposal, to standing in front of a 150 zone 2-wire system that just will not work, this episode is about the moments when doing more is not the answer. Sometimes the grass does not need more water. More fertilizer. More adjustment. Sometimes, it simply needs time. This episode is a reminder that not all growth is visible, that roots are growing beneath the surface, and that sometimes the wisest thing we can do is step back, trust, and let the grass grow.
- Apr 10, 202650 min
#191 - Where Is All The Water Going?
What happens when you try to answer one simple question: Where is all the water going? In this episode of the Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Paul Bassett from ENVOCORE to tell the story of one of the most complex irrigation and water management projects they have ever worked on—a massive retrofit at a government military base. What began as an irrigation upgrade quickly became something much bigger: more than 1,000 water meters, 225 irrigation controllers, 7 million square feet of irrigated landscape, and over 25 million gallons of monthly water use. Together, Andy and Paul share how they used wireless technology, LoRaWAN gateways, smart irrigation controls, weather stations, soil moisture sensors, and utility-grade water meters to build a system capable of tracking every drop across an entire military base. But the real challenge was not installing the hardware. It was learning how to trust the data. They discuss: How to discover and estimate a project of this size Why some properties are unknowingly use twice as much water as they need How missing meter data, duplicate reporting, and underground leaks complicated the project Why "gallons per square foot" may be the most important number in irrigation How water bills can reveal more about a property than most people realize Why contractors should start with the math before they start replacing sprinklers Paul also shares practical advice that any contractor can use immediately, whether they manage a military base or a five-zone residential system. If you want to understand how data, water, and technology are reshaping the future of irrigation, this is an episode you will not want to miss.
- Apr 3, 202634 min
#190 - Contractors Are The People Who Make Irrigation Work
At the Hunter Industries Contractor Training Event hosted in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Andy sat down with irrigation contractors and technology leaders to explore one big question: What is the future of irrigation going to look like? In this documentary-style episode, you'll hear from contractors with decades of field experience, including three generations of Grapids Irrigation, contractors adapting to smart controllers and cloud-based monitoring, and the people building the next generation of tools at Hunter. Featuring conversations with: Aaron Katerberg of Grapids Irrigation, Brandon Dietrich of Garpio Group, Jason from Smith Lawnscapes, Hector Avalos of Pro-Mow Landscaping, Tony Tiscareno of Grapids Irrigation, and Scott Allison from Hunter Industries. Topics include: Flat-rate pricing and running a more profitable service business Smart controllers, Wi-Fi, flow sensors, and remote monitoring Why water savings and technology matter more than ever New cloud-based design tools like Hunter's My Design Landscape The differences between irrigation in Michigan and Florida Why, after 20–30 years in the business, contractors still love what they do The tools are changing. The technology is changing. The people who make irrigation work are still the story. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend in the irrigation industry.
- Mar 27, 202625 min
#189 - PART 3, Rain Bird Irrigation Pro Summit: Inside Rain Bird Innovation
Behind every irrigation controller, valve, and system component is a team of engineers and product managers working to improve the tools contractors rely on every day. In the final episode of this three-part series from the Rain Bird Irrigation Pro Summit, Andy Humphrey talks with members of the Rain Bird team about how irrigation products are designed and how contractor feedback shapes the future of irrigation technology. Steve, a Rain Bird product manager, shares insights into the development of modern controller platforms, two-wire systems, and connected irrigation management tools. Maggie and Matt from Rain Bird discuss valve technology, integrated valve modules, and how product innovation happens within one of the irrigation industry's most recognized manufacturers. This conversation highlights how collaboration between contractors and manufacturers continues to drive innovation in irrigation. In This Episode How Rain Bird develops irrigation controllers Two-wire technology and system diagnostics Valve innovation and integrated valve modules (IVM) How contractor feedback influences product development The future of irrigation technology Featured Guests Steve Barendt— Rain Bird Product Manager, Controllers Maggie Saulsby — Rain Bird Product Manager, Valves Matt Cooper — Rain Bird Contractor Account Manager (CAM), Mid Atlantic
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About The Sprinkler Nerd Show
If you are a Landscape Entrepreneur this show is for you. Andy, a former contestant on the ABC hit television series Shark Tank, irrigation technology expert, and multimillion-dollar eCommerce entrepreneur brings his curiosity & creativity to tease out the secrets of successful landscape influencers and business owners. Discover how to get a leg up on the competition, be the smartest person at the design table, and advance your career in the irrigation and landscape industry at any level.All stones will be unturned as Andy digs into the nerdy details of business, technology, and personal growth here on the Sprinkler Nerd show. To join the community of Sprinkler Nerds transforming the Green Industry visit www.SprinklerNerd.com.
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