# Backyard Basics Our collection of tips, tricks and other information to help you Connect Outside - ## Big news: Rachio is now part of Rain Bird! As of this week, Rachio has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Rain Bird Corporation and we couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities to grow together. [Read more](/content/blog/rain-bird-acquires-rachio/index.html) - ## Understanding Lighting Zones, Areas and Scenes Everything you need to know about Zones, Areas and Scenes when it comes to Rachio's new Smart Lighting Controller. [Read more](/content/blog/understanding-smart-lighting-zones-areas-and-scenes/index.html) - ## Benefits of Using a Smart Sprinkler Controller in 2025 Smart sprinkler controllers have extended the smart home outside. Here's why upgrading to a Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller is beneficial. [Read more](/content/blog/benefits-of-using-a-smart-sprinkler-controller-in-2025/index.html) - ## Rachio Sprinkler Controller vs. Smart Hose Timer: Which One Fits Your Yard? Rachio offers two watering products: the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller for in-ground irrigation systems and the Rachio Smart Hose Timer for above-ground setups. The two products can be used together but not interchangeably, so understanding their differences will help you select the best fit for your yard. [Read more](/content/blog/rachio-sprinkler-controller-versus-smart-hose-timer/index.html) - ## Understanding Schedules - Here’s your hot weather handbook Understanding Schedules - Here’s your hot weather handbook [Read more](/content/blog/schedules-hot-weather/index.html) - ## Installing the Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller: A Step-by-Step Guide Upgrading to a Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller is a simple way to make your irrigation system more efficient and easier to understand. This guide walks you through the typical indoor installation process. [Read more](/content/blog/installing-rachio-smart-sprinkler-controller-guide/index.html) - ## What Features Should You Look for in a Smart Irrigation Controller to Ensure Water Efficiency? What Features Should You Look for in a Smart Irrigation Controller for Watering Efficiency [Read more](/content/blog/what-features-should-you-look-for-in-smart-irrigation-controller/index.html) - ## Preparing Your Yard for Summer with Rachio With Rachio's smart irrigation systems, you can keep your lawn lush and green all summer long while conserving water and saving money. [Read more](/content/blog/preparing-your-yard-for-summer-with-rachio/index.html) - ## Mastering Lawn Watering: Smart Scheduling Tips for a Healthier Lawn with Rachio Smart Scheduling Tips for a Healthier Lawn with Rachio [Read more](/content/blog/smart-scheduling-tips-for-a-healthier-lawn-with-rachio/index.html) - ## 10 Reasons Why Rachio is the Leader in Smart Irrigation Discover why Rachio is the go-to choice for responsible irrigation. From advanced weather intelligence to reliable hardware and software, learn how Rachio can transform your watering habits. [Read more](/content/blog/10-reasons-why-rachio-is-the-leader-in-smart-irrigation/index.html) - ## The Smart Way to Water Your Lawn: Timing, Duration, and Frequency Simplified Watering your lawn correctly shouldn’t be a guessing game. Let Rachio simplify your schedule. [Read more](/content/blog/water-lawn-timing-duration-frequency/index.html) - ## What Is a Smart Yard? There's some real potential for smart yard products to automate tasks, save you time, and even save you water! [Read more](/content/blog/smart-yard-guide/index.html) - ## Your Yard & Summer Heat Stress During extreme heat, watering the right amount becomes especially critical in order to minimize plant stress [Read more](/content/blog/yard-plant-heat-stress/index.html) - ## Testing your soil Should you test your soil? Gardeners and plant health experts are big proponents of soil testing. After all, how can you really know what your plants need if your soil characteristics are a mystery? [Read more](/content/blog/testing-your-soil/index.html) - ## Finding the right hose for your garden So you're looking to upgrade your garden and make watering easier and more efficient. Not sure where to start? You might want to take a closer look at your hose! [Read more](/content/blog/upgrade-your-garden-hose/index.html) - ## Updated Scheduling for Smart Hose Timer If you’re using a Rachio Smart Hose Timer to water your yard, some exciting feature updates just dropped that will make your system even smarter! New Smart Soak feature, multiple valve scheduling, and more. [Read more](/content/blog/update-scheduling-smart-hose-timer/index.html) - ## 200 Billion Gallons Saved For Earth Day! Rachio missions of water savings reaches 200 billion gallons of water saved this Earth Day [Read more](/content/blog/earth-day-2024/index.html) - ## Why Aerate Your Lawn? Soil Compaction! Why and how to aerate your lawn to prevent soil compaction and keep grass healthy [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-aeration/index.html) - ## Mulch: A Gardener’s Best Friend Mulch is the unsung hero of the landscaping world. It helps conserve water, protects your plants, fights weeds, manages soil temperature, and so much more! [Read more](/content/blog/why-use-mulch/index.html) - ## Spring project ideas for your outdoor spaces It's bitterly cold in much of the country as I write this, but spring is just a few weeks away. Now is the time to start planning your outdoor projects! [Read more](/content/blog/spring-project-ideas-outdoor/index.html) - ## Voice Control for Smart Hose Timer is here! You can use voice commands to control watering from your smart hose timer. Use your favorite smart home platform to open or close valves throughout your yard, whenever you want. [Read more](/content/blog/smart-hose-timer-smart-home-voice-control/index.html) - ## What’s New In The Rachio App With Rachio app version 4.14, we listened to customer requests for streamlined navigation and made it easier to find common features for all our users. [Read more](/content/blog/rachio-app-changes/index.html) - ## What Sets Rachio Apart Co-founder Chris Klein discusses new Rachio initiatives for Rachio Week [Read more](/content/blog/what-sets-rachio-apart/index.html) - ## New Rachio App feature: Valve Monitoring Rachio is proud to announce a new premium app feature to keep your yard healthy: Valve Monitoring [Read more](/content/blog/valve-monitoring-new-app-feature/index.html) - ## Smart sprinkler controllers help sell homes faster According to Zillow, listings that include smart sprinkler controllers sell 7.5 days faster [Read more](/content/blog/smart-sprinkler-controller-home-sales-zillow/index.html) - ## When to plant your garden this spring Find out when to plant your garden based on last frost date and more [Read more](/content/blog/when-to-plant-garden-spring/index.html) - ## 7 Ways to Water Efficiently The majority of household water is used outside, so it's important that we make every drop count. [Read more](/content/blog/7-ways-to-water-efficiently/index.html) - ## Rachio users have saved 150 billion gallons of water, with trillions more to come 150 billion gallons of water has been saved by Rachio and we're announcing a goal to save three trillion gallons of water by 2030. [Read more](/content/blog/saving-150-billion-gallons-water/index.html) - ## Preventing Brown Spots In Your Yard Brown Spot in your lawn? Here's how to prevent, diagnose, and find them. [Read more](/content/blog/preventing-brown-spots-in-yard/index.html) - ## Outdoor Spring Prep Checklist Every yard is unique, and spring is the time to take a step back and assess what you need to help your yard flourish this year. [Read more](/content/blog/spring-prep-checklist/index.html) - ## How to care for an in-ground sprinkler system How to care for an in-ground sprinkler system [Read more](/content/blog/sprinkler-system-care/index.html) - ## How do sprinkler systems work? Sprinkler systems are an important aspect of maintaining a healthy and lush lawn or garden. Not many know how sprinkler systems work. [Read more](/content/blog/sprinker-systems/index.html) - ## How To Prep Your Yard For An Arctic Blast Below-zero temps are expected in much of the country, here's how to protect your yard [Read more](/content/blog/arctic-blast-prep-yard/index.html) - ## Prepping Your Yard Tools For Winter Off-Season It's important to keep your yard tools and garden tools in good shape over the winter. Here's how! [Read more](/content/blog/winter-tools/index.html) - ## When to Winterize Your Sprinklers When you should winterize depends on where you live (and your tolerance for risk). [Read more](/content/blog/when-to-winterize-your-sprinkler-system/index.html) - ## Tips to help keep your yard healthy this fall As summer fades into fall, here are a few helpful hints to keep your yard in tip-top shape headed into winter [Read more](/content/blog/fall-yard-tips/index.html) - ## Tips and resources for planting trees this autumn Did you know that autumn is one of the best times of year to plant a tree in much of the U.S.? Here's what you need to know. [Read more](/content/blog/fall-tree-planting-tips/index.html) - ## Smart watering with Rachio has saved 50 BILLION gallons of water Amid historic drought in the western U.S., Rachio users have collectively saved more than 50 billion gallons of water over the past few years. [Read more](/content/blog/rachio-smart-watering-50-billion-gallons/index.html) - ## Meet Our Rachio Beekeeper Tips and tricks from Rachio's beekeeper [Read more](/content/blog/rachio-beekeeper-tips/index.html) - ## Supporting Bees & Pollinators In Your Yard Tips for improving bee and pollinator habitat in your yard. [Read more](/content/blog/world-bee-day-pollinator-tips-yard/index.html) - ## Rachio Celebrates Earth Day 2022 As of Earth Day 2022, Rachio users have collectively conserved more than 45 billion gallons of water [Read more](/content/blog/45-billion-gallons-water-saved-rachio/index.html) - ## Why Start Seeds Indoors? Start plants indoors (from seed!) in early spring so you can transplant to your garden for summer [Read more](/content/blog/start-seeds-indoors-spring-gardening/index.html) - ## Lawn Smarts: Yard Audit The beginning of the growing season is a great time get to know your lawn’s health. [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-smarts-yard-audit/index.html) - ## 5 Easy Lawn Winterization Steps Sprinkler system winterization is a must for any cold weather states with risk of freezing. [Read more](/content/blog/5-easy-lawn-winterization-steps/index.html) - ## How to Care For and Maintain Soil When imagining your dream lawn, what do you envision? Green, lush grass perhaps, without any bald or brown spots in sight. To grow that beautiful lawn you have to look a little deeper — literally. [Read more](/content/blog/how-to-care-for-and-maintain-soil/index.html) - ## Tips for Native Plants & Gardening Why native plants are so important to the environment, and ways you can start planting these flowers in your very own garden. [Read more](/content/blog/tips-for-native-plants-gardening/index.html) - ## 4 Tips For Sustainable Lawn Care Four tips on how to mow and care for your lawn this summer. [Read more](/content/blog/4-tips-for-sustainable-lawn-care/index.html) - ## Healthy Soil Checkup The key to vibrant plants and lush grass is healthy soil. Want to see how your soil measures up? Look for the following signs that your yard or garden is performing well. [Read more](/content/blog/healthy-soil-checkup/index.html) - ## How Can You Maintain Curb Appeal? In honor of Home Improvement Month, we’ve put together some tips on how you can maintain and improve your home’s curb appeal. [Read more](/content/blog/how-can-you-maintain-curb-appeal/index.html) - ## 5 Flowers to Plant in May May is “Gifts of the Garden Month” and starting a garden doesn’t have to be intimidating and difficult. [Read more](/content/blog/5-flowers-to-plant-in-may/index.html) - ## From The Pros: Sprinkler Repairs for the Aging System In a sprinkler system, aging shows up as; broken heads, leaking pipes, fatigued valves, electrical surge impaired controllers and damaged wires. [Read more](/content/blog/from-the-pros-sprinkler-repairs-for-the-aging-system/index.html) - ## Lawn Smarts: Controlling Weeds No matter the type of weed, these little infiltrators are talented at finding opportunities to insert themselves in your soil. [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-smarts-controlling-weeds/index.html) - ## Lawn Smarts: Smart Watering Watering effectively and in the right amounts can look different depending on where you live, what types of plants you have, and other factors. [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-smarts-smart-watering/index.html) - ## Lawn Smarts: Overseeding Overseeding is a quick and easy way to improve your lawn’s thickness, repair dead spots, and improve the quality of your outdoor space. [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-smarts-overseeding/index.html) - ## Lawn Smarts: Know Your Roots There are a few things to look at when evaluating roots health like density, color and depth. [Read more](/content/blog/lawn-smarts-know-your-roots/index.html)