Water Softener

I am in the market to install a water softener and RO. Does anyone know of a good brand? What to look for in a water softener? Auto-control valve? No electricity use? What should I be watching out? How much water backwash is a good amount? What is good/bad for the environment? I also have a slab foundation house and the pipe through the garden cannot be bypassed. So, what should I need for the plants? Is it better to find a local store with the certified installer or get one from the web and find my own plumber? Thank you so much...
April

Learn your requirements for softening and RO and shop around all of the alternatives. Then make a decision. It probably won't be the lowest price.

I would try to find a way to water the garden with hard water from the point of view of saving operating cost.