make your voice heard! participate in the 2011 grass roots...
TRANSCRIPT
March 2011
A PEEK INSIDE . . . Feb./Mar. Meeting Highlights ......................... 2-3
A Word from the President ................................. 5
New Rose Introductions for Spring .................... 8
Sustainability Commentary ............................... 11
Free Educational Opportunity ........................... 12
Safety Tips ........................................................ 13
The Newsletter for the California Landscape Contractors Association - Inland Empire Chapter VOL. 11 / NO. 2
Don’t Miss the Next in Our Educational Workshop SeriesChapter Lunch Meeting, Tuesday, April 19
Learn How Much Water a Landscape Really Needsat Marie Callender’s in Ontario
This issue of the Daily Plant-It is Only Available Online.
Sign up to get email alerts aboutupcoming Chapter activities
and monthly magazine availability at our website:
www.clca-inlandempire.org
Make Your Voice Heard!Participate in the 2011 Grass Roots Training and Legislative Conference
April 11-12 in Sacramento- More info Inside on Page 7
arBOr carE was the third in the workshop series and topic of the March 15 Chapter lunch meeting. Keynoter George Ash, Certified Arborist and Past IE Chapter President, is thanked by Frank Fontes and Richard Daigle.
WarM WELcOME is given to Trevor Mayfield with Southern California Fleet Services by Chapter Secretary Marcie Daigle at the March lunch meeting in Ontario.
LaNDScaPE chEMIcaLS are discussed in detail by John Deere Landscapes’ Juliet Sosa at the Feb. 15 Chapter lunch meeting.
rOOM FILLS as Chapter members find their seats at Marie Callender’s in Ontario on Feb. 15 for the second in a series of educational workshops offered by the IE Chapter.
2 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
industry newsCOMinG eVents
WaTEr aFIcIONaDO Mike Baron with Toro talks to Juan Robles with BEST/Simplot about the current state of the water in California.
February and March Educational Workshop Series Highlights
SPEcIaL GUEST Kevin Fairchild, State Dir. of Chapter Services, is greeted by Chapter President Richard Daigle and Treasurer Mark Pedicone.
SharING a LaUGh before lunch are Chapter Senior Advisor Charles Nunley and Adam’s Landscaping managers Ron Stuart and Ron Krause.
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 3
caUGhT IN ThE acT – Chapter Treasurer Mark Pedicone with ET Water is caught enjoying a piece of Marie Callender’s famous pie by Chapter President Richard Daigle.
chaPTEr SEcrETarY Marcie Daigle chats it up with Green Industry veteran Edward Stuckey at the February lunch meeting.
More Chapter Meeting Mayhem
Dean Williams
Office: (760) 398-3400Cell: (951) 377-5451Fax: (760) 398-2434
85230 Avenue 50Coachella, CA 92236
Soil analysis Service• National Independent Certified Lab
• Analysis Recommendations with Graphics• Reports can be sent via email or U.S. mail
• Fast Turnaround • Consulting Services
www.gropower.com • (800) 473-1307 • (909) 393-3744 • FAX (909) 393-2773
4 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
COMinG eVents & MOre!
Apr. 11-12
Apr. 19
May 17
June 21
July 13-16
July 19
Aug. 16
Nov. 16-19
CLCA Legislative Conference, Sacramento.
Chapter Lunch Meeting, Water Needs.
Chapter Lunch Meeting, Landscape Maintenance.
Chapter Lunch Meeting, Business Strategies, Part II
CLCA SFX, Oxnard, CA
Chapter Lunch Meeting, Water Budgets.
Chapter Lunch Meeting, HR Issues
CLCA State Convention, Maui, HI.
2011 STaTE aND LOcaL EVENTSInland Empire 2011 Chapter Officers & Directors
CHAPTER PRESIDENT - Richard Daigle Irrigator Tech
[email protected] (951) 538-3575 • fax: (909) 947-2345
PAST-PRESIDENT - Steve Fessler Sunshine Nurseries [email protected]
(951) 780-8791 • fax: (951) 789-1068
TREASURER - Mark Pedicone ET Water
[email protected] (714) 343-7770
SECRETARY - Marcie Daigle Irrigator Tech
[email protected] (951) 232-6429 • fax: (909) 947-2345
V.P. MEMBERSHIP - Pam Kinne Landscape Contractors Insurance Services, Inc.
[email protected] (866) 330-3177
V.P. EDUCATION - Frank Fontes Casa Verde Landscape
[email protected] (909) 749-3535
V.P. COMMUNICATIONS/EDITOR - John Hernandez El Dorado Communications, Inc.
[email protected] (626) 965-5015 • fax: (866) 591-5093
V.P. EVENTS - Mike Garcia Enviroscape
[email protected] (310) 420-8507
V.P. SPECIAL EVENTS - Ted Byrne Christy’s
[email protected] (951) 452-1500 • alt.: (714) 507-3315
V.P. SENIOR ADVISOR - Charles Nunley Lakshmi Landscape
[email protected] (626) 676-1505
ASSOCIATE MEMBER REP. - Juan Robles Best/Simplot
[email protected] (909) 322-9593
DIRECTOR - Andrew Baker Ewing Irrigation
[email protected] (714) 814-9535
WEBMASTER/ASSOCIATE EDITOR - Bronwyn Miller Eyescapes
[email protected] (949) 466-1222 • fax: (413) 215-7081
www.clca-inlandempire.org
2011 cLca STaTE BOarD• PRESIDENT - Robert Wade, CLP, CLIA (949) 494-2130
Wade Landscaping Inc. • [email protected]
• PRESIDENT-ELECT - Eric Watanabe (818) 831-1390 Majestic Pools & Landscapes Inc. • [email protected]
• IMMEDIaTE PaST PrESIDENT - William Schnetz, CLP (760) 591-3453 Schnetz Landscape Inc. • [email protected]
• SECRETARY-TREASURER - Ted Sandrowski (530) 345-6101 Sandrowski Landscaping, Inc. • [email protected]
• ASSOCIATE MEMBER DIR. - Tom Noonan (916) 652-9530 Ewing Irrigation Products • [email protected]
a• DIR. OF CHAPTER SERVICES - Kevin Fairchild (714) 541-1000
Illumiscapes, TLC • [email protected]
• DIR. OF COMMUNICATIONS - Chuck Carr (818) 300-0176 Carr Landscape Management Inc. • [email protected]
• DIR. OF EDUCATION - Stephen Jacobs, CLP, CLT (760) 945-4321 Nature Designs Landscape • [email protected]
• DIR. OF EVENTS - Michael Hertzer (800) 761-9191 Modern Landscaping Inc. • [email protected]
• DIR. OF LEGISLATION - Shari Collins (805) 552-9457 Verdant Landscaping • [email protected]
• DIR. OF MEMBERSHIP - Javier Lesaca (661) 836-0229 Lesaca Landscape Company • [email protected]
• DIR. OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Frank Niccoli (650) 592-9440
The Village Gardener Inc. • [email protected]
• DIR. OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS COUNCIL (SOUTH) Rene Emeterio, CLT (805) 823-5603
Specialized Landcape Management Service • [email protected]
• DIR. OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS COUNCIL (NORTH) Mike Mitchell (916) 501-5393
MJM Lighting • [email protected]
• EXECUTIVE DIR. - Sharon McGuire (800) 448-2522 x 13 CLCA Headquarters • [email protected]
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 5
Hello all! We are officially in spring, although it’s still wintery cold outside! I hope
this message finds everyone in good spirits as we ready ourselves for the warm months and the expected jobs to begin returning.
The season isn’t the only thing changing right now. We are also seeing some changes within our Chapter. One big change is that we
are introducing our new online magazine at this time. Of our ten issues that we currently publish, four will be printed annually while all of them will be available online monthly. We, along with many other CLCA Chapters throughout the state, are making these changes in an effort to stay “green” and keep up with the technological times. We are happy to be bringing this to you and hope you enjoy this change as well!
Another change we are implementing is the use of an email system. We will be alerting our members of our online magazine’s availability, and upcoming Chapter activities, through an email system called Constant Contact. This system is safe and secure and we encourage our members to visit our website (www.clca-inlandempire.org) and subscribe your email to ensure you continue to keep up-to-date with what’s going on in our Chapter and the industry.
One thing that isn’t changing is our Chapter meeting schedule. Our meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at Marie Callendar’s in Ontario and we welcome everyone to
attend. Currently we are offering an educational workshop series, with a different topic and speaker each month, aimed at keeping our members up-to-date with pertinent product and trade specific education. Board meetings precede the 11:30 a.m. lunch meetings at 10 am and we welcome you to attend both.
During these difficult times it is imperative we all support one other. This always seems to be my theme to share with you, but that’s because I feel it’s very important. As we go through life, we must pass all kinds of tests, and “never giving up” is part of the process. It’s vital for us to understand the important role that tests and trials play in our lives because understanding them helps us endure them…and actually be strengthened by them.
Everything God permits us to go through will ultimately be good for us, no matter how much it hurts…how unfair it is…or how difficult it is. When we encounter tests and trials, as long as we embrace them and refuse to run from them, we will take lessons from them that will help us in the future.
I encourage all of our Chapter members, various leaders, and Board members to continue your support for the entire team. Contractors...try to make an effort to support your Chapter and come out to our events so that we all benefit from one another. We are strong together…united!!
The best to you, Richard.
President’s MessAGe
Irrigator TechrIcharD DaIGLE
Spring is in the Air
Gold – $800
• All General Meetings• Name on Banner• 2 Baseball Tickets• 2 Holiday Dinners• 2 Golf Round Fees• Website Logo w/Link• 8x Business Card Placement in Chapter Magazine• Link on Membership Emails• One time, one page company profile in Chapter Magazine
Contractor – $500
• All General Meetings• Name on Banner• 2 Baseball Tickets• 2 Holiday Dinners• 8x Business Card Placement in Chapter Magazine• Link on Membership Emails• One time, one page company profile in Chapter Magazine
Platinum – $1,000
• All General Meetings• Name on Banner• 4 Baseball Tickets• 2 Holiday Dinners• 4 Golf Round Fees• Website Logo w/Link• 10x Business Card Placement in Chapter Magazine• Link on Membership Emails• One time, one page company profile in Chapter Magazine
Silver – $500
• 3 General Meetings• Name on Banner• 1 Baseball Ticket• 2 Holiday Dinner• 1 Golf Round Fee• Website Logo w/Link• 6x Business Card Placement in Chapter Magazine• Link on Membership Emails• One time, one page company profile in Chapter Magazine
2011 Inland Empire Chapter Patriots Program
6 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
ie PAtriOts PrOGrAM
The Inland Empire Chapter is excited to announce its 2011 Patriots Program. We’ve made a few changes to the program from last year, so please take a look at the levels below and choose your degree of participation. The Chapter appreciates any and all sponsors and welcomes you to join our growing list of
sponsors for the 2011 calendar year. Contact Mark Pedicone at (714) 343-7770 for information on enrolling in this program. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Your commitment in this program will underwrite our calendar of events, Chapter administration expenses, State participation expenses for Board Members, and educational scholarships. The following table shows the sponsorship levels. Again, thank you for your continued support of our CLCA Chapter.
Become a 2011 IE Patriot!
Erosion ControlWildflowersRevegetationNative GrassesTurf Grasses
CARPINTERIA, CATel: 805.684.0436 • Fax: 805.684.2798
Email: [email protected] • Website: www.ssseeds.com
CLCA invites all members to attend Grass Roots Training
Session April 11, as well as the Construction Industry Legislative Conference the next day in Sacramento. The association will pay most lodging and travel costs, as well as reimburse registration expenses, for all members who attend these two events.
These always-popular gatherings offer many opportunities to learn about issues that potentially have
a big impact on your business and livelihood. They also provide information and tools that can help you work with CLCA to find legislative solutions to industry problems. In addition, participants have the opportunity to network with other CLCA members, contractors in other construction trades, legislators, public officials, and construction industry lobbyists.
April 11 ActivitiesThe Grass Roots Training Session begins at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 11. Guest speakers will discuss the following topics: why it’s important for businesses to engage in grass roots lobbying, a case study of the accomplishments of another group when its members involved themselves in the political process, how to approach a legislator, and the future of landscaping as California implements Senate Bill 375, which is intended to encourage coordinated regional and local planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage sustainable communities.
“Veteran” participants in CLCA’s grass roots network will share tips with “newbies” in small groups. And CLCA’s lobbyist will present an overview of state government today, as well as issues affecting landscape contractors. Special emphasis will be placed on explaining two or three specific bills that participants will be asked to discuss with their legislators the next day and in a follow-up meeting in the district offices of their state senators and assembly representatives.
The training session will be followed by a no-host cocktail reception and hosted dinner at a Capitol-area restaurant. One or more legislators will be invited to join CLCA members for this intimate social event and perhaps make a few remarks as well as field questions from the audience.
CLCA Headquarters will make reservations for out-of-town members at the Holiday Inn Express. To keep room costs to a minimum, hotel guests will share a room with another member, a great opportunity to get to know another landscape contractor or supplier. Members who do not wish to share a hotel room may request a private room if they are willing to pay an extra fee.
April 12 ActivitiesThe Legislative Conference, which is sponsored by the Construction Industry Legislative Council (CILC), begins the next morning at the Sheraton following a complimentary continental breakfast. There, speakers will discuss legislative or regulatory issues of importance to the construction industry, including the underground economy, the state’s financial predicament, and “hot” bills in the state Legislature.
In the afternoon, following a group luncheon, the conference participants will take a short walk to the Capitol, where they will participate in pre-scheduled meetings with their legislators. No participant should feel that he or she should be an “expert” for these meetings, since the CILC will provide briefing materials and other handouts on key issues. In addition, most of the meetings will involve several conference participants, so there should be “comfort in numbers.”
The activities of the second day conclude with a 4 p.m. cocktail reception at the nearby Pyramid Alehouse. Conference participants will enjoy “comparing notes” about their just concluded meetings and can expect to meet more legislators and other public officials at this no-host cocktail reception. The event concludes at about 6 p.m.
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 7
LeGisLAtiVe COnFerenCe
Grass Roots Training and Legislative ConferenceApril 11-12 in Sacramento
How to ParticipateFor questions about the Training Session or Legislative Conference, contact Larry Rohlfes at (800) 448-2522 or [email protected]. To sign up for the two events, go to http://www.clca.us/legconference/index.html. Follow the website directions carefully to take advantage of CLCA’s offer to pay for most associated expenses for members.
Note: In a new procedure this year, members will be required to make their own airline reservations to the Conference. CLCA will reimburse members for the cost of their ticket from a major southern California airport, but only up to the cost of such a ticket purchased from Southwest Airlines for the lowest possible airfare on March 25. This reimbursement will be sent shortly after the event, and only if the member actually attends it.
Visit
www.clca.us/legconference/index.html
for more info and to register!
ATTENTION: The association will pay most lodging and travel costs, as well as reimburse registration expenses, for all members who attend these two events!
8 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
PLAnt COrner
Briggs Tree Company, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of various David Austin roses to its inventory for spring 2011. This variety of roses is
exclusive and brand new to the United States. In addition to the 271 varieties of hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, carpet, climbing and patio tree roses, Briggs will be carrying 84 different varieties of David Austin roses, among which will be rarely found own root roses. Own root roses are especially ideal for extreme climates and are very hardy. Each year David Austin Roses introduces new varieties of their award winning English Roses to the U.S. gardener, creating an increasing anticipation and desire for luxury, fragrant garden roses with old world charm
The newly introduced own root “Golden Celebrations,” “Gentle Hermione,” “Crocus Rose,” and “Litchfield Angel” are rose species carefully selected and sent to Briggs. Briggs is a grower direct, wholesale nursery in North San Diego County. These new varieties are ready for planting and will begin blooming in April. There will be roses available at Briggs in containers well into spring, however, now is the time to shop for the broadest selection. The demand is high in the landscape market and Briggs is providing these species in finished sizes to accommodate its specified customer base of landscape contractors and architects.
“Golden Celebrations,” a new own root hybrid rose variety propagated by David Austin Roses is available in a finished 5-gallon size. The new variety is one of the largest English roses available with an excellent shapely growth forming a nicely rounded arching shrub bearing ample foliage. A rich golden-yellow rose, these flowers are in the
form of a giant, full-petal cup. This repeat flowering variety grows to 4 1/2’ x 4 1/2’, (8’-10’ as climber), is very hardy and has a strong tea and fruity fragrance. This rose is great for an accent plant or foundation planting and is naturally drought tolerant.
“David Austin’s English Roses have achieved worldwide recognition and the popularity in America has continued to grow,” said Jo Riley, Director of Marketing for David Austin Roses. “Certainly, the American gardener covets the unique differences which the David Austin English rose exhibits with their flower form and growth habits reminiscent of their Old Rose heritage.”
The new “Gentle Hermione,” own root rose is an attractive, rounded shrub of medium height with slightly arching stems. It has excellent health and the petals are particularly resistant to rain. This rose is especially interesting because of its color – it is pure pink with a soft blush on the outside and pure pink at the center, which shows up in large, double full-bloom, nicely rounded buds.
The newly introduced, own root “Crocus Rose” is a robust and free-flowering rose with a medium height and medium stem length. Its color is soft apricot with a tea scent with petals that form a rosette shape. “Litchfield Angel” is an English rose that grows to a vigorous, medium-rounded shrub. It has a double full bloom and is very hardy. It is very useful in a border, goes well with all other colors and will act as an intermediary between pinks and yellows. “Litchfield Angel” has a peachy-pink color hue on a classical, cupped rosette flower form.
Briggs Tree Company, Inc. is not just “a place you order trees.” For over thirty-five years, Briggs Tree Company has operated as a grower direct, full-scale wholesale nursery. For more information, visit www.briggstree.com.
New Rose Introductions for Spring• Imports from England Grown by Briggs Tree Co.
Gentle Hermoine
Golden Celebration
• Group Insurance• Political Advocacy• Expert Advice• Certification
• Education• Networking • Awards Program• And More
Benefits of cLca Membership
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 9
JAY MARQUEZBranch Manager
81245 Highway 111Indio, CA 92201
(760) 347-0968FAX (760) 342-7072
industry HAPPeninGs
Netafim USA announces that Diane Noecker has been named Director of
Sales and Marketing for their Landscape Division. Noecker will oversee strategic direction and manage the field sales force. President and CEO John Vikupitz says he is “confident that Diane’s breadth of experience in strategy development and project management will bring a valuable dimension to our team and our customers.” Noecker most recently served as
the Director of Customer Lifecycle Management at AT&T and previously held senior marketing roles in the irrigation manufacturing industry for 11 years.
Netafim USA is the largest division of the Netafim International Group, the pioneer of micro-irrigation technology. With over 45 years in the irrigation industry and global expertise in more than 120 countries, Netafim offers a full-line of products for a variety of markets including agriculture, landscape, greenhouse, nursery, mining and wastewater. Netafim is headquartered in Fresno, CA. For more information, visit www.netafimusa.com.
Netafim Names Diane Noecker Director of Sales and Marketing for Landscape Division
Diane Noecker
DM Color Express is happy to announce that they opened a new landscape center in the
city of Orange this month. This new location, which will be open six days a week, is located at 1511 N. Main Street and will carry the same stock as their yard in San Juan Capistrano.The new location’s phone number is (714) 921-1003. Direct inquiries to DM Color rep Sal Gonzalez at: (949) 496-9356 or (760) 732- 3501 or email him at [email protected].
DM Color Express Opens New Facility in Orange
Advertise in the Daily Plant-It! See page 14 for rates
and additional information!
10 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
(800) 542-0209(714) 279-3100 / FAX (714) 279-31991589 N. Main Street, Orange, CA 92867
www.villagenurseries.com
Brad Sanders Sales Representative
Village Nurseries, a specialty grower for landscape professionals, today announced sales were rebounding, especially in Texas where 2010 sales
doubled over 2009 even as other wholesale nurseries have gone out of business or reduced operations in the wake of the recent recession.Village Nurseries penetrated the Texas market seven years ago as part of its expansion outside California. But unlike California, where the company sells directly to landscape professionals, Texas uses a different model in which professionals buy from independent rewholesalers.Village Nurseries works exclusively with rewholesalers in Texas rather than selling directly to the landscape professionals.“Since I live in Texas I know the client base, and I’ve developed long relationships with the rewholesaler and the independent garden centers,” explained Michael A. Mireles, territory manager for Village Nurseries. “We have a diverse product line of high quality shrubs and trees, so rewholesalers can get all their needs met in one place. We also offer the ability to cross-dock material from different locations, which makes it easy to buy from us.”“We have been fortunate that our conservative business approach has allowed us to ride out the current recession,” said David House, Village Nurseries CEO. “When other wholesale nurseries reduced size or went out of business, they left a large void that we have been able to fill. Also, the construction business – our bread and butter – is currently stronger in Texas than in the rest of the country. Thanks to our dynamic management team, we’re prepared to increase sales even more as the economy rebounds.”As a specialty grower, Village Nurseries offers the variety, the quality and the expertise demanded by landscape professionals for both residential and commercial uses. In addition, the company has forged an alliance with Monrovia to wholesale their proprietary and patented plants known for extremely high quality and unique diversity. And they have an agreement with Anthony Tesselaar USA, Inc., to sell their proprietary product lines including their Flower Carpet® rose lines.
In addition, Village Nurseries is a pioneer in sustainable landscaping, which lowers maintenance and water bills, and helps fight soil erosion and chemical pollutants while improving air and water quality. The company’s “Helping Our Local Communities Grow Green” program, a tree giveaway for local schools, is a unique method for eliminating older stock in their inventory while helping to beautify cash-strapped local schools.About Village NurseriesFounded in 1976, Village Nurseries currently has major wholesale sales offices in Orange and Sacramento, CA and more than 700 acres under cultivation in growing facilities located strategically throughout Northern and Southern CA. In addition, the nursery has five specialty Landscape Center locations to serve landscape professionals in Brentwood, Del Mar, Huntington Beach, Orange, and Sacramento. They also serve the Arizona and Nevada markets, with penetration into Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Utah as well as the Pacific Northwest and Canada. For more information visit www.villagenurseries.com.
Village Nurseries Doubles Annual Sales in Texas• Forges Alliances with Monrovia and Anthony Tesselaar USA, Inc.
POsitiVe business trend
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 11
As time goes forward, the world seems to be growing smaller. One major reason for this is
modern communication. If you are old enough, you remember the time before cell phones, when you would come home from work and there would be 20-30 calls on the answering machine. It would take you a half hour to write them all down. Then it would take you another 30 minutes to an
hour to return all these calls. And because you might not catch everyone home, you were always playing catch up.
Cell phones make it easier in the sense that you can check your messages several times a day, relieving the stress of doing it all when you get home. As a result of improved communication tools, information gets out faster. Now you don’t have to wait for the six o’clock news to find out what’s going on.
Just as new technologies have improved how we communicate in our business, they are also helping landscapers save the planet and help our companies’ bottom lines in the process. What IS going on with our planet, and how does that apply to us? If you live by the beach, you have probably noticed that the surfers stay out of the water after a rainstorm. This is because of all the rainwater that travels from the yard, to the street, down the storm drains and finally ending up in the ocean. Remember the fertilizers you sprinkled on your client’s lawn last week? Lots of it got washed away by the rain and is now in the ocean.
The ocean is a big place and can heal itself of many things, but as with anything in life, it can be overwhelmed and then begin to die. After rainstorms, smart surfers take bacteria kits with them to test the water to make sure bacteria levels are safe. They are monitoring the problem, but we as landscapers can do something about the problem. And what exactly is the problem? The problem is that due to all the pollution and fertilizers in our modern society, our oceans are being overwhelmed! They say there is a drought, yet too much runoff water is killing our ocean due to chemicals. What is the solution?
The solution to the water pollution problem lies in becoming aware of a special word...SUSTAINABILITY…and applying it in our businesses! Sustainability is living today without borrowing from tomorrow. This includes finding new ways to fertilize that will not pollute the earth and the oceans. It means using plants that need very little water. It also means capturing rainwater and reusing it for future irrigation needs. It does not mean our clients can’t have grass. We just want to make them aware that a better way of landscaping is to install smaller lawns that are watered with underground DRIP irrigation, eliminating runoff.
That’s right…there are now underground sprinklers that can be used for lawns! This will save our clients large amounts of money on their water bills, and could help save them a ticket from the runoff police. Water bills are rising at an alarming rate and we would do well to let our clients know that we have the solution, rather than simply let their plants die. Learning more about and applying these new technologies will help take our businesses to the next level.
sustAinAbiLity
EnviroscapeMIkE GarcIa
Sustainability – How to Save the Planet and Your Business
Support our Advertisers! Call them First.
12 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
eduCAtiOnAL OFFerinGs
Are you looking for a new opportunity of adding revenue to your business? This is the best time to diversify your business by offering your customers a
new and affordable solution to brighten up their new or old concrete. Attend one of the upcoming educational seminars, hosted at various Ewing locations throughout Southern California, and learn the secrets to this highly profitable industry.
Decorative concrete staining has become an increasingly popular method of brightening up old or new concrete. Staining is ideal for both residential and commercial projects, and is a low-cost way to beautify concrete surfaces. There is a wide range of colors and artistic application techniques to choose from, and with the proper training it can be easy and affordable to create a limitless variety of unique effects with concrete stains. Concrete staining can be applied to commercial and residential projects, both indoors and outdoors. It can be applied to driveways, pool decks and copings. It can be applied in malls and restaurants on counter tops and walls. The best part of all….it’s easy to apply.
Classic Stains and Sealers of Fullerton, CA manufactures water-based and acid-based stains, sealers, and cleaners, and micro-topping for concrete. The company offers free educational seminars on their new water-based
color line, which is an environmentally-friendly product. In the seminars, experts give hands-on training and instruction on proper product installation, including surface preparation, application, troubleshooting, and protective sealers and coatings. With
this knowledge, contractors are better prepared to apply concrete stains that are beautiful, durable, and will not fade, crack, chip, or peel.
If you would like to attend a free training seminar, please select a date listed below and contact the store hosting the seminar.
• Tuesday, March 29 – Ewing Anaheim Branch: 1813 N. National St., Anaheim; 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. RSVP to (714) 447-9530.• Wednesday, April 6 – Ewing Glendale Branch: 4552 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles; 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. RSVP to (818) 551-9550.• Friday, April 8 – Ewing Chula Vista Branch: 591 C Street, Suite B, Chula Vista; 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. RSVP to (619) 426-5200.• Friday, April 22 – Ewing Palm Desert Branch: 39750 Garand Lane, Palm Desert; 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. RSVP to (760) 200-3969.• Friday, April 29 – Ewing Torrance Branch: 20526 Gramercy Place, Torrance; 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. RSVP to (310) 782-7821.
This is the best time to diversify your business by adding another option for your customers to choose from. Don’t miss this opportunity! For any questions about the product, contact Carlos Casanola at (714) 720-6954. Visit Classic Stains and Sealers website, www.classicstains.com, for monthly updated seminars.
Free Educational Seminars and Training at Ewing• Learn the Ins and Outs to Decorative Concrete Staining
Southern california hydroseed & hydromulch, Inc.
CA Cont. Lic. # 469555NV Cont. Lic. # 41319
Green Turf hydroseed, Inc.AZ Cont. Lic. # 111980
42396 Rio Nedo • Temecula, CA 92590(951) 296-0650 • (760) 747-1166 • FAX (951) 296-0653
Toll Free from NV and AZ (888) GRN-TURF
MICKE SANTORO
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 13
As a business friend likes to remind me, if you keep doing the same old thing, you’re
going to get the same old result. If you want to improve your landscaping business and you’re willing to try something new this year, consider focusing on productivity, especially the productivity of new hires.
From an operations standpoint, what do we mean by “the same old thing?”
For most grounds maintenance guys, this means 50 to 60 percent annual turnover of employees and a direct labor cost that is somewhere in the range of 40 to 55 percent of revenue. With your main expense in such a constant state of change, clearly you need an effective, cheap and easy training system. Is this a worthwhile investment? What does it cost anyway?
First, consider a scenario for a grounds maintenance company owner with 10 employees: with a monthly direct labor cost of about $35,000 (all-in) and lots of expensive equipment that runs all day long, good training can deliver huge results. He will typically fill those 10 positions with 15 or 16 different people over the course of a year, not to mention temps who we aren’t counting, such as extra people to shovel during a major snow event. This guy might do 20-25 T-4 employee earnings summaries for the tax department every February just for 10 positions. Next, multiply those employees by the 6 or 8 pieces of maintenance equipment each will use, plus MSDS training, truck and trailer training, fuel handling, and some personal safety training (stretching, bending and lifting, sun safety, digging hazards, poison ivy, etc.) and his training needs are daunting! He’s got 20 guys, each with 10 things to train them on.
Does this scenario look similar to your business? It’s no wonder it’s tempting to just stick to the same old “on the job training.” But if you do, be prepared for the same old result: disappointing productivity, damaged equipment, average quality, frustration, and underwhelmed clients.
Alternatively, you can accept that employee turnover is a fact of life and build a better training program for
your company. The simplest approach can be easily accomplished in 2 weeks. Each day gather 2 of your best guys for 20 minutes (2 weeks/2 guys/20 minutes). Take one piece of equipment each session, set it down in front of you, and make a list of the key parts, operating techniques, and all potential hazards. This list doesn’t require detail, just make bullet points.
Voila...now you have a checklist with about 50 items, give or take, depending on the complexity of the tool. Have an assistant type up the lists with nifty little check boxes, add space to write in the training date, add signature lines, save them all to a directory called “Training Checklists”, and voila, you have a training system. When you hire a new person, use the checklists as your training guide, checking each box as you explain the machines. Both you and the employee can sign-off on the checklists when you’re done, and you can make sure to keep this in his file in case there’s an injury or the Ministry/OSHA comes knocking. You should be able to train an employee in about an hour on each piece.
More important than just being safe, you will have productive employees who make fewer mistakes. They will have the basic training needed to fit in with a crew, doing quality work for each of your clients right from the start. In 2011, try something new and watch your profits improve.
Don Kansteiner is an Account Manager for the Landscape Safety Training System, developed by Jay Murray. Jay Murray, CLP is a Certified Horticulturist and he created the online Landscape Safety Training System. Check it out at LandscapeSafety.com.
sAFety tiPs
LS Training SystemDON kaNSTEINEr
Try Something New This Year
14 March 2011 IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT
cheryl k. roberts1-800-9SEEDING(951) 461-9745(951) 461-0964 fax
(800) 233-5452PO Box 130 • Perris, CA 92572
Riverside CountyJOY FRONTE(951) 634-4860San Bernardino CountyPAUL GAUDET(951) 906-5746
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2011 DAILY PLANT-IT ADVERTISING RATES & INFORMATION
Deadline for stories and advertising materials:15th of the month prior to publication.
All advertising is to be paid in advance unless otherwise arranged with Mark Pedicone. Checks made out to CLCA may be sent to Mark at address below. All invoice charges for advertising are due in full upon receipt. Ad schedule charges are prorated for the year. Advertising Agencies: Rates are NET.
Technical Information: Supply ads and photos in camera-ready artwork, CD or e-mail in a TIFF, JPEG or PDF format for either Mac or PC. (300 dpi min.) E-mail stories in MS Word if possible. E-mail to Editor John R. Hernandez at: [email protected]. Circulation: 500 mailed copies per issue, 1,500 emailed. For inserts, please send 550 copies to Editor at mailing address below. Frequency: 10 times per year. Mailing Address: Direct your checks to: Mark Pedicone, Inland Empire Treasurer, at 634 Pine Ave., Brea, CA 92821. Direct your advertising inquiries and materials, and mailing list changes or additions to: Daily Plant-It Editor John R. Hernandez, 19055 Abdera Street, Rowland Heights, CA 91748; (626) 965-5015, Fax (866) 591-5093.Note: Articles submitted are subject to approval and modification. Chapter or Editor are not liable for misprints or errors, and do not necessarily agree with opinions expressed in byline articles. Articles may be used by other CLCA chapter newsletters, giving proper credit to their source.
ad agencies: all the listed rates are NETrates are prorated for the calendar year.
SIZE 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months 1 Year 10xBusiness Card $ 3951/4 Page (B/W) $90 $255 $ 495 $ 8751/4 Page (Color) $ 625 $10901/2 Page (B/W) $175 $495 $ 955 $15751/2 Page (Color) $1200 $1975Full Page (B/W) $330 $975 $1895 $2890Full Page (Color) $3500
Inserts - 600 Copies classified ads (8 1/2” x 11”) $295 1x Biz Card Size $45 1x(11” x 17”) $350 1x 1/4 Page $85 1x
Size - Width x Height
Business Card (3 5/8” x 2”) 1/4 Pg (3 5/8” x 4 5/8” 1/3 Pg horizontal (6 1/8” x 3 3/8”)1/3 Pg vertical (3 5/8” x 7”) 1/2 Pg horizontal (7 1/2” x 4 5/8”)1/2 Pg vertical (3 5/8” x 9 1/2”)Full Pg (8 1/2” x 11” + 1/4” bleed all around)
IE • THE DAILY PLANT-IT March 2011 15
Check out our Chapter Website: www.clca-inlandempire.org
