Landscape Beautification Awards Banqueteldoradocomm.homestead.com/Valleyscape_May2017.pdf · Fernando Valley Beautification Awards Program is well on its way. The judges have been

California Landscape Contractors AssociationSan Fernando Valley Chapter20946 Devonshire St., Ste. #200Chatsworth, CA 91311

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California Landscape Contractors AssociationSan Fernando Valley Chapter

Volume 35, Number 5May 2017

Valleyscape is now available online! www.eldoradocommunicationspublications.info

Landscape Beautification Awards BanquetA Celebration of Excellence• June 24 at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City

• Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

• Call for Information and Reservations

• Story page 3

Happy New Year

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:• BrightView Tree Company’s 700,000-

Pound Oak Relocat ion – Page 8• Got Kurapia? Water-saving ut ility

groundcover is here – Page 13• Meet CSLB’s new Registrar of

Contractors – Page 6

2 May 2017 SFV CLCA Valleyscape

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SFV CLCA Valleyscape May 2017 3

Coming Events, Contact Numbers & More

Subject to Change – Check with Chapter Office First

June 1 Board Meeting, Golden Oak Office, 6:30 p.m.

24 Beautification Awards Banquet at Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City

July-Aug-Sept Summer activities in planning stages, possibly

with Channel Islands Chapter, which would include a Wine Tasting event in July in Westlake Village, and a September visit to BrightView Tree Company in Fillmore

Sept TBA SFV Marketing Educational Event and Membership Night

Oct TBA Fishing Derby involving other chapters

Nov 15-18 CLCA Annual Convention, Scottsdale, AZ; host hotel is the Scott Resort & Spa

Dec TBA Holiday Party

Board Meetings are held the 1st Thursday; Dinner Meetings are 4th Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm, unless otherwise noted.

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Rene Emeterio

Specialized Landscape Management Services Inc.

805-520-7590 805-823-5603 cell

[email protected]

VICE PRESIDENT PROGRAMS Tommy Endres

Hollywood West Electric 800-314-3756 / 818-735-0564

805-910-5949 cell

VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP John Hernandez (626) 965-5015

[email protected]

SECRETARY Luis Casas

Luis Casas Tree Service 818-618-7703

[email protected]

TREASURER Julio Lopez

Cadre Landscape 818-808-7417

[email protected]

AMO REP Ted Sirkin

Valvette Systems 818-887-1866

[email protected]

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nelson Colvin Golden Oak Co-op Corporation

818-772-2262 818-772-2221 fax

[email protected]

Wayne Larson Larson Landscaping

818-776-8197 [email protected]

Mickey Strauss MSM Landscape Services, Inc.

818-402-4500 818-341-9236 fax

[email protected]

VALLEYSCAPE PUBLISHER John Hernandez (626) 965-5015

19055 Abdera St. Rowland Heights, CA 91748 [email protected]

FAX (866) 591-5093

ASSOCIATE EDITOR/ ART DIRECTOR

Jerry Robin (626) 794-2674 [email protected]

San Fernando Valley Chapter

2017 Board of Directors

PRESIDENT Steven Kinzler

S K Landscape Design, Inc. 818-345-0492

818-345-0494 fax / 818-266-3828 cell [email protected]

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHAPTER Jan Veis, Executive Secretary

(818) 772-7233 Chapter fax (818) 772-2221

[email protected]

www.clcasfv.org

SFV Landscape Beautification Awards Program Underway• Awards Banquet Set for 6:00 p.m., June 24

at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City

• Sponsorships Are Still Available

The San Fernando Valley Chapter 58th Annual Landscape Beautification Awards Program is in full swing. Judging has

taken place, with CLCA members from neighboring chapters also participating in the competition.

Awards will be presented at a gala banquet on Saturday evening, June 24, at the Sportsmen’s Lodge, 12825 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604; (818) 769-4700. $95 per person; cocktail attire.

Get Those Awards Sponsorships in TodayAwards Sponsorships are still available, but filling up fast. Call the Chapter Office for what categories are still available. Be sure to get your form in right away to assure your position. For new Sponsors, the opportunity to choose which category you will be sponsoring becomes more difficult as each day passes. Don’t miss out. (Download the Awards Sponsorship Form at clcasfv.org for the numerous benefits of sponsoring, plus other details.)

For more information, contact Jan Veis at the SFV Chapter Office (818) 772-7233.


Awards Season is Here!

I cannot believe we are already in May. Not sure if it’s because I’m so busy at

work, or it’s because I’m getting older. I hope it’s just because I am so busy at work.

The judging is complete and the San Fernando Valley Beautification Awards Program is well on its way. The judges have been to all of our

properties, and the final results will be unveiled on June 24th at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. Please make reservations to attend the annual Beautification Awards show. This is the same venue as last year’s Awards Banquet – it’s spacious and beautiful.

We should have some cool-season weather for the time being before we get into our massive heatwave. So make sure you get all your enhance-ment sales sold – extra mulching for properties, annual flowers for your customers who still put in annual flowers, lighting upgrades – and don’t forget the LEDS. This is a fantastic way to get easy enhancements and extra billing.

We had a wonderful meeting regarding sales and marketing two months ago. Be sure to keep up on those ideas and put them to work for you. It can only help your business grow and gain good customer relations.

We have had some new members join our San Fernando Valley Chapter. We welcome you! We look forward to more people partici-pating at meetings and events. Please take a good look at our calendar

of coming events and make time to come and network and see how the association can benefit you.

We also have some interesting events that are still in the planning stages, including a September Educational Event on Marketing that will also serve as a Membership Night, and a Fishing Derby in October involving other chapters.

And don’t forget the CLCA Convention in sunny Scottsdale, AZ to be held November 15-18. If you have never attended a CLCA Convention before, you’ve been missing out on one of the most fun-filled and enlightening events our asso-

ciation puts on each year. The networking is outstanding. Last year’s Convention in Paso Robles was well attended and a real blast. Now it’s on to Arizona. Don’t miss it – Steven

Illegal Ads Help CSLB Track Down Unlicensed Contractors for Northridge Undercover Sting• More than one dozen may now face illegal contracting charges

Consumers often rely on advertisements when looking for a contractor to work on their home improvement projects.

Whether an advertisement is found online, on the side of a vehicle, or on a business card, it is important to verify that contractor is legitimate and properly licensed.

Investigators from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) used illegal advertisements to help them catch 14 suspected unlicensed operators during an undercover sting operation in Northridge on May 10-11, 2017. Investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) teamed up with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation to set up a sting at a single-family home.

Investigators compiled a list of leads by searching through online advertisements and collecting business cards from local home improvement stores. Posing as homeowners, investigators invited

suspected unlicensed contractors to bid on construction jobs. Bids ranged from $700 for interior painting to $8,500 for installing new paving stones. A state contractor license is required if the quoted value of the construction materials and/or labor is $500 or higher.

First-conviction penalties for unlicensed contracting include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties are more severe with each successive violation. A second conviction carries a mandatory sentence of 90 days in jail. Twelve of the 14 suspects caught during the sting were given an additional citation for their illegal advertisements (BPC §7027.1).

Advertisements are not limited to newspapers, online bulletin boards, or radio and television commercials. They also include a wide range of advertising from business cards and social media pages, referral websites such as Angie’s List, to lettering on trucks, websites, brochures and more.

President’s Message

STEVEN KINZLER SFV President

SK Landscape Design The judges have been to all of our properties, and the final results will be unveiled on June 24th at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City.


Recognition of Change in Nature and in Ourselves

This is always a very special time of the year being aware of just how great it is to be part of spring’s orchestration in new

growth and a color display that heightens our senses physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is at that moment when what has reposed in a quiet dormancy unseen emerges into the splendor that unfolds before our eyes and into all our sensory emotions. From that we all have the creative, innate talents to influence life’s bounty

I have found that our conscious recognition of perception becomes magnification in kind. The larger the influence the greater will be the creativity recognizing the new insurgence of nature and her bounty, and conditions us to be aware and responsive to the pathways of life for which we are destined. It is a forward movement as we create new opportunities to explore and be responsive to. This time of the year brings on an expectancy of what lies before us.

We are so fortunate in our vocations that we can focus on the beauty that surrounds us and become supercharged with individualized creativity. Recognizing that love does – we

can observe how our Creator used His paint brush in display of nature in all her glory. As landscape designers and contractors, we are extensions of this creativity as our vocations take us into

God’s garden of life. This is the wonder of my way and the way of my wonder.

There is a cause of greater good in our lives and I honor it as our reality. We all can be aware of change in our consciousness, renew our thinking, give thanks, and let positive reshaping of our lives be the wonder and anticipation of our way and – love does, as we live up to our potential.

Now get ready for the upcoming Beautification Awards Competition and cele-bration. In the words of Goethe, “We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves, otherwise we harden.”– Dave

Just Takin’ a Moment

DAVID JUNOD Sheridan Landscaping,

Inc.

The larger the influence the greater will be the creativity recognizing the new insurgence of nature and her bounty, and conditions us to be aware and responsive to the pathways of life for which we are destined.

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David R. Fogt Named New California Registrar of Contractors

California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Board Chairman Agustin Beltran

recently announced the selection of CSLB Enforcement Chief David R. Fogt to serve as the Board’s new Registrar of Contractors, effective May 2, 2017.

“We think Dave offers a terrific combination of skills that make him the right choice to lead us at this important time in the Board’s history,” said Beltran. “He’s got a strong handle on many of the issues facing the Board, and has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to work tirelessly protecting consumers.”

Mr. Fogt’s appointment, which was approved by the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, continues a long history of CSLB employees working their way through the ranks to become Registrar.

That history began in April 1950 when the Board named Nicholas Morrissey Registrar. At the time of his appointment, Mr. Morrissey had worked at CSLB for 18 years.

Mr. Fogt, who earned his Painting Contractor’s license in 1986, began his CSLB career in February 1990 as a Deputy Registrar Contractor. Over the next decade, he was promoted to other

enforcement supervisory positions and eventu-ally to Enforcement Chief in October 2001. He held that position with distinction until his appointment as Registrar.

Mr. Fogt now takes over the day-to-day lead-ership of CSLB’s more than 400 employees and field offices around the state, with direct oversight of the Board’s $60 million budget, operating policies and procedures, and executive team.

“I embrace this new challenge, and thank the Board for placing its confidence in me,” said Fogt. “I look forward to continuing our important consumer protection work, while establishing even more streamlined processes for contractors to get and maintain their license.”

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California

Department of Consumer Affairs. CSLB licenses and regulates almost 290,000 contractors in California, and is regarded as one of the leading consumer protection agencies in the United States. In fiscal year 2015-16, CSLB helped recover about $41 million in ordered restitution for consumers.

WC X-MOD DemystifiedLegislative News

CLCA Supports Permanent Water Use Efficiency Efforts

On their recent visit to Sacramento on Legislative Action Day, members of the CLCA Legislation Committee visited state

legislators, demonstrating their support for certain pending legis-lation. The following story on Water Use Efficiency is from one of the group’s position papers.

Recent rainfall has significantly eased California’s water shortage with more than 76 percent of the state no longer in a drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Despite these improvements in water conditions, the State Water Resources Control Board has extended its existing water conservation regulations, which prohibit wasteful practices and set a conservation mandate for water suppliers that do not have enough water reserves to withstand three more dry years. The extension of the statewide regulations illustrates the importance of continued vigilance on water use efficiency. CLCA agrees that on-going conservation is critical to future water stability.

Various water smart landscapes that are colorful and water efficient allow consumers to enjoy the many benefits of a comfortable outdoor area while staying conservative in water use.

Whatever the landscape type or style, CLCA firmly believes that the key to landscape water conservation is water management. Many property owners overwater their landscapes by more than 50 percent, which not only wastes water but can also cause serious damage to plant life.

In addition to consulting a certified water manager for assis-tance with outdoor water conservation, property owners should regularly monitor outdoor water use and make adjustments based on weather changes and landscape need. Unfortunately, most consumers do not know how much water they are using outdoors because they currently have no way of measuring outdoor water use specifically.

To that end, CLCA supports AB 1667 (Friedman), which will provide consumers with an additional tool to stay informed and responsible in their outdoor water use.

AB 1667 will require the installation of dedicated landscape water meters on existing parcels over a specified square footage. This will allow consumers to monitor the amounts of water they are using outdoors to prevent water waste and encourage effi-ciency.


Members Engage, Advocate at 2017 Legislative Conference

After meeting with lawmakers on issues ranging from fighting the underground economy to helping homeowners save

water, CLCA members joined Sen. Jerry Hill on the floor of the California Senate March 29 during the association’s 2017 Legislative Conference.

Pictured, left to right, are: Megan Rios, Rios Design Studio, Legislative Committee Chair; Richard Cohen, Richard Cohen Landscape & Construction, Inc.; Peter Dufau, CLT, Dufau Landscape Inc.; Mickey Strauss, MSM Landscape Services Inc.; Sen. Hill, D-San Francisco Peninsula; Dave Norred, Nor-Land Landscaping Company; Tim Hendricks, CLT, BrightView, CLCA 2017 President; Michael S. Martin, Myers, Widders, Gibson, Jones & Feingold, LLP, CLCA Director of Legislation; and Sandra Giarde, CAE, CLCA Executive Director.

During the two-day conference, members met with scores of lawmakers and key legislative staff members. In some meetings, they forged new relationships; in others, they renewed long-time partnerships. Maintaining these relationships, CLCA legislative advocate Maria Garcia explained, are essential steps in successfully impacting legislation.

Topics for discussion included steps to fight the under-ground economy and help homeowners save water. Members educated lawmakers about the association’s Water Management Certification program, and advocated for AB 1667 (Friedman). The bill mandates the installation of dedicated landscape water meters on existing parcels over a specified square footage, which will allow consumers to monitor the amounts of water they are using outdoors to prevent water waste and encourage efficiency.

Members also supported SB 486 (Monning), which will strengthen the CSLB’s ability to address less egregious violations of the law, and increase the board’s capacity to further fight against the underground economy. Specifically, the bill authorizes the

CSLB to establish an intermediary level of discipline – a letter of admonishment – that will be less severe than a citation, but still provide a means to correct a violation.

CLCA spoke against AB 206 (Gonzalez Fletcher), which would increase incentives for unscrupulous employers to operate illegally. The bill would require a homeowner to be responsible for the injury of virtually any individual working on the property – thereby inap-propriately shifting the responsi-bility of worker’s compensation to a homeowner, rather than an employer. CLCA members told lawmakers that while law-abiding employers will continue to provide worker’s compensation coverage and other protections to their employees, AB 206 will further enable unscrupulous employers to take unfair advantage in the market.

“In person advocacy is an important element to CLCA’s legislative work. There is an old saying that ‘If you aren’t at the table, you are on the menu.’ The diligent work done throughout the year by our CLCA Legislative Committee and our legislative advocate, Maria Garcia, is a critical component of CLCA’s legislative efforts on behalf of our members and the industry,” reported Sandra Giarde, CAE, CLCA Executive Director.

Legislative Conference

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WC X-MOD DemystifiedIndustry News

Continued on Page 11

BrightView Tree Company Relocates 700,000-Pound OakThe industry leading landscape and snow services company transports largest tree in company history

BrightView Tree Company took on the monumental task of relo-cating a 700,000-pound Quercus agrifolia (California Live Oak)

to its new home in Orange County, Calif.

The oak tree is the largest BrightView Tree Company has ever moved, standing at 50 feet tall, with its branches spanning out double its height, and weighing the same as a Boeing 747.

“It was a massive tree,” said Robert Crudup, President and COO of BrightView Tree Company. “Due to the sheer magnitude of the project, our project team divided it into two phases spanning several months.”

Phase 1 involved boxing the tree and moving it from its previous location, where construction was slated to begin, to a temporary storage yard, but not until after the company brought the tree to full health.

“We pre-watered the tree for roughly three to four months just to prepare the oak for the transplanting process,” said Sal Ponce, Superintendent with BrightView’s Specimen Division. “We did this to improve the vigor of this impressive tree so that when it was time to cut the roots, we would have a successful transplant.”

For two days, 14 team members, using three backhoes, excavated and installed the box around the roots of the tree while it took an additional two weeks to install the bottom boards and steel beams used for supporting the massive weight of the tree.

Using hydraulic jacks, the team elevated the 30-by-30-foot box.

“It took us four days to raise the tree to get it to 44-inches high so that our transportation platform could fit underneath,” Ponce said. “The reasoning behind it is to get some space below the beams to allow us to safely maneuver the tree onto the equipment.”

BrightView Tree Company loaded the tree onto two combined heavy haul platform trailers – each 12 feet wide with a total of 64 wheels, and pulled with a 2500 horsepower tractor.

Once the tree arrived in its storage area about a quarter of a mile away, BrightView team members continuously cared for the oak

while waiting four months for roads to be built and graded so access could be made to proceed to the final phase of the project.

For Phase 2, the tree was loaded back up on the Goldhofer platforms and took a six hour journey to its final destination about a mile and a half away.

“Phase 2 was a much more chal-lenging portion of the job than Phase 1,” Ponce said. “Since we went above and beyond with communication, everybody knew exactly what their roles were and our tree moving experts made it a huge success.”

Once the oak tree was at its final destination, team members lowered it down to earth with

hydraulic jacks. Since the completion of the relocation, BrightView continues to provide the much needed expert post-transplant care for the tree.

“For us, it was a project that raised the bar to an all-time high,” Crudup said. “Our client expected

excellence and wanted a team of experts to complete this job successfully and safely. Decades of tree moving expertise possessed by our team members allowed us to deliver.”

About BrightView:

BrightView takes pride in providing consistent, high-quality landscape and snow services with a dependable service commit-ment. As the nation’s leading landscape services company, BrightView’s more than 22,000 team members design, develop, maintain and enhance thousands of clients’ properties including housing communities, corporate campuses, healthcare facilities, universities, retail establishments, resorts and more. BrightView takes care of its teams, clients and communities while delivering exceptional landscapes that positively impact millions of lives every day.

For more information about BrightView, visit www.BrightView.com

BRIGHTVIEW TREE COMPANY prepares to relocate a Quercus agrifolia (California Live Oak), the largest tree the company has ever

moved, standing 50-feet tall and weighing 700,000 pounds.

IT TOOK MONTHS for BrightView Tree Company to prepare theCalifornia Live Oak back to optimum condition, store it, and finally relocate it to its new home in Orange County.


Safety First!Regional Education Day: Enlightening and ‘Beautiful’

‘EXIT WITH SUCCESS’ was the subject of Atty. Doug Bordner’s important presentation that addressed choices and strategies available when it’s time to leave the business you’ve started and want

to move on.

A-G SOD rep Jeff Tuesburg and Claudio Sandoval, Jr., CI VP of Communications do some valuable networking at the recent

Education Day in Westlake Village.

CI PAST PRESIDENTS Brandon Bogeaus and Sarah Corbin were successful in their terms of

office, and remain active on their Chapter Board.

LCIS NEW REPS – Theresa Bessett and Jeff Macgregor of Landscape Contractors

Insurance Services made the drive up to support the Chapter and to learn some tips on business

legalities and strategies.

EDUCATION CAN BE FUN as demonstrated by Atty. Mike Martin laughing it up with

CI Board Chair Brandon Bogeaus.

CI ASSOCIATE MEMBER REP Julio Gomez of Coastline Equipment enjoys chatting with

landscape consultant Thierry Fraye of Paysage, Inc. at the big educational event.

PRESENTERS at the Education Day – Atty. Mike Martin and law partner Doug Bordner of the firm Myers, Widders, Gibson & Jones LLP – shared their valuable knowledge on business

contracts, succession, and more.

CLCA LEGISLATION DIRECTOR and Education Day presenter Mike Martin makes the

point that an invoice is not a contract.

PAST STATE PRESIDENTS Mickey Strauss and Pete Dufau catch up on the latest industry

and CLCA news during a coffee break.

EDUCATION WITH A VIEW – The April 20 Regional Education Day hosted by the CI Chapter

was held overlooking the beautiful lake and colorful landscape of the Westlake Village Inn.

CI PRESIDENT Dan Dvorak and Pam Kinne of EZ Trac Risk Solutions enjoy the Regional

Education Day and its awesome venue.

SPJ LIGHTING trio of Bob Klaidman (CI VP Events), Kyle Doctorr, and SFV VP Programs

Tommy Endres enjoy the sunshine and beautiful lake views of the Westlake Village Inn.


Sod Installation, A Second Look – Part 1 By Alex Salazar, The Salazar Landscape Company

Here we are again, spring season is in full swing and prospective customers are

knocking on your door. Only this time drought anxiety has largely dissipated. Homeowners are eager to own a lush green lawn again.

I, like many other land-scapers, was reluctant to

entertain these calls. For the past few years sod installation inquiries came mostly from people getting ready to sell a property. It seemed low cost beat quality every time. That meant taking all the steps to prepare the installation area had to be overlooked. We were left out of the running.

Today, we are receiving a handful of calls each week. Identifying the right customer is easy – they’re willing to stay on the phone longer to hear about your installation process. Price-motivated customers hang up the phone quickly after you tell them a cost

range; $3–$4/sq.ft. for us (depending on setting and sod choice).

Having already booked several jobs, I would advise you to take a second look at sod installation projects.

We have learned there are homeowners who are seeking true professionals. They are receptive to new irrigation technologies. What’s more, they want their beautiful new lawn to stay beautiful long after it has been installed. That means they’re willing to spend more to have it done right.

To help you study up on sod options available today, I interviewed our local sod vendors on their products and advice. This month we will showcase A-G Sod Farms and Pacific Sod. Next month in part two of this story we will feature Southland Sod and West Coast Turf.

Here is what they had to say:

Identifying the right customer is easy – they’re willing to stay on the phone longer to hear about your installation process.

WC X-MOD DemystifiedTips from the Pros


ALEX SALAZARThe Salazar

Landscape Company

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Joel Addink – A-G Sod Farms1. What is your best-selling sod? Why do you think that

is? Our most popular variety is Elite Plus Fescue – a 90% Fescue/10% Bluegrass blend. This “Cool-Season” turf variety is most popular since it has a dark green color year-round plus the highest drought tolerance and deepest roots of the Cool Season grass varieties. “Warm Season” grasses such as Hybrid Bermuda and St. Augustine have higher drought tolerance and stand up to heavy traffic but also have the drawback of winter dormancy which some homeowners do not like.

2. What is your favorite sod type? Why? For a typical homeowner lawn, I would prefer our Elite Plus Fescue because of the reasons stated above. For larger areas, I recommend a Hybrid Bermuda such as Tifway 419 or Celebration since they take 25% less water, have high drought tolerance and self-repair from heavy traffic.

3. What would be your first sod recommendation for a small/medium residential installation in this area? Elite Plus Fescue.

4. Can you give us one tip you would give a landscape contractor when looking at a sod installation project? Give the homeowner advice about successful maintenance of the lawn. This increases the chance of a satisfied customer long-term – and satisfied customers build business. Tips such as regular inspection of their irrigation system, mowing off less than 1/3 of the leaf blade, raising mowing height in the heat of the summer, not applying a high nitrogen fertilizer in the summer (promotes heating up and disease), keeping the soil open with aeration every two years, and staying on top of weed problems before they take over your lawn.

Tony Prater – Pacific Sod Farms1. Best Seller. Our Medallion Fescue varieties are the best sellers

in Southern California. The demand is higher on the fescue varieties because they remain green year ‘round and are easily mowed with a rotary mower. The fescue varieties have a fair drought tolerance and are tolerant of some shade.

2. Favorite. My personal favorite is our GN-1 Hybrid Bermuda. It is extremely tough and durable, and requires approxi-mately 30% to 40% less water than the fescue varieties. It will go dormant if the location where it is being installed has particularly cold winters. The dormancy period on the GN-1

is generally only for the months of late December through early March. One disadvantage of the hybrid bermudas is the

requirement for mainly full / direct sunlight.

3. First recommendation. GN-1 would be my first recommenda-tion, if the area is in full sun and the client understands there might be a short period of dormancy. Otherwise, one of our Medallion Fescue varieties would be recommended, unless area receives less than five hours of direct sunlight. Sunclipse St. Augustine would be the recom-mendation for turf areas with significant shade.

4. Advice. My tip for the landscape contractor is to check with the client on their expectations and needs for the new lawn, as well as understanding the pros and cons of each turf variety. Do you have pets? Do you need a large area of turf for activities? Is the turf area in full sun or partial shade? Will there be heavy shade on the turf area in the not too distant future? Would you mind a short period of dormancy to save water and money? What is your monthly budget for maintenance?


Tips from the Pros

Growers of Quality Sod Since 1969

Jeff TuesburgSales RepresentativeE-mail: [email protected]: (661) 965-2865

41120 40th St. EastPalmdale, CA 93552

Phone: (661) 274-9192Toll Free: (800) 669-4763

Fax: (661) 274-2168

Sod Installation, continued from Page 10


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Health Matters

Four Drought Tolerant Plants That Repel Mosquitoes By Richard Restuccia, Jain Irrigation

The spread of the Zika virus has caused a stampede of gardeners running to the nursery looking for plants that repel mosquitoes

with the hope of lowering the risk of being infected with Zika. It is true some plants do repel mosquitos, but unfortunately you are going to have to do more than just grow them in your garden to be successful at repelling mosquitoes.

To take advantage of the mosquito repelling effects of plants you are going to have to boil, burn or rub them on your skin. Burning or boiling the plants will help drive the mosquitos away for a short time. So if you are eating out in the garden with friends or just enjoying some quiet time after work burning some sage or rosemary should provide some added protection and for most the odor is pleasant. With herbs it is okay to just rub the leaves on your skin. It‘s best to try them in a small area first to make sure you are not allergic to the herb. This is a great natural way to protect against mosquitos.

Lavender – This plant is an excellent go to plant in any garden. It is hearty, looks great, and has a beautiful scent. The only thing it doesn’t like is too much water.

Catnip – Catnip plants grow to 3 feet tall, with a spread of 1½– 2 feet. In the summer and early fall, they produce 3”–4” spikes of tiny white flowers spotted with pale purple.

Sage (Salvia) – This plant is tolerant of all kinds of soil. If you keep it in a sunny area it will do great, and it is drought tolerant too.

Rosemary – This plant works well as a ground cover, has a very pleasant scent and is also drought tolerant. It can stay in bloom year ‘round so it is perfect for high visibility areas of the garden.

Additional ways to cut down on mosquitos and save water1. Eliminate standing water in your garden. Mosquitoes lay eggs

is as little water as a bottle cap. Eliminate the areas they can lay eggs, like saucers under plants, fountains and tarps.

2. Use fine wire mesh to keep mosquitos out of your rain barrels.

Zika is a serious safety issue for those people working outdoors in gardens. I believe it is going to take more than these plants to effectively protect yourself against the Zika virus. There are articles from the EPA concerning DEET the active ingredient found in many insect repellants that can help in the fight against mosqui-toes. You can also read about natural insect repellants that can be purchased at your supply store. So let’s stay safe out there, but don’t let this pest keep us from enjoying gardens.

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