|
|
|
Greetings!
In other years, October might be the beginning of a traditional
slowdown as we go into the winter months. NOT THIS
YEAR!
We
are seeing businesses reporting increasing levels of activity in
all segments. Phones are ringing, new work is popping-up,
and there is still work to be done...so get
to it.
Focus on production when the opportunities knock. And
work on your business plan for 2011 when you have downtime. Here's to a warm and dry October!
Thanks for being our customer.
|
|
Plan now for Rainwater Harvesting!
 It's
much easier divert downspouts and gutters barrels and tanks BEFORE it
actually starts raining.
To kick off the season we've negotiated special prices
on Bushman tanks. Click to download special pricing.
Attend an upcoming seminar to learn how a rainwater harvesting system works and how to get the most
out of your system. We'll cover tanks and barrels, first flush
diverters, downspout connections, overflow, and discharge options.
Saturday, October 9, 10am at the San Francisco Store
Saturday, October 16, 2pm at the Mill Valley Store
Saturday, October 23, 10am in the Richmond Store Classroom
SFPUC rain barrel and tank subsidies will soon be available for San
Francisco residents and schools from the Urban Farmer Store. More
information about the 2010-12 program will be announced soon.
Urban Farmers will be travelling to Austin for the ARCSA (American
Rainwater Catchement Systems Association) Conference & Tradeshow
October 4-6. We'll bring back all the latest information and best new
products to share with you.
|
Nights are getting longer
Time to bid new lighting jobs!
 Now
that's officially fall, it's also time to anticipate clients enjoying
warm Indian Summer evenings outdoors.
Because it starts to get dark much earlier, outdoor lighting
becomes an even more attractive purchase. Promoting lighting now helps you balance your workload
when other
areas of your business enter their
traditional slowdown.
With a simple lighting
marketing program, you can add more lighting work to
your schedule. Ask us about marketing materials like door hangers and brochures.
Also, be prepared for lighting service as customers start using their lighting more often. It's a great idea to always carry a volt/amp meter and
spare lamps, plus a copy of our troubleshooting guide. (Download FREE PDF)
|
Meet New LEDs for Outdoor Lighting
Advanced LED retrofit lamps use 75% less power & last 3-10 times longer than regular bulbs.
We now stock a complete line of next generation LED retrofit lamps for
bi-pin, MR-16, MR-11 & 1156 (single contact bayonet) sockets.
Sell your customer's on the money savings and sustainability while growing your sales and profits.
 MR-16 type LED retrofit: 15, 30, 45 & 60 degree beam spread options
available. Compare 20 watt incandescent vs. only 5 watts in LED,
 Bi Pin type LED retrofit: Compare 10 watt incandescent vs. only 1.5 watts in LED
Transform Your Business with LED Technology Classes
Get ready for the next wave in landscape lighting technology: LED. Existing systems can be upgraded from incandescent and halogen lamps to LED retrofits. In new installations, LED fixtures can use smaller wires and
transformers, saving you money from the start. The color of the light is beautiful. Plus, LEDs reduce electrical usage by up to 75% and are guaranteed last for
15 years!
Wednesday, October 13, 7pm at the San Francisco Store
Wednesday, October 27, 6pm at the Mill Valley Store
Saturday, October 16, 10:30am in the Richmond Store Classroom
|
FX Drop-In Events November 2, 3, & 4
Food, Freebies & Technical Info from FX!
 Mark your calendar!
To celebrate the end of daylight savings time, FX rep Jeff Calhoun will
be available in all stores to show us the newest FX products and answer
technical questions about FX's ever-improving product line.
He'll
provide snacks and have some great FX promotional items. We'll offer
some special pricing on FX products!
Tuesday, November 2, 11am to 1pm at the Richmond Store
Wednesday, November 3, 11am to 1 pm at the Mill Valley Store
Thursday, November 4 from 3pm to 5pm at the San Francisco Store
|
Laundry to Landscape
Graywater Starter Kit
Harvest graywater for thriving trees and shrubs
 Is it time to diverting and re-use laundry water for thirsty and properly prepared areas of the landscape?
We're putting the finishing touches on our laundry to landscape starter
kit. Our kit will contain all of the hard-to-find diverter valve and
vacuum breaker parts in one easy-to-install package. Discharge outlets
will be custom designed for each landscape and sold separately.
Generous SFPUC subsidies will soon be available for the first 150
qualified San Francisco residents who attend a workshop at the store.
Visit our website for more information when it becomes available.
Pre-register for your preferred Graywater course location by clicking here.
|
Planting and Maintaining the Organic Home Winter Garden
 "Planting and Maintaining the Organic Home Winter Garden" is sponsored by the UCCE Marin Master Gardeners & the Conservation Corps North Bay.
This class offers an inspiring and informative overview of the care and
maintenance of the organic winter garden including bed preparation,
cultivation and fertility management, seed collection and sowing
schedules for vegetables. Cover crops and compost building also will be
discussed. At the conclusion of classroom instruction students will
visit the IVC Organic Farm and Garden for some hands-on learning.
The class costs $30. Register for this class before October 10.
Click here to register.
Date: Saturday, October 16, 10 am to 1 pm
Where: College of Marin IVC Campus in Novato
|
Create a Habitat Garden!
Improve biodiversity & create a thriving ecology
 Master Gardener Dave Phelps presents Creating a Habitat Garden at Marin Art and Garden Center to the Garden Society of Marin in the Livermore Room. Dave
will describe the practical as well as the philosophical aspects of
connecting the garden to the greater environment. He will explain how to
re-create and enhance the local plant communities and their related
food webs and ecosystems. Dave will explain how to use sustainable
gardening techniques to improve biodiversity and create a thriving
ecology with designs and practices. This lecture is free but donations
are welcome!
Date: Thursday, October 14th 7:30PM
Where: Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross
|
Fall Pond Care Tips
 Just
like other outdoor landscaping, a pond requires some maintenance as we
approach the cool weather months.
Fall task #1: Manage leaves. The message here is to be prepared for falling
leaves to minimize spring cleanup tasks. Often the best solution is to
cover the pond with netting (available from Urban Farmer Store) until the majority
of leaves have fallen.
Fall task #2: Aquatic plant preparation. After the first cold snap, cut back pond plants
similar to other perennials.
 Fall task #3: Invest in a floating thermometer for the pond to monitor water temperature to know when to turn UV
clarifiers on and off and when to stop feeding goldfish and koi. With shorter
days once the water temperature drops below 55 degrees turn off or
unplug UV clarifiers for the winter, including the one housed in some
low pressure filters. Algae won't grow in cold water.
The $16
thermometer investment pays for itself in one season by saving electricity and
prolonging the life of the expensive UV lamp. It saves on food, too
because Koi cannot digest food when water temperature drops below 50
degrees.
Fall water treatments: Ask us to recommend best colder weather water treatments. Bacterial
treatments can be reduced in their effectiveness as pond water cools.
|
|
|
|
Our Store Locations:
San Francisco:
2833 Vicente Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
Phone: (415) 661-2204
Fax: (415) 661-7826
Marin:
653
East Blithedale
Mill Valley, CA
94941
Phone: (415) 380-3840
Fax: (415) 380-3848
Richmond:
2121 San Joaquin
Street
Richmond, CA
94804
Phone: (510) 524-1604
Fax: (510) 524-9797
|
|
|
