|
|
Greetings!
As the year comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to extend our sincere best wishes to all of our customers and their families this holiday season.
As you are reviewing your results for the year, it's a great time to think about what changes to make for 2011 . Don't wait for "things to get better", put a plan into action to make them better. Whether it's surveying your customers for feedback, revitalizing your web site for better impressions or attending seminars on important new technologies, start making your list of needed improvements now.
Thank You all for your business, partnership and friendship. We look forward to working together in the coming year!
Special Winter Holiday Hours
Closed December 24-27 Merry Christmas!
Open December 28, 29, 30 8am-4:30pm
Closed December 31-January 2- Happy New Year!
|
|
New Landscaping Laws Protect Water Resources & Create Opportunities
 | Photos from Bob Perry's book (see lecture below)
|
In 2006 California enacted the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (AB 1881 Laird) requiring all communities to adopt ordinances that regulate landscape plantings and irrigation practices. Local ordinances now protect valuable water resources by increasing low water use and climate appropriate plantings, installing and maintaining water efficient irrigation systems, and encouraging the use of use of non-potable water.
Starting January 1, 2011, new or modified landscapes in San Francisco over 1000 square feet will be regulated by the "Water Efficient Irrigation Ordinance and Rules." The SFPUC joins MMWD and EBMUD in delineating the conditions under which they will provide water for landscape irrigation uses. View the new compliance flow chart.
These rules expand business opportunities for knowledgeable landscape professionals. Invest some rainy days reading and understanding the implementation your local rules-the payback will be huge!
The property owner is ultimately responsible for compliance, but landscapers should be ready and know how to help.
Consider taking the January 24 & 25th prep course offered by the IA in Redwood City for the certification exam to become a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. Certification gives you a competitive edge. Rainy winter months are a great time to study and learn.
Property owners, architects, designers, auditors, and landscapers can count on The Urban Farmer Store to provide products and irrigation system design assistance that helps us meet our state-mandated water conservation goals.
For a climate appropriate plant reference guide, including California natives, we now stock and recommend Robert C Perry's indispensable book "Landscape Plants for California Gardens". Sections 1-3 are available as a PDF for a free download (19 MB). Click on plant photo from page 20 to view that sample page from the book.
State Mandates and Local Requirements:
San Francisco
Fact Sheet for the Proposed Water Efficient Irrigation Ordinance and Rules
Guide to the San Francisco Green Landscaping Ordinance
East Bay
Each municipality may choose to have more stringent requirements than those in Section 31.
Marin
Whether you are a landscape contractor or designer, understanding the guidelines of the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), and how that is turned into specific requirements by Marin Municipal Water District's Ordinance # 414 can be confusing. Check out a short video with example efficiency tables at www.irrigationessentials.com.
|
Register Now for Free Winter Pro Classes
Seating is limited! Register Online!
Expand your professional knowledge at our informative seminars
 Our winter classes keep you and your staff up to date on the latest products and best practices for each topic. Six classes are offered at all three of our locations; San Francisco on Tuesdays, Richmond on Wednesdays, and Mill Valley on Thursdays.
It's easy to register at our website.
Rainwater Harvesting & Landscape Drainage - Learn design principles for rainwater harvesting, drainage, erosion control, and soil conservation in new & existing landscapes. December 14, December 15, December 16
Lighting for the Landscape - Make lighting a bigger part of your business. In addition to the low voltage basics, this class will include information on how to design efficient systems using LEDs (light emitting diodes). January 11, January 12, January 13
Sprinkler Design by Tom Bressan - Survey of different sprinklers and nozzles, including the MP-Rotator, and where they are best used. Site plans, zoning, system capacity, sprinkler layout, pipe sizing, and scheduling will be covered. January 25, January 26, January 27
Waterscape Design - An overview of how to design, plan, construct, and install different kinds of water features with an emphasis on creating pollinator and wildlife habitats. February 1, February 2, February 3
Drip Irrigation by Tom Bressan - A full discussion on the range of drip products and how they can be used to deliver water with maximum efficiency. Layout and zoning of systems will be discussed from the water source to the emitters. February 15, February 16, February 17
Irrigation Troubleshooting - Learn how to identify and solve timer, wire, and valve problems using volt/ohm meters. Mastering these essential skills and tricks of the trade will make future service calls a profitable pleasure! March 1, March 2, March 3
Click here to register for all classes at all locations.
|
Drain Your Rain Barrels After Winter Storms? Yes!
Slow it down, spread it out, sink it in!
In March begin conserving water for summer irrigation.
 | | Automatic Drip from Rain Barrel How-To Guide (free PDF) |
By now your rain barrels and cisterns are probably full from the first rains of the season. Set it free!
Water stored in your rain barrel is storm water that didn't rush off into our sewers and streams. You slowed it down.
Now spread it out and sink it in AUTOMATICALLY with the help of a few special parts available at the store. Automatic drip systems can help make it easy.
Let the rainwater in your barrels soak in to the earth slowly betweens storms. Don't start storing for summer until March.
Learn more by download our pdf Automatic Drip From a Rain Barrel
|
Urban Farmer Store Gift Certificates Available for the Holidays
Get them a gift they'll appreciate!
 Gift certificates are a great way to make sure they get the gift they want and need.
Use them for irrigation, rainwater harvesting, water features, landscape lighting and more.
They never expire.
Available at all locations.
|
Breaking News - Save the Date!
A special Urban Farmer Store event you won't want to miss.
 | | Meet the Author! |
The Urban Farmer Store presents Bob Perry, Author of Landscape Plants for California Gardens at an evening lecture.
This event will benefit San Francisco Botanical Garden and will be held at Strybing Arboretum on Thursday, March 3, 2011.
Details and registration information will be shared in January's newsletter. Save the date!
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
