Outdoor Living Trend Grows with Stay-at-Home Consumers
In the last 90 days, we've seen incredible demand for landscape services. "Stay at home time" has more homeowners taking on projects that have long been on the to-do list. 
 
We're ready to help you maintain momentum as we move into the hottest months of the year.
 
Put these ideas into action to grow success in the weeks ahead:

1) Get serious about promoting efficient irrigation . There are thousands of irrigation systems that don't meet today's current water saving standards. Plan a campaign to connect with customers who can benefit from upgraded sprinklers, controllers and drip irrigation. Because customers are at home, they're more flexibly available for your technicians to complete the work.
 
2) Keep your team motivated . Let them know you are proud of their accomplishments. Give meaning to their work! Use both "regular random recognition" (a pat on the back) as well as "structured recognition" (giving a small reward for meeting goals) to let your team know how much you appreciate them. 
 
3) Be an "ultimate backyard expert". Inspire clients with proactive marketing that shows how you can help them create the summer landscape of their dreams. They know what they want, but they don't know you can make it happen. Show them the trends in landscape lighting, outdoor living, water features and more. Sell the full package!

Ask us for ideas on products you can promote to stay-at-home consumers.  

We will be closed Saturday, July 4th for Independence Day. Have a safe holiday weekend.

The Team at Aqua-Flo Supply
New at Aqua-Flo: Live Earth 7-2-2 Slow Release Organic Fertilizer
Your customers want earth-friendly organic fertilizer for their landscapes.

Live Earth products are inherently natural and are safe for pets and pollinators.

Live Earth® 7-2-2 Organic granular fertilizer offers a carbon-balanced formulation that combines the nutrient storage and soil amendment benefits of humate with the slow-release nutrients of organic fertilizer.

Because the organic nitrogen in this fertilizer releases with microbial activity at ambient temperatures (86F), no more than 30% of the nitrogen will be released in the first ten weeks and will continue to release organic nitrogen for the next 365 days.

Released nitrogen can be stored on the humic acid molecules, which decreases nitrogen loss. This slow-release and nutrient storage prevents spikes in available nitrogen after application and instead provides a gradual conversion of protein to plant nutrients. Learn more here .
Irrigation Association Offers FREE Homeowners Guide
Share this guide with homeowners to demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to water conservation.
 
The Irrigation Association's Homeowner's Guide to Landscape Irrigation is packed with helpful recommendations for residential irrigation systems.   
 
Homeowners can learn the importance of landscape design, installing an efficient system, proper maintenance and the role of a quality contractor.
 

Hunter Introduces Two New Kits to Expand Pro-C Controller Capabilities
Hunter introduces two new kits designed to expand the capabilities of the familiar and trusted Pro-C controller . The kits allow contractors to do larger projects with either conventional or decoder wiring.
 
Pro-C Station Capability Expands to 23!
The PCM-1600-KIT enables control for up to 23 conventional stations. If contractors need to expand the system, they don't have to replace the controller to add more zones. They simply plug in the PCM-1600 output module and pick up where they left off.
 
Use Hunter Decoders with a Pro-C!
The PC-DM-KIT includes a PC-DM decoder output module for use with EZ-1 decoders. Plug the PC-DM into a PC-400 to enable control for up to 32 stations (+P/MV). The PC-DM can co-exist with conventional stations for hybrid conventional/decoder operations. This is the most affordable two-wire solution on the market.
 
First introduced in 1999, the Pro-C has become the industry's best-selling residential controller . These new kits make the Pro-C controller a flexible and affordable fit for an even larger range of projects. The kits work with all Pro-C controllers manufactured after February 2020.
What Virtual Selling Techniques Should Landscape Pros Use?
In order to safely conduct business, landscape contractors are learning how to sell projects virtually.

How can you eliminate physical contact with residential homeowners while still selling your services effectively?

Here's how you can adapt to this new environment:

Initial Consultation - Remote or On-Site? : In normal times contractors build trust with new clients by walking the property together.

With COVID-19, some are recommending that you eliminate these visits in lieu of a video-conference call with Zoom, GoToMeeting or Skype. We disagree. 

A consultant who specializes in the landscape and irrigation markets, Jeff Carowitz, offers a simpler and more connected approach: " You should still visit your client's property . Make an appointment so they know when you're coming. Have them leave the gate unlocked. Then call them when you arrive. As you walk around the property, you can ask questions and make recommendations while they watch safely through the window.". 
 
He emphasizes this process is more personal, builds rapport, allows sales of add-ons and eliminates potential for estimating inaccuracy .

Submitting and Getting Signatures on the Proposal: Don't just email the proposal. Use a service that alerts you when the customer has viewed it, and that helps you get a legal signature. The electronic signature platform DocuSign gets the clients signature and can help schedule a start date. Also check out GetAccept , Qwilr and PandaDoc.  
Why Will Pressure-Regulating Spray Bodies Soon Be Required by Law in California? The Water Savings is SIGNIFICANT!
New regulations will go into effect in October 2020 that will require all spray sprinklers sold in California to include a built-in pressure regulator.
 
An in-stem pressure-regulating device ensures that spray nozzles always operate at their optimal water pressure, 30 psi, eliminating water waste from misting and fogging.
 
Sprays that operate at optimal water pressure levels use less water to get the job done. As water pressure increases, the amount of water being used by the irrigation system also increases. 
 
To get an even better idea of exactly how much this can add up over time, consider this example from a recent and very typical residential property.
  • Cost of water = $4 per 1,000 gallons
  • Dynamic water pressure = 75 psi
  • The home has 20 sprays that run for 15 minutes and 15 rotors that run for 30 minutes.
  • The system is run 4 days per week, 40 weeks per year.  The annual water use is just over 293,000 gallons a year.
  • Installing Rain Bird 1800 PRS Series Sprays and 5000 Series PRS Rotors regulates the outlet pressure of sprays to 30 psi and rotors to 45 psi.
  • Regulating the outlet pressure of each head resulted in an annual savings on this residence of 105,968 gallons of water.
  • The installation of Rain Bird pressure regulating sprays and rotors saves this homeowner $420 a year in the cost of water.
The amount of water and money you can save combined with improved system performance add up to one conclusion: upgrading your customers systems with pressure-regulating components is a smart decision that has long-term benefits.