MONARCH ENVIRONMENTAL | Water, Contract and Landscape Management in Orange County, CA

Shadetree

2011-10-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Shadetree is a non profit in Irvine, CA. that works with 501C3's to reforest Orange County. This particular day, Monarch tagged 25 Indian variety Myrtles for a client in South Orange County.

Fall Planting Tips

2011-08-10T23:20:00.001-07:00

September Tips: Southern California

September marks the beginning of the fall planting season -- a busy time of year for lucky warm-climate gardeners.

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Pre-chill hyacinth bulbs
in the refrigerator to
simulate winter.

For best selection, buy bulbs as soon as they appear at the garden center. Most spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses, will need to be pre-chilled in the fridge for 6-8 weeks to "fake" winter before planting outdoors.
Plant beds with cool-season flowers, such as pansies, calendula, candytuft, foxgloves, snapdragons, stock, and sweet alyssum.
Also plant cool-season veggies, such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflowers, lettuces and greens, potatoes,radishes, and peas.

Landscape consultant in Orange County

2011-08-10T23:18:00.001-07:00

Monarch Environmental continues to make a difference. Over 500 million gallons of water saved since we started! Call us today.

Water

2011-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was recently informed that google is buying water farms to cool there servers. Did you know in multimillion dollar town homes in Beruit have water available only 2 of the 24 hours? Did you know in metropolitan areas of India it's the same thing? Point being, in the US we are spoiled. If we get smart and care a little more we can use our water to ensure these things don't happen. Check your sprinklers at home, leaky toilets and faucets.

Can a Water Plan Work Without an Environmental Goal?

2011-05-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

http://tinyurl.com/3rtcr5v

Spring Gardening Tips

2011-03-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

Follow the 10 tips outlined below for a welcoming garden that's filled with color and fragrance -- and song.

Survey the Yard
Make note of tree limbs that should be removed or cabled, especially those that overhang structures. Hire an arborist to maintain large trees.Cut down last year's perennial foliage, and toss it into the compost pile. Rake mulch from beds planted with bulbs before foliage appears, and refresh mulch in other planting areas after soil warms. Check fences, steps, and pathways for disrepair caused by freezing and thawing.

Order Tools and PlantsTune up tools so everything is ready when things start growing. Make note of what is missing, and order tools for the new growing season. Choose new plants for the garden. Order perennials, trees, and shrubs for spring planting.

Get Ready to Mow Send the mower and leaf blower for servicing, or if you have the right tools, sharpen the mower blades yourself. Refill your mower with oil, install fresh spark plugs, and lubricate moving parts if necessary. Clear the lawn of winter debris, and look for areas that need reseeding before mowing.

Prune Trees and ShrubsRemove dead, damaged, and diseased branches from woody plants. Thin and trim summer-blooming shrubs such as butterfly bush, hydrangea, and most roses, except for old-fashioned once bloomers. Prune cold-damaged wood after plants resume spring growth. Prune spring-blooming shrubs and trees after flowering.

Take a Soil TestCheck soil pH with a home soil- test kit, taking several samples from different planting areas for an accurate reading. Enrich soil as necessary: Add dolomitic lime to raise the pH or elemental sulfur to lower the pH.

Prepare New BedsClear the planting area as soon as soil can be worked, removing sod or weeds and debris. Spread a 4-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure and any amendments over soil, and cultivate it to a depth of 10 to 12 inches with a spading fork.

PlantPlant bare-root trees, shrubs, and perennials such as hostas and daylilies by early spring. Choose a cool, cloudy day if possible. Transplant container-grown plants anytime during the growing season except midsummer; be sure to water them thoroughly. Sow seeds of cool-season flowers like sweet peas, poppies, and calendula, and vegetables such as lettuce, parsley, and spinach.

FertilizeApply balanced fertilizer (6-6-6 or 8-8-8), fish emulsion, or other soil amendments recommended by soil-test results around trees and shrubs when new growth appears. Spread high-acid fertilizer and pine-needle mulch around acid-loving shrubs like azaleas and camellias. Begin fertilizing perennials when active growth resumes.

Start a Compost PileStart a compost pile, or use a compost bin, if you don't have one already. Begin by collecting plant debris and leaves raked up from the garden. Chop these up first to speed decomposition. Add equal amounts "brown" (carbon-rich) materials like dried leaves and straw and "green" (nitrogen-rich) materials like grass clippings and weeds in even layers with water and a compost bioactivator. Turn regularly. Continue adding to the pile throughout the season for rich, homemade compost next spring.

Clean Bird Feeders and Baths
Disinfect the feeders by scrubbing with weak bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach: 2 gallons warm water). Rinse and dry the feeders thoroughly before refilling them.Scrub birdbaths with bleach solution, then rinse them thoroughly and refill, changing water weekly. Clean birdbaths and feeders regularly throughout the season.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Spring Gardening Tips - Martha Stewart Home and Garden

California Water Summary

2011-02-01T21:49:00.001-08:00

Reducing water usage 20% is going to be tough. Here is a look at where we are.

http://www.edf.org/documents/4033_hetchhetchyrestored_Chap03.pdf

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

2011-01-17T09:23:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

This week's publication is dedicated to all things 2011. Learn about new tax laws, hot home improvement trends, eagerly anticipated album releases, and much more.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/01-11_Monarch_News.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/01-11_Monarch_News.pdf>

Winter Landscape Tips

2011-01-10T09:06:00.001-08:00

During the winter, sprinkler irrigation is limited to one assigned day per week. Make sure you water on your assigned watering day.

Watering restrictions also apply to drip irrigation. Sunday is not an optional watering day.

Water in the midmorning to avoid the afternoon winds that keep your sprinklers from hitting their grass target. You also will reduce the risk of icing that can occur if you water during early morning or evening.

Check your sprinklers

Turn on your sprinklers after you mow and scan for broken or misaligned heads, as well as broken pipes. A twisted head could water your sidewalk instead of your grass.

Daylight saving time ends

Don't forget to reset your irrigation clock when daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November. When you're changing your indoor clocks, make sure you also change the time on your irrigation clock. This also is a great time to check your clock's batteries.

Protect new plants

February is usually mild enough to allow you to plant petunias, pansies, snapdragons and other cool-season annuals in a well-drained, highly enriched soil. Adding a protective mulch on the soil around your plants will conserve water so you don't have to water as often. Remember to stake new plants and water them deeply to prevent damage from winds and burning young leaves.

Revive roses

Fertilize established rose bushes now to encourage spring blooms and put down a 3-inch layer of mulch around each plant. Always water before and after applying fertilizer.

Fertilize fruit plants

Peak blooming season is in the spring, and the best time to fertilize fruit trees and grapes is the six weeks before and after they bloom. Fertilize in late winter for the finest fruit.

Protect pipes and hoses

There are several steps you can take to protect the pipes and hoses in your home and landscape from cold weather:

Disconnect and drain garden hoses when they are not being used.
Insulate your irrigation backflow device by draping a towel over it and cover with a bucket or other protective cover that touches the ground.
Wrap exposed irrigation pipes with pipe insulation, insulated "faucet socks," an old towel or duct tape.
Set heat to 55 degrees when you're away to protect pipes and houseplants.
Turn off the water valves to your washing machine to avoid flooding from burst hoses.
Don't leave interior or exterior pipes dripping. Valley temperatures generally don't drop low enough for a long enough period of time to warrant it.
Locate your water shut-off valve and learn how to turn off water at its source, so you can ward off damage from leaks or burst lines. Know how to turn off your irrigation backflow device as well.

Leave damaged plants alone

If you notice frost or a freeze has damaged a plant, leave it alone until warmer weather arrives and new growth appears. Pruning or transplanting a damaged plant during winter months can hurt or even kill it.

Pruning

The ideal time to prune trees and shrubs is in late winter, when plants are mostly dormant. Finish heavy pruning by mid-February, before buds show evidence of swelling. Don't prune more than one-quarter of the living tissue during the year.

Southern Nevada Water Authority

Are we out of this drought yet?

2011-01-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Although it seems that the rains we have had in Southern California would be more than enough to get us out of a drought- this may not be true. While some reservoirs are able to capture and hold the rain water most of it is not able to be absorbed by the soil after reaching field capacity. Once the saturation point is reached the water simply sheets off down the drains and out to the ocean. Rainwater that precipitates in January is not available in July. Simply stated that water is consumed. To end the drought two major factors need to occur: 1. Rain sporadically all year long 2. Population growth will have to come to a complete stop. Since neither of these is likely we will have to continue to worker smarter to make each drop of water go farther.

New Rebate Info

2010-11-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT: PLEASE forward this notice to all appropriate sales and customer service personnel.

November 2010 News

ONLINE APPLICATION

Account or Parcel Numbers Are Optional

We simplified the online application process by making customers' water account number (and/or parcel number) optional.

If customers have questions about any aspect of the rebate process, please refer them to www.socalwatersmart.com or (888) 376-3314.

DON'T WAIT

Two-Step Rebate Application

Be sure to remind your customers to complete the online application as soon as possible and to mail the following required documents within 60 days of their online application.

Copy of sales receipt/invoice.
Copy of water bill.
Copy of the online confirmation page.

Online applications are cancelled after 60 days if hard copy documents are not received. Any application documents received that do not correspond to a valid online application are returned to customers, which means they have to repeat the process.
Please note: Old hard copy application forms expired May 31, 2010 and cannot be accepted. For customer convenience, please recycle any old application forms you have on hand.

WE CAN HELP!

Quick Links to Program Resources


Example
Qualifying weather-based irrigation controller	$195
SoCal Water$mart rebate	-80
Customer cost after rebate	$115

Replace Your
Product Rebate Labels

The baseline rebate amount is now $85 for high-efficiency clothes washers. For new product labels or to schedule a program training session for your store location, please contact us.

The Water Cycle

2010-09-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Water Cycle

MWDOC gives Monarch a great press release

2010-08-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Municipal Water District of Orange County put out the following Press Release.
http://www.mwdoc.com/newsletter/July_2010/Oso_Valley.pdf

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

2010-08-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Save Money, Water get more out of your contractor and receive a monthly newsletter. Pretty sweet deal.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/Monarch_Automate.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/Monarch_Automate.pdf>

What are you waiting for. Be a hero TODAY.

Monarch Monthly Mailer

2010-07-16T22:53:00.000-07:00

Not just another Landscape newsletter.
In this week's newsletter, you will find an important update about the home buyer tax credit, creative ideas for taking your BBQ's to the next level, 3 iPhone apps for a better summer, and much more.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/07-10_Monarch_News.pdf

First blog from 30,000 feet

2010-07-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

WiFi in a plane is very cool. Might want to check out this link for the hot summer. IRWDnews

Hot! Hot! Hot! Hope you're weekend plans include using water wisely. Visit www.alwayswatersmart.com for more information.about 8 hours ago

Monarch's Client Receiving Award

2010-06-07T12:54:00.000-07:00

Monarch has been working with Oso Valley Greenbelt since 2008. Since 2008, Oso Valley has made some incredible changes and improvements which have resulted in over $250,000 saved in water consumption. Incredible!!! Monarch works with the team in place to establish planning, review contracts, manage water and so much more. The results are money saved, better looking landscapes and increased property values. The City of Mission Viejo is making a proclamation about the efforts and incredible savings made at Oso Valley. Well done board, Harvest Landscape, PCM and Monarch. Tens of thousands more were saved- contact Monarch to find out how.

Check out the article. . .

Smart Timers

2010-05-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

Don't think you can set it and forget it. Smart timers typically take 90-120 days to appropriately dial in the correct water output. This one didn't have wires- those are important too!!!

Hoa saves 100k in water

2010-04-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

Monarchenviro

How a Valley HOA saved $100k through water conservation http://shar.es/mtvcc

Cal/EPA headquarters flushes waterless urinals | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News

2010-03-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

What's up with Sacramento playing by a different set of rules. Let's All save water. Good read on when conservation becomes inconvenient.

Cal/EPA headquarters flushes waterless urinals | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News

Fighting your Hoa Board can be costly and risky.

2010-03-14T12:26:00.001-07:00

Fighting your Hoa Board can be costly and risky.
This article is an interesting case study of what can happen when board members get out of control. http://tiny.cc/bdo8N

Monarch Monthly

2010-02-25T21:47:00.001-08:00

Dear Friends,

In this month's market summary, we review some promising statistical trends in the California housing market.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/02-10_monarch_MS.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/02-10_monarch_MS.pdf>

This slope is getting enough water

2010-02-25T21:42:00.000-08:00

Monarch inspects working being done in the field to make sure your landscape dollars are being spent wisely.

Monarch's super bowl analyisis

2010-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

This Sunday, the Colts square off against the Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. Join us as we explore the stats, players, and stories that promise to make this year's game an instant classic.

www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/monarch_XLIV.pdf <http://www.clientappreciationprogramweb.com/monarch_XLIV.pdf>

Does your contractor do weekly meter readings?

2010-02-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

The first rule of water management is weekly water meter readings. If your contractor is not doing this- ask them to deliver these reports. You will save water-Monarch Guarantee.

Call for a Water Assessment today!

MONARCH ENVIRONMENTAL | Water, Contract and Landscape Management in Orange County, CA

Shadetree

Fall Planting Tips

Landscape consultant in Orange County

Water

Can a Water Plan Work Without an Environmental Goal?

Spring Gardening Tips

California Water Summary

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

Winter Landscape Tips

Check your sprinklers

Daylight saving time ends

Protect new plants

Revive roses

Fertilize fruit plants

Protect pipes and hoses

Leave damaged plants alone

Pruning

Are we out of this drought yet?

New Rebate Info

IMPORTANT: PLEASE forward this notice to all appropriate sales and customer service personnel.

November 2010 News

ONLINE APPLICATION

Account or Parcel Numbers Are Optional

DON'T WAIT

Two-Step Rebate Application

WE CAN HELP!

Quick Links to Program Resources

Replace Your Product Rebate Labels

The Water Cycle

MWDOC gives Monarch a great press release

Monarch Monthly Newsletter

Monarch Monthly Mailer

First blog from 30,000 feet

Monarch's Client Receiving Award

Smart Timers

Hoa saves 100k in water

Cal/EPA headquarters flushes waterless urinals | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News

Fighting your Hoa Board can be costly and risky.

Monarch Monthly

This slope is getting enough water

Monarch's super bowl analyisis

Does your contractor do weekly meter readings?

Replace Your
Product Rebate Labels