ALCA September/October 2023

The ALCA Influence is the official publication of the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association. ALCA and The ALCA Influence assume no responsibility for the statements or opinions appearing in articles under an author’s name. The services of an attorney or accountant should be sought in legal and tax matters. For editorial information, contact the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association, 5425 E. Bell Road, Suite 105, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254; telephone (602) 626-7091 e-mail barb@ALCA.org.

The Participant hereby irrevocably grants the Company permission to use the Participant’s voice, image and likeness in any photograph, video, internet site, audio-recording, and in any and all of its publications, including website entries (collectively “Promotional Materials”) without payment or any other consideration.

It’s a Dry Heat

Nickie Velten 2023 ALCA President

Canyou believe that summer is already fading away? While pumpkin spice dreams are taking hold, let’s not forget that we’re still in the midst of scorching 110-degree heat! But hey, at least it’s a dry heat, right? As we step into the third quarter, I genuinely hope that each of you has had a prosperous and safe year so far. With the whirlwind of summer winding down, I’m not just anticipating cooler temperatures, but also eagerly looking forward to the 47th Annual ALCA Awards. Yes, they’re approaching faster than you might realize – it’s time to gear up! These awards offer a splendid chance to showcase your talents, connect with industry experts, and market your skills. Moreover, they serve as an amazing morale boost for your team while upholding the highest industry standards. So, who do you plan to share your accomplishments with? It’s never too early to start pondering!

A special shout-out goes to all the contractors who’ve submitted their remarkable projects. This year, we’ve hit an alltime high in entries! Judging kicked off at the end of June and continued through mid-August. A huge round of applause for the dedicated volunteers who generously shared their time and expertise for judging and site visits – your invaluable contributions make these awards possible.

Keep an eye on your inbox for the registration email, which will soon provide all the crucial details about the awards and hotel arrangements. Booking your rooms early is essential to secure the group rate and guarantee a spot! Additionally, we’ll be seeking donations for our silent auction. These contributions are tremendously valued and always promise heaps of fun. The auction proceeds contribute to government affairs, ultimately safeguarding the best interests of contractors. It’s a true win-win scenario!

Mark your calendars for November 18th, when we’ll gather at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass to celebrate everyone’s hard work and stunning projects. Get ready to dress to the nines and relish in a truly grand and delightful evening! Cheers,

Nickie Velten

Stepping Out: Tempe to Tucson & Phoenix to Prescott

Aftera very busy first half of the year in the office “getting my legs under me” as the new ED, I had a chance to spread my wings a bit this summer and wow was it a blast. Touring around the state over the past few months has reminded me of how crucial being present is. Just showing up speaks volumes, and in this case, I had the greatest take aways from meeting with just a few of ALCA’s many incredible members.

I kicked off my summer of fun in early June. ALCA’s Business Manager, Danielle and I headed down to Tempe for the Oldcastle Grand Re-Opening of their beautiful and newly redesigned APG Solutions Center. It was an event to be remembered. So many familiar faces from the industry coupled with a DJ and delicious catering made for a great afternoon. I’m looking forward to coming together with the Oldcastle team on future education initiatives as well as hosting ALCA’s February 2024 Member Mixer in their awesome facility. Keep your eyes peeled for those details in early 24!

On a personal note, I found myself needing to be in Tucson for a week in July to watch my son and his baseball team compete for a state title. I was excited to both cheer on my little all-star, as well as have the opportunity to connect with a few Tucson members. I toured around for the greater part of a day with ALCA Board member, Tanner Spross of Santa Rita Landscaping. Tanner was the second set of eyes while conducting site visits for the Excellence in Landscaping submissions in the Tucson area. We had a blast and I ate my very first James Beard award winning “Sonoran Hot Dog”.

While in the area, I was also able to connect the team at Diversified Print Solutions. DPS handles all of ALCA’s publication

Special Thank You to our ALCA Sponsors

printing. I was thrilled to meet the crew and pick up not only our 23/24 Directory & Resource Guide, but also the much-anticipated ALCA SLM® Publication! SLM® books are available for purchase at www.ALCA.org.

Rounding out an eventful July, I made a special trip to the AAA Landscape location in south Phoenix. As many of you know the AAA family suffered the tragic loss of 4 employees at the turn of the year. ALCA members have come together time and again to raise funds for these impacted families. It was with a heavy but grateful heart that I delivered those checks. Again, affirming that the ALCA community is comprised of incredible humans!

Up to Prescott was the next stop to kick off August adventures. I wasn’t sad to leave the valley for a bit of heat reprieve while we viewed a handful of Excellence in Landscaping entries from the north state. The crew at Manzanita Landworks showed Danielle and I around their Chino Valley nursery and we enjoyed getting a chance to learn about the plant palate that they work with in the high country.

Thank you to all of the members that I was able to connect with during this summer of fun. To those that I missed, I will catch you in adventures to come!

~Barb

Tanner Spross of Santa Rita Landscaping and Barb Shehan, Executive Director

How to Tell Your Story

How to attract more of the right customers through the power of story

Article written by: Jason Bouwman, RGD | Owner & President of Compass Creative Branding & Marketing

Today’scrowded and noisy marketplace poses a major challenge for consumers and brands. It has never been more important to get your story right. It’s also important to consider HOW you tell your story. Here are three principles you need to keep in mind at all times.

• Be attractive

• Be clear

• Be consistent

Be attractive.

You’re in the design business. So be sure to dress the part. Potential clients will make snap judgements about your business based on how their interactions with your marketing make them feel. Your website, your logo and even the appearance of your trucks matter to your clients. Inconsistent logos or colors, especially when combined with an unclear message, will confuse your customers and turn many of them away.

It’s very hard to convince clients that you have the skill and sensitivity to design a space that fits their lifestyle if your corporate identity is poorly communicated or unattractive.

Be clear.

To attract new clients, they must be able to tell within five seconds how you can help them and what the next step is in working with you. In the noisy world we live in, where thousands of messages compete for our attention, clarity wins. Customers aren’t going to do the work to try and figure out what it is you do. You have to do that work for them. Be clear with your message. Be consistent.

Nothing builds trust between people quite like consistency. Repeat your message the same way in the same places. People will begin to trust that you do what you say you’re going to do. And when that happens, you’ll have paying customers on your hands.

A process to build a strong and consistent brand identity

1. Develop clear key messages and repeat them everywhere.

Here are four major pieces of writing you can use to communicate your message:

Brand story — Invite potential clients into a story about them - a story in which they are the hero. Demonstrate that you really understand someone else’s pain and have the ability to help them solve it. Then call your “hero” to action. Elevator pitch — A distilled version of your brand story, usually around five sentences or less. When it’s finished, you should be able to share it with someone in 30 seconds (or the length of an elevator ride!)

One-liner — A single line that you can use to introduce yourself at parties, networking events and sales calls.

Taglines — Usually five words or less, taglines are a way to express the essential qualities of your brand in a memorable way. Think of your tagline as a final exclamation point that wraps up your 30-second elevator pitch.

2. Dress the part.

You’re speaking before you even say a word. Getting serious about your image will ensure that you attract and connect with the right people for your business.

Since landscapers are in the design business, it’s critical that their brands have a strong visual appeal to them. It speaks volumes about a brand when they demonstrate sound design principles, whether that’s on the side of a new F150 truck, an ad in the local lifestyle magazine, or on Instagram.

WE READ WORDS, BUT WE THINK IN PICTURES.

3. Keep it consistent.

Develop a “style guide” — A style guide is a mini-instruction manual for implementing your visual identity consistently in the future. Inside, you’ll find…

• Instructions on what colors to use and which ones to avoid.

• Instructions on which fonts to use.

• Reusable design elements and/or templates for typical marketing collateral.

• Visual concepts for how the brand will be expressed online (ads), offline (print) and on-site (vehicles, crews and signage).

Take care to design all of your marketing collateral — trucks, uniforms, brochures and website — to look like they belong together.

The marketplace may be crowded and noisy these days. Leverage good design and storytelling to stand out and make a favorable impression. Do that consistently over time to build a brand people can trust.

ACLP On-Demand

Did you know that you can take ACLP workshops at your own pace and in the comfort and convenience of your home or office? Whether you are just beginning to pursue the certification or want to pick and choose specific workshops, ALCA offers on-demand options to meet your needs.

•

not available with on-demand workshops

When you communicate the same message consistently over time, people begin to trust you.

Jason Bauwman, RGD Compass Creative

Abstract Lighting

Dylan Randall

3215 N Arizona Ave B14, Chandler, AZ 85225 (602) 721-5272 | dylan@azled.com

www.azled.com

Contractor Class 3

Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum

Kim Franklin

2021 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85743 (520) 883-3008 | kfranklin@desertmuseum.org

www.desertmuseum.org

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is a non-profit, a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and natural history museum. The Desert Museum also supports a small science team, which runs the Sonoran Desert Cooperative Weed Management Area, an informal organization consisting of government agencies, non-profits, contractors, volunteers, and others working together to combat invasive plant species in southern Arizona.

Affiliate

AZ Local Turf Company

Alec Tripp

6824 E Coronado Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85257 (480) 821-0588 | alectripp@yahoo.com

Focusing on artificial grass, pavers, xeriscaping, and shade structures.

Contractor Class 1

Desert Oaks Plantscapes

Faye Oakley

1055 E Irvine Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85086 (415) 423-4742 | DesertOaks@outlook.com

Architect & Designer

Double E Landscaping

Edgardo Esquer

35135 S. Twin Hawk Ln, Marana, AZ 85658 (520) 818-3306 | info@doubleelandscaping.com www.doubleelandscaping.com

Double E Landscaping is a landscaping and hardscaping company that does new landscape installations and landscaping maintenance.

Contractor Class 1

Execuscapes Landscape Management & Nursery, LLC

Colten Cluff

PO Box 1095, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 (480) 331-1545 | ccluff@execuscapes.com

www.execuscapes.com

Established is 2015, ExecuScapes Landscape Management, LLC is a full service Commercial and Residential landscape contractor serving all of Arizona. Fully licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, and with more than 30 combined years of experience in the landscape industry, ExecuScapes can handle all of your landscape needs.

Contractor Class 1

Harmony Landscaping LLC

Haleigh Kurtz

8941 E Palms Park Dr, Tucson, AZ 85715 (520) 360-0276

harmonylandscaping18@gmail.com

We are a small family run landscaping company. We provide maintenance services, one-time clean-ups, tree trimming, tree cut down, gravel, irrigation installation, and planting and removal. As we grow we want to grow with the best knowledge we can.

Contractor Class 1

Johnny Ramirez

5646 N 36th Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85019 (602) 585-8009

Johnny.ramirez7801@gmail.com

Family-owned and operated, we are new to this industry. Looking to get educated and certified while in the process of forming and building our business.

Contractor Class 1

Lavender Landscape Design Co.

Haley Tew 602 W 22nd St, Tempe, AZ 85282 (602) 501-2332 | haley@lavenderlandscape.com

www.lavenderlandscape.com

Luxury design/build firm focused on residential pools, shade structures, and landscapes.

Contractor Class 4

Luna’s Landscaping & Maintenance LLC

Richardo Luna Martinez 16616 N 29th St, Phoenix, AZ 85032 (602) 810-3059 | Lunalandscaping6@gmail.com

We specialize in residential landscaping Maintenance.

Contractor Class 1

Venetian Outdoors LLC

Michelle Coyle

1027 E Washington Ste, 107, Phoenix, AZ 85048 (480) 322-4451 | michelle@venetianoutdoors.com

www.venetianoutdoors.com

We are a true design/build firm focusing on custom, luxury design and build projects.

Contractor Class 3

Photograph by Ed Taube

2022 Excellence in Landscaping Awards Landscape Design West, LLC

Sponsored by:

Desert Rooftop Garden with a View Residential Redesign $100,001 - $200,000 Award of Excellence Partner Project with Foothills View Landscaping

Award

2022 Excellence in Landscaping Awards Flowing Wells Landscape & Pools

Canyon Pass Main Entrance Heritage Installation Award of Excellence Partner Project with Northwest Landscaping

Sponsored by:

Hamel Residence, Residential Installation $250,000 - $350,000, Award of Distinction

Photograph by Robin Stancliff/Stancliff Photography

Ellis Residence, Residential Installation $350,001 - $500,000 Award of Excellence

Cobblestone Entrance, Commercial Installation $250,001 - $500,000

of Excellence Partner Project with Turf Tek

2022 Excellence in Landscaping Awards

Manzanita Landscaping

$750,001 - $1 Million Award of Excellence

$350,001 -

Sponsored by: Old Miner

2022 Excellence in Landscaping Award Sponsors

AF Distributors/Napolean

AF Distributors was founded in 1980 and remains privately owned and proudly based in Phoenix, Arizona. We grew from its founding entity ‘Arizona Fasteners Corp’ which began by serving the hardware needs of the local home building community. Today, we are a recognized industry leader and national distributor, supplying and distributing an innovative range of products with life and style in mind. We are honored to serve our community and offer our customers the finest availability of major name brand BBQ Grills, Fireplaces and accessories.

Kelsey Smith | kelsey@afdistributors.com

(602) 680-8136 | www.afdistributors.com

Artificial Grass Superstore

We are your “One-Stop-Shop Supplier” for artificial grass and all related turf accessory products. Every product we offer is in stock and ready for immediate shipment or pickup. We offer a complete rental program on turf accessories and all the necessary installation equipment required.

221 E Willis Rd, Bldg A, Ste 2, Chandler AZ 85286

(480) 726-2411 | www.ArtificialGrassSuperstore.com

Belgard Hardscapes

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Belgard Hardscapes is a brand within the Oldcastle APG Portfolio. Since 1995, we have transformed thousands of residential and commercial properties across North America.

(602) 352-3845 | www.belgard.com

Brilliance LED, LLC

Brilliance is passionate about leading the landscape lighting industry into a fully energy efficient LED market with only the highest quality products at the most cost-effective prices. We strive to provide honest and exemplary customer service to our network of distributors, contractors, and end users.

(800) 867-2108| www.brillianceled.com

Latitude Retirement/ Hillspring Financial, LLC

We serve and express our flexibility in crafting retirement plan solutions that meet your unique needs.

(602) 833-8620 | www.latituderetire.com

With a passion for wealth management to grow and protect clients’ assets, we offer unbiased, fee-based asset management.

(623) 583-6141 | www.hillspringfinancial.com

LeBaron and Carroll, LLC

LeBaron & Carroll is dedicated to having knowledgeable, professional employees and providing them a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling work place. We will continue to be a trusted advisor to our clients and a recognized leader in the insurance industry.

(866) 808-1321 | (480) 834-9315

www.landc.com

V & P Nurseries, Inc

We are a wholesale plant nursery growing sub-tropical and drought-tolerant varieties from the desert and sub-tropical regions of the world, including many Arizona native plants, as well as vines, trees, shrubs, perennials, succulents, ornamental grasses and grass-like plants.

21919 E Germann Rd, Queen Creek, AZ 85142

(480) 917-9847 | www.vpnurseries.com

Rustic Rockery Heritage Installation Judges Award

Cutting Edge Curbing Sand & Rock, a SiteOne Landscape Supply

to confirm a time window of when we will arrive so you can schedule your crew accordingly. It’s just one more way that we are working to offer our customers the best service in the industry.

Cutting

Edge Curbing is a landscape material company aimed at providing competitively priced extruded concrete curbing, landscape materials and products

Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock offers 13 different styles of curbing to choose from in 16 different Davis colors. We use triple washed sand for a more uniform color to give you the finest quality cement in your concrete border. Rebar is available for installation in curbing when specified by architects or for those who are concerned about maintaining the integrity of the extrusion should any large vehicles drive over the curbing. It may be specified when 6×6 or taller curbing is required to hold back an embankment or severe drainage area. We warranty our curbing for one year against defects in materials and workmanship.

for residential and commercial applications while maintaining superior customer service, quality workmanship and long lasting relationships with the landscaping industry, our community and our customers.

Cutting Edge Curbing Sand & Rock, a SiteOne Landscape Supply company continues to add products and strive to be your one stop shop for landscape materials and supplies. One call is all it takes to order granite, mulch, curbing, sod, block, flagstone, pavers and more. We are conveniently located off Grand Ave so our friendly staff can load up your materials and supplies quickly and get you on your way in no time.

Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock is no longer just a curb company. We are a hauling company with a fully stocked retail yard and a proud distributor for Belgard, Southwest Sod, Evergreen Turf, Keystone, Phoenix Paver and Ackerstone. We carry over fifty colors of landscape rock, river products, soil mixes, rip rap and boulders. If you need your materials delivered, our knowledgeable sales staff will ensure that your order is accurate, and our experienced drivers will get your materials to you on time. Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock is equipped with a certified scale so you can be sure that you are receiving the correct amount of material that you order. If you have not been to the yard lately, come check us out. We have over 100 rock products on display so if you have rock that needs to be identified, chances are we have it here. All our curbing styles and colors are also on display for you to compare. While you’re there pick up your pavers, block, bagged goods and flagstone.

Contractor and Landscaper discounts are available as well as volume discounts for material orders over 50 tons. Valley wide delivery is always free on orders of 10 tons or more with no zone minimums to worry about. Same day service is available so if you need something today, don’t hesitate to call and see if we can get you taken care of. Are you tired of paying a crew to wait for the rock to arrive so they can spread it? At Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock, we call you the night before delivery is scheduled

We have recently updated our yard display with new Belgard products and lighting as well as our retail store with new products arriving weekly. Stop in to see why Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock has been helping our customers create curb appeal in the valley for over 20 years. We are located on 67th Avenue on the west side just south of Northern. Our address is 7540 N 67th Ave Unit A Glendale, AZ 85301. Tel. 602-3531020 Fax. 602-353-1027.

Customer Service is #1, when doing business with Cutting Edge Curbing Sand & Rock! www.cuttingedgecurbing.com | info@cuttingedgecurbing.com

Orders: orders@cuttingedgecurbing.com

Now part of the Site One team, Cutting Edge Curbing Sand & Rock Is your one stop shop for all your landscape needs. We are a hauling company with a fully stocked retail yard and a proud distributor for Belgard, Southwest Sod, Evergreen Turf, Phoenix Paver, and AZ Best Block. We carry over fifty colors of landscape rock, river products, soil mixes, rip rap and boulders. Our knowledgeable sales staff will insure that your order is accurate and our experienced drivers will get your materials to you on time. Our certified scale ensures that you are receiving the correct amount of material ordered. Call or come by today.

Monday-Friday 6A-5P Saturday 7A -3P 7540 N 67th Ave, Bldg. A Glendale, AZ 85301 Office 602-353-1020 Fax 602-353-1027

Enhancing Efficiency with Compact Construction Equipment Attachments for Fall and Winter Projects

Inthedynamic world of landscaping, efficiency is key. Having the right tools and equipment can make all the difference with the ease of completing projects. Many property owners decide to tackle projects during months with cooler temperatures with a goal of completing the project in time for the holidays. While compact construction equipment (CCE) offers numerous advantages, sometimes obtaining specialized machines might not be feasible due to budget constraints or equipment availability. However, there is a smart and practical solution – investing in CCE attachments. Check out these attachments to optimize fall and winter landscaping tasks.

Preparing the Property for Plants

During cooler temperatures, many property owners want to invest in their landscaping by planting cool-season grasses or prepping the soil for next year’s garden. Here are useful attachments that will expand a compact machine’s capabilities.

• Soil conditioners help prepare the ground for seedling and sodding.

• Rotary cutters or mowers cut tall grass and weeds in large areas.

• Tillers break up and mix soil for planting beds.

Changing the Property’s Topography

When property owners decide it’s time to address a hill or dip, moving dirt is just one option. Some owners might choose land removal and others may want to add to their landscaping by building a rock feature. Whichever they choose, these attachments can precisely complete the job.

• Landscape blades or rakes smooth and level soil and grading surfaces.

• Grapple buckets easily grab, lift and move brush, logs, and other bulky materials.

• Skid steer loader buckets are perhaps the most frequently used attachment. This is a must-have to move various amounts of dirt and rock.

Tending to Tree Growth

After a particularly hot summer, property owners may be interested in creating shade in just the right place to prepare for the next summer. CCE attachments allow landscapers to easily plant trees or add to plant trees or address unruly branches easily address unruly branches. Besides grapple buckets and loaders, you may want to consider adding these attachments to your fleet.

• Auger attachments drill holes for fence

for commercial and residential work. Operators say this attachment on mini excavators improve productivity and reduces the time it takes it dig holes for vegetation of all sizes.

• Stump shredder attachments are used to make tree stumps disappear.

RDO has more than 100 attachments for compact construction equipment. It doesn’t matter if you have a Compact Track Loader (CTL), mini excavator or skid steer loader, you can find the attachment to get commercial and personal landscaping jobs done. Find the attachment that’s right for you by talking with a professional at your local RDO Equipment Co. store or visit rdoequipment.com

EFFICIENT. DURABLE. VERSATILE. With the revolutionary MP Rotator® Nozzle, you can install more heads on one zone with matched precipitation, no runoff, and water savings up to 30% over traditional sprays — plus 15 years of proven performance. Now that’s smart watering!

JUST LIKE RAIN. BUT NO UMBRELLA NEEDED.

SiteOne expands Arizona

Offerings with Five Family Brands

SiteOne Landscape Supply now has even more of what you need. Arizona Stone, Solstice Stone, Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock, Prescott Dirt, and now Telluride Natural Stone have joined the SiteOne family to provide fullline product offerings and unmatched industry expertise. Now more than ever, SiteOne can help take your Arizona-based landscape projects to the next level.

More Locations, More Options

When you need supplies, you need a knowledgeable distributor convenient to your jobsite. SiteOne.com and the SiteOne Mobile App are available 24/7 to view pricing, check inventory, and place orders for pickup or delivery on your schedule. The five Arizona SiteOne family companies have 16 branch locations across the state with expansive in-house delivery fleets to get product wherever you’re working. Arizona Stone offers easy access to the leading manufacturers of stone, brick, and pavers. Solstice Stone, a top supplier of unique natural stone products sourced globally, gives discerning clients numerous selection options. Cutting Edge Curbing Sand and Rock solidifies SiteOne as your bulk materials and onsite hauling resource. Prescott Dirt supplies the best planters mix in the tri-city area, and Telluride rounds out your toolbox with a range of hardscape supply options, including hard-to-find reclaimed wood offerings.

Let us Reward You

With the enhanced SiteOne Partners Program you can earn 1 point per $1 spent on qualifying purchases, redeemable for hundreds of reward options like gift cards, merchandise, training programs, event tickets, travel, and even charitable donations. Members have access to Business Solutions for deep discounts on services and a free Marketing Toolkit to create, customize and print marketing assets for your business. If you haven’t signed up yet, be sure to at SiteOne. com/Partners.

Put Our Experience to Work

As the largest wholesale landscape supply distributor in North America, with the largest sales team in the Southwest, SiteOne continues its tradition of providing quality products and customer-obsessed service. From hardscape materials to irrigation, landscape, golf, agronomic, and pest control products, SiteOne is your one-stop shop. Our experts stand ready to assist, no matter the project. Visit SiteOne.com to start shopping or to find a branch near you.

The Synthetic Grass Store

TheSynthetic Grass Store is celebrating 15 years of quality products, competitive pricing, and expert advice. Our one-stop shopping experience, friendly staff, and deep experience in the field have made us one of the most trusted brands in the industry.

As one of the nation’s largest turf wholesalers, The Synthetic Grass Store offers competitive tiered pricing to landscape contractors. We have several million square feet of quality turf in stock across four locations in Arizona and two in Southern California. We efficiently ship our products to customers across Canada and the United States.

Our impressive turf selection includes a comprehensive range of international and American-made options, tailored to suit various applications. Even if we don’t have a specific turf in stock, our substantial purchasing power enables us to handle special orders with ease. In addition to turf, we carry numerous infills, nails, adhesives, tools, and putting green supplies you may need.

For added convenience, we provide tool rentals at all our locations, such as power brooms, gas-powered compactors, and drop spreaders for infill

completed our thirty thousandth installation and are still going strong. We take pride in assisting our customers in bringing their artificial turf visions to life, whether it’s creating a dream backyard, installing a new putting green, or designing a breathtaking high-rise rooftop. Our skilled estimators are ready to guide customers in selecting the perfect materials that suit their specific applications and budgets.

With the evolving landscape of synthetic turf, AZTM has risen to meet emerging challenges and diverse customer demands. Our solutions cater to a range of needs, including pets, playgrounds, commercial spaces, putting greens, and more. The hallmark of our service lies in using top-notch materials and delivering exceptional installations, meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations.

In the face of ongoing drought in the southwest, homeowners and governments alike increasingly view natural grass as a drain on valuable water resources. Some areas offer incentives to remove grass, and the city of Scottsdale recently banned natural grass front yards on any new construction. We are committed to doing our part in furthering water conservation efforts in Arizona and beyond.

For any questions, please contact our Senior Commercial Estimator Mary Clanton at 602-818-1131 or mary@azturfmasters.com.

application. Please call in advance to check the availability of rental tools.

Our standard turf lineup features grasses suitable for lawns, pets, putting greens, commercial spaces, and the SGS Power Play system specifically designed for playgrounds. Our carefully chosen selection of turfs ensures a wide range of color, texture, and durability options to fit every budget. To maintain our commitment to excellence, we continuously assess and refine our turf lineup in response to advancements in grass technology, ensuring we offer the finest products in the industry.

Amidst the ongoing water crisis in the southwest, The Synthetic Grass Store stays true to our mission of inspiring affordable, eco-friendly landscapes through superior customer service and premium materials.

For architects seeking enhanced specifications, we are well-equipped to provide tailored solutions. Furthermore, we ship free samples of any of our turfs to assist with decision-making. For help with your upcoming synthetic grass project, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Business Development Director, Stan Moscrip, at 602-828-4918 or stan@syntheticgrassstore.com. With extensive experience in the turf industry, Stan is a valuable resource for your specific project needs.

Arizona Turf Masters

Celebrating 17 years in business, Arizona Turf Masters remains one of the most trusted installers in the state. With a commercial and residential division of experienced pros, we are ready to tackle any job. We recently

Monarch Waystations: Nurturing Nature’s Majestic Migrants

ALCA member, Josh Gormally of Artistic Landscape Architecture, LLC out of Tucson has long sense embraced the beauty of nature and the invaluable ecosystem services it provides. Josh and his team at ALA are taking crucial steps to safeguard the delicate balance of our environment, by incorporating Monach waystations in to their designs and installations.

The Monarch butterfly, has been considered one of nature’s most captivating creatures and has captured hearts across the globe for generations. “The Monarch population faces severe threats, and it is our responsibility to support their survival” says Gormally. Enter the concept of Monarch waystations – a vital stepping stones for these majestic migrants during their incredible journey. Let’s delve into the importance of Monarch waystations and explore how to create one to celebrate, Monarch Month this September.

The Monarch butterfly, renowned for its extraordinary annual migration spanning thousands of miles, relies on a network of habitats called waystations. These stopover sites serve as crucial refueling stations, providing nectar-rich flowers for adult butterflies and host plants for their caterpillars. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss and pesticide use, the Monarch population has been declining rapidly, endangering this fascinating species. By incorporating Monarch waystations into their projects, landscapers can help conserve these magnificent insects and, in turn, promote biodiversity and ecological balance.

Establishing a Monarch waystation doesn’t require extensive resources; it can be as simple as dedicating a portion of a garden, backyard, or community space to these butterflies’ needs. To ensure success, opt for native plants that support the Monarch life cycle. Milkweed, in particular, is an indispensable plant as it serves as the only host plant for Monarch caterpillars. Other nectar-rich flowers like asters, coneflowers, and goldenrods will entice adult Monarchs during their stopovers.

Planning for Monarch Month involves more than just planting flowers; it requires understanding the broader context of our impact on the environment. Beyond personal efforts, communities, schools, and businesses can play a pivotal role in promoting Monarch conservation. Collaborative efforts to create large-scale waystations and protect existing habitats are essential for sustaining the Monarch population.

Oldcastle Grand Re-Opening

Over 140 customers and partners attended the grand re-opening of the newly redesigned Oldcastle APG Solutions Center in Tempe, Arizona. The Superlite team had a great time showcasing Oldcastle APG’s family of brands including Belgard, Belgard Commercial, Echelon, Amerimix, MoistureShield, Barrette, Techniseal, Pebble Tech, Mirage and Tru-Scapes.

This center allows Oldcastle APG to showcase our family of brands and how they can come to life in your customers outdoor spaces.

The center is located at:  1919 W Fairmont Dr Suite 5, Tempe AZ 85282

Open: Tues – Fri 10-4 and by appointment

To book your event visit www.Belgard.com/ Solutionscenter

Incorporating Monarch waystations into urban and suburban landscapes can be a catalyst for transforming our surroundings into havens for wildlife. It presents an opportunity to connect people with nature, fostering a sense of stewardship for the environment. Monarch Month offers a perfect platform to raise awareness, educate, and inspire action among individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

As landscape architects, Josh & the ALA team firmly believe in the responsibility to design with nature in mind. Monarch waystations embody the fusion of artistry and environmental consciousness. Let us embark on a journey to create spaces that nurture not only the beauty of our built environment but also the captivating wonders of nature.

Monarch waystations hold tremendous significance in safeguarding the Monarch butterfly and its awe-inspiring migration. By planting native flora and embracing this conservation effort during Monarch Month, we can all help forge a brighter future for these graceful creatures. Together, let us cultivate a world where Monarchs continue to grace our skies, reminding us of the profound interdependence between humanity and nature.

For more information:

https://www.phoenix.gov/oep/monarch

https://www.monarchwatch.org/waystations

Photo provided by Josh Gormally | Artistic Landscape Architecture, LLC

I-9 Alert!

Electronic I-9 Deficiencies, Completing Remote I-9s and New I-9 Form

By Julie A. Pace, David A. Selden, Heidi NunnGilman

Thepenalties for I-9 errors, like everything in life, have increased for inflation. One error on the Form I-9 can result in fines of over $2,700 per Form I-9. Employers need to ensure that they are in full compliance with the employment eligibility verification and I-9 requirements.

I. Companies using and relying on electronic I-9 systems incur millions in fines and also could be debarred.

Companies using electronic I-9 systems need to audit third-party electronic I-9 systems to ensure that the electronic I-9 system is compliant. One of the areas where many violations occur is with the audit trail, which must record any action taken (data entered), the person who entered it, and the time at which it was entered. Another area that may face challenges of compliance is the electronic signature. The system should have a pin, password, or other verification that the signature is applied by the employee.

The employer, NOT the electronic I-9 provider the company paid and hired, is liable for fines from ICE. ICE considers any Form I-9 that is created by a non-compliant electronic I-9 system as a Form with a substantive error, regardless of whether the Form I-9 is fully complete or contains any other errors. With penalties over $2,700 per form, a non-compliant electronic I-9 system can be a huge liability. Companies are engaging in litigation with its third-party electronic I-9 provider about fines and consequences.

II. Temporary policy allowing remote completion of form I-9 without physical inspection of documents ends july 31, 2023.

The temporary policy from USCIS allowing employers to complete the Form I-9 for remote workers without an in-person physical inspec tion of the Section 2 documents ends on July 31, 2023. Employers must physically inspect the documents for any employees whose I-9 was completed using the COVID-19 remote protocols by August 30, 2023.

Employers who remotely completed the Form I-9 without a physical inspection of the documents must physically inspect the original documents used to remotely complete the Form I-9 notate the physical inspection in the “additional information box” in Section 2 as follows:

a. If the same person who completed the remote inspection completes the physical inspection, write “COVID-19, Documents Physically examined on mm/dd/yyyy by [initials].”

b. If a different person does the physical inspection of documents than did the remote I-9, write “COVID-19, documents physically examined on mm/dd/yyyy by [Name], [Title].”

c. If employee presents a different document from the List of Acceptable Documents than

what the employee provided for the remote inspection, USCIS advises completing Section 2 of a new Form I-9 and attach it to the Form I-9 completed originally with remote inspection of documents.

d. If the document presented for remote inspection at the time of hire has expired, employer may still accept it for in-person inspection and should not request a new unexpired document because the document was unexpired at the time of hire (except if the person was an alien with temporary work authorization and work authorization expired).

e. If an employee has separated prior to the date a physical inspection of documents can be completed, note this in the Additional Information box on page 2 of the Form I-9.

f. If an employee refuses to provide documents for an in-person physical review of the documents, USCIS has stated that an employer cannot continue to employ the individual.

III. Options for remote completion of the form I-9.

After the temporary COVID rules expire, an employer representative must physically inspect documents to complete Section 1. For remote hires, the employer may designate another person to physically inspect the documents and complete Section 2. The employer, however, remains liable for errors.

A designated representative can be essentially anyone, including another employee, but employee cannot complete Section 2 of their own Form I-9. Notary publics (except as prohibited by state law and not to notarize

I-9), HR consultant, employment law attorney, etc. can be employer representatives. A family member or friend can be used but not typically recommended because they lack knowledge of I-9 process. Some electronic I-9 systems offer a network of individuals to complete the physical inspection required in Section 2 for remote workers for companies who use the electronic I-9 system.

IV. Proposed pilot program for remote I-9 completion.

On August 17, 2022, USCIS published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise the I-9 rules to allow USCIS to propose pilot programs for alternative procedures for reviewing documents, other than physical examination of the original documents. The regulations do not propose the alternatives, just allow USCIS to create pilot programs to test various methods. The regulations propose changes to I-9 to require employers to specify when the alternatives methods of reviewing documents were used.

V. Proposed new 1-page form I-9.

The current Form I-9 has an expiration date of 10/31/22. USCIS has instructed that employers continue to use it until a new Form I-9 is issued.

USCIS has proposed a return to a one-page Form I-9 that consists of Sections 1 and 2 on one page. Section 3 for rehires or reverification, as well as the preparer/translator section, would be on a separate page to “supplement” and add to the I-9 if those sections are needed. Stay tuned for a new I-9 to start using when it is available.

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BUSINESS BROKER

Macor Associates, Inc. (602) 989-9960

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FLEET & VEHICLE MANAGEMENT

OnSite OilChange Plus (480) 470-0352

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INSURANCE

Hill & Usher (602) 667-1848

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IRRIGATION PRODUCTS & SYSTEMS

Horizon (800) PVCTURF (782-8873)

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Hunter Industries (760) 744-5240

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LANDSCAPE CERTIFICATION

TRAINING/TESTING

Metro Institute (602) 452-2900

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LANDSCAPE EQUIPMENT

A to Z Equipment Rentals & Sales (480) 539-8700

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BCS (800) 543-1040

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Stotz Equipment 623-936-7131

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Vermeer Mountain West (253) 536-7112 X114

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LANDSCAPE MATERIALS

Cutting Edge Curbing Sand & Rock Landscape Materials (602) 353-1020

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LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES

Material Delivery, Inc. dba MDI Rock (602) 569-8722

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Pioneer Landscape Centers (480) 739-6505

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LIGHTING

Brilliance LED, LLC (800) 867-2108

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NURSERIES

All Season Wholesale Growers (602) 276-0230

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Arid Solutions Nursery (602) 437-5194

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Arizona Wholesale Growers (623) 581-3100

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Australian Outback Plantation (623) 780-8500

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South Coast Wholesale (888) 326-7256

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OLIVES & ORNAMENTALS

Arizona Olives & Ornamentals LLC (602) 833-8252

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SOD/TURF

Evergreen Turf, Inc. (480) 456-1199

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Southwest Sod (602) 271-4266

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West Coast Turf (888) 893-8873

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SUPPLYING LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS

Wilbur Ellis (480) 921-8500

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TREES

Western Tree Company (602) 243-6125

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