Why the Drought is Good for some Businesses

Despite the ongoing drought some local companies are actually thriving.

Some have turned to cutting edge technology to actually expand their business during the drought. And that’s good news for valley residents who are trying to save water, money and their landscaping.  

Turns out – the drought is good for business.. At least for some..

Blaine McQuown/ Owner Synlawn

Oh yea.. Very good for business…

For Blaine McQuown the owner of Synlawn – a brown lawn means green cash and water conservation….

We’ve been very blessed with the drought..

Blaine McQuown/ Owner Synlawn

And this year.. We’re starting our sixth crew and booking out until September..

Costs vary.. But for some – like homeowner Jordan Hansen – spending thousands of dollars during the drought makes sense..

Jordan Hansen/ Homeowner

It really wasn’t that much of a concern.. Because I see it as an investment on the property..

And speaking of investments.. For 30-cents a square foot some have turned to aqua cents. They’re saving water, money and their lawns…..

Tom De Lany/ Inventor/CEO Aqua Cents

Which is low cost.. To keep your lawn green and drop your water use in half..

This strange looking machine – is actually an innovative patented technology – developed by local landscaper and businessman Tom Delany..

His invention injects – organic biodegradable polymers – mixed with kelp as a fertilizer – into the soil. It absorbs and hold 400 times its weight in water. The mixture traps and store the water for the grass.

It’s a new option.. Its an option to look at ..

Back in June – Cindy Telesco saw her lawn was dying.

She decided to try it..

Cindy Telesco/Homeowner

Kind of be pro-active.. Instead of letting it go..

She says it works.

Her water bill is down 50%.

She’s even removed half of her sprinklers – and her lawn is green again..

Cindy Telesco/Homeowner

I am very happy .. Very happy..

The treatment lasts between 5 and seven years.

Meanwhile, some are investing in drought tolerant plants..

Tommie Martinez/Homeowner

This one is called Arizona Sun.. So, its native to Arizona..

… It requires very very little water..

Tommie Martinez recently removed all of her turf and replace it with drought tolerant plants.

She likes the look.. The savings.. The lack of maintenance and how it makes her feel..

Tommie Martinez/Homeowner

Great.. Great.. I’m trying to do my part..

And so is the city of Fresno. They’ll even pay you to tear out your turf.

Its such a good deal..

Nora Laikam water conservation supervisor for the city says qualified homeowners can earn up to $ 250 dollars to switch from turf to drought tolerant plants.

Nora says.. Start small.. Start slow..

Nora Laikam / Water Conservation City of Fresno

Maybe you want to do a side yard.. Maybe you want to do a park strip.. And get paid for it..

But where do you start?
What do you buy?
Tommie had fun with it ..

She planted things like

Arizona Sun, Butterfly Plants, Dwarf Little John or Bottle Brush. 

Her water saving yard even won an award for friendly landscaping.

.. Landscaping that she says is hearty…

So.. If it can make it in Fresno it can make it anywhere.. Haha..

I’ve heard that.. Haha..

Meanwhile more people are buying drought tolerant plants..

Sound cash register ringing up sale..

Despite the drought – business is good at the Evergreen Garden Center in Clovis ..

Enrique Mendoza/ Evergreen Garden Center

There is a really big upswing in selling more of the drought tolerant things..

Their sign even embraces the drought – because they’ve got the plants that can handle it.

These days Enrique Mendoza hears a lot of this ..

I need to take out my lawn.. What can I do?

And this…

.. Is it going to have to look like Arizona?

And the answer is..

No it does not..

His big sellers are..

Lantana’s, Salvia, Desert Bird of Paradise and Succulents …

He warns his new drought tolerant plant customers to be careful.
They can – in fact over water their new plants..

There is ways to make it work so it looks good and you use less water..

And others are buying low flow sprinklers to save water..

And there’s not a lot of water coming out.. No no..

Veteran horticulturist John Aubin with Color for your Landscape says his customers are buying low flow sprinklers.

They can cut their water use in half – saving water, money and lawns.

John Aubin/ Color For Your Landscape

It makes sense … To not see that water waste.. 

They have a unique spray pattern – it kind of rotates.

The multi stream low flow m.p. Rotor sprinkler head on the left – looks like your typical sprinkler head on the right… But its not.

It uses less water over a longer period – cutting water usage by up to 50%

John Aubin/ Color For Your Landscape

Allows the soil open up and saturate and allow that water to get down deeper

And so, whether it’s low tech – sprinkler heads

Or a high tech – innovative lawn treatment like aqua cents…

Or switching to a drought tolerant garden…

Or even synthetic grass..

Many valley residents – like their landscapes are evolving and adapting to the new sights and sounds of drought.

And that’s good for business.. At least for ‘some’ businesses..

Jordan Hansen/ Homeowner

My wife just said she fired her gardener.. And that’s me.. And so now, I don’t have to take care of the yard anymore.. Laughter..

For more information:

Tom De Lany/ Inventor/CEO Aqua Cents

http://aquacents.com/

Blaine McQuown/ Owner Synlawn

http://www.synlawn.com/

Nora Laikam / Water Conservation City of Fresno

http://www.fresno.gov/Government/DepartmentDirectory/PublicUtilities/Watermanagement/rebatespermits.htm

Enrique Mendoza/ Evergreen Nursery

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Evergreen-Garden-Center/182217145174726

John Aubin/ Color For Your Landscape

http://www.colorforyourlandscape.com/