CLCA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter

Each year the Perennial Plant Association announces the plant of the year. And this year's selection is Schizachyrium scoparium and cultivars.  Little bluestem is a tough and dependable clumping grass that blends well with perennials such as asters, sedums, coneflowers, and other grasses. Schizachyrium scoparium is native to a broad swath of North America, it was one of the dominant grasses of the vast tallgrass prairies. Cultivars have been selected for shorter plants, enhanced leaf colors and stronger stems. The wider selection of not only little bluestem, but any associated cultivars, allows regional perennial experts to select and promote the cultivars that do best in their location. For the landscape companies planning to use this in new plantings, it is recommended to use 1- to 2-gallon pots. A bit slower growing. Once established, schizachyrium scoarium likes to grow on the dry side with low to moderate fertilizer rates. Overwatering and too much nitrogen can cause floppy gr

What do the members of San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association do on St. Patrick's Day? Head out to the nearest Irish pub for a pint of Guinness and a hearty meal of corn beef, potatoes, and cabbage? Guess again. Bobby Budelli of RGB Landscape Company and Charleen Ott, SFBAC audito r Leo Ott, Juan Carlos Esparza, SFBAC president, and Jose Gonzalez   Instead of frivolity, we gathered for an in person chapter meeting at Celia’s Restaurant on Camino Real in Palo Alto. After a buffet dinner of Mexican food, we listened to three speakers. Gina Stanley and Debbi Abele with CLCA Insurance Solutions discussed the latest updates on coverage and explained how they work with different insurance companies to get the most competitive rates for members. Then Lance Perry, also with CLCA Insurance Solutions, presented information about the new Cal Savers option for owners to implement 401(k) plans to employees. This program offers businesses an easy way

 Today's blog introduces what we expect to be a regular monthly feature: Focus on Our Partners and their new products. Today we are spotlighting SiteOne Landscape Supply and their outdoor sound system. SiteOne Landscape Supply now offers outdoor, backyard audio systems from Ambisonic a world-wide name when it comes to high-end acoustics. Audio kits range in size depending on the square footage and the number of speakers your client prefers. Wiring can be run alongside your lighting systems when installing new fixtures. Amplifiers resemble lighting controllers and are hung in a similar fashion. For more information, available on-site demos and pricing, contact their sales rep: Andrew Tuckman Key Account Manager SiteOne Landscape Supply 707-299-8343 atuckman@siteone.com

This is the second blog and we are pleased to announce two useful events for SFBAC of CLCA. March Chapter Dinner Meeting Thursday March 17th 2022 6:00-8:30 pm Celia’s Restaurant 3740 Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 650-321-8227 Cost: $32.00/person This event will be in-person, upstairs in their private room. We ask members to adhere to all safety measures. Dinner is included as well as a discussion with Q&A from our guest speakers.  Parking is limited, please use adjacent lots or on El Camino Real. Make sure you are at the right location. Celia’s has different restaurants. This is the Palo Alto property. Main Program: Lance Perry, Gina Stanley & Debbi Abele with CLCA Insurance Solutions will discuss the latest updates on coverage as well as the new Cal Savers option for owners to implement 401(k) plans to employees. This program offers businesses an easy way to help their workforce save for retirement with no additional fees, no fiduciary liability and minimal employer responsibiliti

Welcome to the new blog of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association. This blog will be a supplement to the SFBA website and used to post additional information about events and special issues. In addition, we will use the blog to create image galleries of our members projects, landscape work and installations, and important information about new materials and supplies. Any member of SFBA is welcome to submit those items to the editors. We will start with a few samples: At last Thursday's board meeting, KC  Coverdell  ( on the right) was presented with an appreciation plaque for his hard work last year as president, a position that was not made any easier by the pandemic. Presenting the plaque was current president Juan Carlos Esparza. As the pandemic winds down, SFBA is scheduling more events. In February a lively group went to Campo Di Bocce of Los Gatos. Some even learned how to play bocce while others had a great time talking, renew