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Tools for Fall Garden and Yard Cleanup

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, Nov, 20, 2019 @ 18:11 PM

While temperatures have begun to cool here in Corona, CA many parts of the county are already seeing their first frost and snow in some northern states. Before winter sets in, it's a good time to rake up leaves from the lawn and spread as leaf mulch in planter beds, clear out spent vegetable plants, add them to the compost bin for enriched soil in the spring, remove tree limbs that are damaged or could be potential hazards during winter storms, clean, and sharpen tools to be ready for late-winter pruning, and plant bulb flowers. Considering it's daylight savings and that mother natures enjoys throwing us a curve ball with extreme weather now and then, the following essential tools will help get the job done quickly. Read on to find out which tools we recommend and share your essentials for fall cleanup.

Wheelbarrow and HipTrug

Depending on the size of your planting beds on your property and a wheelbarrow can be a huge timesaver. A 6 or 10 cubic foot, wheelbarrow is perfect for hauling spent plants to the compost bin. 

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The new Burgon & Ball Hip-Trug clips on easily and is an ingenious way to collect any remaining fruits and veggies you come across, keeping your hands free to pull out spent plants and keep moving.

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Ensilage Fork

Spreading a thick lay of mulch in the the garden and planting beds is one best things you can do this time of year. A wide ensilage fork with narrow-spaced tines, will help transfer the debris from the mulch pile to the wheelbarrow, fast and efficiently. You can move large amounts of material at once saving you time instead of burning daylight during the shortened fall days. A fork can also be used to turn your compost so that come spring, you will have rich compost ready for garden beds.

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Extended Handle Garden Tools

Clean up spent vegetable plants, weeds and spread mulch with easy in your raised planter beds. These extended tools are the perfect length to reach plants in the center of the planter and smooth out the soil. For temperate climates, consider planting cover crops when you're done which help prevents soil erosion, controls spread of weeds, while enriching and improving the soil for spring planting. If you're an area that freezes, lay down a thick layer of leaves or cardboard to help control weeds and protect the soil.

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Extra Large Rake

Tree leaves are nature's gift to your garden and landscape. While some homeowners look at them as a chore to collect, bag and put out the curb, however like mulch, leaves do wonders for your planters. Both as and thick layer of leaf mulch, and providing a home for natural wildlife that need shelter in the winter months. Take the chore out of this fall task with a wide rake such as the BigLOAD. You will get the job done twice as fast.

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Hand Saw

This without a doubt, if you're a property owner with trees, a saw is an absolute must have tool. While fall is not the ideal time for pruning, however it's a great time once the leaves have fallen to see any damaged, dead or diseased tree limbs. Left on the tree, these limbs could become potential hazards during winter storms. Especially if they are near any structures that could result in extensive property damage.

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Tool Sharpener

A tool sharpener might very well be, a property owner's best friend in the garden. During this time of year, colder climate gardeners would rather be working outside, but it's a great opportunity to do some tool maintenance and cleaning indoors. Clean off remaining dirt and debris form the cutting and digging tools. Then grab your handy tool sharpener to give them a quick sharpening. The small carbide file takes a few seconds so tools ready to go to work when it's time for late winter pruning.

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Garden Trowel and Kneelos

Once you've gotten your yard in shape and ready for winter, fall is an excellent time to get some spring bulbs planted. A trowel, with a built in depth gauge helps ensure you're planting them at the right depth. The sharpened tip helps drive the tool into the the soil while the ComforGEL grip helps absorb the shock to hands. Its comfortable grip helps prevent aching hands and blisters the day after.

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Just as important, don't forget a pair of comfortable Kneelo knee pads or kneelers to protect your knees while you're digging in the soil.

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Hear the Interview on the Green Industry Leaders Network Podcast

Whether you are a homeowner or a landscape contractor, Cynthia Bee shares some great insights on the JVWC program called Localscapes, on this episode. It's a great discussion that can change how you look at your landscape design. You can listen to the our complete interview and helpful information, 24/7 on the Green Industry Leaders Network podcast.

 

Topics: gardening, Landscaping, fall

What to Know About Fall Planting

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, Aug, 28, 2019 @ 16:08 PM

Many gardeners think about planting in spring when the weather starts to warm up. However when it comes to weather and temperatures, fall and spring are very similar. There are some big advantages to planting shrubs and trees in fall so we've talked to expert, Stacey Hirvella with Proven Winners, to share some fall planting tips and other do's and don'ts this time of year. Planting in fall is ideal since cooler temperatures will help with root growth and plant development, soil retains more moisture and a thick lay of mulch will help protect new plants from freezing temperatures throughout winter. Read on to learn more about fall planting and garden activities and why you should put your pruners and fertilizer away this time of year.

Why Fall is Ideal for Planting

Many people think plant in the fall is out since winter is right around the corner. They think a newly planted shrub or tree will not survive. But when properly planted in fall, the shortened days will trigger dormancy. This allows a plant to put energy into root growth and development. Instead of trying to push out new leaves and flowers. Because the temperatures are also cooler, it's not only optimal for root growth, there is less water evaporation. Rainy weather also minimizes the need to water. You can also find some amazing deals on plants in local garden centers as it gets closer to freezing weather.

Fall planting with corona shovel

When Should You Be Planting

There is no magical date on the calendar to tell gardeners, it's time to start planting. Depending on your zone, Stacey indicated you can safely plant up until about 6 weeks before the ground freezes in cold climates. In hot climates that rarely see freezing temperatures, plant when night time temperatures are in the 50s. It's also a good time to plant bulb flowers in fall to help force their blooms in the spring. She also mentions that Halloween is a great time to buy bulbs since there are some steep discounts and closeouts on remaining inventory. So there is plenty to do in the garden this time of year!

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Fall Planting and Gardening Do's and Don'ts

DO:
Apply Mulch - a thick layer of shredded mulch to extend the window of optimal root growth and conserve water, especially important or plants with shallow roots.
Watch for water – keep an eye on moisture in the soil roots moist are moist and don’t let the ground freeze dry
Use Fall Leaves - they act as a great mulch and provide a habitat for garden wildlife

 corona fork mulch

DON'T:
Plants susceptible to winter damage – butterfly bush, bluebeard, evergreens
Push hardiness zone experiments - planting too close to freeze date or plants not suited for the zone 
Fertilize - many gardeners way too much in general but fertilizing this time of year, could encourage the plant to push out growth and leaves if there is an unseasonal temperature spike, which will freeze and cause damage to the plant. Save it for spring when plants are putting on growth.
Prune - except for any damaged limbs or branches

Hear the Interview on the Green Industry Leaders Network Podcast

As a regular podcast guest, Stacey Hirvella is an experienced and knowledgeable horticulturist with tons of great insights. Look for an upcoming #plantchat episode on What to Know About Fall Planting on 9/6/19. You can listen to the our complete interview and helpful information, 24/7 on the Green Industry Leaders Network podcast. You'll be prepared for the upcoming fall planting season and planting like a pro with these great tips.

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Topics: gardening, Landscaping, planting, trees, fall, shrubs

Create a Year-Round Landscape: Enjoy Your Yard All Year Long

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Fri, Oct, 03, 2014 @ 14:10 PM

Author: Professional Landcare Network

People who live in cooler climates can take a page from our warm-weather friends who use their yards year-round. Just because it gets colder for part of the year, doesn’t mean we should put away the lawn furniture after Labor Day and lock the back door until spring.

fall winter landscapes on Corona Tools

Enjoy Your Yard Year-Round

There are a variety of ways you can extend the use of your yard into late fall and even winter. Many patios, decks, and outdoor living spaces have fire features, such as fire pits, chimineas, and stone or brick fireplaces that come in all price ranges and are great focal points for outdoor entertaining in the fall and even into the winter. Add a grill or outdoor kitchen and you have a great space for fall-themed entertaining, dinner alfresco, or s’mores and hot cocoa party. Adding pergolas, gazebos, or covered patios creates a feeling of shelter and warmth in the winter, in addition to providing shade in the summer.

Plant for Seasonal Color and Texture

Planning for a year-round landscape extends to the plants themselves. Most of us are probably guilty of choosing plants, trees, and shrubs for our yards with spring and summer in mind. If you begin to use your landscape in fall and winter, you will start to think about how you can incorporate plants and trees that add pops of color and texture in the fall and winter. It is easy to create gorgeous fall color in your yard with maple trees, birch and oak trees and Japanese maples, but it is sometimes harder to envision your landscape in winter.

Think Bark and Berries

One way to think about fall and winter landscapes is in terms of “bark and berries.” Add color to winter landscapes by using plants with berries like holly trees, viburnums, and beauty berries. Birds are attracted to berries, so these plants may attract winter wildlife. Trees with lighter colored or papery bark such as river birch trees, crape myrtles, dogwood trees, and Japanese maple trees add texture and interest. There are also a variety of evergreen trees that come in different shades that can add visual interest.

Using, designing for, and appreciating your yard year-round can extend your entertaining options, help you connect with nature, get you outdoors for fresh air and help you create memories with friends and family.

Get more great ideas, tips and information on PLANET's new website, LoveYourLandscape.com

Topics: landscape, PLANET, winter, fall

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