season-after-season-header

Showing the Love for Lawn in Your Landscape

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, Feb, 17, 2015 @ 11:02 AM

PLANET-Feb182015What is National Lawn Care Month? This year Professional Landcare Network, (PLANET) is partnering with Turfgrass Producers International (TPI)  and The Lawn Institute to promote National Lawn Care Month. April is targeted for the maximum consumer interest, and a webpage features consumer education, facts, resources, an infographic, photos, and a logo to support professional organizations in their lawn care outreach. Learn about National Lawn Care Month and how PLANET and partners can help you with your client education program on Wednesday on Twitter for #Landscapechat.

You're Invited to Chat

Join Corona Tools and PLANET's Marketing and Communications Manager Maureen Acquino who will be tweeting as @PLANET2005 on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 2pm ET.  This is the Twitter chat where we come together with green industry experts and fellow landscape tweeps, each week to discuss all things related to landscape, since 2011.

Discussion Key Points: 

 April is National Lawn Care Month and PLANET has created a toolkit with infographics, photos, facts, blogs and press release material to help professionals in the industry promote NLCM to their clients. #lawncaremonth. We teamed with TPI/Lawn Care Institute to promote facts and research about the health benefits of grass. We’ll be sharing lots of facts and stats about the science of grass.

Facts and Figures   According to the Lawn Institute, it is estimated that a 50 by 50 foot lawn (2,500 square feet), releases enough oxygen for a family of four, while absorbing carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and perosyacetyle nitrate. According to NASA, one person consumes 0.84 kg of oxygen each day. This means that one square foot of grass will produce approximately half a kilogram of oxygen a day. 


R and R - Research has found that people find stress relief and healing when interacting with nature or even when just viewing nature on a computer screen or through a window. (Nature Sacred.org)

Website Support PLANET’s consumer site, LoveYourLandscape.com, has a web page dedicated to National Lawn Care Month which will share facts, statistics, and lawn care tips with homeowners.

Benefits Turfgrass, like that found in our lawns, is much cooler than asphalt or cement.  It acts as an “air conditioner” for the surrounding area (lawns can be 22 degrees cooler than urban asphalt "heat islands").

Join the Conversation

Corona Tools LandscapechatDon’t miss out on this exciting topic and join the conversation via Twitter. Just sign into #landscapechat with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. Be sure to add the hashtag to all your tweets or join us in the landscapechat room on Tweetchat.  They will automatically add it for you and it's easy to watch the conversation as it happens!

If you do miss the live event, you can still access the Storify recap, accessible 24/7 that will be posted following the live chat. The transcript includes all the information and links shared during the discussion. 

About Landscapechat

Connect and share with the green industry leaders live on Twitter and 24/7 to learn and share about hot topics in the green industry. Now landscapechat is part of the Green Industry Leaders Network (GILN) presented by Corona and its partners.  We are an alliance of professional organizations who are advancing the horticulture, tree care, and landscaping industries. 

(Photo credit PLANET)

Topics: Corona Tools, #Landscapechat, PLANET, National Lawn Care Month

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

PLANET's Renewal and Remembrance Landscape Event

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, Jul, 15, 2014 @ 16:07 PM

The grounds of Arlington National Cemetery honor those who have served our nation by providing a sense of beauty and peace for guests. Rolling green hills are dotted with trees that are hundreds of years in age and complement the gardens found throughout the 624 acres of the cemetery. This impressive landscape serves as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of every individual laid to rest within the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. And it needs help to keep it looking its best. 

On July 28, 2014 PLANET is proud to honor America's veterans and leaders during a day of service, and welcomes volunteers to participate this nationally recognized event, Renewal and Remembrance. Each year, this event draws hundreds of landscape and lawn care professionals from across the country to Arlington National Cemetery to spend the day mulching, cabling and installing lightening protection for trees, pruning, planting, and liming and aerating more than 200 acres.

Arlington House ArlingtonNationalCemetery resized 600

Discussion Key Points: 

Renewal & Remembrance – Learn about the nation’s largest lawn care and landscape industry service event, taking place July 28th at Arlington National Cemetery. Volunteers lime, care for historic trees, and do landscape projects to beautify this national landmark.   

Arlington National Cemetery  - Discover this amazing public green space and learn how PLANET members work with the horticulturists at ANC to create and design the projects that we work on each year. 

Children's Planting Project - Discuss the children's planting project that is a part of Renewal & Remembrance, emphasizing the importance of teaching the next generation about caring for our green spaces and about volunteering.

Lobbying - Hear about lobbying plans on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. regarding landscape and lawn care industry issues. Hundreds of professionals meet with their legislators to talk about important issues.

Virtual Day on the Hill - Explore the use of social media to raise the visibility of industry issues with legislators. Join us for Virtual Day on the Hill on July 29th. Visit the #landscapeadvocacy webpage for more information about lending your voice to the cause.

Join the Conversation

Chat on Wednesday, July 16 on this week's #landscapechat with industry leaders. PLANET Director of Public Relations Lisa Schaumann and Promotional Communications Manager at STIHL Roger Phelps will co-host with Chris Sabbarese of Corona Tools, along with Landscape Management Magazine and other industry organizations.

Corona Tools LandscapechatDon’t miss out on this exciting topic and join the conversation via Twitter. Just sign into #landscapechat with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. Be sure to add the hashtag to all your tweets or join us in thelandscapechat room on Tweetchat.  They will automatically add it for you and it's easy to watch the conversation as it happens!

If you do miss the live event, you can still access the Storify recap, accessible 24/7 that will be posted following the live chat. The transcript includes all the information and links shared during the discussion. 

About Landscapechat

 Connect and share with the green industry leaders live on Twitter and 24/7 to learn and share about hot topics in the green industry. Now landscapechat is part of the Green Industry Leaders Network (GILN) presented by Corona and its partners.  We are an alliance of professional organizations who are advancing the horticulture, tree care, and landscaping industries.  Register now to get weekly updates of upcoming chats, links to transcripts, chat reminders and more!  Register now on the GILN website!

(Photo credit Arlington House, Wikipedia Commons)


Topics: Corona Tools, #Landscapechat, PLANET, Arlington National Cemetery, Renewal and Remembrance

Keeping Safe in the Landscape

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, Jun, 17, 2014 @ 16:06 PM

When it comes to work, there's nothing worse than an accident on the job site.  Not only the pain and discomfort the comes form an accident, but being off work trying to recuperate can cost you, and your company dearly.  Each June, National Safety Council celebrates National Safety Month to help everyone to think about safety first.  And it's our topic on this week's #landscapechat!

Corona Tools Landscapechat TLC Magazine Safety Meeting

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools along with chat partner and host, Lisa Schaumann, director of public relations at PLANET @PLANET2005. Joining the discussion will be Patty Vaugh, editor of @TLCMagagazine to help weigh in on this very imprortant topic!  the The live chat begins Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST.  This is the Twitter chat where we come together with green industry experts and fellow landscape tweeps, each week to discuss all things related to landscape, since 2011.

Discussion Overview

Safety in the Landscape - Discover what are some of the biggest safety concerns for landscape workers. 

Working in the Sun - Learn some of the latest statistics and safety information for those who work in the sun, including heat exhaustion and melanoma.

On-the-job Safety Training - Understand why companies take safety so serious and help to train employees to protect themselves. 

Equipment Safety - Explore what makes equipment safety so important and how contractors can help to avoid life or limb accidents. 

Lyme Disease Hear why this topic is becoming a big safety concern for landscape contractor .

Join the Conversation

Corona Tools Landscapechat

Don’t miss out on this exciting topic and join the conversation via Twitter. Just sign into #landscapechat with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. Be sure to add the hashtag to all your tweets or join us in the landscapechat room on Tweetchat.  They will automatically add it for you and it's easy to watch the conversation as it happens!

If you do miss the live event, you can still access the Storify recap, accessible 24/7 that will be posted following the live chat. The transcript includes all the information and links shared during the discussion. 

About Landscapechat

Connect and share with the green industry leaders live on Twitter and 24/7 to learn and share about hot topics in the green industry. Now landscapechat is part of the Green Industry Leaders Network (GILN) presented by Corona and its partners.  We are an alliance of professional organizations who are advancing the horticulture, tree care, and landscaping industries.  Register now to get weekly updates of upcoming chats, links to transcripts, chat reminders and more!  Register now on the GILN website!

Safety meeting photo courtesy of TLC Magazine

Topics: #Landscapechat, PLANET, safety

April is National Lawn Care Month with PLANET and Corona Tools

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, Apr, 22, 2014 @ 18:04 PM


National Lawn Care MonthCome Celebrate National Lawn Care Month

Did you know that the lawn care industry recognizes April as National Lawn Care Month? A time for vigorous growth of fescue and bluegrass, and the Spring-time awakening for dormant warm-season turf such as Zoysia, Bermuda and St. Augustine.  Why wouldn't there be a month to celebrate that?  And it's this week's topic on on #landscapechat.

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #landscapechat partner @PLANET2005 Lisa Schaumann, director of public relations for PLANET for this week's topic: National Lawn Care Month (#NLCM).  The live chat about NLCM begins Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11 a.m. PDT / 2 p.m. EDT, where we come together with green industry experts and fellow landscaping peeps each week to discuss all things related to landscape, since 2011.  

Discussion Overview

What is National Lawn Care Month? - Discover what it's all about and why there is a whole month dedicated to lawn care and to loving your lawn.

How PLANET celebrates National Lawn Care Month - Learn how PLANET helps landscape contractors with information and resources for their customers, lawn care certification and discounts throughout the month.

What homeowners should know about lawn care - PLANET shares fun facts, myths and resources to help you have the greenest sustainable lawn on the block.

Great lawn factoids that most people don't know - PLANET uncovers some incredible facts about your lawn, what it does for you, your family and the environment that every homeowner and professional should know.

Events going on during Lawn Care Month - Hear about some amazing events going on throughout the month and ways that you can pitch in give back to your community.

Join the Conversation

Corona Tools LandscapechatDon't miss out on this exciting topic as we welcome PLANET to #Landscapechat! Just sign in to Twitter and search for #landscapechat and tweet using the hashtag. You're tweets will appear in the live tweet stream and you will be part of the conversation.

If you do miss the live chat, you can still access the complete Storify transcript, available 24/7 following the live chat.  It includes include all the information and links shared during the discussion.

If you've ever considered tearing out your lawn or want to know why some people are just plain fanatics about their lawns the this #Landscapechat will be an hour of information and tips that you won't want to miss!  Come and join us!

Topics: Corona Tools, #Landscapechat, landscape, PLANET, Lawn Care

2014 Student Career Days with PLANET and Corona Tools

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, Mar, 19, 2014 @ 09:03 AM

Corona Tools Landscapechat

The rising generation of landscape professionals and gardeners are getting their fair share of attention from such varied sources as the Facebook Group ‘Emergent: A Group  for  Growing Professionals’ and Dee Nash’s new book,  20/30-Something Garden Guide. But the “Olympics of Landscaping” for the past 38 years has been Student Career Days organized by PLANET, the national trade association representing landscape professionals.

Student Career Days (SCD) comprise the “National Collegiate Landscape Competition", a career recruitment event for college students studying horticulture and landscaping. This year, the University of Colorado will host SCD on March 23-24, 2014

To celebrate the three year milestone for #Landscapechat, the live tweetup has been scheduled for Friday, March 21 chat at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET at SCD. Students and the industry can learm more about SCD during the chat, a valued resource that brings students and companies together to build a strong industry for the future. Students who add Landscape Industry Certified to their resumes demonstrate added value that employeers want. 

You're Invited to Tweet 

The live chat begins on a special day and time: Friday, March 21, 2014 at 10 a.m. PDT / 1 p.m. EDT, where we come together with green industry experts and fellow landscaping peeps each week to discuss all things related to landscape, since 2011.  

Join @CoronaTools and #landscapechat co-partner, Lisa Schaumann, PLANET Director of Public Relations @PLANET2005 for this week's topic: Student Career Days.

Discussion Overview 

studentcareerdaysPLANET CareerFair 200x200

There are five key takeaways that will be covered during the live chat: 

  • What is SCD?  Student Career Days (SCD) is the “National Collegiate Landscape Competition", a career recruitment event for college students studying horticulture and landscaping. This year, the University of Colorado will host SCD on March 23-24, 2014.  The Twitter hashtag for the event is #PLANETSCD for up to the minute information. A Photo Album shows many aspects of the event from past years. 
  • What are some of the events that take place?  There are three key elements for students to participate in at Student Career Days:
Educational Sessions and Workshops:

The leaders in the green industry will be presenting workshops and PLANET CDS sessions for students and faculty on topics you might not otherwise have the chance to learn about. By participating in the workshops, PLANET Career Development Series sessions, and the tour, you will be exposed to the latest information available on topics such as irrigation, arboriculture, estimating, and leadership skills 

Attend the Largest Career Fair in the Industry:

We have nearly 75 companies from all over the country participating in our Career Fair! They are all looking for qualified employees for full-time positions and internships. Students and faculty should take this opportunity to meet as many companies as possible, and make those all important connections. Students should come prepared with resumes and be ready to interview on the spot.

Compete Against Your Peers in 28 Events:

    Student Career Days features a series of competitive events designed to challenge students based on current industry standards. Each competition is coordinated by green industry companies — they design the competition, they set it up, and they judge it — so the competitions are as true-to-life as it gets. See how you compare amongst students from across the country!

    • How do students get jobs through SCD? 

    Interaction between competitive landscaping events and Sponsors, plus a Career Fair with more than 75 companies actively recruiting  

    • Why is it important for the industry to support students? 

    Lawn, landscape, tree care, and irrigation companies struggle with a shortage of well-educated potential employees. Because of that shortage, nearly 100 percent of students graduating from college horticulture and landscape programs have jobs offers. Student Career Days brings students and companies together to build a strong industry for the future. Student Career Days is sponsored at the Platinum level by STIHL, Inc.

    • Do students get scholarships at Student Career Days? 

    The annual event also includes the awarding of tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships presented each year by the PLANET Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF).

    Join the Conversation

    Don’t miss out on this exciting topic as we welcome PLANET to the #Landscapechat community! Just sign into #landscapechat Nurph with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. It will automatically add the hashtag to all your tweets too.

    If you do miss the chat, you can still access the complete replay on Nurph or on our Storify transcript; both are available 24/7 following the Live Chat, which will include all the information and links shared during the discussion.

    Come join us for this organic topic to learn more and chat live on #Landscapechat!

     

    Topics: Corona Tools, #Landscapechat, PLANET, SCD, Student Career Days

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