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Upgrading to Sustainable Landscapes

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Mon, Sep, 30, 2019 @ 14:09 PM

Ask homeowners what they think a sustainable landscape is and you'll like get many differing opinions. Most likely, it will include a sparsely-planted landscape that is primarily rocks or gravel. In reality, a sustainable landscape is quite beautiful with flowering plants, trees, grasses and shrubs. Not only do they use less water, they can require less maintenance, invite beneficial pollinators like butterflies and birds, while still being visually aesthetic for the entire neighborhood. Regardless what zone you live in, a sustainable landscape is an upgrade without compromise. Want to know more? We caught up with Cynthia Bee of Jordan Valley Water Conservancy who shares her insights on how to take the leap towards sustainability in this interview and GILN podcast episode.

Dispelling the Myth - It isn't ZERO-scape

During a recent visit to Salt Lake City, UT for a garden conference, one of the most interesting educational sessions was "Selling Sustainable Landscapes". Fellow GardenComm member and Outreach Coordinator, Cynthia Bee of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy, helps to educate home owners on what sustainable landscapes really look like. The term Xeriscape has been gaining in popularity in western states who deal with drought on an regular basis. However some homeowners, think it's called ZERO-scape and means they will have no landscape. It's unfortunate that a sound principle design has resulted in many perceiving a landscape such as this.

localscapes-101-11-1024courtesy of Localscapes

In reality, a sustainable landscape can be lush, green, beautiful and functional. It's a fundamental shift for a homeowner to view landscape differently. Instead of making grass the predominant feature, it can be a smaller functional focal point. We've been ingrained to use lawn to achieve a beautiful landscape however Cynthia points out there are alternatives which JVWC promotes in their Localscapes program. Instead of looking sparse with no curb appeal, it can be dramatic and quite often considered an upgrade over a traditional landscape.

seedum-resizedcourtesy of Localscapes

Benefits of Upgrading to Sustainable Landscape

There are some obvious benefits to a sustainable landscape. First and foremost is saving water which is better for the environment and will save on your monthly water bill. Now if you live in an area where there is ample rain fall, a sustainable landscape can require less to maintain when done correctly. Cynthia shared an example of a homeowner who upgraded to a sustainable landscape that reduced the time to cut and maintain it, from 45 minutes to just 7 minutes! It also can provide a great habitat for wildlife including butterflies and birds. Other benefits include weed control. When you control the water, you can control the spread of weeds!

IMG_2825-1

 

Getting from Traditional to Sustainable Landscapes

Cynthia outlined that many homeowners don't even realize they have a problem so it's difficult to sell them a solution they don't think they need. When you talk about conserving water, many homeowners think they are already conserving water inside their home, without thinking of the water being wasted in the landscape. Water use in a landscape can be up to 70% of their overall usage. Being able to show them they can still have the things that are important to them and changing what is less important, can have a huge impact. It's getting them to see landscape differently, and when they do, they will seek out new creative and sustainable elements.

 Sustainable-Landscapes

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.

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

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!

water_after_planting

 

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

Planning for Spring Color in the Landscape

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Mon, Nov, 10, 2014 @ 16:11 PM

Spring color on Corona Tools LandscapechatAs wintery weather takes hold in the northern states this mid-November, many are already missing color in their landscape. Blanketed in snow, most are not thinking about what to plant or developing design plans for the next growing season.  Except for perhaps, your landscape contractor.  They know planning for Spring color doesn't happen overnight and are looking to plant growers as a valued resources to aid them in the process.  Planning for Spring color in the landscape is our focus on the next #landscapechat.    

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and special guest, Jeff Gibson of Ball Horticultural tweets with us as @PanAmSeed on #Landscapechat, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 11AM/ 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 Overview

Key topic discussion points will include:  

A Growers Overview - Discover what goes into producing landscape quality plants.

Talk to Your Growers - Learn why landscape contractors should engage with growers during the planning process. 

When the Planning Begins - Hear why planning early helps to ensure the availablity of plants and discover plants being introduced. 

Considering the Planting Environment - Understand the landscape issues during the design stage and select the right plants for the space.

Landscape Planning Resources - Find resources that can help with the planning process and help sell your plans to customers.

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!

photo courtesy of Davey Tree in PLANETs Ultimate Backyard Flickr gallery

Topics: #Landscapechat, color, planting, Spring

Your Favorite Garden Tips and Tricks

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Mon, Aug, 04, 2014 @ 06:08 AM

Proven Winners Mosaic Magic Pinterest Boaard

 

Don't try to re-invent the wheel in your garden and landscape; instead, learn from Proven Winners, Corona Tools and your fellow gardeners on this week's #Plantchat! Share favorite gardening tips, learn new shortcuts, contribute easy ways of doing things, tweet no-fail growing and planting secrets, and generally get "in the know" this Monday. Get even more ideas from the Proven Winners Pinterest Boards, for example, "DIY Garden Projects" like the Mosaic Magic at right. Give and Take, Share and Learn on this special edition of #Plantchat

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #plantchat co-partner, Stacey Hirvela, of Proven Winners @Proven_Winners for this week's topic, Garden Tips. The live chat begins Monday, August 4, 2014 at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET, were we come together with green industry experts and fellow horticultural tweeps each week to discuss all things related to plants and horticulture, since 2014.

Discussion Overview 

Growing Plants Planting and Maintenance shortcuts and tips make it easy to succeed! 

Garden Organization Just like any project, organize garden areas and tools with containers, organizers and know-how. 

Plant Identification How to recognize Plant Families, starting with flowers and fruit for easiest Plant I.D. 

Money Saving Tips Gain insights from experienced frugal gardeners and get more bang for your gardening buck with a bit of familarity. And check out the Proven Winners Pinterest boards

Clean Up Whether the end of the day or the end of the season, clean up is a vital step to an organized garden.  

Join the Conversation

Plantchat logo on Corona ToolsDon’t miss out on this exciting topic and join the conversation via Twitter. Just sign into #plantchat with your Twitter ID and you can follow the conversation and share with the community. Be sure to add the hastag to all your tweets or join us in the plantchat 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 Plantchat

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 plantchat 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!

Topics: #Plantchat, gardening, pruning, planting

Replanting our National Forests

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Mon, Jun, 02, 2014 @ 19:06 PM

With the massive wild fires, and uncontrollable pests, weather related anomalies, our national forest have never been at greater risk of catastrophic decline. Our forests are in need of help as many areas have been so severely burned and millions of acres have been destroyed.  Besides their beauty, these forests provide wood for our homes, clean air and clean water for millions of American cities.   WATCH:> Arbor Day Foundation public sevice announcement video on Replanting Our National Forests.

These forests are our future and replanting them is critical and it's our topic on this week's #treechat!

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #treechat co-partner, Coe Roberts, social media specialist at Arbor Day Foundation@ArborDay for this week's topic, replanting our national forests. The live chat begins Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST.  This the Twitter chat were we come together with industry experts and fellow tree tweeps each week to discuss all things related to trees and tree care, since 2010!

Discussion Overview

The State of Our National Forests - Discover the latest on the condition of our national forests in the wake of wild fires, pests and weather. 

Wild Fires Take Their Toll - Learn how wild fires get started and wipe out millions of our national forests each year.

Why Replanting Is Critical - Understand why reforestation is so important and affects us all

Replanting These Nationals Treasures Hear about the efforts it takes to to reforest our magnificent forests.

Replanting Programs Abroad - Explore Arbor Day Foundation's activities abroad and making reforestation a global effort. 

Join the Conversation

Corona Tools Treechat

Join us for this information-rich topic live on Twitter! Just sign in, search for #treechat 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.

This topic is as hot as the fires destroying our trees and so important for people to learn about what's being done to replant our national forests.  It will be an hour packed with information and insight on why we should all be concerned about restoring them. Come and join us!

About Treechat

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 treechat 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!


Topics: #treechat, tree care, planting, reforestation

5 Easy Garden Projects for Memorial Day Weekend

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Thu, May, 23, 2013 @ 10:05 AM

Memorial Day weekend is time to raise the stars and stripes and to honor the American service men and women who gave their lives while defending our freedom. It’s also the first long holiday weekend in Spring and a time when many Americans take advantage of the extra day off to get projects done. We’ve put together a list of 5 garden and landscape projects that are easy to start and finish over the weekend.

Set Up a Compost Pile

Corona Tools composterOne of the best things you can do for your garden is to save your brown and green wastes and make nutrient-rich and organic soil right in your backyard. Whether you use a readymade composter or put together a basic cage, your plants and vegetables will love it. It so simple to do and it’s always a good time to get started. Check out the Organic Gardening website for some great composting tips.

Check Sprinklers for Leaks

corona tools leakWhile you’re out in the yard this weekend, do a quick check for any leaking sprinkler heads. A leaky sprinkler is easy to spot, whether a gusher or that slow and steady leak that keeps the sidewalk wet, it’s an easy weekend fix. Sprinkler heads can wear out over time so it good to check them periodically and replace them when you detect a leak. It will save you some green on your monthly water bill and help to conserve water.

Mulching Planters

corona tool wheelbarrowAs summer months get hotter and drier plants need to maintain proper hydration. Many people think that means add longer watering cycles, however, spreading a layer of mulch is a much better option. Mulch will help keep moisture in the soil and prevents weed growth which means more moisture for your plants and less watering. Just think of what you can do with the time saved weeding and money saved watering!

Organizing Your Garden Tools

corona tools organizeHow many times have you headed out to the garden and realized you’ve misplaced the tool you need? You spend 30 minutes looking for it, give up and have to run to your local garden center to find a replacement. The long weekend is a great time to organize your tool shed to maximize your space, make it easy to find and store your tools, and easy to spot when something is missing which helps remind you to replace your tools when finished. There are many racks available in local hardware stores, a simple peg board and hooks or come up a creative way to organize them. And next time you head outside you will be so glad you did!


Green Up the Yard

corona tools epaDuring the long weekend it’s a great time to assess how efficient your garden and landscape is. If you are putting new plants in this season, look for native species that require less water. Ensure that your lawn mower is adjusted to its highest setting which helps to reduce the amount of water needed to keep it green. Or add a smart controller to your irrigation system to automatically turn off the system during rainy days. You’ll spend less in water while conserving this precious resource. And for more great ideas to green up your yard, spend some time this weekend on the EPA WaterSense website to learn how to make your landscape greener.

There you have it…Corona Tools' 5 easy projects to get your yard and tool shed into shape this weekend! All things that you can complete in a weekend, cost you a little time or a few pennies, and guaranteed to reward you all season long. These are just a few ideas, what kinds of garden projects are on your list?

Topics: landscape, gardening, sustainability, planting, tools, watering

Mom's Top 5 Corona Garden Tools

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, May, 08, 2013 @ 10:05 AM

Spring may have begun in March but as part of the country has started to see temperatures pushing triple digits, in other areas there’s still snow on the ground. Regardless of strange weather patterns, Mother’s Day is one Spring event that comes to moms across the country. A day to honor all the moms out there (not that we shouldn't everyday!) for the hard work they do throughout the year.

To honor all the garden moms on Mother’s Day (and everyday…!) we wanted to put together a list of her top 5 favorite tools as shared with us by our many Facebook friends and Twitter followers of Corona Tools. With over 600 tools in our catalog, we’re bound to have missed a few fan favorites… based on what we hear from gardeners like you, we know this list will help ensure Mom has a great day in her garden on Mother’s day, and every day, season after season.

Geri with Corona Lopper

Dual Cut™ Pruning Series – Mom’s love the Dual Cut’s patented blade and hook design and the 20% extra cutting power that makes the cuts with less effort when trimming shrubs, trees, roses and thicker, woodier stems. They are forged steel and built to last.

Razor Tooth Saw – Mom’s tell us this saw helps to empower them to tackle the larger pruning jobs in the garden. Thicker limbs and roses that are 1-3” can take quite a bit of upper body strength to make a cut with a lopper. And rather than calling for help, the Razor Tooth makes quick work out of the task with its special saw tooth-pattern design to make faster cuts with less effort.
bggarden picComfortGEL® Pruning Series – Mom’s can’t seem to get enough of these pruning tools that are not only comfortable in their hands, these tools limit the amount of shock to the hands or upper body. That means she can do the activities she enjoys with all the gain and without the pain to hands, wrists, arms and shoulders.
2-Handed Pruner – Somewhere right in between smaller green steams and tougher, woodier limbs hand pruners can be too big and loppers are back in the tool shed. One tool offers them the best of both worlds, the 2 – Handed Pruner. A pruning blade that makes cuts up to ¾’ in diameter combined with lopper-like handles for added leverage on larger cuts.
eGrip Garden Hand Tools – Mom’s like the ergonomic shape of these garden tools that help with planting, weeding, digging and cultivating soil. With handy features like built in bag rippers and depth markers, these are some of the handiest hand tools in the garden.

WellnessThere you have it, a short list among the many of garden tool favorites for many of our favorite garden moms. And while we couldn't mention all of them, we couldn’t leave it off the Extendable Handle garden tools as we hear from many who love them. They are perfect for using in raised beds and other smaller planter areas due to their solid designed handles that extend from 18” to 32” and perfect moms of all ages.

Did your favorite tool make the list? Share with us in the comments below or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!

Geri Laufer and Dual Cut Lopper from "How I Roll"
ComforGEL snips courtesy of Brenda Haas
Residents of Wellness by Nature's Design a Corona Cares partner
 
 

Topics: Corona Tools, gardening, pruning, ergonomics, planting

Treecare - Are You Helping or Hurting Your Tree on #Treechat

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Fri, Mar, 01, 2013 @ 10:03 AM

59250551317894162 hEaxjebi bSometimes we have the best intentions for our trees and shrubs, but often we are misinformed about exactly how to help them.  Coming up on the 3/5 #treechat, the Twitteriffic team at TCIA will review some tips on how to help your tree, not hurt it.

The live chat begins at 3/5/13 at 11AM PST with this week's guest hosts, Amy Tetreault @Voiceoftreecare and Tchukki Andersen @TCIA_Arborist of TCIA. Join @Coronatools and other industry experts each week at 11AM PST via Twitter for #treechat. Discussing all things related to trees and tree care since 2010!

Topic highlights covered during this week's chat includes;

  • Planting – proper planting methods to help your tree flourish

  • Watering – tips on proper watering techniques

  • Fertilizing - fertilizing can be harming your tree if not done properly 

  • Pruning – tips that tree owners should know

  • Maintaining – learn how maintaining a tree properly will benefit your tree and you

If you care about your trees, Amy and Tchukki have lots of great information and resources to share on this chat so you won't want to miss it. And if you have questions related to the topic that you would like them to cover during the chat, please leave it in the comments below or tweet it to @Voiceoftreecare before the live chat.

If you do miss the chat, don't worry, you can still access the #treechat Storify 24/7 that will be posted following the chat. The transcript includes all the information and links we shared during the discussion.

Come share with us on this great topic and see you on the live chat!

Topics: #treechat, pruning, planting, watering

4-1-1 on Conifers for Your Landscape on #treechat

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Sat, Jan, 26, 2013 @ 13:01 PM

corona tools coniferConifers are some of the most interesting trees and shrubs in gardens and landscapes. With such a wide assortment of colors, textures, sizes and shapes it can be challenging to find the one that works best for your landscape. Coming up on this week's #treechat, we're discussing conifers with Ronald Elardo, co-author of "People and Plants: The Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers"

The live chat begins at 1/29/13 at 11AM PST with this week's guest host, author Ron Elardo @Whadyacallit. Join @Coronatools and other industry experts each week at 11AM PST via Twitter for #treechat. Discussing all things related to trees and tree care since 2010!

Topic highlights covered during this week's chat includes;

Overview - Conifers in the botanical scheme of things
Selection - How to choose them for the landscape
Sizes and Classes - understanding a bit about conifer sizes & classes
Planting - When and where to plant
Shaping - Creating bonsai in the ground

Ron has lots of great tips and information in store so you won't want to miss it. You can also submit questions to him before the chat so he can cover it during the live session. Just post your question in the comments here or tweet it to @Whadyacallit by 1/28/13, 12N PST.

What if you miss the live session? You can access the #treechat Storify 24/7 that will be posted following the chat with all the information and links we discussed.

Come share with us on this great topic and discussion! See you on the chat!

Topics: #treechat, Corona Tools, landscape, gardening, planting

Growing Fruit Trees in Containers on #treechat

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Thu, Jan, 17, 2013 @ 13:01 PM

container tree on What's better than a juicy, fresh picked orange? How about one picked from a tree in your own backyard? These days more people are enjoying better tasting fruit grown in their gardens and landscapes but what about those who are space challenged? On this week's #treechat, we're discussing how to grow fruit trees in containers.

The live chat begins at 1/22/13 at 11AM via Twitter with this week's guest host, @StarkBrosCares Sarah DePass of Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards. Join @Coronatools and other industry experts each week at 11AM PST via Twitter for #treechat. Discussing all things related to trees and tree care since 2010!

Topic highlights covered during this week's chat includes;

Getting Started - Choosing the right container, the right "place", and the right potting mixture

Care - Watering, Fertilizing including ideal types & frequencies for containers, Repotting to keep soil/roots healthy

Winterizing - Winter over your container trees, pruning trees for Spring

Sarah has lots of great tips and information in store so you won't want to miss it. You can also submit questions to Sarah before the chat so she can cover it during the live session. Just post your question in the comments here or tweet it to @StarkBrosCares by 1/21/13, 12N PST.

What if you miss the live session? You can access the #treechat Storify 24/7 that will be posted following the chat with all the information and links we discussed.

Here's to a prosperous fruit year!

Photo courtesty of Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards

Topics: #treechat, tree care, landscape, gardening, planting

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