How many times have you seen pests feeding on your trees, veggies or shrubs and think what’s the quickest way to deal with them? Do you run to your local garden center for a magical pesticide that promises to help rid you of your new-found pest?
Well believe it or not, long before the invention of those solutions, nature had its own way of dealing with pest control in the form of the good old fashioned food chain. Or a more technical term, biologic control (BC), where it’s survival of the fittest!
Practical Uses for Biological Control
Join @CoronaTools and our guest host, @BartlettTreeExperts, Don Booth Ph.D. and entomologist, for another great topic on #treechat. Don will be stepping out of the research lab to share some practical uses and tips for managing pests in landscapes and gardens. The live chat begins 6/11/13 at 11AM PST via Twitter, where we come together with industry experts and fellow tree tweeps each week to discuss all things related to trees and tree care, since 2010!
Topic Discussion Overview
Some of the main discussion points that will be covered during the live chat include;
Practical Uses - Discover how biological control can be an effective method for managing tree damaging pests
Planning and Integration - Learning how to identify & protect naturally occurring biological control species and releasing commercially available beneficial predators & parasites
Nature's Method - Exploring plant diversity & reduced use of pesticides to increase populations of naturally occurring biological control
Integrated Pest Management - Discussing how regular pest management visits on a property is a proven method of improving biological control
Participating on Treechat
Have questions about practical uses for biological control? Ask Don before the live chat so he can provide you with the information and resources during the live chat. If you would like to submit a question before the chat, please leave it in the comments below or tweet it to @Coronatools prior the live chat. He will also be available to answer your questions during the live event are always encouraged.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about biological control in your gardens and landscapes and connect one-on-one with the experts. We hope you will join us however if you do miss the chat, you can still access the #treechat Storify 24/7 that will be posted following the chat. The transcript includes all the information, links and resources shared during the discussion.
Come share with us on this great topic and look forward to sharing with you on the live chat! Have an opinion already about the topic? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
Beetle feeding on gypsy moth photo courtesy of Bartlett Tree Experts
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When I visited New York City for the first time I remember thinking how much I missed green spaces and trees. Everywhere you looked, with the exception of Central Park, seemed to be void of anything green. Just concrete, asphalt and brick…It made me appreciate the open spaces and green that abounds (in comparison) in Southern California. How do people live without trees???
Well, I must have missed the forest for the trees since NYC was recently named as one of the 10 Best Cities for Urban Forests among 50 of the most populous cities by American Forests. Urban trees provide many benefits to the community which is what we will be discussing on the 6/4 #treechat.
Join @CoronaTools and our guest host, GIE Media's Nursery Management, @NurseryMag for a great Q&A discussion on urban trees. The live chat begins 6/4/13 at 11AM PST via Twitter, where we come together with industry experts and fellow tree tweeps each week to discuss all things related to trees and tree care, since 2010!
Some of the main discussion points that will be covered during the live chat include;
Tree Selection – selecting the right tree for the right spot that will flourish in harsh urban settings
Planting in Urban Settings – helping a tree thrive in a difficult urban setting poses real challenges and begins with proper planting
Urban Tree Care – understanding proper tree care techniques that will help the tree survive in the urban setting
We’ll also have time at the end of the discussion for questions with our expert at Nursery Manangement as well as your questions during the live event are always encouraged . If you would like to submit a question before the chat, please leave it in the comments below or tweet it to @Coronatools prior the live chat.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about urban trees in your community and connect with those out there improving our public spaces, one urban tree at a time. We hope you will join us however if you do miss the chat, you can still access the #treechat Storify 24/7 that will be posted following the chat. The transcript includes all the information and links shared during the discussion.
Come share with us on this great topic and look forward to sharing with you on the live chat!
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
One 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
While 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
As 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
How 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
During 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?
Too often you hear people say email is so out dated. People don’t email or call these days…they communicate via text or on Facebook. So why waste time on boring old email? Well…in short, it’s where the money is! If you think email marketing is dead, then you can’t miss #SocialTuesday live on #treechat!
The live chat begins 5/21/13 at 11AM PST via Twitter with Corona as this week's host and moderator. Join @Coronatools and other industry experts each week discussing all things related to trees and tree care since 2010!
Key Topic Takeaways
- Email is your golden ticket – a discussion on why email marketing is vital for businesses and organizations
- Developing Your Strategy – understanding your goals, scheduling your content and setting your expectations
- Getting Started – building and managing your email database to grow with your business and delivering targeted email campaigns your readers want
Achieving Email Nirvana – open rates are great but the call-to- action is what keeps your pocket lined with green- Email Formatting – email is never one size fits all, more readers are seeing your emails on mobile device and presentation matters
Email marketing is by far the single most important tool in your marketing tool shed so come join in the conversation on this great topic. Whether you are; a business owner, contractor, committee organizer, or community leader, email should have a place in your marketing strategy.
Don’t miss this special #SocialTuesday chat! If you can’t make the live chat you’ll find a recap of all the links and shares on Corona Tools Storify! NOTE: Storify did not register the final 25 mins of this chat...! Here is a link to the complete chat from Twitter
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.
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.
ComfortGEL® 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.
There 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
Ever thought about how great it would be to grow a Sequoia tree in your living room??? Okay, sounds impossible, right? But not when it’s a bonsai tree. Even a tree like a California Redwood can be grown in the smallest of spaces using the time-honored techniques of bonsai, developed centuries ago in China. Join us as we explore this ancient art form on this week’s treechat,
The live chat begins at 5/7/13 at 11AM PST with guest host, Ron Elardo, Ph.D. @Whadyacallit. Ron is an author, editor for American Conifer Society's Conifer Quarterly and has been practicing the art of bonsai for 6 years at Hidden Lake Gardens in Michigan. 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 in covered during this week’s chat includes;
- Plant Selection – what you need to know and look for when making a selection for bonsai
- Materials and Tools – a look at the materials used and tools used to maintain their shape
- Planting – understanding what goes into planting and tips for success
- Pruning and Shaping – understand the fundamentals shaping and pruning your bonsai
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – a healthy bonsai includes regular IPM schedule
- Watering and General Care – learn about general care and maintenance tips
- Overwintering Your Bonsai – what you need to know about to successfully overwinter your bonsai
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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 5/7/13, 12N PST.
During the chat we encourage participants to ask questions, learn about bonsai and also grow their own. To help inspire you, Corona is giving away a pair of curved snips to help make cuts in small spaces. All you need to do is win is tweet during the chat and ask questions. The most engaged participant during the live chat wins and will be announced on 5/8 at 8AM 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!
bonsai image courtesy of Ron Elardo
Corona curved snips image ©Corona Clipper
This week is the 1st treechat roundtable where we discuss tree related topic in the news. These discussions take place the 4th Tuesday of each month with the goal of informing, sharing and discussing events that shape our landscapes and gardens related to trees and how these events affects each of us.
The live chat begins 4/23/13 at 11AM via Twitter with Corona as this week's host and moderator. 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!
This month’s news articles include;
Vertical Forests – discussing the building project in Milan for buildings that become forest sky scrapers.
17 Year Cicadas – a look at what to expect, protecting your trees and recipes to put them to good use.
Joshua Trees in Bloom Across the Southwest – an impressive phenomena that leaves scientists baffled.
Tree Pests – Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moths and others could are making their way to a tree near you and what’s being done to help.
Bees and Almonds – Fewer bees in California means higher prices on almonds and other goods.
Other Articles – Family sues USFS for $1M for a fallen tree, man shoots at a tree and tree fires back, 12 year olds letter saves an entire forest.
There’s always interesting things happening in the news regarding trees from technical, to ethical, to the downright bizarre or humorous tree related stories. Come share with us on these roundtable discussions and tell us what you think.
If you come across an interesting story that you would like to share on the next discussion, email the link to treechatnews@gmail.com and we’ll add it to the discussion. If you can’t make the live chat you’ll find a recap of links and shares on Corona Tools Storify!
With more than 1 billion of the world's population on today's social networks it doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that businesses or organizations looking to expand its customer base and reach, should be actively be engaging with them via social networks. But before you make the leap, it’s important to have a plan and strategy to maximize your time and to yield the greatest benefits.
Beginning in April 2013, the 3rd Tuesday of the month, treechat kicks off #SocialTuesday geared towards identifying trends, tips and strategies for taking advantages of social networks and applying them to tree care and landscape businesses. On 4/16, our topic is your social strategy with the key areas of discussion including;
- Your Internal Challenges – executive demanding ROI, internal departments who don’t support or understand social networks, budgets and resources
- On-the-Fly Social Evaluation – how do you know your social strategy is effective, how do you step up your efforts, and where do you go for new ideas and inspiration
- Social Framework for Businesses – a set of core objectives guidelines that supports your digital strategies within the organization
- Where to Start – developing the plan before you start and updating your current tactics to become more effective
- What’s Your Objective – identify why you’re on social networks will help guide your strategy to implement them effectively
- Your Audience – understanding who they are and what they want from you
- Brand Voice – structuring your brand guidelines and voice across networks
- Social Campaigns – if at first you don’t succeed, try something else
- Measuring Your Success – Did you meet your objectives or is it time to adjust or just start over
So whether you’ve been a social fanatic for years or about to set up your 1st Facebook page, come share with us on Treechat’s, Social Tuesday series and discover new ways to grow your business and your social media plan. In case you missed the live chat or any of the resourses shared, check out the complete Storify transcript.
It's National Horticultural Therapy Week so we thought we would share a bit about the healing benefits of gardening, which we covered today on landscapechat. Horticultural therapy and gardening is good for the mind, body and soul with offer many positive effects on everyone.
According to Dr. Roger Ulrich, Professor of Architecture at Texas A&M University and behavioral scientist, who conducts research on the effects of healthcare facilities on medical outcomes, there is scientific evidence to support the therapeutic and healing benefits a garden can provide
Citing from his 2002 paper, Health Benefits of Gardens in Hospitals, Ulrich presented case study findings where he claimed there was considerable evidence to support the restorative effects gardens have on our minds and body, elevating positive feelings and reducing negative emotions such as fear, anger and sadness. The value they provide to patients recovering from a medical treatment or illness can be seen firsthand from organizations such as the one-of-a-kind, Hope In Bloom.
Hope In Bloom is an all-volunteer program dedicated to planting and maintaining gardens for breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. Roberta Dehman Hershon, founded the Massachusetts-based, non-profit organization, after losing her close friend, Beverly, to breast cancer in 2005. Beverly had a tremendous love for flowers and took great pride in her garden. Roberta knew how much Bev's garden meant to her and that she did not have the energy to take care of it while she was having chemo. Roberta stepped in to maintain the garden and fill the house with fresh cut flowers, which were a great comfort and lifted both their spirits.
Hope in Bloom first reached out to Corona in 2009 to ask the company to donate pruners for their volunteers to use. After researching the organization and learning how its recipients credit much of their garden's therapeutic benefits to their recovery, we were pleased to provide them with the tools. Recently, Roberta sent us some pictures of the volunteers using the tools and added; "Through Corona's generosity, Hope in Bloom was able to equip volunteers with pruners. The tools help them effectively deadhead and shape recipients' existing plants to make their gardens even more beautiful." The program also gained national recognition when the NBC Nightly News aired this touching Making A Difference segment in 2012.
As one of the Corona Cares program organizers, I find the program is a unique opportunity to learn about and help organizations such as Hope In Bloom, who tirelessly give of themselves by helping others. It's a great example of how when people work together, we truly can make a difference in the world, one person at a time.
Thanks to Roberta Dehman Hershon and the Hope In Bloom volunteers for their hard work, ongoing dedication and for bringing the healing benefits of gardens to those in need. Visit the Hope In Bloom website to see their gardens, meet some of their recipients, or be inspired to reach out and help someone going through a difficult time.
How does gardening help your well-being? Please share it with us!
As social networks become increasingly popular, it’s becoming more of a challenge to plan your marketing strategies for using them effectively. Especially when need to promote your tree care and landscape business. With new networks promising to be the next great thing to on-going changes in popular ones, how do you determine which you should participate in to make the best use of your time? Get some Vine, a comfy chair, a heaping helping of Pinterest or other favorite social network and well take a look at some of the ways to navigate through them, get your message out and help maximize your time! It’s all coming up on #treechat this week so don’t miss it.
With a TREEmendous amount of information to cover, we’re kicking off the chat 30 minutes early on 3/12/13 at 10:30 AM PST for this special 90 minute chat. Please join @Coronatools and other industry experts each week via Twitter for #treechat. Discussing all things related to trees and tree care since 2010!
Topic highlights covered during this week's chat includes;
- Social Networks for Business – which ones are right for you and how to use them
- What Works for You – which networks are working for you and which do you avoid
- Up and Coming Networks – a look at growing niche networks
- Budget Your Time – tips for making the best use of your time for maximum results
- Hands on Demos – real-time discussion of Vine for Twitter and how it may work for you
- And Much More!
Whether you’re a tech savvy guru, new to social networks and still deciding where you should be spend your time, or a seasoned tweep that ready to up your social game, you will not want to miss this chat. We’ll have plenty of experts and resources available during the special 90 minute chat so come join the conversation and knowledge.
And if you have questions related to this topic that you would like to discuss during the chat, please leave it in the comments below or tweet it to @Coronatools prior the live chat. Questions are always encouraged during the live event too.
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!
