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Hope in Bloom: The Healing Powers of Gardening

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, Mar, 20, 2013 @ 15:03 PM

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!

Topics: #Landscapechat, trends, CoronaCares

4-1-1 on Social Networks for Tree and Landscape Pros on #Treechat

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Fri, Mar, 08, 2013 @ 13:03 PM

Corona Tools Social NetworksAs 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!

Topics: #treechat, tree care, Corona Tools, trends, Landscaping

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

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