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Tips for Making Your Landscape Water Efficient

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, May, 27, 2014 @ 20:05 PM

Corona Tools LandscapechatSummer is upon us which means for many of us, hot and dry is in our landscape's forecast. Over the next several months, folks will start adding more time to their watering systems and adding more in bills to their local water agency.  So this year, make your landscape more water efficient, using less water while still enjoying the all the beauty and tranquility that landscapes provide.  It's our Water Wednesday topic on #Landscapechat and the we have tips from the experts who can help.

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #landscapechat partner @EwingIrrigation Laura Ory, Social Media + Digital Strategist for Ewing Irrigation for this week's topic: Water Efficient Landscapes. The live chat begins Wednesday, May 28, 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

Plant Selection - Learn why choosing the right plants for your landscape can have a big impact on your water usage. 

Know the Zone - Understand why it's important to group plants together with the same water needs as those around them.

Cutting Back - Discover how pruning back your plants can help save you water in your landscape during the Summer heat. 

Summer Lawn Care - Hear some great tips about Summer lawn care that can help reduce your watering needs in the landscape.

Lawn Alternatives - Discuss some alternatives to lawn that could have some lasting benefits to your landscape (and your wallet) all year long. 

Join the Conversation

Corona Tools Landscapechat

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

Maximizing the effciency in your landscape isn't just for areas that are in hot an dry locations.  These water efficient practices are fundamentals that should be applied to any landscape and can help reduce our water needs and water supplies.  If you have an outdoor garden or landscape, then this Water Wednesday's #Landscapechat will be an hour of information and tips that you won't want to miss! Come and join us!

Topics: #Landscapechat, Ewing Irrigation, pruning, Summer, watering, Lawn Care

5 Cool Garden Projects to Make Composting Fun for Kids

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Thu, May, 22, 2014 @ 16:05 PM

Corona Tools Kids Garden AdventuresHow many of us grew up being told by our parents, not to play in the dirt or get dirty when we went out to play? I’ve found out, it’s great to get your hands a little dirty making fresh and organic compost. Composting is very simple, costs virtually nothing and is one of the best outdoor family activities you can do. Here is some quick information to share with kids about the benefits and how-to’s. I’ve also included a list of things we do with our kids to help make it fun and educational for them.

The Dirt on Compost

The “behind the scenes” science is what makes composting pretty cool. All organic scraps or wastes break down over time. When nitrogen and carbon wastes are combined, tiny microbes, insects and worms, help them to decompose. What’s left is organic matter, or “humus”, that is very nutrient-rich, medium which plants grow and thrive in. It all comes from things you throw away everyday and it costs nothing. When you compost you are also reducing your carbon footprint on the Earth and helping our fragile environment. To learn more about your family’s footprint, visit the Nature Conservancy for this easy to use interactive calculator.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: Composting creates a medium for plants that is filled with the nutrients they need to flourish, made up from things you already have in your home, helps the environment and reduces the trash we send to the landfills...A major win/win/win!

Making Compost – What You Need

There are many great reasons to compost. It’s easy and the materials are readily available in everyone’s home. Here are some examples of what you need;
Corona Tools Kids CompostNitrogen or “greens” - Produce scraps, grass clippings, coffee grounds, aquarium water (freshwater), and weeds that have not seeded.
Carbon or “browns” - dried leaves, paper towel/ toilet paper rolls, newspaper, cardboard, paper egg cartons, and sawdust. TIP: The smaller the pieces, the faster they break down.
General rule of thumb: a 50/50 balance of each in your compost and you will be well on your way to achieving compost! There is plenty of research and information on ratio balance. Compost will happen regardless so there is no need to do the math.
Water - without moisture your compost pile will become too dry for the microbes and insects to their thing. There should be a source of water nearby to help keep the compost moist.
Air – proper air flow will aid in the composting process. For larger compost piles it’s best to turn it occasionally, exposing the inner layers to the outside air.

Making Compost a Family Affair

Now we get down to the dirty fun part and how my family shares in the joys of composting. Besides teaching my kids about reusing and recycling much of the waste we produce, we make sure to involve them in every step of the process. They are thrilled to head out in our garden to do projects. We’ve even made a game which they enjoy too. Here’s a list of 5 cool composting projects you can all do together.

#1 – Make a Compost Bin

There are many solutions available for making a compost bin; discarded wooden pallets, cinder blocks, trash cans or even a plain old pile. All these will work but I tend to use whatever I have on hand. For this project I used wire garden fencing material left over from last year’s garden. It’s an easy weekend project that’s fun for you and the kids, inexpensive (under $20 to buy), and makes a great compost bin! For other great ideas, check out the Organic Gardening website and search for “compost”.

Step 1: Tools needed – wire garden fencing (36”x36”) available in most retail hardware stores and garden centers, wire cutters, gloves, safety glasses.
Step 2: Wearing safety glasses and gloves, unroll the fencing having your kids help by holding it in place. Cut a section 36” leaving enough wire to secure the bin together.

Corona Tools Compost Bin
Step 3: Roll the section into a cylinder (cut edge to uncut edge) bending the wires on the end you cut around the edges of the uncut side.

Corona Tools Compost
Step 4: Put into place and start adding waste to your compost pile.

Corona Tools Compost


#2 – “Seek and Find” Compost Game

A great way to make composting fun for kids is to make it a game. We play this at home and the kids love it!
Step 1: Review the list of compostable materials, the browns and the greens they need to find. If you need a quick reference on materials to use and what not to use, check out this handy guide published by the EPA.

FUN TIP: Create flash cards with pictures of what to look for! I’ve found this to be a very helpful visual!

Corona Tools Kids Compost

Step 2: Create a chart with each family member’s name, with check boxes for finding browns and greens.
Step 3: Give each kid an empty pale or sealable plastic baggie (it can get messy!). Spend 20 minutes walking around the house and outside for materials to compost.
Step 4: Each item they find is worth 1 minute of “screen time” or time with their electronic devices.

Corona Tools Kids CompostThere are so many cool things about this game. Kids go looking for materials everywhere…even outside! Like raking up leaves or grabbing the junk mail and newspapers to shed. To keep track of points and a log of what goes into your compost pile, we made simple spreadsheet to track it.  The kids know how many points they have and it helps maintain that 50/50 balance. If you see they are collecting more greens, ask them to look for more browns to even out your compost.

#3: Compost Bug ID

Corona Tools CompostOnce you get your compost started you’ll want to turn it occasional to speed the process. A garden fork works well for this and helps get air to the materials on the inside. As it begins to break down, you will find all sorts of bugs and crawly things in the pile. Take a camera so kids can take pictures of the bugs they find and look them up online. It’s a great way to get them outside and learn about nature. They also love that they get to use the electronic devices to look them up. Okay, so it’s still techy but we get to spend time together, learn about bugs, and the kids think they are playing on the tablet.

#4: Give Your Compost Bin a Makeover

Decomposing waste may not be a focal point in yard but it doesn’t have to stick out like a sore thumb. Here are a couple of great ideas that you and your kids can do to help dress it up.
Corona Tools Kids Compost• Plant seasonal flowers and vines that can grow along the outsides of wire bins and add some visual color to your yard. Trim stray vines to keep it looking tidy and toss them right in the compost.
• If you are using wood to support your compost pile, give it a coat of paint and let kids add their touches. Putting their hands in paint and leaving their mark all over the outside is just plain fun for them. It’s also like having kids’ artwork out in the yard too!

#5: Take a Compost Coffee Break

It may sound hard to believe, but composting is a little addicting. Once you have seen the fruits of your labor you may just become compost crazy. I’m always on the lookout for more waste wherever I go. A good source is your local barista. Many coffee shops will bag up coffee grounds for you for free! Take your kids with you later in the morning and have them ask the barista for any left over coffee grounds. 9 times out of 10, it works if someone doesn’t beat you to it! It’s also a great time out with the kids, you get your morning latte and your compost gets a mega-shot of nitrogen.

There you have it, 5 great ways to get kids interested in compost while having fun and learning in the process! Do you teach your kids about composting? Share what works in your family in the comments!

Topics: home gardeners, gardening, recycling, Kids

How Organic Farming Can Reduce Climate Change

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, May, 13, 2014 @ 17:05 PM


Soil Is Life, photo credit Shutterstock, for Corona Tools
Rodale Institute announced April 21, 2014 the launch of a global campaign to generate public awareness of soil’s ability to reverse climate change, but only when the health of the soil is maintained through organic regenerative agriculture. The White Paper, Regenerative Organic Agriculture and Climate Change, discusses the reversal of the greenhouse effect through a switch to widely available and inexpensive organic management practices, termed ‘regenerative organic agriculture.’  

Regenerative organic agriculture is comprised of organic practices including: cover crops, residue mulching, composting and crop rotation.

You're invited to Tweet

The live chat begins on Wednesday, May 14, 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 the landscape, since 2011. Join @CoronaTools#landscapechat co-partner @RodaleInstitute Compost Specialist Rick Carr for this week's important topic: How Organic Farming can Reduce Climate Change. 

Discussion Points

Corona Tools LandscapechatWe are at the most critical moment in the history of our species, as man-made changes to the climate threaten humanity’s security on Earth. But there is a technology for massive planetary geo-engineering that is tried and tested and available for widespread dissemination right now. It costs little and is adaptable to local contexts the world over. It can be rolled out tomorrow providing multiple benefits beyond climate stabilization. It is farming. 

Join the Conversation 
Don't miss this exciting topic May 14, 2014 as we welcome Rodale Institute to the #Landscapechat community! Just sign in to #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, Rodale Institute, Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Earn "Favorite Child Status" with Corona Tools on Mother's Day

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Wed, May, 07, 2014 @ 13:05 PM

Step out ahead of your siblings with a gift that recognizes Mom's originality

GeriComfortGELSnips[SMALL]Okay, sure, Mom loves fresh flowers on Mother's Day.  Who doesn't enjoy their beauty and fragrant aroma?  Will Mom love that you thought about her and all the things she's done for you throughout your life? Of course, but once she tosses those wilted stems, the sentiment you put into them will go out with them!

Become the “Favored Child" this Mother’s Day

This Mother's Day why not treat her to something she can use everyday, out in the garden?  Garden tools that help her grow flowers all year long while remembering your thoughtful gift each time she uses them.  Try sending Mom a new ComfortGEL+ Extendible Bypass Lopper or a Round Point garden shovel from Corona Tools, the gift that lasts a lifetime. Leave your siblings in the dust and let the sibs give her short-lived cut flowers or high-calorie chocolates.  Your favored child stauts will shine bright, season after season with hard working tools that makes her life easier, more comfortable and less stress. 

Mom ComfortGEL Snips for RosesCorona Tools has a wide variety of easy to use gardening tools to fit every budget.  For example, try the ComfortGEL® Snips or Trowel.  Gift-giving is made easy when you order through CoronaToolsUSA.com the recognized source for gardening tools that has shipped more than millions of functional gardening tools to satisfied customers for nearly a century. There’s no risk, either, our best-in-class tools are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty and many have replaceable parts for longer service life.  She will keep her beloved tools forever and remember YOU everytime she uses them. 

Corona Tools Facbook ComfortGEL GiveawayWith so many great tools and ideas for Mom, it's so hard to choose!  Tell us what you think your garden mom would love the most!  And don't forget to check out our photo contest going on through May 10th on Corona Tools Facebook.  Guess the number of flowers in the ComfortGEL Scoop and you could win ComfortGEL tools!  5 winners announced on Saturday, 5/10 at 2PM PST! 

Topics: Corona Tools, roses, Mothers Day, Gift

Successfully Balancing HOA Clients and Their Landscapes

Posted by Chris Sabbarese on Tue, May, 06, 2014 @ 18:05 PM

Corona Tools Landscapechat HOAWhile some landscape maintenance companies focus on homeowners and others service commercial properties exclusively, it takes real focus to manage homeowners’ association accounts (HOA). They’re often the worst of both worlds – the laser-like focus of residential consumers with the downward price pressure of commercial clients. This story will appear in the May 2014 issue of Lawn and Landscape Magazine, and is the topic of the May 7 #landscapechat conversation on Twitter with Brian Horn, Managing Editor at GIE Media, Inc., Lawn & Landscape Magazine.  

The reward for the effort put forth to sell, maintain and retain HOA clients is the sheer volume of work in a very contained area, concentrating staff and decreasing time and travel costs.  And it's our topic on this week's #landscapechat

You're Invited to Tweet 

Join @CoronaTools and #landscapechat co-partner, Brian Horn, Managing Editor of Lawn and Landscape Magazine @lawnandlandscape for this week's topic, balancing the HOA landscape accounts from those in the business. The live chat begins Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 11 a.m. PST / 2 p.m. EST, were we come together with green industry experts and fellow landscape tweeps each week to discuss all things related to landscape, since 2011.

Discussion Overview 

 There are seven key takeaways that will be covered during the live chat May 7.  

1.      To get the HOA work, consider getting involved in regional groups where your target audience gathers.

2.      One contractor began networking with community managers through the Community Association Institute in his area. 

3.      Provide an online portal where clients can view a work order status. Communication via email and online work orders creates a paper trail documenting all activity.

4.      There can be 50 people involved as “bosses” of an account, so a structure with a single point of contact to the company to promote information flow is critical. 

5.      Regularly attending board meetings where landscaping may be discussed is also great way to maintain a good relationship. 

6.      Position yourself as an expert in the HOA sector by being visible at community events, and educating about HOA landscaping services through something like a blog.

7.      HOA properties can require more detail work. Every account has specialties.  

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 hastag to all your tweets or join us on the landscapechat Nurph channel that adds it for you and provides 24/7 access to past chat replays!

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. 

Topics: Corona Tools, #Landscapechat, Lawn and Landscape Magazine, Homeowner Associations, HOA

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