Green Industry Leaders Network

On this #plantchat episode We explore the importance of introducing kids to gardening. Especially in today's technology driven culture, it's become more important than ever before. Benefits of gardening for kids and parents alike, include; improved mental health, getting physical activity, the quality of food, exposure to nature and the fresh outdoors. Not to mention, getting time to spend with your kids, teaching them about plants, how they grow and what it takes to do it successfully. Our special guest, is gardening expert, national speaker and author, Melinda Myers. She shares some of her ideas for getting kids excited about gardening. As a passionate gardener, mother and grandmother, she speaks from the heart about why it's important to involve kids in the garden at all ages. Leading the discussion is David Ellis, director at the American Horticultural Society, who also hosts their annual event, the National Children & Youth Garden Symposium So if you're a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle with kids

On this #landscapechat episode, we take a look at how some property owners are making their entire landscape edible. Using up every square inch of space to grow fresh food in the front yard and back yard and everywhere in between. It's been coined agriscaping and we're highlighting ways to do it and actually make your landscape profitable. Think about that for a minute. Instead of spending money to maintain you landscape, it could actually be making you money! Our guest is Warren Gorowitz, vice president of sustainability, at Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply, with Justin Rohner, founder of Agriscaping Technologies. Agriscaping has been featured in USAToday, USWeekly, Forbes, and Justin appears regularly on local news stations and speaks all across the country. Check out Justin's presentation he discusses, with some excellent facts and information you will want to read. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Warren Gorowitz at Ewing Irrigation - Twitter, Facebook Justiin Rohner at Agriscaping Technologies - Twitter, Fa

On this episode, we're talking about indoor plants, a trend that became popular in the 70s, and has been making its way back into homes throughout Europe and in the US. For the past several years in the UK, people have taking to indoor plants for their many benefits for their overall health and well-being. There have been many studies done to demonstrate how indoor plants improve the air quality in our home, help to reduce stress and sharpen our focus. The trend is growing here in the US too thanks to social media and the #shelfie and #indoorjungle posts. Our guest is Alison Edwards, based in Poole UK, who is the PR manager for Burgon & Ball. She shares her insights about the indoor plant revival and essential care tips and tools needed to be successful. CONNECT WITH US Connect with Alison Edwards at Burgon & Ball on Twitter and Instagram. Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on social networks including Twitter Instagram and Facebook.

There are many great tips and ideas for businesses within the green industry to market their service. While some tactics may show some results and bring in leads, our customers are our marketers. Our products, services and our brands aren't what we them it is. It's what they are telling each other it is. On this episode, we take a slight departure from topics discussing plants, trees and landscape, to take a look at how we as an industry, approach marketing to our customers. It's an opportunity for us recognize, we here to help them live the kind of lives they want. I recently attended Social Media Marketing World 19 (#SMMW19) conference where the closing keynote was Mark Schaefer, speaker and author of Marketing Rebellion - The Most Human Company Wins. He defined how we as consumers rebelled against ads that lie to us, kept secrets from the public and now, thy have taken control of our marketing. Word of mouth isn't a thing of the past. 2/3rds of our marketing is happening without us and we can't control wh

On this #trechat episode, we present another installment from the popular Growers Success Summit webinar series. This topic covers many of the funadmentals of growing fruit trees for healthier trees, with maximum crops and better tasting fruit. Our guest Sarah DePass, formerly of Stark Bros nurseries, discussed topics including pollination concepts, selecting the right fruit tree size and proper spacing, watering requirements for newly planted trees, proper pruning for the 3 S'- survival, shaping, and stimulation, growing trees in containers, both indoors and outdoors, and more great tips regarding fruit tree care. For more information about fruit trees, visit Stark Bros website and blog and download Corona's free online guides, the Principles of Planting and Principles of Pruning. CONNECT WITH US Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on social networks including Twitter and Facebook.

Most home and property owners grow flowers, shrubs and trees to add color, fruit, texture and seasonal interest in their landscapes. But how many of us think of actually eating flowers or cooking with them? Surprisingly, there are many different types of edible flowers that not only look good on a plate, they also provide additional flavor, vitamins and other healthy benefits, to your food. Joining us on this #plantchat episode, Denise Schreiber aka "Mrs. Know It All" of The Organic Gardeners on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh, shares some insights on this fascinating topic. She has been featured in the Ask the Expert column and is a contributing editor, in the Pennsylvania Gardener Magazine. Denise is also a national speaker, ISA certified arborist and has literally written the book about edible flowers called "Eat Your Roses, Pansies and Lavender and 49 Other Delicious Flowers" available on Amazon. CONNECT WITH US Look for Denise on Facebook And connect with Chris Sabbarese at CoronaTools on so

When it comes to pruning, advanced gardeners most likely have a good understanding of the basic mechanics; the how to cut, when and where to cut, and so on. But there are a lot of terms used both from home gardeners and the pros, which are also important to understand what they mean before you begin pruning, and how it can effect the way your shrub, vine or plant will respond. Joining us for this #plantchat episode, we welcome back Stacey Hirvela, of Proven Winners to help make sense of these concepts and how to apply them in your garden and landscape. Need some pruning basics? Check out Corona's free Principles of Pruning e-guide. CONNECT WITH US If you have questions about the information Stacey shares in this episode or about Proven Winners plants, connect with them on Twitter or Facebook. And connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on social networks including Twitter and Facebook.

In the irrigation industry, equipment manufacturers are always try it improve upon technologies that conserver water. Whether it's on large scale systems for agriculture or smaller residential systems, they design them to deliver water more efficiently. For example drip tape systems can be 95% efficient, meaning that it makes nearly every drop count. Contrast that to a standard spray irrigation system, that can be closer to 75% efficient, it become easy to see, there are be some major benefits for using a drip tape system. Water expert and guest host is Richard Restuccia, Vice President of Water Management Solutions and Kevin Stewart, Western Regional Sales Manager at Jain Irrigation, Inc. CONNECT WITH US Connect with Richard Restuccia for any questions on Twitter, @H2oTrends and on the Jain Irrigation blog. Connect with Chris Sabbarese Corona Tools on social networks including Twitter and Facebook. GILN listeners are also invited to connect and grow with us in our closed Facebook group, to carry on the dis

When you're out in your garden or somewhere in nature, do you ever stop to admire the amazing diversity of plants you come across? There are countless species and varieties throughout the world that each provide something unique to the ecosystem. Just like wildlife, plant species can also become extinct. A plant that perhaps provides shelter or food for wildlife, or maybe a life saving cure for a disease. Plant conservationists play a key role in helping to ensure that doesn't happen. On this #plantchat episode we discuss the importance of plant conservation with guest, Kayri Havens, Ph.D of the Chicago Botanic Garden. Our host is, Beth Tuttle, President & CEO, American Horticultural Society. Kayri is the winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2019 Liberty Hyde Bailey Award. You can read more about this prestigeous award here. CONNECT WITH US Connect with AHS on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels. And connect with Chris at Corona Tools to share your thoughts on this episode and provid

One of the best ways to add a pop of color to a patio, porch or deck, is with some potted plants. Growing in containers provides some great seasonal color, but also the ability to expand your garden space. On this #plantchat episode, we're thrilled to have Proven Winners' horticultural expert, Stacey Hirvela, With so many choices in containers and plants, it's no wonder why they are so popular and found in just about every household. Whether you live in an apartment on a second story, with a balcony, or in home with a yard, there are many benefits to growing in containers. But doing it can take a bit of skill to successfully pull off the results you want. Stacey shares her insights on the proper types of soil to use, size of the containers, proper watering, fertilizing and more, to create a horticultural masterpiece that provides endless joy, season after season. For some great container plant recipes, be sure to check out the Proven Winners online tools that will help design the perfect container. CONNECT WI

When it comes to water, it's a pretty safe bet that when someone turns on the faucet or the hose to water their landscape, they aren't really thinking about the journey each drop takes to be delivered on demand. If you listen to the news, you'll often hear about issues that ultimately affect irrigation and the green industry. Whether its labor, infrastructure, changes in the earths climate or horticultural educational, these issues have a direct impact on the industry today and well into the future. On this #landscapechat episode, we'll take a look at some of the key federal issues going on now, and plans to ensure the industry continues to thrive. On this episode, we welcome guests, Warren Gorowitz, vice president of sustainability at Ewing Irrigation and Landscape Supply and John Farner, government and public affairs director at Irrigation Association, who discuss some of the current political discussion and forward-looking technologies that have helped advance the industry. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS Warren

If you grow fruit trees, one of the most important things you can do for the overall tree health and production, is proper pruning. But before you grab your tools and start cutting back your trees, fruit tree owners need to start with a goal in mind, as well as a plan. Pruned at the right time of the year, can help with proper structure, and produce more blossoms for a better yield. It also requires the proper tools and tree safety, to do the job without risk to you and or your tree. There is a lot covered in this episode including; When to Prune Fruit Trees How Much to Prune Each Season Proper Tools to Use Fertilizing After Pruning On this Green Industry Leaders Network episode, we welcome back Tchukki Andersen, master arborist and certified tree care safety professional for Tree Care Industry Association. Find TCIA, the VoiceofTreecare on Twitter and Facebook Connect and share this topic with Chris at Corona Tools, using #treechat on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

In this #landscapechat episode, we're discussing some great ways to massive water savings in your landscape with expert, Richard Restuccia, Vice President of Water Management Solutions at Jain Irrigation, Inc. Richard lays out 6 steps for saving up to 85% in landscape water. And with the price of water continuing to rise, that can be some substantial savings, while still having a green and efficiently hydrated landscape. New smart controller technology is taking the guess work out of delivering the right amount of water your plants need, but also making real-time adjustments based on weather conditions. These controllers along with efficient watering techniques, will help ensure that every drop counts. CONNECT WITH US Connect with Richard Restuccia for any questions on Twitter, @H2oTrends and on the Jain Irrigation blog. Connect with Chris Sabbarese @CoronaTools on social networks including Twitter and Facebook. GILN listeners are also invited to connect and grow with us in our closed Facebook group, to carr

Whether you are buying flowers for Valentines Day, Easter, Mother's Day or grand wedding displays, locally grown flowers provide the freshest, longest-lasting blooms available. On this #plantchat episode, author and speaker, Debra Prinzing, discusses the Slow Flower Movement and the importance of buying locally-grown flowers, with American Horticultural Society director, David Ellis. Many flowers found in stores and florist shops travel thousands of miles and do not last long in floral arrangements. Today, local growers are providing better blooms, that are grown in season and Debra's goal is to bring consumers together with the florists who carry them. And for home gardeners who are also growing their own flowers, Debra shares some tips on easy flowers to start with, finding excellent seeds from providers like the Johnny's Seeds catalog, and utilizing the greenery and woody stems in your yard to create personalized displays throughout the seasons. Be sure to check out Debra's Slow Flowers website for a weal

Trees that grow in a natural setting, like the forrest, aren't subjected to the same kinds of stress you find in urban or suburban trees. And the stress on a suburban tree is not the same as the stress of an urban tree. If the same type of tree was in 3 different environments, the overall health and growth would be markedly different. On this #treechat episode, we welcome Dr. David Coyle, assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation at Clemson University. David discusses how stress affects trees in different environments, how tree pests seem to know no boundaries, the impact of urban and suburban stress on trees, identifying risks and things property owners need to consider before planting trees in their landscape. You can find Dave’s forest health outreach work at southernforesthealth.net and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram where he regularly posts about invasive forest pests, silviculture, and forestry related topics. And connect with Chris Sabbarese

On this #plantchat episode, we discuss the Proven Winners brand, to help shed some light on their plants, operations and what it takes to bring their plants to homeowners and landscapers throughout North America. Our guest is Stacey Hirvela, who is an accomplished horticulturist and marketer at Spring Meadows Nurseries, the company behind the Proven Winners brand. Stacey provides some background on how the brand was formed and the development of their plants. It's a fascinating story and one that many plant geeks don't know or take the time to think about. Proven Winners does an outstanding job to ensure that the plants and varieties that bear their name, are available when and where you shop. There is a lot of research and development that goes into their plants so they perform well once you put them into your landscape. While it's not something many homeowners or property managers think about, they can be assured, that if they see the brand on the shelf, the odds are the plant will perform well with proper

On this #landscapechat episode, we cover the importance of benchmarking to determine the health of your business. It helps a landscape business owner to understand how they stack up with the national industry standards and local competitors. Managing editor, Kate Spirgen, at Lawn & Landscape Magazine, discusses why benchmarking is necessary to determine if services are profitable and highlight what's not working. For the last 10 years, they have published an annual benchmarking issue dedicated to the helping business owners. It's an essential process that will help determine a successful venture. They also offer an easy to use benchmarking calculator to get you started. Follow Lawn & Landscape on Twitter and Facebook Follow Corona Tools on Twitter and Facebook

On this #plantchat episode, the seed sowing frenzy is in full swing this time of year and we caught up with Carol Niec and Kerrie Rosenthal of the Seed Keeper Company to get some insights for proper seed selection, storage and selection. Both Carol and Kerrie are seasoned gardeners who are passionate about seeds and evangelizing the many benefits of planting them. They discuss the importance of understanding the best time to plant seeds based on your hardiness zone, to knowing how much lighting you get in your yard, soil conditions, types of seeds, to explaining seed lingo and reading seed packets, there is a lot to consider when buying your seeds for the growing season. Knowing your hardiness zones and frost dates is key in maximizing your growing season. We also share a bit about their annual Seed Keeper Project that recognizes school gardens in every state in the US. It's a great program that gives visibility to importance of educating kids about where food comes from and teaching them lifelong gardening s

After closing out 2018 with tech challenges and losing access to recorded podcasts and publishing tools, we wanted to kick off 2019 with some insights on where the Green Industry Leaders Network (GILN) podcast is headed. Based on topics from the popular hashtags on Twitter, #treechat #landscapechat and #plantchat, we're focusing our resources on podcasts. GILN allows listeners with an interest in our industry, with an opportunity to hear what's going on in the industry and connecting with those who help shape it. We look forward to bringing you topics from Proven Winners, American Horticultural Society, Tree Care Industry Association, Lawn & Landscape Magazine, Jain Irrigation, Ewing and many more. This episode help provide a roadmap of where we've been and where we're headed but our input from our listeners remain the key to our approach. Tell us what you think of GILN, topics you'd like us to cover and how we shape the future of this industry platform. Connect with Chris at Corona Tools on Twitter, Face

Whether you are new to gardening or a seasoned gardener, understanding the principles of planting and pruning are the cornerstone of successful growing. In this episode, we'll cover the basics of what you should know. Regardless on your experience level, this episode has something for everyone. Chris Sabbarese of Corona Tools shares the basic how-to's, based on tried and true principles. This episode helps to plan before planting, to understand how light moves through your property, the type of soil you have, how well it drains, and understanding how plants grow. Principles of pruning helps to understand how plants grow, why pruning help rejuvenate plants and maintaining their shape. It also covers using the proper tools for healthy cuts and which tools to use. Want more great tips? Corona offers its principles of pruning and planting guides get them both free from their website. Have questions about this episode? Connect with Chris at Corona Tools on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.