Green Industry Leaders Network

With the Covid-19 pandemic shutting down most of the country, essential businesses like landscaping services are still operating. It would seem to be the ideal job to have in the age of social distancing and being able to work outdoors But with so many commercial businesses shut down to stop the spread of the virus and unemployment claims at historic levels, both commercial and residential customers may decide to suspend their services in these uncertain times.No one has a crystal ball and can tell when this might all come to an end or if things will just go back to the way they were when it does. So wanting to get a sense of where landscape business owners are in dealing with Covid 19, Lawn & Landscape magazine recently surveyed its readers, to get a reading on how this was affecting individual businesses and the impact it was having on the industry itself.Joining us to discuss the results of those surveys, is Brian Horn, Editor of Lawn & Landscape Magazine. Also joining us is Richard Restuccia, Vice

We all deal with stress of some form or another on a daily basis. More so now, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of us are isolated in our homes, unable to do things like going to the gym, go out eat, or socializing  with family and friends.While this virus has interrupted our daily routines, working in the garden and landscape is one activity that many are turning to. And with good reason. Being outdoors, in the sun and working in the soil has positive physical effects in the brain. Working in the yard can also be a great source of physical activity which is becoming much harder to do with social distancing.On this episode, award-winning author, blogger and landscape designer, Jan Johnsen, shares her knowledge about the effects of gardening during stressful times. Her blog, Serenity in the Garden, offers tips, inspirational garden posts and other garden design related topics.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTJan Johnsen - Twitter, Facebook and InstagramCONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We wa

With the Covid-19 pandemic causing millions of Americans to shelter in place, this historic event has more people turning to gardening. With our podcasts covering gardening, landscape and tree care topics, we're making our upcoming topics relevant to what's going on in the world to today.Based on trends we're seeing, homeowners are turning to their gardens for a couple of reasons. The most obvious is that it's spring and the time when most are in their gardens. With most of our public spaces being shut down or closed off to help maintain social distance,Our gardens help provide a means of being outside, getting fresh air, a form of exercise with the gyms being closed, creating a outdoor oasis to escape reality and growing our own food due to the overwhelming demand.During wartimes and the great depression, many people turned to their gardens to grow the food they needed since they either could not afford it, or it just wasn't available. It's when victory gardens first appeared and during this current crisis,

When we come home at the end of the day, we all have that one spot in our home that is our place to relax and unwind. Having a spot like that outdoors, can also be a great way to relax among nature and escape all that is happing in the world. And on any given day, who among us can't use a small break from the stresses of everyday life?Creating an outdoor oasis can offer a tranquil spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, a shady spot in the garden to take in some fresh air on a weekend afternoon, or that place you go after work to sit with someone, share a glass of wine and decompress from the day.The best part about an outdoor oasis, it can be as simple and inexpensive as you like since its all about you and what brings you peace and serenity. Joining us on this episode is Stacey Hirvela, expert horticulturist and marketing professional from Proven Winners.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hea

As a business, brand or marketer in the green industry, it can be a big challenge keeping up with the latest tips and techniques for promoting oneself on social media. Done well, the right social media presence can get your name out there and definitely help grow your company. Using the same tactics in a world of diminishing organic reach and the ever-changing landscape of social media, challenge is even greater. Especially keeping up with trends and making sure you're on the same platform as your customers.At the Social Media Marketing World 20 conference, it was released that half the consumers don't trust businesses. So even if you are able to break through all the social noise, does your message resonate with your customer? One of the biggest revelations uncovered was your brand's personal video helps build trust and brand loyalty. There are industry professionals who do this well like @epicgardening, @jarlandscapingllc, @campuslandscape, @kurththearborist and more. Video can elevate your brand and help y

We're here at the Philadelphia Flower Show which dates back to 1829. Not only is it one of the oldest trade shows, its also one of the largest with over 250,000 attendees over 10 days. Subaru has a big part in putting on the annual event as a premier sponsor, and we visited them at the show this year to see what they have going on.Joining us for an on-location #landscapechat episode is Abana Jacobs, National Marketing Specialist, Sponsorships & Promotions at Subaru of America. We caught up with Abana on the show floor to talk about some of the events they are putting on this year, including their  programs to help protect the environment.Through events like the Potting Parties, hosted by TuBloom, Subaru helps to educate participants how to plant in containers, while being mindful of not creating waste that will end up in local landfills. They also share with participants their recycling program with partners TerraCycle, collecting discarded plastics like coffee container lids and snack wrappers and turnin

When you say the word hemp, many people have a strong opinion about it one way or another.Some swear by the benefits of CBD oils derived from hemp or enjoy hemp seeds for an added boost of protein. Others have the impression that hemp is the by-product of cannabis and carries the same social stigma as using marijuana. Wherever you stand on hemp, consider these interesting facts;An acre of hemp will produce as much fiber as 2-3 acres of cotton, and as much paper material as 2-4 acres of trees.Hemp can grow in all 50 states, and is ready for harvesting in as little as 90-120 days.Hemp can be used to create fiber boards that are both lighter and stronger than wood.The original U.S. Constitution was written on hemp paper.Hemp contains little to no THC, the psychoactive chemical known for the high created by marijuana.There is a lot more that can be said about growing and using hemp. Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is water expert Richard Restuccia, Vice President of Water Management Solutions, at Jain I

Propagating plants from cuttings can be a great way to clone your favorite plant or fill in your landscape by dropping in a cutting of a geranium or other prolific growers. It's kind of like having a free supply of plants right in your own backyard!While some plants are easy to propagate from a cutting, others aren't. Which often boils down the timing and the right growing conditions. There are also protected plants that patented, which prevents plant breeders and homeowners from propagating them.Joining us for the 2nd part of this propagation topic, is expert horticulturist and marketing specialist, Stacey Hirvela of Proven Winners. In this episode, she helps explain the processes of plant propagation and what it takes to be successful.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Group. This closed group is

This time of year many gardeners are kicking off the growing season by getting their seeds started indoors. Seeds are a great way to try new plants and varieties that you may not otherwise have access to locally. They're also a less expensive method of gardening, providing you are patient and can plan ahead.There is a lot behind the scenes work that that goes into developing seeds and propagating them, in order for you to grow the plant you want with the results you expected.Joining us on for a two part series on propagation is expert horticulturist and marketing specialist, Stacey Hirvela at Proven Winners. In this #plantcaht episode, she covers propagating from seeds, a bit of the science behind the nature and provides insights to grow from seed successfully.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Gro

Sustainability isn't just good for the garden, yard and landscape. It's good for us all. According to the EPA, residential outdoor water use in the US, is 9 billions gallons per day. Per day...! Most of that water is used for landscape irrigation.Practicing sustainability isn't just about water. There are plenty of ways to introduce sustainability in our yards and it's something every homeowner and property owner needs to think about. Mostly because it makes good sense, saves money and precious resources, while benefitting the environment. Everything we can do individually no matter how small, will have a significant impact that will benefit us all.Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is water expert Richard Restuccia, Vice President of Water Management Solutions, at Jain Irrigation, Inc.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTConnect with Richard Restuccia for any questions on Twitter, @H2oTrends and on the Jain Irrigation blog.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Ch

It's a difficult question for anybody, what do you want to be when you grow up? Ask a young student and you're likely to hear a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer or some other profession that makes a decent living. All great careers, but they typically take years to complete, start off in an entry level position. With the hopes you'll move up, eventually make good money so you can pay off student loans and be ready to own a home or start a family. Unfortunately, that sort of career path doesn't work when you are in your 30s, moved your family to a new city and starting over.Which makes careers in the green industry great opportunities for a young student, an experienced professional and for men and women alike. It's also an industry where the demand is great, and doesn't require advanced degree to be successful. You could also be your own boss and enjoy working outdoors, while making a good living too.Our guest on this #treechat episode is Kurt Stenberg, of Cochrane Tree Care. Kurt enjoyed a career as Canadian fi

When traveling to a new place, taking time to see a beautifully designed garden is always time well spent for the garden enthusiast. Public gardens are not only impressive, they can serve as inspiration for garden design elements to incorporate in your own garden and landscape.Many gardens are located near historical sites or have simply been around for generations and worth visiting while in the area. Whether traveling internationally or somewhere in the States, there is a likely a public garden near your destination.On this #plantchat episode, we're joined by the Jim Peterson, the publisher and owner of Garden Design magazine which has transitioned into an online publication, GardenDesign.com. The site was created to be an online resource for homeowners and gardeners looking for garden design tips, information about plants, how to's and more. With so much great content that is well organized and easy to use, it's no wonder why the free site gets over 6 million visitors each year.Based in Southern California

When you say the term green infrastructure, it sounds a bit technical and can have a number of definitions. It can certainly sound complex, but the basic concept is that it's a way to manage rainwater and climate effects, the way nature indented. Such as populated areas where the vast majority of the natural environment has been removed to make way for buildings, homes and roads. Green infrastructure introduces methods such as permeable pavement, green walls and green roofs to capture rainwater which helps manage it, while mitigating the heat island effect, a result of having a vast amount of pavement, concrete and lack of natural green spaces in our urban areas.Green infrastructure improves our cities and the growing need for it presents new opportunities for landscape industry. Joining us on this #landscapechat episode is Warren Gorowitz, director of corporate social responsibility at Hunter Industries. His guest is Steven Peck president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. For more information on the resourc

There are many reasons for growing edible plants in containers. Year-round growing, easy access and care, water efficiency, and many different container options, to name just a few. No matter whether you live in the coldest parts of the country or warmer climates like southern California, growing edibles in containers means always having access to fresh produce.Containers represent a different type of growing environment, so there are certain guidelines to follow that will help ensure success. Joining us to share some insights on this #plantchat episode are  David Ellis the  American Horticultural Society (AHS) and guest, Charlie Nardozzi, renowned television host, author, and speaker. Both David and Charlie share some basics about growing edibles in containers, types of edibles that do well, watering tips, types of containers, and more. You can also visit Charlie's  website  for more great information and resources related to this topic.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTCharlie Nardozzi - Gardening with Charlie  website

December 21st is the winter solstice, the first day of winter but with ever changing climate conditions, we're seeing freezing temperatures and snow as earlier in the year and further south than many are used to. Extreme fluctuations in temperature, can wreak havoc on roses, seriously damaging or killing them. Since roses can be a significant investment in both time and money, these aren't the kind of shrubs growers want to risk losing due to extreme weather.Whether you need to protect them from a polar vortex by covering them in a blanket of leaves in a leaf bag ("Chicago Method" displayed), or just need to provide some seasonal winter care, we welcome back rosarian Susan Fox, or as many know her, Gaga's Garden, on this #plantchat episode. She's got some great tips and insights that will help your roses survive through the winter and thrive in spring, no matter what zone you're in. Be sure and check out more great winterizing tips on her blog post, Your Guide to Winter Rose Protection by Deb Kaiser.CONNECT W

There are so many great benefits to performing gardening and maintenance activities in your landscape. Not only are there therapeutic benefits - working outside, enjoying fresh air and physical exercise can do wonders for the body and mind. But over time, we all age and it can become increasingly difficult to do the same activities in the garden that we once could do with ease for extended periods of time. Add to that, the aches and pains that come from bending, kneeling or the sore hands after a day of pruning.Adapting your garden to suit your abilities as you age, can make it as rewarding and beneficial to your overall mental and physical health. On this #plantchat episode, we're joined by Adaptive Gardening Expert & Inspirational Change-Agent, Toni Gattone, who's enthusiasm is contagious. She is passionate about empowering gardeners with practical, how-to information that promises to keep them in their gardens for years to come.Her book, The Lifelong Gardener: Garden with Ease and Joy At Any Age, has b

During the holidays, there is something truly special about displaying fresh flowers, evergreens and plants to provide seasonal color and fragrances. When you think about holiday plants, the poinsettia and Christmas cactus come to mind quickly, but bulb flowers like amaryllis and paper whites, are also among the top of the list this time of year. From selecting the right bulb, the growing medium used, to proper care and storage, holiday bulbs are easy to care for and never fail to impress.As a follow up to our first topic on spring bulbs planted in fall, we spoke to expert horticulturist, Stacey Hirvela of Proven Winners, who joins us again on this #plantchat episode, to share her insights on these fascinating bulbs for the holidays. There is a lot to know about these impressive bulbs especially when it comes to selection. She recommends getting quality bulbs pictured on this episode from a trusted source such as Brent & Becky's. CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook a

Lighting isn't the first thing that comes to mind when homeowners are designing a landscape however a well-lit yard provides a feeling of added security, as well as safety when arriving home after dark. It also sets the mood and highlights dramatic features which make a landscape unique.With so many advancements in technology, colors and trends, there are a lot of options available. Joining us on this landscapechat episode to talk about landscape lighting is Warren Gorowitz, director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Hunter Industries. Joining Warren is his guest Ryan Williams, a director of marketing for Hunter's, FX Luminaire landscape lighting. Their website offers helpful resources and training courses for landscape professionals and homeowners alike.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWarren Gorowitz - Twitter, LinkedInCONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear from you. Connect with Chris Sabbarese at Corona Tools on Twitter and our new GILN Facebook Group. This closed group is like-min

With fall well underway, and parts of the US already feeling plummeting freezing temperatures, preparing and winterizing your garden is an essential task to help protect shrubs and newly planted trees. It's also good to help create a natural habitat for garden wildlife, in need of food and shelter during the winter months. Planting trees and bulb flowers that will pop up in the spring, bringing some much desired color to a dreary landscape.Winterizing your garden may sound like a lot of work, however it's worth it to get these jobs done in the fall when temperatures are cooler easier to work outdoors. From tasks like blowing out irrigation systems to prevent freezing and broken pipes, to cutting back dead or damaged limbs that could become hazardous during sever winter storms. It's also an ideal time to give your garden tools some TLC before putting them to bed for the winter. Even through it's the end of the growing season, there's still plenty to do to keep gardeners, property owners and landscape professio

If you're a homeowner or landscape contractor, one of the most impressive sights you can plant in the landscape, is spring flower bulbs. Who doesn't enjoy experiencing their short-lived burst of  color and fragrance after a long cold winter?But have you ever stopped to think about what all is going on inside flower bulbs when you plant them? How they are developing throughout the fall, in winter while the ground is frozen, in spring when they bloom, and in summer after all the blooms are long gone?Bulbs are a fascinating little compact bundle of nature and there is plenty going on inside before you ever see them bloom. So to understand more about what's happening with bulbs throughout the seasons, we spoke to expert horticulturist and plant specialist,  Stacey Hirvela at Proven Winners who shares her knowledge on the topic in this first of two episodes.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTStacey Hirvela at Proven Winners - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.CONNECT WITH USEnjoy this episode or have questions? We want to hear f