Nicole W of Davey Tree Won Corona Tools at GWA

When you go out into your garden and landscape, do you carry your Corona tools?  If that’s how you roll, and you want to tell the world about it, then we have a giveaway made just for you!  We promise it will be fun along with some very cool prizes with 1 person winning a collection of Corona’s best in class tools and filling your shed with RED!  It’s easy, anyone can do it and here’s how…!

Round 1:  “How I Roll” Photo Giveaway

Starting today, upload a picture to Corona Tools Facebook page using your favorite tool and tell us why it’s your tool of choice in your yard.  Be fun.  Be Creative.  And by all means, don’t be afraid to show your love of red because it’s up to our friends on Facebook to help you win.  Is it your trusty Corona bypass pruner?  An E-grip Weeder?  The Corona Tools Garden App?  (it counts too!)  If you’ve never owned a Corona tool, now is the time get your hands on one, try it out and share it on Facebook since this contest is open to everyone.  Well, okay it’s open to anyone in the continental USA and you can’t work for or be related to employees at Corona!

On October 1^st, the 5 pictures with the most “likes” wins a Corona t-shirt and hat so get those pictures ready and posted!  The more time people have to vote, the better your odds are of winning.  In addition, the folks at Corona will pick up to 5 winners from the remaining pictures regardless of how many votes are cast.  That gives you 2 ways to win and get you into the next round for the real giveaway!

Round 2:  “How I Roll” Video Giveaway

If you didn’t have enough fun in round one, things get even more interesting for the winners who advance to round 2.  That RED t-shirt becomes your golden ticket to winning some great Corona tools in this round!  To get to that prized collection of Corona’s finest, you’ll have 3 weeks to create a short video using your favorite Corona tool in your new t-shirt and telling people why you love it!  Tap into your creative side and tell us why you like it, how you use it, how much time it saves you or why it’s the tool you chose when you roll.  Just post the video on YouTube, blog or other video hosting service that allows viewer comments along with a link to it on the Corona Tools Facebook page.

Do that and you are guaranteed to win something come November 15, 2011.   Whether it’s a Dual Cut Bypass pruner, a complete set of the Dual Cut series, an iTouch to download the new Corona Tools App and the grand prize, a collection of Corona’s best-in-class tools including everything from rakes, shovels, pruner, lopper, head shears, saw, hand tools, extendable handle series, and a Corona wheelbarrow to fill up your shed with RED and be ready to roll with Corona, season after season!

Giveaway Rules – Because someone always asks…rules are rules and here they are:

• Open to US residents in continental US
• Not open to members of Corona, relatives or individuals directly affiliated with Corona
• Photos and videos must be G rated for all to view…We are a family company after all!
• Video lengths should be no longer than 02:00 (2 minutes)
• All entrants will grant rights to use photos and videos in print, digital and online promotional materials
• Use official #CTHOWIROLL on Twitter

Round 2 Giveaway Rules:

Corona will judge entries on 3 main categories;

# of views, best use of the tool, creativity

• 1st Place: Corona Tool Collection valued at approximately $850
• 2nd Place: iTouch compatible with the Corona Tools garden app
• 3rd Place: Dual Cut Series
• Remaining Entries: Dual Cut Bypass Pruner

courtesy of Brenda Haas of BGgarden.com

With record temperatures heating up most of the country this summer, gardening is probably one of the last activities we want to think about doing.  It’s important to keep in mind that during excessive heat, it’s as vital for us to stay hydrated as it is for our fruits and vegetables out in the garden.  Here are a few things to keep in mind along with an easy low cost solution to help get you and your garden through even the hottest days!

Its Hotter Than You Think – Plants located near buildings, block walls or roof tops for example, are subjected to elevated temperatures.  Stucco, concrete and roof tops trap and hold the heat which can raise the temperature surround your plants by as much as 10F!

If You Must Garden – Don’t work in the heat of the day…! While this may sound obvious, gardening in the heat and sun can cause severe exhaustion, heat stroke or even death.  Tend to gardening related activities in the early morning hours or evening when temperatures are cooler and out of the direct sun.  If you can’t avoid it, try using a pop-up shade cover or patio umbrella over the area you are working in to provide some instant shade.  And remember to stop frequently and drink plenty of water.

Patio and Containers Need More Water – Plants in pots or containers require more water that those in the ground especially in hot weather and those near structures or concrete patios.  Water thoroughly, use a tray to capture excess water and keep the soil moist.  In the heat, water evaporates quickly so be sure to check them often and add a layer of mulch if possible to help keep in the moisture.

Water at the Right Time – Just like working out in the sun during the hottest part of the day, the same can be said for when you water.  It’s best to water in the early morning before temps begin to climb.

How You Water is Important Too – In the heat, moisture evaporates quickly, especially with spray sprinkler systems.  Much of the spray can be lost to evaporation or carried off by winds.  What does make it to the plants will be collected on the leaves and evaporate, never making it to the roots.  A great way to keep you and your plants well-hydrated is with recycled water bottles and here’s how you do it;

1 – Grab one of those empty water or soda bottles and drill 1 or 2 holes in the cap (1 for a slower drip)

2 – Turn the bottle over and drill one hole in the bottom so the water can flow easily.

3 – Fill and place upside down near the base of the plant

It’s a cheap and easy way to keep your plants hydrated in excessive heat by providing plenty of water right where your plant needs it most.  The slow, steady drip allows water to penetrate the soil and minimizes evaporation loss. It’s also a great way to reuse all the water bottles you’ve gone through keeping yourself hydrated! Good luck and stay cool in the garden.