This week Chris Sabbarese from Corona Tools joined us for Pro Tips Tuesday to talk about all things tools, from cleaning and maintenance to which tools will serve landscape pros best. Check out the Q & A below!

Ewing: Hi Chris! Thanks for joining us today. Can you start by telling us about your experience with Corona and what you do?

Chris: Thanks for the invite! I'm the Digital Marketing and Communications Manager for Corona. Like many these days, I wear a ton of hats including; being the voice of Corona on all our social networks, managing our website, coronatoolsusa.com, PR activities, trade shows, advertising and our Corona Cares tool grant program.I joined the Corona team back in 2010 having discovered that the Corona tools I use everyday in my yard, came from the right down the street! I was a fan of Corona long before there were fans on Facebook!My role here is to share what's going on here at Corona with everyone in the industries we support including the professionals in the green industry!

Corona Tools donated tools for a Ewing community service project in 2013.

Ewing: Can you tell us what's new from Corona in 2014?

Chris: Each season holds something new and exciting at Corona Tools. For starters, we're hard at work planning our 90th anniversary for 2015! We've been in Corona, CA since we first opened our doors in the 1920's to support the CA citrus industry.New tools and new product lines are also always in season at Corona. Including a new line of files and rasps for sharpening tools and filing PVC pipes for irrigation installations.

We also recently launched an all-steel shovel product line that is super heavy duty and provide extra digging and prying power without the fear of breaking tools. These heavy-duty shovels have been getting a lot of praise from landscapers recently as their favorite go-to shovel our on the site!Corona's new line of utility tools for irrigation work includes an operating wrench with interchangeable heads including valve key, meter key, and square meter key heads as well as 3 sizes of sprinkler keys. Lots going on at Corona!And next month Corona is glad to support Ewing PRIDE project in Dallas with tools for the project.

Ewing: What basic tools do you think should every landscaping professional should have? And what should they be looking for when buying tools?

Chris: It depends on the task s that they perform. A landscape maintenance contractor will need different tools than the landscape installer. There are still some they will have in common.Here is a list of a few:

• Round Point Shovel for digging
• Square Point Shovel or Scoop for spreading landscape materials
• Rake for collecting or spreading landscape materials
• Cutting tools - for pruning and caring for plants and cutting through thick roots
• Wheelbarrow for hauling

As for the what to look for when buying there are a few basic things:Without question first and foremost is getting the right tool for the job. I've seen many times where people get a tool they think should get it done but struggle once they get started. The proper tool can save you time by getting the job done right, cause less body strain and stress. It helps get the job done quicker, while providing the comfort and performance they need.Pros should be looking at investing in the best tools they can afford. It saves them time and money in the long run. There is nothing worse than being out on the job site with a broken tool and having to run out to find a replacement. Investing in the right tools to begin with will help get the job done quicker and last season after season.Tools covered with a lifetime warranty are also a must. When properly used and maintained a quality tool will last for many years and/ or decades depending on the environment they are used in. Having a product with a lifetime warranty means if anything happens to it under normal use, it's covered!Replaceable parts. Professionals in the business know that it's best to invest in a tool that has replacement parts available as tools begin to wear out. Having been around for nearly 9 decades, Corona carries replacement parts for many of its professional grade tools that, to restore the tool's performance.

The last thing I would suggest are looking for tools that can accomplish multiple jobs. Something like the irrigation bypass pruner that has a built-in sprinkler adjuster and wire cutter. You can cut back vines and shrubs while installing irrigation lines and valves, all with the same tool! Efficient!

Ewing: Many of Corona's products feature “forged" metal. What does that mean?

Chris: Forged steel is heated to a hot liquid state and poured into a metal casting. This produces the uniform tool with the strongest, hardest steel possible. This special process of heat-treated steel will last pretty much forever under normal conditions.

Ewing: You mentioned Corona's new files and rasps for sharpening out this year...how often should cutting tools be sharpened? Is there a best method?

Chris: How often you sharpen will depend on the amount of use and what you are cutting. A landscape maintenance contractor can literally make thousands of cuts in a day and require greater frequency. Bottom line is, when you notice your pruning tools aren't cutting as efficiently as they used to, it's likely time to sharpen them!And sharpening is not limited to cutting tools...tools like a shovel or hoe blade made to cut through soils should also be sharpened as needed!

Ewing: You mentioned the new all-steel shovels...are these considered part your professional grade tools? What are some of the differences between those and the other tools Corona offers?

Chris: All steel are about the toughest shovels you can get. They are steel from top to bottom and great for providing extra strength when digging and prying.I just transplanted dozens of bushes two weeks ago and used the all steel. It penetrated the soil and cut through the roots like a hot knife through butter. Made the job so EASY!!

Ewing: Sounds like it could help save some time on the job!

Chris: I had put the job off for 3 years...I would have done it sooner had I known it would be that easy. All the bushes survived and I'm counting it as a personal landscape victory!

Ewing: What other tips do you have when it comes to tool care?

Chris:

• Wipe them down after each use before storing them...a must!
• Remove caked on debris with a stiff wire brush
• Do not use harsh chemicals to clean the metal as it can break down and weaken/discolor the metal over time
• Inspect them often for nuts and bolts that have become loosened during use
• Store them in a cool dry place to avoid exposure to excess heat and prone to rust

Tool care and proper storage is the key to the longevity of the tool!

Ewing: Do you have any tips for removing rust if it wasn't avoided?

Chris: A stiff wire brush is ideal for removing surface rust. Do not use steel wool as it will introduce metal burs that a prone to rust and rust the tool itself!On long handle tools like a shovel, get a 5-gallon bucket, fill 3/4 of the way with sand. Add a quart of motor oil (veggie or natural oil if used near edibles) and cast the head of the tool into the sand mixture. Repeat the process until the sand has removed all the rust and saved you A LOT of time and work! This totally works and is a great time saver!

Ewing: Looks like our chat time may be up soon, but you also host the weekly #TreeChat and #LandscapeChat on Twitter. What can you tell us about those?

Chris: Each week arborists and landscape pros join us via Twitter to chat about trees and landscape.#TreeChat happens each Tuesday at 11AM PST/ 2PM EST. We are joined by industry experts including TCIA, Bartlett Tree Service, Arbor Day Foundation, certified arborists, community volunteers and tree enthusiasts everywhere!#LandscapeChat happens each Wednesday with professional organizations in the green industry including our partners Lawn and Landscape and PLANET to discuss topics related to the industry including; water management, sustainable landscape, trends in the industry and much more.All are welcome to join and the chats are fast, fun and informative each week!

Ewing: Thanks so much for your time today and for all these excellent pro tips! How can Ewing customers learn more if they're interested?

Chris: Thank you for inviting us! Best places to find out what's going on at Corona is digitally! Landscapers can connect with us directly on:

• Facebook: facebook.com/coronatools
• Twitter: twitter.com/coronatools
• And of course our website, blog and the Season After Season monthly newsletter: coronatoolsusa.com

Thanks again for the fun chat and I hope to chat with you again!