Top 10 Gardener the Ultimate Garden Blueprint with Ken & Lisa

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! This week on the Mountain Gardener, we welcome Jim Rupe from Monrovia Growers, a true plant expert! Jim shares his journey in the agribusiness, from tending Christmas trees to representing Monrovia across Arizona.   We explore the challenges and rewards of growing plants in our diverse state, from the high desert to the mountains. Jim highlights the importance of accl...

Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here! Just like our homes, our landscapes need a refresh now and then. Here are five reasons to consider updating your outdoor spaces: Plants Have a Lifespan: Shrubs and trees age, becoming less vibrant and productive. Replace those tired specimens with fresh, healthy plants. Overgrown Plants: Those cute little shrubs can quickly become monsters, blocking...

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! Want sweet, juicy tomatoes and flavorful herbs?   It starts with the soil. While manure is good, it's not enough. Remember N-P-K: you need phosphorus (the middle number) for fruits and roots. I sprinkle super phosphate under my tomato plants for a game-changing harvest.   Use Aqua Boost polymer crystals to prevent tough skin and cracking, which is especially crucial i...

And we are back with Lisa Watters Lain. Spring is here, and it's time to give your trees some TLC. This is the ideal window to plant new trees, especially your early bloomers like redbuds and crab apples. Get them in the ground before they fully leaf out to minimize transplant shock and maximize root growth.   It's also time to tune up your irrigation system for established trees. Check for leaks,...

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! Spring is bursting forth, and it's time to get those hands in the soil. Here in the mountains, that means turning your attention to early spring bloomers and cool-season veggies.   You'll see forsythia and purple leaf plums putting on a show, so get those in the ground now! Redbuds and crab apples are also perfect for planting this time of year.   For your vegetable g...

Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Watters Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here! This week, we explore a range of gardening topics, offering insider tips for cultivating flavorful herbs, natural pest control methods using ladybugs and praying mantises, and specific guidance on growing vibrant hydrangeas in challenging mountain landscapes. It also highlights ten top-performing spring-blooming plan...

Hey gardening friends, Ken Lain here! This Mother's Day, give a gift that keeps on giving – a beautiful, blooming hydrangea. These aren't just flowers; they're living expressions of a mother's enduring love.   Imagine presenting Mom with a cloud of delicate blooms, a symbol of your appreciation that will brighten her garden for years to come. Hydrangeas come in a range of captivating colors, from...

Join me, Ken Lain, as we welcome John Murphy, a gardening force of nature, to Watters Garden Center! John's passion for plants is contagious, and his knowledge will ignite your own green thumb.   We'll delve into the exciting work of the Prescott Food Forest, exploring how to create your own thriving food forest, even here in our challenging climate. John will share his best practices for soil pre...

Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!   Spring has officially sprung, and the garden center is exploding with color and fragrance. It's a feast for the senses!   Right now, we've got Amaryllis in bloom, those incredible bulbs with trumpet-shaped flowers, some even dipped in rose petals or moss! You won't believe the size and beauty.   And the early spring flowers are here too! Pansies an...

🪻How to Grow Hydrangeas in Mountain Landscapes   Ken Lain Here, The Mountain Gardener!   You know, folks often ask if hydrangeas can thrive here in our Arizona mountains. The answer is a resounding yes!   But there are a few tricks to it. The key is selecting newer varieties that bloom on new wood. This ensures they'll flower reliably, even if the winter chills them back a bit.   Also, our soil a...

Welcome back, garden friends! Ken Lain here, chatting with Lisa Watters Lain about keeping our green spaces thriving naturally.   Many of you ask if ladybugs and praying mantises truly work for pest control, and the answer is a resounding yes! These beneficial insects are nature's tiny cleanup crew.   If you're seeing aphids on your roses or fruit trees, gently moisten the affected area and releas...

Welcome, fellow mountain gardeners! Ken Lain here, your neighborly guide from Watters Garden Center.   Spring in our Arizona highlands is a vibrant, sometimes dramatic awakening. Just like my own wildflowers pushing through the soil, your gardens are likely showing new life. Have you noticed those first blooms on your Forsythia or the fresh growth on your roses?   Now is the time to think about co...

Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!   This week, we're covering essential spring gardening topics to get your landscape thriving. We'll discuss the official start of spring for your garden, how to nurse plants back to health after frost, and the secrets to maximizing blooms on your trees. Plus, we'll explore the best early-blooming perennials and share our spe...

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with the timeless beauty of hydrangeas? Ken Lain here, and I'm excited to announce our upcoming hydrangea pre-order!   These stunning shrubs, in a variety of captivating colors, are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any garden or patio. But here's the thing: our hydrangeas are incredibly popular and tend to sell...

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! Spring is bursting with color, and what better way to celebrate than with flowering trees?   This is the prime time to get them in the ground, so let's explore my top 10!   First up, we've got the long-blooming Chaste Tree, followed by the vibrant hues of Crabapples. For something native and drought-hardy, consider Desert Willow. Flowering Pears offer white blooms and...

Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here! Spring's arrival brings a burst of perennial color! Lisa's here to guide us through some early bloomers. Armeria 'Garden Dreams' offers unique ball-shaped flowers in pink and white, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Dianthus 'Constant Cadence Popery' dazzles with fragrant, multi-colored blooms, deer-resistant and perfect for continuous color....

Ken Lain Here, The Mountain Gardener! Our mountain soils and alkaline water can challenge even the most enthusiastic gardener.   If your plants are lackluster, it’s not you, it’s often the soil's pH. Unlike other regions, we need to acidify our soil, not sweeten it. Forget the lime; here, soil sulfur is your friend. It lowers pH, freeing nutrients for robust growth.   That’s why our Watters 7-4-4...

And we are back with Lisa Waters Lane. Spring's energy is palpable, with gardeners eager to be outdoors.   John's frost-damaged Texas privet is a common concern. Remember, plants are resilient. Avoid over-correcting; let them recover. Fertilize with 7-4-4 to aid new growth or use Root & Grow for a quick boost.   For weed-ridden gardens, hoeing or hand-pulling is best. Decimate is an option, bu...

Welcome to this week's edition of the Mountain Gardener! Your host, Ken Lain, here. Spring's arrival in our mountain landscapes is a dramatic shift, from snow to nearly summer-like conditions in just a few days.   This means you can start planting trees—flowering, fruit, or evergreen—now! The moist soil is perfect for root establishment. You'll notice ornamental trees like flowering pears (with wh...

Spring's vibrant energy is upon us, and at Watters Garden Center, we're diving deep into maximizing your garden's potential. From crafting lush privacy hedges with the fastest-growing plants and distinguishing between majestic Atlas and Deodar Cedars, to celebrating the early bloomers like forsythia and ornamental plums, and cultivating vibrant California Poppies with their perfect companions, we'...

Ken Lain the Mountain Gardener here! Spring's unpredictable weather might have delayed our Spring Flower Festival, but the garden's spirit is in full bloom!   This weekend, discover the enduring beauty of peonies and how to cultivate them for decades of enjoyment. And on April 5th, immerse yourself in the intoxicating fragrance of lilacs, exploring diverse varieties and planting tips.   Remember,...

Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here! Spring awakens the garden with vibrant California Poppies, their cheerful blooms signaling warmer days. Pair them with Delphiniums for a stunning contrast; their tall spikes of blue, purple, or white add vertical interest and elegance.   For a touch of drama, consider the new Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot'. Its deep burgundy foliage provides year-round i...

Ken Lain Here, The Mountain Gardener! Spring's arrival paints our mountain landscapes with vibrant hues.   Right now, you'll see forsythia's sun-kissed yellow and the striking pink blooms of ornamental plums – a true spectacle before the leaves emerge. Remember, these early bloomers are often ornamental, not fruit-producing.   If you’re craving homegrown plums, look for varieties like Elephant Hea...

We're back with Lisa Waters Lain, answering your garden questions! This weekend's buzz was all about spring planting, and many are eager to get started. Remember, while you can plant trees, shrubs, and perennials like lilacs and forsythia now, hold off on tomatoes until after the first week of May to avoid frost damage.   Shelly asked about the difference between Atlas and Deodar cedars. Both are...

Welcome to this week's edition of the Mountain Gardener. Your host, Ken Lain, here!   Spring is in full bloom across our elevations, and now is the perfect time to establish a thick, fast-growing privacy hedge. If you're looking to shield your space from neighbors or unsightly views, we've got you covered. Consider Red Tip Photinia, Cotoneaster, or Silverberry shrubs for quick privacy. For native-...