Mountain Gardener with Ken Lain
Gardening season is year-round with Watters Garden Center's Ken Lain. The Mountain Gardener shares his secrets on how to have the most beautiful, blooming Prescott landscape.
Preventing Green Tomato Worms in the Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses preventing green tomato worms in the gardens. Learn the lifecycle of the tomato hornworm and the sphinx moth, while a beneficial pollinator, lays eggs that hatch into these destructive green caterpillars. These caterpillars are notorious for rapidly stripping garden plants, especially tomatoes and peppers, often going unnoticed due to their camouflage. Listen in to learn about the practical solutions you can use to protect your plants from these plant-destroying pests.
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Gardening with Javelina and other Backyard Animals
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses gardening with javelina and other backyard animals. Javelina can bring a challenge to caring for a healthy garden. They root around seeking out roots, grubs, and other subterranean food sources, wreaking havoc on your garden's health. What steps can you take to protect your garden from wildlife? Listen in to find out.
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Best Fall Plants for Autumn Long Flowers, Color, and Blooms
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center share the best fall plants for Autumn long flowers, color, and blooms. Fall is fast approaching, and the gardens are getting ready to sleep away the winter! But take heart, there are plenty of plants and flowers that will create a colorful show all the way through the fall. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Lain share what varieties of plants and flowers thrive through the fall season with great color and blooms, and how to care for them.
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How to Save Money at a Garden Center
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about how to save money at a garden center. Garden centers offer significant discounts on plants during seasonal transitions, specifically in late summer and early fall, as they clear out existing inventory to make room for new fall and winter varieties. Watters' monster monsoon sale is an excellent opportunity for gardeners to save money on landscaping projects by purchasing spring and summer plants that are no longer blooming but are still perfectly healthy.
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What's Better as a Privacy Screen Arizona Cypress or Deodar Cedar?
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center discuss whether the Arizona Cypress or Deodar Cedar makes a better privacy screen. A green and healthy living screen can add beauty and privacy to your landscape. Master gardeners Ken and Lisa help you to pick the best screens for your landscape, and this segment will discuss the benefits of Arizona Cypress and Deodar Cedar for your living privacy screen.
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Late Summer Pruning for Winter-Long Beauty
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares info on late summer pruning for winter-long beauty. Late summer garden maintenance is important for your garden's health. Not just for now, but also going into the next season. Late summer pruning done right will bring beautiful autumn blooms and prepare your garden for a healthy winter.
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From Newbie to Garden Pro in Arizona
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares how to go from newbie to garden pro in Arizona. Watters Garden Center offers some wonderful classes all summer long, and in August, those classes continue, where you can learn all the best information to garden with confidence in Prescott, Arizona. Learn all you need to know about planting in the summer and start planning for fall. Plus, get a sneak peek at the Sip and Shop event coming up on August 26th!
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Four Garden Blunders to Avoid at All Cost
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares four garden blunders to avoid at all costs. There are four common mistakes that gardeners often make, including overwatering and incorrect composting practices. What are the other common garden blunders, and what can you do to avoid them? Listen in to find out.
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The Biggest Perennial Flowers of Summer
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center share the biggest perennial flowers of summer. Hear all about some beautiful bloomers, including the fragrant Saffron Echinacea, the hummingbird-attracting Salvia, and the vibrant Rudbeckia Prairie Sun, along with a mention of Echibeccia. What other great plants and timely gardening advice with you get in this episode? Listen in to find out.
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The Cost of Travel to Your Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses the cost of travel to your gardens. After returning from a business trip, Ken recounts that some of the costs of travel are the inevitable stress or loss of plants at home, despite pre-trip preparations. He illustrates this point by sharing the unfortunate demise of a cherished flower basket due to overwatering by a house-sitter focused on pets. While plant loss may be an aftereffect of travel, it is often outweighed by the joy of travel and seeing family. Luckily, replacing a plant is pretty easy to do.
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Which is the Better Tree Aspen or Birch?
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center in Prescott answer the question: Which is the better tree, Aspen or Birch? They also chat about common plant issues, emphasizing the importance of consistent care and targeted treatments. They address how to prevent tomatoes from cracking, rose care, and aphid control. Then they dive into a comparison of aspen and birch trees. Which is better? Listen in to find out!
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Hot Weather Blooms for Vibrant Prescott Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses hot weather blooms for vibrant Prescott gardens. He shares timely advice for maintaining vibrant gardens, emphasizing the importance of removing heat-stressed plants that are no longer blooming to encourage new growth and improve garden aesthetics, even suggesting using a lawnmower for large patches of wildflowers. What else can you do to ensure a vibrant summer garden in Prescott? Listen in to find out.
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See the Gardens Live through Social Media
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, reflects on the significant shift in marketing from traditional methods like magazines and large corporate events to the influence of social media. He reflects on how the rise of social media management has influenced new company roles and methods to engage viewers and potential customers. He takes a look at the upcoming "Grapes for Good" event and recognizes the invaluable contributions of talented individuals who have leveraged their time and talent to support this event, showcasing how social media has become a powerful tool.
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Euphorbia in the Easy to Grow Perennial Garden
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about euphorbia in the garden. Euphorbia is a remarkably robust and easy-to-grow perennial plant that is ideal for various garden settings. It brings its own natural defense that is pest-resistant, loves intense sunlight, and is low-maintenance. Listen in to learn more about Euphorbia.
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Pretty Blooming Trees Best Planted in Summer
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center discuss pretty blooming trees best planted in summer. From ornamental pears to crabapple and redbud, there are so many trees that bring beautiful blooms and love to be planted in the summertime. Listen in to hear the list of trees that you can put in your garden right now.
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Top Plants with Really BIG Flowers
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about the top plants with really big flowers. Rose of Sharon, crepe myrtle, smoke bush, and other great plants bring huge blooms to the garden. They offer different benefits and colors, bringing visual interest and meeting just about any gardening type. Listen in to hear the full list and all about the plants.
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Monsoon Weeds and Erosion Control
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center in Prescott discuss monsoon weeds and erosion control. So far this year, the monsoon hasn't been very active, but there is still the possibility of monsoon rains and with the extra moisture comes weeds and erosion. Using weed control strategies like timely pulling, weed prevention, and targeted spraying can help. What about erosion control? What can you do to stop erosion? Listen in to find out!
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Why Grubs Attract Death into the Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares why grubs attract death into the gardens. Grubs can pose a significant problem for the garden as they eat plant roots, which can severely stress or kill plants by inhibiting their ability to absorb water and nutrients. Listen in to find out what to do about those grubs and to save your garden.
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Plants for the Lunchtime Special
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about plants for the lunchtime special. Hear about the "Sip and Shop" event success and the positive feedback received. The event featured specialty plants like pitcher plants and rare monsteras, which were exclusive to attendees. Listen in to learn about upcoming events and gardening classes that Watters Garden Center is hosting.
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Fast Growing Groundcovers for Hills and Rock Lawns
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener of Prescott, discusses fast-growing groundcovers for hills and rock lawns. It is important to understand the soil type you have in your yard for irrigation purposes. An inch of rain can penetrate varying depths depending on whether the soil is heavy clay (4 inches) or sandy/granite (6-7 inches). Even significant rainfall can fail to meet plants' full watering needs. Lain shifts into fast-growing ground covers for erosion control and landscape beautification. Listen in the learn all about ground covers and soil type.
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Slim Sentinels: The Elegance of Narrow Trees
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center chat about those Slim Sentinels and the elegance of narrow trees. Listen in as they focus on specialized plants for unique garden needs. There are some amazing tall, slender trees that work for tight spaces, property lines, or to provide height without significant width. Learn about the sweet gum and spirit oak for their deciduous fall color, as well as evergreen options like the blue arrow juniper and columnar blue spruce.
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What to Do When Plants Die in the Garden
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares what to do when plants die in the garden. Do you have a persistent problem with plants dying in a specific garden spot despite efforts like replacing soil and clearing roots? You might find the real culprit when digging into the soil: numerous white grubs. Grubs, which are the larval stage of beetles, devour plant roots, leading to the plants' sudden collapse. Should you abandon planting in that trouble spot? How can you eradicate the grubs? Listen in to find out.
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Shady Shrubs for Shady Gardens
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center in Prescott discuss shady shrubs for shady gardens. There are great evergreen shrubs for shady garden corners, including holly, spreading yew, daphne, gardenia, hydrangea, and hostas, just to name a few. They also dive into topics like how to help a gopher-damaged maple tree and using gypsum for new plantings.
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Javelina to Hornworms: Your Guide to a Pest Free Garden
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares a guide to a pest-free garden. In this segment, learn about pest management, specifically addressing an aphid infestation on his watermelons and cucumbers, as well as whiteflies on a sage plant. He covers his strategy to protect his plants. Listen in to see how a gardening expert protects his plants.
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You May Have Purchased the Wrong Plant
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares why you may have purchased the wrong plant. Is your plant dying? Do you struggle with keeping plants alive? There is a possibility that the plant you are trying to grow is the wrong plant for the environment. Lack of knowledge and impulse purchases can result in the wrong plant in the wrong place. How can you ensure you are getting the best plants for your spaces? Visit Watters Garden Center, where they will take the time to learn about where you want plants and direct you to the perfect...
Plants Impossible to Kill Even if You Try
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about plants that are impossible to kill. Listen in for a practical guide for novice gardeners or those who struggle to keep plants alive. There is a plant selection that you can add to your garden that are low-maintenance and robust like Silver Lace Vine, Prescott Blaze Maple, and various cacti and yuccas. What other varieties can you plant that are tough enough to survive? Listen in the find out.
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Impossible to Kill Perennials New for the Gardens
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center chat about impossible-to-kill perennials that are new to the gardens. Summer is here, and despite what you may think, you can still plant in your garden. The current conditions are perfect for heat-tolerant and drought-hardy perennials that thrive in this weather. Check out some new and improved perennial varieties like dwarf Catmint, compact Black-Eyed Susans, smaller Red-Hot Pokers, vibrant Coneflowers, and unique Sedums that are perfect for your garden.
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What are Black Bumblebees Doing on My Hibiscus?
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, describes an encounter with a black bumblebee while setting up a garden display featuring hibiscus plants on antique cars. These unique insects, also known as cutter bees, are distinguished by their solid black appearance and their habit of creating perfectly round, dime-shaped holes in the leaves of plants. Despite their "cutting" behavior, cutter bees are docile and gentle pollinators, crucial for the health of flowers and vegetables.
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How to Grow Better Berries in the Landscape
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center share how to grow better berries in the landscape. Ample sunlight and proper planting techniques are crucial to avoiding crown rot and growing plants that will produce the best berries. What else can you do to ensure you can grow better berries? Listen in to find out.
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What Does Pinching My Flowers Mean?
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares what it means to pinch flowers. He delves into the importance of "pinching" or "deadheading" flowers, especially perennials and wildflowers. By removing spent flowers, gardeners can force the plant to produce new blooms, resulting in a longer flowering period.
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Healing Drought-Stressed Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, chats about healing drought-stressed gardens. When plants are severely impacted by unfavorable weather, consider removing and replacing them rather than waiting for recovery. For newly planted or struggling specimens, it's crucial to prepare the soil to ensure proper nutrition and aeration. What else can you do to help drought-stressed plants? Listen in to learn more.
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Fast-Growing Plants for Thick Privacy Screens in the Landscape
In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, discusses fast-growing plants for thick privacy screens in the landscape. Living walls in landscapes bring beauty to your landscape while also providing privacy. Check out the benefits of planting Arizona Cypress, Deodar Cedar, Colorado Spruce, and more.
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Best Summer Flowers for Perennial Gardens
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center, share the best summer flowers for Perennial Gardens. Check out the great blooms including Shasta daisies, agastache, coreopsis, and more. Learn which plants hummingbirds love and which are great for animal resistant. Listen in to learn which bring bright color, elegant white blooms, and those that love the summer heat.
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How to Keep Tiny Black Ants Out of Your Kitchen and Home
In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, shares how to keep tiny black ants out of your kitchen and home. We've entered monsoon season and with the increase in moisture, you may notice an increased presence of tiny black ants. Learn some great tips in this episode listen in to learn how to make those ants disappear forever!
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Top Shade Trees for the Verde Valley
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center cover the top shade trees for the Verde Valley. Summertime is here and the weather is hot but having some great shade in the yard can make a world of difference. Locust, elm, and ash are just part of the list! What else made the list? Listen in to find out.
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Organically Control Snails, Slugs, and Ants the Easy Way
In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, shares how to organically control snails, slugs, and ants the easy way. From starting with healthy plants to the best pest control products, Ken Lain shares all you need to know about eliminating pests without harming desirable garden life or the environment.
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Garden Classes and Events at Watters Garden Center
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses upcoming events and educational opportunities offered at the Garden Center. He talks about upcoming gardening classes in July and August and the Sip and Shop event on July 24th. Listen to hear about the upcoming events happening at Watters Garden Center.
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Civano's Nursery Owner Joins the Conversation
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, interviews Chris Shipley, owner of Civano's Nursery, one of the largest growing operations in the Southwest. They discuss Civano's commitment to quality, emphasizing their long-lasting hanging baskets, flowers that attract butterflies, fruit trees, and the amazing supply of drought-hardy plants.
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Planting Summer Herbs in the Garden
In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center discuss planting summer herbs in the garden. The hot summer is a great time to plant herbs like basil and tarragon, and the timing is perfect as fresh, new plants are arriving now. They also take some time to look at the heat-loving crape myrtle plant that brings vibrant late-summer color to the yard.
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Common Issues in Vegetable Gardens
In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, describes common issues encountered in vegetable gardens. Learn how to handle a lack of fruit set in plants like cucumbers and gourds, and blossom end rot in tomatoes.
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