

Stop Guessing. Start Growing. Welcome to the Ultimate Garden Blueprint.
Body Copy: Most big-box store advice will get your plants killed. The intense sun, the heavy wind, and the local wildlife require a completely different set of rules.
I'm Ken Lain, "Top 10 Gardener," and every week, I share the exact "un-killable" strategies we use to cheat the heat and build vibrant, blooming sanctuaries in USDA Zones 5–8.
Don't waste another season on generic advice. Hit that '+ Follow' button right now to get your weekly dose of mountain gardening success. Let's put some roots in the ground together.
Whether you are trying to force your mountain roses into non-stop blooms, figure out why your evergreens are dropping needles, or reclaim your patio from summer pests, we give you the hyper-local science to make it happen.
When you tune in, you'll discover:
- The Overlooked Truths: Fast diagnostics and 10-second pruning tricks that flatlander gardeners know nothing about.
- Seasonal Urgency: Exactly what to plant right now to guarantee roots get established in our Prescott soil.
- Insider Access: First dibs on our custom plant arrivals and premium garden kits before they sell out on our online store.
Don't waste another season on generic advice. Hit that '+ Follow' button right now to get your weekly dose of mountain gardening success. Let's put some roots in the ground together.
Episodes

26 minutes ago
26 minutes ago
4 min
If your trees and plants are showing yellow leaves, it could be from lack of iron. In this Follower Behind the Scenes Bonus, Mountain Gardener Ken Lain explains what causes yellowing leaves and how to boost your trees and plants with chelated iron.
3 hours ago
3 hours ago
10 min
You’ve pampered your trees all summer, and now your purple leaf plum leaves are looking a bit sickly. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares how to safely and organically put a stop to the leaf spot that is making your purple leaf plum look less than happy.
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #WattersGardenWisdom, #LeafSpot, #FallTreeCare, #PlumLeafSpotControl, #TreeDiseaseControl
2 days ago
2 days ago
10 min
You’ve put hard work into your garden all spring and summer, and it’s frustrating if javelina visit, sometimes in big numbers, and decide to feast on your efforts! Master Gardener Ken Lain shares ways to deter these wild visitors, and the beautiful plants and shrubs they don’t like!
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #DeterringGardenWildlife, #JavelinainGarden, #JavelinaProofPlants, #DeterringJavelina
3 days ago
3 days ago
11 min
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 show us some varieties of plants and flowers that thrive through the fall season with great color and blooms, and how to care for them.
🌺Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #BestFallPerennialFlowers, #PerennialBloomsinFall, #AutumnGardenColor, #GardenColorThroughFall
4 days ago
4 days ago
6 min
Autumn is a bright, colorful time of year for Central Highlands gardens. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the most vibrant and beautiful blooms to plant to make your garden an autumn showcase!
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Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #FallFlowers, #BrightFallBlooms, #FallPerennials, #AutumnGarden

5 days ago
5 days ago
3 min
Your garden is doing great until you step out one day and find stressed plants and thousands of tiny insects on the leaves. Where do those little hungry beasts come from? Mountain Gardener Ken Lain explains these insects and how to control them in this Follower Behind the Scene Bonus.
5 days ago
5 days ago
10 min
Your garden can give you great produce deep into fall. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Lain help you to pick the best fall vegetables and how and when to plant them for best success. They will answer additional garden questions in this segment!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
🌹Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #PlantFallVegetables, #FallGarden, #BestTimetoPlantinFall
6 days ago
6 days ago
11 min
In our Central Highlands challenging climate – think wind, heat, and long stretches without rain – watering the right way is crucial to your gardening success. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the secrets to quenching your garden’s thirst during the hot, dry days of summer and fall.
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🥕Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #SummerWatering, #GardenWatering , #WiseWatering, #WateringFlowers&Vegetables
7 days ago
7 days ago
52 min
Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Watters-Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!
Get ready to catch Ken and Lisa's gardening bug! They're bursting with knowledge and passion for growing beautiful things, and they're ready to share it all with you.
Don't miss out on this chance to level up your gardening game!
Included in This Week’s Show:
🌿 Late summer Pruning for Winter Long Beauty
🌲Q & A: What’s Better as a Privacy Screen - Arizona Cypress or Deodor Cedar?
💰How to Save Money at a Garden Center
🌻 Best Fall Plants for Autumn Long Flowers, Color and Blooms
🐗 Gardening with Javelina and other Back Yard Animals
🐛Preventing Green Tomato Worms in the Gardens
Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with expert tips and tricks. You'll find it on all your favorite podcast platforms. To Watch the Entire Podcast Show, Tap or Click on the Link Below Subscribe for Top 10 Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
#WattersGardenCenter, #WattersGardencenterAZ, #TheMountainGardener, #GardeningTips, #KenLain, #WattersGardenClasses, #WattersOnlineStore, #WattersOnlineExclusives, #CentralHighlandsGardening, #WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #SummerPlanting, #PlantProblems, #StressedPlants, #MonsoonRains&Gardens, #HighDesertGardening, #LateSummerFlowers, #FallBloomingFlowers, #BestFallPerennialFlowers, #LateSummerPruning, #FallTree&ShrubPruning, #ArizonaCypressTrees, #DeodorCedarTrees, #TreePrivacyScreens, #Javelina, #Deer, #DestructiveGardenAnimals, #TomatoWorms, #TomatoPests, #GardenPests, WattersMonsterMonsoonSale
Aug 29, 2026
Aug 29, 2026
5 min
You’ve planted, fertilized, and watered your tomatoes all summer, and now those big green worms are having a feast! Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the best way to deter and remove those tomato worms and save your crop!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🥕Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #TomatoWorms, #TomatoPests, #GardenPests
Aug 28, 2026
Aug 28, 2026
10 min
There’s no doubt that the Central Highlands is a challenging gardening environment, and that includes a number of critters that love to munch on your garden! Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares the plants that javelina and deer don’t like, and the ways to deter these creatures from your garden.
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #Javelina, #Deer, #DestructiveGardenAnimals
Aug 27, 2026
Aug 27, 2026
10 min
While summer is fading into fall, Mountain Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain share the plants that will bloom through fall with vigor and color!
🪴Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #FallBloomingFlowers, #BestFallPerennialFlowers, #FallBlooms
Aug 26, 2026
Aug 26, 2026
7 min
If you’re looking to save a little money and upgrade your garden at the same time, now is the perfect opportunity! Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the ways to save money in the garden center this time of year, including shopping at the Watters Monster Monsoon Sale!
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #SaveMoneyattheGardenCenter, #MoneySavingGarden, #GardenBargains, #MonsterMonsoonSale
Aug 25, 2026
Aug 25, 2026
11 min
Arizona Cypress and Deodor Cedars are two similar trees that add beauty to your Central Highlands landscape. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain help you to pick the best of the two or your landscape, and why, along with other garden questions received this week.
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
🌹Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #ArizonaCypressTrees, #DeodorCedarTrees, #TreePrivacyScreens
Aug 24, 2026
Aug 24, 2026
10 min
This time of the year, gardens begin to look a little weather worn. A little pruning will not only restore order to your fall garden, but it will set your trees and shrubs up for success through the winter. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares the way to prune for winter beauty.
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #CentralHighlandsGardening, #LateSummerPruning, #FallTree&ShrubPruning