

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
14 minutes ago
14 minutes ago
10 min
Fall in the Central Highlands is a wonderful time in the garden. Temperatures are cooler and plants seem to breathe a sigh of relief and put on a last spectacular show. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the best fall plants for your porch containers and how to create a beautiful arrangement.
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🥕Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #FallPlants, #FallContainerGarden, #PorchPlantings
2 days ago
2 days ago
53 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:
🌿Fast Vines for Quick Garden Coverage
🌿 Q & A - Top 10 Groundcovers that Hold Hillsides
🐢Reptile Real Estate - Building the Perfect Plant-Filled Tortoise Habitat
🌼 The Most Beautiful Autumn Perennials in the Gardens
🪻2026 Iris of the Year and how to Plant these Spring Beauties
🪻Prescott Area Iris Society Meets at Watters Garden Center
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, #PlantProblems, #StressedPlants, #MonsoonRains&Gardens, #HighDesertGardening, #FallGarden, #AutumnGardenColor, #GardenColorThroughFall, #Iris, #RebloomingIris, #Vines, #FloweringVines, #GroundcoverVines, #FastGrowingVines, #Erosion, #HillsideLandscaping, #Groundcover, #TortoiseHabitat, #PlantsforTortoises

2 days ago
2 days ago
4 min
With all the work that you put into your garden, you don't want it taken over by weeds! Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares how to get the upper hand with weeds in your landscape!
3 days ago
3 days ago
4 min
Iris are a great favorite of many gardeners. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares how you can order Irises online and learn about their varieties and care.
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, #Iris, #RebloomingIris, #IrisSociety
4 days ago
4 days ago
10 min
Irises now come in many colors and varieties, and add unique beauty to your landscape.Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the 2026 Iris of the Year and how to plant and care for these garden beauties.
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #Irises, #IrisoftheYear, #IrisVarieties
5 days ago
5 days ago
10 min
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons in the Central Highlands, and many perennials thrive at this time of year. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Lain share some of the colorful perennials that bloom best this time of year.
🌺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, #Perennials, #AutumnPerennials, #PerennialFlowers, #AutumnLandscape
6 days ago
6 days ago
7 min
Tortoises are a unique, long-lived pet. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares how to build and maintain a healthy, attractive tortoise habitat with live plants.
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #TortoiseHabitat, #PlantsforTortoises

6 days ago
6 days ago
4 min
Pampas Grass can be one of the most beautiful of Autumn plants. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares how to care for your Pampas Grass to encourage those amazing fall plumes.
7 days ago
7 days ago
11 min
Hilly landscapes can not only be unsightly, but they can be a challenge to landscape. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Lain share the best groundcovers that beautify your landscape and add erosion control. 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, #Erosion, #HillsideLandscaping, #Groundcover
Sep 14, 2026
Sep 14, 2026
10 min
Have a place you want to cover with live vines, but don’t want to wait forever? Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the vines that not only beautify your landscape, but grow quickly as well.
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🥕Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #Vines, #FloweringVines, #GroundcoverVines, #FastGrowingVines
Sep 13, 2026
Sep 13, 2026
53 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:
🌼Granite Dells to Groom Creek: Top 10 Flowers for Local Soils
🌿Q & A - How to Force Pampas Grasses to Show more Blooms
🐴 Deadly Grazing Plants That Can Seriously Harm Your Horse
🌿 Ornamental Grasses and the Showy Landscape
🌻 Why Plants Yellow in Mountain Landscapes and What to do About It
🪻Reblooming Iris or Not - How to have More Flowers 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, #PlantProblems, #StressedPlants, #MonsoonRains&Gardens, #HighDesertGardening, #FallGarden, #AutumnGardenColor, #GardenColorThroughFall, #FallTreeCare, #YellowingPlants&Trees, #ProperGardenPH, #Iris, #RebloomingIris

Sep 12, 2026
Sep 12, 2026
5 min
Arizona Cypress is a beautiful signature tree of the Central Highlands. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares how to care for and feed these trees to help them grow quickly and healthy.
Sep 12, 2026
Sep 12, 2026
5 min
Iris are a great favorite of many gardeners. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the latest Iris varieties and how to plant and care for them for a great show in your landscape.
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, #Iris, #RebloomingIris
Sep 11, 2026
Sep 11, 2026
10 min
🌻 Why Plants Yellow in Mountain Landscapes and What to do About It
If plants are stressed from summer heat, lack of food, or pests, they’ll begin to put themselves to bed early in the fall. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares what stresses your plants and trees and what to do about it.
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #YellowingPlants&Trees, #ProperGardenPH, #FallPlantCare
Sep 10, 2026
Sep 10, 2026
11 min
Ornamental grasses are one of the most underused plants for your Central Highlands landscape. Master Gardeners Ken and Lisa Lain share some of the colorful varieties of ornamental grasses that can add interest and beauty to your landscape.
🌺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, #BestOrnamentalGrasses, #ColorfulOrnamentalGrasses, #PampasGrass, #SwitchGrasses, #MuhlyGrass, #PorcupineGrass, #GrassesinContainers