Mountain Gardener with Ken & Lisa

🌵Can Yucca and Agave Grow in a Container🌵

Ken and Lisa Lain the Top 10 Gardeners here. And we're excited to answer a question from Lynn about growing yuccas in containers. The answer is a resounding YES!

 

Those striking yuccas and agaves you see gracing magazine covers can thrive in pots for years. Just imagine a beautiful glazed pot with a spiky yucca as the centerpiece – it's a Southwestern dream!

 

For best results, use a well-draining soil like our cactus mix. Water weekly in winter and every few days in summer, especially when in bloom. And don't worry about choosing between yellow or red yucca – both are stunning!

 

Want more ideas for hot spots? Native manzanita, coral beauty cotoneaster, and junipers are all excellent companions. Stop by the garden center, and we'll show you the perfect ground cover for your sunny spot. ☀️

 

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🌼What to do with Azalea and Rhododendron in the Fall🌼

Hey Gardeners Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here.

Fall is upon us, and it's time to give your garden a feast before the winter slumber.

 

Think of it like this: your plants have worked hard all summer, producing beautiful blooms and foliage. Now, they need to replenish their energy stores for next spring's show. That's where fertilizer comes in.

 

Before Halloween, give everything in your garden a good dose of 7-4-4 All-Purpose Plant Food. This slow-release, organic blend is perfect for our mountain gardens. Sprinkle it around the base of your plants, and let nature do the rest.

 

This is especially important for spring-blooming beauties like azaleas, rhododendrons, and lilacs. Those vibrant flowers require a lot of energy, and fertilizing now will ensure a spectacular show next spring. 🌸

 

And hold off on the pruning shears! Let your plants enjoy their fall colors and store energy for the winter. We'll tackle pruning later in the season. ✂️

 

So grab your fertilizer and give your garden the nourishment it deserves. Your future self will thank you! 😊

 

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Welcome to Episode 24 - 41 of The Top 10 Gardener Podcast' with Ken and Lisa Lain! 🎙️

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it's time to prepare your landscape for the beauty of autumn.

October is the ideal time to provide your plants with a final nutrient boost, ensuring they have the strength to withstand the winter months. Evergreens, in particular, will thrive with the additional fertilization.

This is also the perfect season to harvest ripe grapes and consider planting berry bushes for a bountiful harvest next year. Enhance your outdoor spaces with vibrant purple blooms in containers, adding a touch of autumnal charm. Remember essential tasks like pruning and winterizing as you transition your landscape for the colder months.

Finally, embrace the spirit of the season by incorporating festive autumn decorations, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here. Included in this week’s episode:

• Why October Plant Food is the Most Important Feeding of the Year
• Top Evergreens Better Thank a Dead Pinion Pine Tree
• The Grape Harvest - Add Better Berries this Year
•  Purple Fall Flowers for Pretty Autumn Containers
• The Fall To Do List for a Healthy Landscape
• Autumn Landscaping is All About Decorating

Ken and Lisa are eager to hear from you! They'll be answering listener questions about gardening in Arizona's high country, so don't hesitate to share your queries and experiences.

Ready to catch Ken and Lisa's gardening bug? They're brimming with knowledge and passion for growing beautiful things, and they're excited to share it all with you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your gardening game!

 

Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with their expert tips and tricks. It's available on all your favorite podcast platforms.

 

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🎃 Autumn Landscaping is All About Decorating🎃

Hold off on those pruning shears, friends! Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here with a tip to turn your spent summer blooms into a vibrant autumn display.

 

Echinacea, or coneflower, is a superstar in the fall garden. These tall perennials boast stunning flowers all summer long, and guess what? They keep shining well into autumn!

 

Here's the magic: Instead of deadheading (removing spent flowers), let your Echinacea go to seed. The seed heads transform into striking tan structures with dark centers. They're beautiful on their own and provide a valuable food source for migrating birds.

 

Double bonus: By letting your Echinacea seed, you're helping it multiply naturally. Those seeds will spread and create even more cheerful blooms next year!

 

Here's the Ken Lain timeline:

• October: Leave your Echinacea seed heads standing tall. They may brown a bit, but they'll still be attractive.
• November (or later): If the seed heads become unsightly, cut them back. But leave them standing until winter harshens.
• Spring: Enjoy a new generation of Echinacea springing up from the "mother plant" and the scattered seeds.
•  

Autumn is prime planting time! There's still plenty of season left to add Echinacea or other colorful perennials to your yard. Visit Watters Garden Center for a fantastic selection and expert advice.

Let's keep those fall gardens blooming!

 

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🍁The Fall To-Do List for a Healthy Landscape🍁

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here. October is the perfect time to tackle those fall gardening chores! The weather is still pleasant, and the work you do now will pay off with a healthier, more vibrant landscape come spring.

 

Start by spreading a 2–3" layer of composted manure, like Watters Barnyard Manure, on your empty vegetable and flower beds. This will add nutrients and improve soil structure over the winter.  Next, collect seeds from your wildflowers and zinnias to sow next spring. It's a great way to save money and enjoy the blooms you love year after year.

 

Don't forget our feathered friends! Clean your bird feeders to welcome migrating birds passing through your yard.  It's also time to winterize water features. Bring in pumps and drain fountains to prevent freeze damage. For ponds, make sure the skimmer box is working and consider a pond heater to keep the water open for birds.

 

Finally, give your trees and shrubs a good drink. Even though it's fall, they still need water, especially new plantings.  And don't forget to fertilize everything with Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food. This will help your plants store energy for a strong start next spring.

 

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🪻Purple Fall Flowers for Pretty Autumn Containers🪻

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here, with some tips to transform your summer containers into stunning fall masterpieces.

Mother Nature's calling for a wardrobe change, and your pots deserve one too!

Let's ditch the tired blooms and bring on the vibrant hues of autumn! Here are some of my favorite fall container plants:

• Mums (Chrysanthemums): The undisputed king of fall flowers. These beauties boast long-lasting blooms in a dazzling array of colors – whites, oranges, reds, and even purples! Bonus tip: Opt for garden mums from your local garden center (like Watters!) They're acclimated to our climate and will outperform their greenhouse-grown cousins.
• Pansies: Tough little troopers that bloom all winter long! Pansies come in a delightful range of colors, from classic orange to majestic burgundy with a yellow halo.
• Violas: These pansies' petite cousins might be smaller, but they make up for it with nonstop blooms. Perfect for adding pops of color.
• Ornamental Cabbage and Kale: Not just for salads! These come in stunning shades, adding a touch of whimsy and contrast to your container.

Looking for more? Here are some additional options:

• Dusty Miller: This workhorse provides beautiful silvery foliage that complements any flower. Plus, it's deer-resistant and keeps going all season long.
• Ornamental Grasses: Add a touch of height and texture with ornamental grasses like red sedge.
• Snapdragons: Fall is prime time for snapdragons! Choose from tall varieties for drama or shorter ones for a more compact look.

 

🪻Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🍇The Grape Harvest - Add Better Berries this Year🍇

Hey there, fellow green thumbs! Ken Lain the Top 10 Gardener here. Wow, what a harvest!

This year's berry and grape crops were incredible, thanks to some simple tricks I want to share. For bigger, juicier berries, remember two things: food and pruning.

 

Feed them every other month with Watters 6-4-4-7 Fruit & Vegetable Food, especially after harvest for strong roots come spring. Prune back canes that have finished fruiting to make room for new growth. Grapes love the same food, but focus on those deep roots with fall and spring feedings.

 

Train them high for more sun-loving leaves, which means more sugar for those plump grapes. Water them deeply, just like your trees, and prune back those long vines in late winter.

 

Don't forget, October is the month to feed all your fruiting plants for a bumper crop next year!

 

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🌲Top Evergreens Better Thank a Dead Pinion Pine Tree 🌲

Ken and Lisa Lain the Top 10 Gardeners here. Losing a pinion pine can be tough, but it opens opportunities for something new! Don't plant in the same spot – decaying roots can hinder new growth. Instead, plant a few feet away and consider a different evergreen. Austrian pines are a great choice with their long needles and hardiness.

Worried about your other pines? Bring a sample in a sealed baggie to Watters, and we'll check it for pests and diseases under our microscope. 🔬

To give your remaining pines a fighting chance, fertilize them now and apply Watters Tree & Shrub Drench to prevent pests.

Need help choosing a replacement? We have a fantastic selection of evergreens and a planting guide to help you find the perfect fit for your landscape. Come see us – we're here to help your garden thrive!

 

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🍂Why October Plant Food is the Most Important Feeding of the Year 🍂

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here. October is the most important month to fertilize your plants!  Here in the mountains of Arizona, our soil needs a boost to keep our gardens thriving.

Why? Because our topsoil is thin and the monsoons wash away vital nutrients. To keep your trees healthy and your flowers blooming, you need to replenish those nutrients now.

Forget those chemical fertilizers!  Go organic with Watters 7-4-4 All-Purpose Plant Food. It's a blend of cottonseed meal, bird guano, iron, and sulfur, perfectly balanced for our unique mountain soil. This feeds your plants now and helps them develop strong buds for a spectacular spring bloom. 🌷

For your veggie gardens and fruit trees, try our 6-4-4-7 Fruit & Vegetable Food. It's packed with organic ingredients and calcium to boost your harvest. 🍎

Stop by Watters Garden Center today and grab the food your garden needs. Your plants will thank you!

 

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🎙️Welcome to 'The Top 10 Gardener Podcast' with Ken and Lisa Lain! 🎙️

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here. Fall is in the air, and it's time to transition our gardens for the cooler months ahead.

In this episode of Mountain Gardener, we'll cover everything you need to know to keep your landscape thriving. We'll discuss adjusting your irrigation schedule for fall, preparing your garden beds for new plantings, and explore the best fall flowers and ornamental grasses to add color and texture to your yard. Plus, we'll share tips for boosting your home's curb appeal and invite you to a special community event benefiting the local schools.

Included in this week’s episode:

• Autumn Irrigation Adjustment for Fall Plant Health
• How to Prepare Garden Beds for Fall Planting
• Fall Flowers for Winter Long Color
• Pretty Grasses & Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant Them
• Creating a Home with Curb Appeal
• Grapes for Good Garden Party Raises Money for School

Ken and Lisa are eager to hear from you! They'll be answering listener questions about gardening in Arizona's high country, so don't hesitate to share your queries and experiences.

Ready to catch Ken and Lisa's gardening bug? They're brimming with knowledge and passion for growing beautiful things, and they're excited to share it all with you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your gardening game!

 

Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with their expert tips and tricks. It's available on all your favorite podcast platforms.

 

🎙️Be the first to know! Click to join the Top 10 Gardener gardening community!

https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/

 

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🍇 Grapes4Good Garden Party Raises Money for Schools 🍇

Hey, garden friends! Ken Lain here, the Top 10 Gardener. Remember tomorrow September 29th because Grapes4Good is back! 🎉

 

🍇 It's the biggest garden party in the county, and we're turning Watters Garden Center into a festive fundraising fiesta from 5-8 pm.

 

🍷 Enjoy delicious wines paired with mouthwatering food from Torme, all while supporting local schools and community programs. We've got amazing silent auction items too, like African safaris and golf getaways! ⛳️

 

🎟️ Tickets are $80, and every penny goes directly to the cause. Grab yours online at www.PrescottFrontierRotary.com or swing by the garden center.

 

🤝 Let's raise over $100,000 together and make a real difference in our community!

 

Ken also summarizes the remaining fall Garden Classes which run ervery Saturday through October.

 

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🏡 Creating a Home with Curb Appeal🏡

Boost your Home's Value: Curb Appeal Tips from Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener.

Looking to boost your home's curb appeal and value? I'm here to share some practical tips to make your home the envy of the neighborhood.

 

It all starts with trees! They provide shade, beauty, and even financial benefits. Native plants and low-maintenance shrubs are also a fantastic way to enhance your landscape without breaking the bank. Outdoor lighting adds security and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. Consider fencing for privacy and protection, and retaining walls to maximize usable space. And don't forget about walkways – they provide a welcoming path to your front door.

 

Remember, a well-maintained landscape is a beautiful landscape! Regular trimming, shaping, and fertilizing will keep your plants healthy and vibrant. Now's the perfect time to fertilize with a 7-4-4 all-purpose plant food. So, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and create a home that truly shines.

 

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🌾Pretty Grasses & Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant Them 🌾

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here, Fall is the perfect time to add those graceful, swaying grasses to your landscape! Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you...

🌾 See them in their glory: Ornamental grasses are at their peak beauty right now, showcasing their full size and vibrant plumes. No more guessing what they'll look like in your yard!

🌱 Easy-care & hardy: These beauties are low-maintenance and thrive in our mountain climate. Just a quick trim in March and some occasional fertilizer, and they'll provide year-round interest.

🐦 Wildlife-friendly: Birds love the shelter and seeds that grasses provide, adding a touch of nature to your backyard.

🍃 Movement & texture: Grasses add a unique dimension to your landscape, their graceful plumes dancing in the breeze.

🌄 Perfect for our elevation: Grasses are naturally suited to our high-altitude environment, growing strong and healthy with minimal fuss.

🌻 Plant them now: Fall planting gives grasses time to establish roots before winter, ensuring they come back even more beautiful next spring!

So head on down to Watters and check out our stunning selection of ornamental grasses! We've got everything from compact varieties like Dwarf Fountain Grass to showstoppers like Blackhawk Bluestem. Your garden will thank you!

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🌼Fall Flowers for Winter Long Color 🌼

Hey there, fellow green thumbs! Ken Lain the Top 10 Gardener here.

🍂 Fall's here, and it's the perfect time to decorate your garden with vibrant hues that last all winter long! Think of it as accessorizing your outdoor space, adding pops of color to complement the changing season.

🌸 Swap out those spent summer blooms for cheerful cool-season favorites like pansies, violas, and kale. They'll thrive in the mild temperatures and keep your garden looking lively even as the days grow shorter.

🌿 Don't forget to tidy up! Remove those sprawling tomato vines and leggy sunflowers, making room for fresh plantings. A little pruning and shaping now will keep your garden looking its best through the winter.

💡 Remember, gardening in the mountains is unique! Don't be misled by advice meant for warmer climates. Hold off on heavy pruning until late winter/early spring.

🌼 With a few simple swaps and additions, you can enjoy a colorful and inviting garden all year round. So get out there and embrace the beauty of fall planting!

 

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🌱How to Prepare Garden Beds for Fall Planting🌱

Ken and Lisa Lain the Top 10 Gardeners here. Ready to help you transform those tired summer beds into thriving fall gardens!

Step 1: Out with the Old

Clear out those spent summer veggies – tomatoes, squash, the whole crew! Their big appetites leave the soil hungry, so let's replenish it.

Step 2: In with the New

Raised beds? Easy peasy! Grab a bag of potting soil, toss in some nutrients, and you're ready to plant those fall starts like broccoli and cauliflower.

Insider tip: Add a sprinkle of 'Willetts' 🐑 (wool pellets) for a nitrogen boost, better moisture retention, and amazing root growth.

In-ground beds? Spread a 2-3 inch layer of manure, BUT let it sit before planting directly into it. Too hot for those tender fall roots!

Remember: Now's the time for starts, not seeds, to get a jump on the season.

Get Growing!

With a little prep, your garden will be bursting with fall flavors in no time. Happy planting! 🍂

 

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