Mountain Gardener with Ken & Lisa

🚰Autumn Irrigation Adjustment for Fall Plant Health 🚰

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here. As the crispness of autumn descends upon us, it's time to adjust our watering routines to ensure our plants stay healthy and vibrant through the changing season.

Remember, even though the temperatures are cooling down, your plants are still actively growing and establishing roots well into October.

Key Takeaways:

• Don't stop watering completely: Your plants still need hydration for healthy root development.
• Reduce watering frequency: Gradually decrease how often you water, paying close attention to your specific plants' needs.
• Monitor soil moisture: Keep an eye on the soil to prevent over or under-watering.
• Protect your irrigation system: Take precautions to safeguard your irrigation system from freezing temperatures.

Remember, a little adjustment now will go a long way in ensuring your garden thrives throughout the fall and winter seasons. Happy gardening!

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

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here. From essential pollinators like bees and butterflies to practical solutions for landscaping challenges like hillside erosion, we've got you covered. Discover the top groundcovers to anchor your slopes, explore the latest and greatest garden products, and find inspiration in the stunning world of container gardens. As autumn paints the landscape with vibrant hues, we'll guide you through the most beautiful perennials and the top 10 plants to add fall flair to your yard. Let's dive into the wonderful world of gardening together!

Included in this week’s episode:

• Why Bees and Butterflies Receive all the Attention as Pollinators

• Top 10 Groundcovers that Hold Hillsides
• Trending Garden Products Better than the Rest

• The Most Beautiful Autumn Perennials in the Garden

•  Top 10 Plants of Autumn and Why
• Stunning Container Gardens

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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🌱Stunning Container Gardens 🌱

Hey, garden friends! Ken Lain here, the Top 10 Gardener. Let's talk container gardens!

 

These miniature landscapes are like living art, bringing together textures, colors, and fragrances to create a sensory delight. A well-designed container garden can transform any space, drawing you in and making you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

 

Think of it as creating a masterpiece on a smaller scale. Choose plants with contrasting foliage shapes and textures, like feathery ferns alongside bold succulents. Add pops of color with vibrant blooms, and don't forget the subtle beauty of fragrant flowers.

 

Container gardening is a chance to express your creativity and personalize your space. Experiment with different combinations, try unexpected pairings, and see what sparks joy. Remember, it's not just about the plants, it's about the feeling they evoke.

 

Visit Watters Garden Center for inspiration and expert advice. Our stunning container gardens will ignite your imagination and help you create your own backyard oasis.

 

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🍁Top 10 Plants of Autumn and Why 🍁

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here. Fall is the unsung hero of the gardening year!

 

Cooler days and warm soil create the perfect planting conditions, plus you get more bang for your buck. Summer plants like crape myrtles are on sale, making room for gorgeous fall bloomers like ornamental grasses, mums, and asters. Even trees and shrubs are larger and more established now, giving you instant impact in your landscape.

 

Don't forget, fall planting means winter watering! Adjust your irrigation schedule gradually, watering less frequently as temperatures drop. With a little care, your new additions will thrive, rewarding you with lush growth and vibrant colors next spring.

Some of my top fall picks:

• Ornamental grasses: These beauties add texture and movement to the garden, and many are native to our area.
• Autumn Blaze Maples: These vibrant trees offer stunning fall color and fast growth.
• Fall Mums: These cheerful blooms brighten up any space, and they come in a rainbow of colors.
• Pansies and Violas: These tough little flowers thrive in cool weather and add a splash of color to winter landscapes.
• Fall Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and lettuce all love the cool temperatures of fall.

Remember, gardening is a journey of discovery. Embrace the changing seasons, experiment with new plants, and let your creativity bloom!

 

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🌻The Most Beautiful Autumn Perennials in the Garden 🌻

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here, Fall is a fantastic time for planting perennials!

 

The cooler weather and warm soil allow them to establish strong roots before winter dormancy, ensuring a vibrant display next spring.

Let's explore some stunning options:

• Pink Pearl Agastache: A hummingbird magnet with long-lasting blooms, this perennial offers a delightful alternative to salvia. Its compact growth and non-invasive nature make it a low-maintenance beauty.
• Sweet Sandia Coneflower: This unique variety boasts chartreuse green blooms that mature into a soft pink, creating a mesmerizing transition in your garden. Pollinators love it, and birds will appreciate the seed heads later in the season.
• Fall Vegetables: Don't forget your edible garden! Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and lettuce thrive in the cooler temperatures, providing fresh harvests for your holiday table.

 

Now is the perfect time to revitalize your garden with these beautiful and resilient perennials. Visit Watters Garden Center to discover these and many more fall favorites!

 

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🪴Trending Garden Products Better than the Rest 🪴

Hey there, fellow green thumbs! Ken Lain here, excited to share some of the coolest new gardening products I discovered recently. First up, Willets: it's like magic for your soil! Made from pelletized sheep wool, it holds moisture, feeds nutrients, and boosts beneficial microbes. Perfect for our mountain clay, it works wonders in containers, raised beds, and houseplants too!

 

Sustainability is key, so we're also loving Mali Soils. This Canadian company has cracked the code on peat-free potting mixes that outperform traditional options. They're a bit pricier but worth it for the planet and your plants!

 

Finally, a touch of modern design with 3D-printed plant stands. These laser-cut beauties add a unique touch to your indoor jungle. Perfect for showcasing those climbing beauties like Monstera!

 

These are just a few of the innovative products hitting the shelves at Watters Garden Center. We're always on the lookout for the best tools and solutions to help you create a thriving garden. So come on down and see what's new!

 

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🌿 Top 10 Groundcovers that Hold Hillsides 🌿

Ken and Lisa Lain the Top 10 Gardeners here for another round of gardening tips!

 

Fall is in the air, and the questions are rolling in. Today, we're tackling groundcovers for those tricky hillsides. Jonathan from Prescott Valley is looking for something hearty to cover his southwest-facing slope. Calgary Carpet Juniper and Coral Beauty Cotoneaster are great picks; you can even mix them for a vibrant tapestry!

 

Remember, groundcovers aren't just about looks, they're about function. They prevent erosion, suppress weeds, and add a splash of life to barren spots. Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, and Virginia Creeper are all excellent vine options, while periwinkle (Vinca) and Oregon Grape (Mahonia) are perennial favorites.

 

Whatever you choose, make sure it suits your specific needs. Sun, shade, soil type, and water availability all play a role in a successful groundcover. Take a stroll around your property, measure the area, and bring a picture to the garden center. We'll help you find the perfect plant to turn that hillside into a showstopper!

 

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🐝Why Bees and Butterflies Receive all the Attention as Pollinators 🐝

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here. It's a bustling time in the gardens with pollinators hard at work. We all love the colorful butterflies and busy bees, but let's not forget the unsung heroes of pollination!

Did you know there are fascinating creatures like the black 'cutter bee' that might leave a few perfectly round holes in your leaves? They're actually collecting nesting material and helping pollinate your garden!

Mason bees, tiny but mighty, are also vital for fruit trees and veggie gardens. And even some flies, masquerading as bees, are doing their part to keep your flowers blooming!

As the days shorten, hummingbirds and other birds will start their migration. Keep your feeders up and add some late-blooming flowers like asters and mums to give them a boost!

Remember, every garden, big or small, plays a part in supporting our pollinators. So let's celebrate all the creatures that help our gardens thrive!

 

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

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here. Autumn is truly a gardener's paradise, and we're diving deep into all its wonders this season. We'll uncover the secrets to planting the most vibrant fall flowers, coaxing those pampas grasses into a spectacular bloom, and reviving yellowing plants for a colorful autumn display. We'll explore the captivating world of ornamental grasses, learn about a fantastic local event for a great cause, and discover how garden centers transform with the changing seasons.

Included in this week’s episode:

• The Best Flowers of the Year are Planted in Autumn
• How to Force Pampas Grass to Show More Blooms
• How to Turn Yellow Plants Green for Better Fall Color
• Ornamental Grass and the Showy Landscape
• Grapes 4 Good: A Fun-Filled Evening for a Great Cause
• The Seasonal Changes found at a Garden Center

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!

 

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🍂 The Seasonal Changes Found at a Garden Center 🍂

Hey, garden friends! Ken Lain here, the Top 10 Gardener and let me tell you, the garden center is buzzing with the excitement of fall. The maples are ablaze with color, the ornamental grasses are putting on their finest show, and the perennials are bursting with blooms.

 

Now's the perfect time to plant those stunning shade trees and evergreens you've been dreaming of. We've got the healthiest selection I've seen in years! And don't miss the grasses - from feathery switchgrass to majestic pampas grass; they're all ready to add movement and texture to your landscape.

 

Remember, gardening is a dance with the seasons. Each one brings its own unique beauty and opportunities. So come visit us at Watters, stroll through the vibrant displays, and let's discover the perfect plants for your fall garden.

 

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🍷Grapes 4 Good: A Fun-Filled Evening for a Great Cause 🍷

We have a special guest, Wendi Lancy, Chairperson of the Prescott Frontiers Rotary's Grapes 4 Good event. This is the party of the year, happening right here at the garden center on September 29th from 5 to 8 pm! 

 

Wendi and her team are passionate about serving the community; this event is a testament to their dedication. It's a night of delicious food, fine wines, live music, and exciting auctions, all for a fantastic cause.

 

Proceeds from the event support crucial programs like the Prescott School District's summer school program, the Boys & Girls Club, a generous scholarship at Yavapai College, and the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children across Yavapai County. 

 

So mark your calendars, grab your friends, and get ready for a memorable evening! Tickets and donations can be made at prescottfrontierrotary.com. Let's raise a glass to making a difference together! 

 

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🌿Ornamental Grass and the Showy Landscape 🌿

Ornamental Grasses: The Showy Backbone of Your Fall Landscape

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners here, and I'm excited to share the magic of ornamental grasses with you.

These beauties add texture, movement, and year-round interest to your landscape, especially when everything else starts to fade. Imagine the wind whispering through feathery plumes of Switchgrass or the sun setting behind the graceful arch of Ivory Feathers Pampas Grass.

Whether you have a sunny spot or a shady corner, there's a grass that will thrive. Try the low-maintenance Blue Fescue for edging or the striking Porcupine Grass for a vertical statement. Even deer and javelina leave them alone! So, head to Watters, and let's add some life to your landscape.

 

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🌼 How to Turn Yellow Plants Green for Better Fall Color 🌼

Hey there, fellow gardeners! Ken Lain from Top 10 Gardener here. It's not too late to get your plants looking their best for fall!

 

Here's the secret: fertilize now and adjust the pH of your soil.

 

For Flowers & Veggies: Use a balanced all-purpose plant food like our 7-4-4. It has the nutrients they need to bloom bigger and brighter, plus it helps lower the pH of your soil, making those colors pop! For container gardens, use a water-soluble fertilizer like Flower Power every other week.

 

For Trees & Shrubs: If your maples, aspens, or other deciduous trees look a little yellow, they likely need a pH adjustment. Use soil sulfur to make the soil more acidic. This will unlock the nutrients they need to turn a vibrant green, setting the stage for spectacular fall colors.

 

For Evergreens: Want those blue spruces and cedars to shine? Apply aluminum sulfate. It will lower the pH and add aluminum to the soil, bringing out those silvery-blue hues.

 

Remember, gardening is all about working with nature. By understanding your plants' needs and giving them the right care, you can create a stunning fall display in your own backyard!

 

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🌾 How to Force Pampas Grass to Show More Blooms 🌾

Ken and Lisa Lain the Top 10 Gardeners here. Today's question is about pampas grass and how to get it to bloom more.

 

If your pampas grass looks a little lackluster, it's likely not getting enough nutrients. These beauties are heavy feeders and must be fertilized at least three times a year: Easter, Independence Day, and Halloween.

 

Use a balanced all-purpose plant food like 7-4-4 and a handful of superphosphate (0-18-0) each time you fertilize. The superphosphate will encourage those big, fluffy plumes that make pampas grass so striking.

 

Remember, consistent watering is also key for healthy growth and abundant blooms. Don't let your pampas grass get too thirsty!

 

With a little extra care, your pampas grass will be the envy of the neighborhood!

 

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🍁The Best Flowers of the Year are Planted in Autumn🍁

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here. Autumn in northern Arizona is when the landscape truly shines. After the windy spring and scorching summer, fall's cooler temperatures and gentle rains create the perfect growing conditions. This is when perennials – those plants that return year after year – put down strong roots, setting the stage for abundant blooms next spring.

Perennials for Years of Enjoyment

Perennials are a wise investment, offering long-lasting beauty with minimal upkeep. Think of peonies, with their massive, fragrant blooms; echinacea, attracting pollinators with their vibrant colors; and wildflowers like blanket flowers (gaillardia), adding a touch of untamed beauty to your garden.

Autumn Showstoppers

Fall perennials rival annuals in terms of color and impact. With its tropical-looking blooms, the newly arrived hibiscus will transport you to warmer climes. Crocosmia, with its fluorescent orange flowers, is a hummingbird magnet. And don't forget the new coral bells (heuchera) with their striking black foliage, providing a dramatic backdrop for any brightly colored flowers.

Container Gardens and Fall Crops

Fall is also the ideal time to refresh your container gardens. Fill them with colorful mums, cheerful pansies, and even cool-season vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, and cauliflower.

Remember: Garden Mums vs. Greenhouse Mums

When choosing mums, look for hardy garden mums that can withstand the cold and return year after year. On the other hand, greenhouse mums are not hardy and are best enjoyed indoors.

Visit Watters Garden Center!

See all the vibrant colors and textures of fall at Watters Garden Center. We've got a vast selection of perennials, annuals, fall crops, and mums to help you create a stunning autumn landscape.

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