Mountain Gardener with Ken & Lisa

🌺Spectacular Summer - Top 10 Shrubs for a Stunning Yard 🌺

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Summer is the perfect time to revamp your garden with vibrant, hardy shrubs that thrive in the heat.

If you are looking to create a stunning yard, here are my top 10 shrub picks for a spectacular summer display.

Start with Merlot Euphorbia, a perennial with deep purple foliage that pairs beautifully with its golden cousin, Rainbow Ascot Euphorbia. For fragrant blooms, consider English Lavender, which attracts hummingbirds and butterflies while repelling pests like rabbits and javelinas. Other excellent choices include the show-stopping Crape Myrtle, the versatile Rose of Sharon, and the drought-tolerant Blue Mist Spirea. Tune in for the entire list.

Each of these shrubs not only adds color and texture to your garden but also requires minimal maintenance, making them ideal for the everyday gardener.

Plant them in well-draining soil, ensure they get plenty of sunlight, and watch your garden come to life this summer!

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

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners. Summer's arrived and so have your gardening questions!

This episode of Top 10 Gardener tackles keeping your plants vibrant, with tips for treating yellow leaves and caring for summer wildflowers. Plus, we'll explore fast-growing privacy plants and shade trees to keep your backyard cool. Want a growth spurt? Learn rapid growth strategies for a flourishing landscape. And don't miss your chance to attend a FREE garden class at Watters Garden Center – we'll cover everything you need to know!

Included in this week’s episode:

• Gardener’s Guide - Treating Yellow Leaves in Summer
• How to Care for Summer Wildflowers
• Fast-Track Your Privacy - Best Summer Plants for a Lush Barrier
• Shade Trees the Keep the Backyard Cool
• Rapid Growth Strategies - Top Techniques for Fast-Growing Planting
• Attend a FREE Garden Class at Watters 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.

 

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🍒Attend a FREE Garden Class at Watters Garden Center 🍒

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here, with some friendly advice to keep your garden flourishing.

 

Ever notice your plants acting a little...off? They might be trying to tell you something!

Just like me with my overwatered lilies, some plants wilt when they get too much love. Bulbs and tubers store water, so constant moisture can actually harm them.

Decoding Plant Talk:

• Wilting leaves: This could signal overwatering, underwatering, or even pests.
• Fungal issues: Look for powdery mildew or leaf spots, which often appear during monsoon season.
• Lawn issues: Brown, splotchy patches might indicate a bacterial infection feeding on your lawn's sugars.

Free Garden Class: Top 10 Trees for Fresh Fruit

Mark your calendars! Watters Garden Center is hosting a FREE garden class on July 27th from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. This class is all about unlocking the secrets to a bountiful fruit harvest. Here's what you'll learn:

• The Top 10 Fruit Trees: Discover the best varieties for our Prescott climate, from apples and pears to cherries, apricots, plums, and peaches.
• Cocktail Tree Secrets: Learn all about these space-saving, multi-fruit wonders!
• Planting for Success: Get expert tips on choosing the right location, proper planting techniques, and essential care practices.

Grow Your Own Backyard Oasis:

This class is perfect for anyone who wants to transform their yard into a delicious haven. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a curious beginner, you'll leave with the knowledge and confidence to grow your own fruit trees.

 

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🌱Fast-Growth Gardening: Essential Techniques for Planting Rapid-Growing Plants

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Planting fast-growing trees and shrubs is an art, especially here in Arizona.

 

You can’t just chuck a plant in the ground and hope for the best. Here, precision is key. Roots grow sideways, not downwards, so dig a hole the same depth as your bucket but three times as wide. Remove rocks and debris bigger than a golf ball, and amend your soil with premium mulch and organic plant food to encourage robust root growth. Water with compost tea to reduce transplant shock. Try Prescott Blaze Maple for beautiful fall color. Follow these steps, and your garden will thrive!

 

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🌳Shade Trees that Keep the Backyard Cool 🌳

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, are here to help you transform your backyard into a shady sanctuary. Has the summer sun got you burning up? Fear not! Planting a strategic shade tree is a fantastic way to cool things down.

Here are some fast-growing champions to consider:

• Austrian Pine: This speedy evergreen offers year-round shade and handsome dark green needles. Plus, it provides a lovely window screen.
• Arizona Cypress: Looking for a fast-growing privacy screen and shade provider? This Arizona native is a winner, boasting silvery-blue foliage.
• Also, consider Desert Willow,  Prescott Blaze Maple or Locust trees

Planting for Shady Success:

• Consider your mature size: Think about how big the tree will eventually get and choose a spot that allows for ample growth.
• Sun or shade? Austrian Pines prefer full sun, while Arizona Cypress tolerates some shade.

Bonus Tip: Fall is an excellent time to plant trees! They'll establish strong roots before the summer heat hits, and you'll be enjoying cool shade sooner rather than later. Watters Garden Center has a fantastic selection of shade trees to choose from. Stop by and let our experts help you find the perfect fit for your yard!

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🌲Fast-Track Your Privacy - Best Summer Plants for a Lush Barrier 🌲

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Ready to chat about creating a private paradise – and fast! Summer is prime time for plant growth, especially for privacy screens.

Here are some superstar shrubs that'll shoot up in no time:

1. Arizona Cypress: This native beauty boasts silvery-blue foliage and reaches a majestic 25 feet tall. It thrives in our climate and provides excellent wind protection. Bonus: it attracts beautiful cones, not pollen-heavy juniper berries.
2. Atlas Cedar: Picture a Colorado Spruce on steroids! This majestic giant, Prescott's statehood tree, boasts sweeping branches that offer fantastic noise reduction.

Planting Power Tips:

• Choose natives: They're naturally adapted to our climate and thrive with minimal fuss.
• Water deeply: One good soak a week is better than frequent sprinklings.
• Feed your friends: Give your plants a boost with a good all-purpose fertilizer like Watters 7-4-4.
• Take advantage of summer: The warm weather and occasional rain encourage rapid growth.

Bonus Tip: Don't neglect your existing plants! Prune spent blooms from roses and yarrows, then fertilize – you'll be rewarded with a whole new wave of flowers.

Remember: Consistent care now translates to a lush, private haven later. So, grab your tools, embrace the summer power surge, and watch your privacy screen flourish!

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🌼How to Care for Summer Wildflowers 🌼

Hey there, Watters friends! Ken and Lisa Lain here, chatting about those summer stunners – wildflowers!

Want a vibrant meadow bursting with color, but worried about constant care? Here's the secret: wildflowers are practically self-sufficient!

Through the summer, you'll get a dazzling display, but to encourage even more blooms next year, let's talk deadheading. Now, some folks might think deadheading means less flowers, but hold on! By removing those spent blooms (think pinching just below the faded flower head), your plant isn't wasting energy on seeds. Instead, that power goes into building a stronger root system. That translates to a healthier, showier plant come spring – Mexican Hats, Shasta Daisies, Gaillardia, you name it!

Of course, if you crave a sprawling wildflower haven, let some blooms go to seed! This attracts beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds, and guess what? Those leftover seeds become a winter feast for our feathered friends. Plus, next year, you'll be rewarded with a natural explosion of color, all thanks to letting nature take its course.

So, relax, enjoy the summer show, and let your wildflowers be wild!

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🌱Gardener’s Guide - Treating Yellow Leaves in Summer 🌱

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Your go-to guide for all things gardening. If you're seeing yellow leaves this summer, don't panic. It's common, especially during these hot months, and usually means your plants are thirsty or need a little boost of nutrients. The technical term is Chlorosis, which means a yellowing of normally green leaves due to a lack of chlorophyll.

So, what should you do?

1. Water deeply: A good soak once a week is key, especially for trees and shrubs. Don't just sprinkle the surface; water slowly and deeply until the soil is moist.
2. Fertilize: After watering, give your plants a boost with a balanced fertilizer. This will replenish the nutrients they need to stay green and healthy.

Remember, the best fertilizer is often Mother Nature's own—rainwater. Rainwater's natural pH helps release nutrients in the soil, so after you fertilize, let the rain do its thing!

Keep those questions coming, and 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, In this episode, we'll cover a variety of topics to help you make the most of your summer garden.

Learn how to coax tomato and pepper plants to set more fruit even in the summer heat. Discover the secrets to growing a stunning backyard crape myrtle and get tips on coaching your flowers to bloom again and again. We'll also dive into the best summer-blooming shrubs for your backyard and explore plants that thrive in high desert climates. Plus, we’ll celebrate Mackenzie Lain being named Retailer of the Year. Join us for practical advice, earthy wisdom, and inspiration to help your garden flourish.

Included in this week’s episode:

• Coaxing Tomato and Pepper Plants to Set More Fruit in the Summer Heat
• How to Grow a Backyard Crape Myrtle
• Coaching Flowers to Bloom Again and Again
• The Best of the Summer Blooming Shrubs in the Backyard
• Plants for the High Deserts
• Retailer of the Year - McKenzie Lain

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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🛒Retailer of the Year - McKenzie Lain 🛒

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! I have to tell you, one of the joys of being a small business owner is seeing our family business thrive through generations.

Watters Garden Center has been a Prescott staple for 62 years, and Lisa and I have proudly owned it for the last 22 years. It's rare to see a business stay within the same family for so long, and we're grateful for that legacy.

The real joy comes from seeing our children shine. Our daughter, Mackenzie Lain, has been named Retailer of the Year by the Garden Center industry. She’s a remarkable general manager, bringing youthful energy and extensive experience to the role. Raised in the business, she understands customer service deeply, always making people feel better when they leave than when they arrive.

Join us in celebrating Mackenzie’s achievement and our family’s commitment to serving the community.

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🌵Plants for the High Deserts 🌵

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Summer's in full swing up here, and while the storms can be dramatic, it's also when your garden truly comes alive.

Now's the time to embrace the best of summer blooms! Think vibrant crape myrtles, colorful rose of Sharon, and those hardy hibiscus you might not expect to thrive in our high desert. Plus, our perennials, like lilies and daisies, are bursting with color and attracting all sorts of pollinators.

Don't be fooled by the heat! With the monsoon rains, it's actually a great time to plant. So if you're dreaming of privacy screens, shade trees like aspens and maples, or even fruit trees like cherries, get them in the ground now. And yes, even evergreens like Arizona cypress can be planted successfully this time of year.

To watch future episodes of the Top 10 Gardener, subscribe with this Link

 

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🪴The Best of the Summer Blooming Shrubs in the Backyard 🪴

Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, here! We're diving into the best summer-blooming shrubs for your backyard.

Let’s start with Moscheutos Hibiscus, a robust cousin of the Rose of Sharon. Unlike its relative, Moscheutos resets underground each year, growing to hip height and width. It’s a tremendous grower, setting spectacular flowers from now through fall. Also known as the Confederate Rose, its Latin name is Hibiscus mutabilis. This shrub is a showstopper, perfect for adding a splash of color and unique charm to your garden.

Another standout is Caryopteris, also known as bluebeard or false spirea. This plant is not only beautiful but also a great pollinator attractor. If you're looking to bring bees and butterflies into your garden, Caryopteris is the way to go. It resembles Russian sage but is more shapely and less weedy, blooming just as well, if not better. Its vibrant blue flowers and aromatic foliage make it an excellent alternative to Russian sage.

Both Moscheutos Hibiscus and Caryopteris are in limited supply and available at garden centers now.

Enhance your garden with these summer beauties and enjoy a season full of color and life.

 

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🌼Coaching Flowers to Bloom Again and Again 🌼

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Let's dive into the art of coaching your flowers to bloom again and again.

Imagine a garden where flowers like yarrow, meadow sage, and Jupiter's beard are in constant bloom. It's possible with a few simple steps! As your blooms start to fade, grab your shears and deadhead those spent flowers. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms instead of focusing on seed production.

Next, feed your plants with an all-purpose plant food (7-4-4) to provide essential nutrients. To really boost flowering, add super phosphate (0-18-0). This high middle number in the fertilizer encourages robust flower production. With a little rain or a quick watering, you'll see a vibrant display of blooms in just a few weeks.

Don't forget to experiment with new plants in your garden. One of my new favorites is Merlot Euphorbia. This hardy perennial is part of the same family as gopher plant and gopher spurge but offers stunning purple foliage that adds a pop of color year-round. It's drought-resistant and perfect for rock gardens and sunny spots.

Remember, a well-tended garden is a blooming garden. Keep deadheading, feeding, and trying new varieties to enjoy a colorful and lively garden all season long.

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🌺How to Grow a Backyard Crape Myrtle 🌺

Hey there, Watters friends! Ken and Lisa Lain here, Growing a backyard Crepe Myrtle is a rewarding journey that transforms your garden with vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

Start by choosing the right variety for your climate. Look for hardy options like 'Dynamite' or 'Tonto,' which thrive in both heat and cold. Plant your Crepe Myrtle in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, ensuring it gets at least six hours of sunlight daily.

Water deeply but infrequently to establish strong roots. Prune in late winter to shape and encourage growth, cutting back any dead or weak branches. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Remember, extreme temperatures can turn a Crepe Myrtle tree into a bush. Instead of investing in a tree, consider purchasing a bush variety, which is more suited to handle the temperature fluctuations and will still provide beautiful blooms.

Visit us at Watters Garden Center to explore our selection of Crepe Myrtles with stunning purple foliage and bright pink, red, or white flowers. We'll help you choose the perfect plant to enhance your backyard oasis.

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🍅Coaxing Tomato and Pepper Plants to Set More Fruit in the Summer Heat 🍅

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! If your tomatoes and peppers are slacking in this summer heat, you're not alone. These plants, just like us, slow down when temps hit 95°. But don't worry, the monsoon rains are nature's remedy! Clouds offer shade, humidity rises, and BAM – your plants are back in business.

Give 'em a boost with Watters Flower Power (48% phosphorus) to encourage blooms and fruit. And remember, a little extra TLC goes a long way.

Remember your flowers! If your containers are looking sparse, fill them up! We've got heat-loving beauties like Lantanas, Pentas, and Mandalas ready to thrive.

 

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