Top 10 Gardener the Ultimate Garden Blueprint with Ken & Lisa

👨‍🌾Why Owning a Garden Center is Such Fun

Owning a garden center is a joy, especially during our 63rd Spring Open House! Ken Lain here, and I love sharing the excitement of the season. We celebrate rain, sun, or snow with our growers and you, our gardening friends.

 

This weekend is packed with new discoveries, like the dwarf "Little Miss Sunshine" Yucca, a hummingbird magnet perfect for any patio. The fragrant Pieris, or Lily of the Valley, is also in full bloom, ideal for shady spots.

 

We're brimming with Penstemons and Rhododendrons, all bursting with color. March's moisture supercharges our soil, making it perfect for planting. Join us this weekend and experience the magic of spring!

 

👨‍🌾Ken Lain, The Top 10 Gardener

 

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🌻Spring Gopher Plant with Garden Companions

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, are here! Spring's bursting with life at Watters Garden Center! We are showcasing some genuinely unique plants.

 

We're excited about our spring Amaryllis, a perfect indoor delight, waxed and ready to bloom for 10-14 weeks.

 

Outdoors, the vibrant colors of Columbine announce spring, while Euphorbia varieties like Gopher Plant and Rainbow Ascot add architectural interest and resilience. And for a true sign of spring, Forsythia's bright yellow blooms are just opening!

 

These plants are perfect for our mountain climate, offering beauty, fragrance, and animal resistance. Join us this spring and discover the wonders of nature.

 

🌻Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🌱Native Plant Drops and the Easy to Grow Selection

Spring's here, and we're celebrating easy-care natives! Ken Lain here, sharing the latest arrivals at Watters Garden Center. Our changing climate means new options, like hardy Texas Sage and vibrant Orange Crush Globemallow, perfect for our dry landscapes.

 

Discover our superior Single Leaf Pinion Pine, robust and disease-resistant. And don't miss the versatile Juniper, a 1600-year-old wonder, available in numerous varieties. We've even improved natives like Redbuds and Desert Willows, breeding them for extended blooms and vibrant colors.

 

These plants thrive with minimal care, ideal for busy gardeners. Embrace the beauty and resilience of Arizona natives with us!

 

🌱Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here,

 

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🌾 When Should a Lawn Start with Water and Food

Ken and Lisa Lain here each week to answer your garden questions!

 

Spring lawns are waking up, and it's time to give them a boost. Now is the moment to start watering and feeding your lawn. Forget waiting, friends.

 

Grab Watters 7-4-4 All-Purpose Plant Food. It's a granular food, like magic for your grass. Spread it now; you'll see a vibrant green lawn next weekend.

 

Get that mower sharpened and ready, too!

 

Start watering those March plants, and watch them green up instantly. Don't delay; your lawn is ready for action. Spring is here, let's make it green!

 

🌾Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🪴Top 10 Blooming Shrubs of Spring

Spring is here, and it's time to add some dazzling color to your landscape! Ken Lain here, The Top10Gardener. I'm sharing my top 10 blooming shrubs that will make your yard the envy of the neighborhood.

 

We're talking Forsythia, bursting with those vibrant yellow blooms that announce spring's arrival, and Redbuds, offering a variety of pink intensities and even purple foliage options like the Merlot. Don't forget the classic Lilacs, with their fragrant flowers and diverse varieties.

 

These shrubs are perfect for our Central Highlands climate, handling everything from the wind to our unique sun. Plant them now to enjoy their beauty and fragrance all spring long!

 

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🎙️Welcome to Episode 25 – 10 of The Top 10 Gardener Podcast' with Ken and Lisa Lain!

Hey, fellow gardeners, Ken and Lisa Watters - Lain here! This week at Watters Garden Center, we're diving deep into spring gardening essentials! Learn why March is the prime time for pruning roses and hedges, discover our top 10 hedge plants for creating private oases, and explore the beauty of March companion plants like Forsythia. We'll also unveil the top 10 perennial spring flowers for lasting blooms, share garden shortcuts for a thriving season, and celebrate 62 years of family expertise, proving why local knowledge matters.

Included in this week’s episode:

• Why Roses and Hedges are Best Pruned in March
• Top 10 Hedge Plants for Privacy
• March Companion Plants and the Fanciful Forsythia
• Top 10 Perennial Springs Flowers that Thrive for Years
• Top 10 Garden Shortcuts of Spring that Make Gardens Better
• Why 62 Years in the Family Business Matters

Ken and Lisa will also answer listener questions about gardening in Arizona's high country.

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!

 

 Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with their 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

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🏡Why 62 Years in the Family Business Matters

Hey, fellow gardeners, Ken Lain here! For 62 years, Watters Garden Center has been more than just a store; it's a local resource built on family knowledge and a deep understanding of our unique climate.

 

Forget generic advice! We know Prescott Gardens, from stunted mugo pines to the best lilac varieties. Our online plant encyclopedia at Top10Plants.com is your go-to, not a Google regurgitation but a living inventory with local insights, photos, and videos.

 

Join us for our Spring Flower Festival! Meet our growers and the plant creators themselves and discover new varieties at our Plant Happy Hour. Experience the difference of a family business that blends digital convenience with hands-on expertise, guiding you to a thriving garden.

 

🏡Ken Lain, The Top 10 Gardener

 

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🌄Top 10 Garden Shortcuts of Spring That Make Gardens Better

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! Spring's energy is calling!

 

Now's the time to finish pruning, removing winter mulch, and cleaning up debris to allow new growth to flourish. Fertilize everything with Watters 7-4-4 All-Purpose Plant Food, a natural blend that feeds plants deeply. Combat weeds with a pre-emergent weed and grass stopper, saving you hours of weeding. Add a layer of deodorized manure to enrich soil and boost growth.

 

For lawns, alternate Watters 7-4-4 with Humic Acid monthly to create a lush, weed-free carpet without the need for aeration or dethatching. These simple steps will transform your garden, ensuring a vibrant and healthy landscape all season long.

 

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🌼Top 10 Perennial Springs Flowers That Thrive for Years

Ken and Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, are here! Spring is bursting at Watters Garden Center!

 

We're thrilled to offer a fantastic selection of perennials that will bring lasting beauty to your garden. These aren't just one-season wonders; they're hardy plants that return year after year, offering continuous blooms and vibrant color.

 

Dianthus, with its bright pink "Vivid Bright Lights" and red "American Cherry Pie," are animal-resistant and bloom all season long. Spanish Lavender, especially the new "Purple Medley" and heat-tolerant "Primavera," attracts pollinators and thrives in dry, sunny spots.

 

We also have English Lavender and salvia varieties like "Dark Matter" and "Ignition Purple," and the unique Rainbow Ascot Euphorbia. These perennials are perfect for adding texture, fragrance, and color to any landscape, requiring minimal care and offering maximum impact.

 

🌼Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🌿March Companion Plants and the Fanciful Forsythia

Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener here, March brings a burst of color with fanciful Forsythia, blooming alongside Mountain Heath and Redbud trees.

 

Forsythia's vibrant yellow flowers signal early spring, followed by lush green foliage and golden autumn hues. Mountain Heath, a low-growing evergreen, explodes with pink, white, or apple blossom blooms, perfect for containers or sunny spots. Redbud trees, with their heart-shaped leaves, offer a variety of colors, from classic pink to deep Merlot purple and fiery Flamethrower gold.

 

These companions thrive together, creating a layered landscape of spring beauty. Add pansies, peonies, or rosemary for even more seasonal charm.

 

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🌱Top 10 Hedge Plants for Privacy

Ken and Lisa Lain here each week to answer your garden questions!

Looking to create a lush, living privacy screen in your yard? Hedges are a fantastic way to add beauty, define spaces, and block unwanted views. At Watters Garden Center, we have a wide variety of hedge plants, so you're sure to find the perfect fit for your landscape. 

Some of my top picks include Euonymus, with its versatile colors and forms, and Nandina, which adds texture and color with its graceful foliage. Silverberries are a rugged native option that boasts fragrant blooms and silvery foliage. For a classic look, consider Boxwood or Privet, offering dense, evergreen foliage that can be easily shaped. 

If you're looking for something a bit different, Viburnum offers a variety of forms and foliage colors, while Yew is a shade-tolerant and deer-resistant option. Arborvitae is a great choice for taller screens or windbreaks. And don't forget about Holly, with its classic evergreen foliage and colorful berries.

No matter your style or needs, we can help you find the perfect hedge plants to create a private and beautiful outdoor space.

 

🌱Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🌹Why Roses and Hedges are Best Pruned in March

Hey, garden enthusiasts! It’s Ken Lain The Top 10 Gardener. Spring's arrival signals prime pruning time!

Here in the Central Highlands, March is ideal for roses and hedges. Unlike warmer regions, waiting allows us to protect rose canes from harsher elements and ensures new growth for vibrant blooms.

For hedges, pruning just before new growth minimizes the "butchered" look, allowing for a swift return to lushness. Remember, fertilizing post-pruning helps plants recover and thrive. Whether it's roses or hedges, timing is key to working with nature, not against it, ensuring a beautiful, bountiful garden.

 

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🎙️Welcome to Episode 25 – 09 of The Top 10 Gardener Podcast' with Ken and Lisa Lain!

🎙️Welcome to Episode 25 – 09 of The Top 10 Gardener Podcast' with Ken and Lisa Lain!

Hey, fellow gardeners, Ken and Lisa Watters - Lain here! This week, we're diving into various topics to help you create a thriving spring garden.

We'll explore how to start tomatoes and peppers for the perfect salsa garden, discover the secrets to growing fragrant peonies, and learn about the best companion plants for spring poppies. Plus, I'll share expert tips on caring for your evergreens and choosing between English and Itoh peonies for your landscape. Let's get growing!

 

Included in this week’s episode:

• Staring Tomato and Peppers for the Perfect Garden 
•  Growing Better Peony as Fragrant Spring Flowers
• Garden Alert - Bark Beetle and Pine Scale are BAD
• Spring Poppy's and their Spring Blooming Companions
• Healthier Evergreens for a Brighter Landscape
• English or Itoh Peony - Which one is Better

Ken and Lisa will also answer listener questions about gardening in Arizona's high country.

 

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!

 

Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with their expert tips and tricks. You'll find it on all your favorite podcast platforms.

 

Subscribe for Top 10 Gardener updates!

https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/

 

🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners

 

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🪻English or Itoh Peony - Which one is Better

Hey, fellow gardeners, Ken Lain here! Peonies are gracing the garden center, and it's a perfect time to explore their captivating varieties.

 

For those seeking larger-than-life blooms, Itoh peonies are a must-have. These hybrids boast softball-sized flowers and stunning foliage. If you adore classic charm and abundant blooms, English peonies are the answer.

 

Both types thrive in mountain gardens and offer long-lasting beauty. Remember, well-drained soil is key to their happiness.

 

Plant them in raised beds or amend your soil with compost for optimal drainage. With proper care, these perennials will bring joy to generations.

 

🪻Ken Lain, The Top 10 Gardener

 

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🌲Healthier Evergreens for a Brighter Landscape

Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! It's time to give your evergreens some love!

 

After protecting them from pests, remember to nourish them with a good fertilizer.

 

Avoid synthetic options; they can harm our environment and beneficial soil life.

 

Instead, choose an organic, all-natural fertilizer like my 7-4-4 All-Purpose Plant Food. Its blend of cottonseed meal, guano, and iron is perfect for our alkaline soils and hungry plants.

 

Add soil sulfur to acidify the soil for an extra boost, leading to brighter colors and more vigorous growth. Spread the fertilizer over the root zone, let the rain and irrigation do their work, and watch your garden thrive!

 

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