Mountain Gardener with Ken & Lisa

Second Hand Smoke Kills the Vegetable Garden and How to Prevent the Disease

The tobacco mosaic virus attacks various vegetables, including tomato, pepper, eggplant, tobacco, spinach, petunia, and marigold. On tomatoes, virus infection causes light and dark green mottled areas on the leaves. The dark green areas tend to be somewhat thicker than the lighter portions of the leaf. You will be a vegetable pro after this week's show. 

How to Save Money at a Garden Center Nursery

As garden centers change their seasonal plant mix, they liquidate the previous season's plants at a discount.  This is a unique chance to save some serious landscape money on great plants.  We share when the saving seasons are and how to cash in on the savings. You will be a landscape pro after this week's show. 

Preventing Green Tomato Worms in the Gardens

As the summer garden matures and the harvest is picked for use, a large green caterpillar devours tomatoes, pepper, and other vegetables in the garden.  In this episode, we cover what to look for and how to control insects organically. 

Perennial Flowers that Draws in Hummingbirds and Butterflies

Perennial flowers grow back for years of enjoyment.  This list of 7 key flowers that hummingbirds are especially fond of.  You will be a hummingbird pro after this week's show.  

How to Save Money when Buying Plants at a Garden Center

As garden centers change their seasonal plant mix they liquidate the previous season's plants at a discount.  This is a unique chance to save some serious landscape money on really great plants.  We share when the saving seasons are and how to cash in on the savings. You will be a landscape pro after this week's show. 

Trumpet Vine and How to Grow the Big Red Vine in Arizona

Trumpet Vine is a natural summer vine that grows fast, easily, and beautifully.  A hummingbird dream flowers for summer-long color on this heat, wind, and sun loving plant.  You will be a vining pro after this week's show. 

Late summer Pruning for Winter Long Beauty

Late summer is a unique window to shape, primp, and prune your evergreen hedges so they have time to grow over hedge cuts that hold their beautiful shape through winter.  The suckers on fruit trees are pruned right after harvest to keep trees shorter and easily accessible.  You will be a pruning pro after this week's show. 

Mountain Gardener - Interview with Dancing for the Stars Dance Pro Carie Hughes

After dancing for 7 years for the Boys & Girls Clubs Dancing for the Stars, Carie Hughes is an inspiration for the kids of the clubs. A working mother, real estate agent, owner of Cherry Creek Ranch wedding venue, and more, it's amazing Carie finds the time to donate so much to her community.  This interview goes deep into the heart of this Arizona native. DancingForTheStars.net  #CarieHughes #CherryCreekRanch #DancingfortheStars #kenlain #watters #WattersGardenCenter 

Secret to Pinching Dead Flowers from Plants for More Flowers

Deadheading is the removal of spent flowers. This helps to encourage new blooms and prevents the formation of seed heads. It is a simple process that can be done with your fingers or with a pair of scissors.

To deadhead, simply pinch or cut the spent flower off just below the base. Be sure to remove the entire flower, including the stem. If you leave the stem attached, the plant may focus its energy on producing seeds instead of new flowers.

Deadheading can be done on a regular basis, or you can wait until the majority of the flowers on a plant have faded. It is a good idea to deadhead regularly if you want to keep your plants blooming all season long.

Here are some of the benefits of deadheading:

• Encourages new blooms
• Prevents the formation of seed heads
• Keeps plants looking neat and tidy
• Can extend the blooming period

Some plants that benefit from deadheading include:

• Annuals: Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one year. They typically bloom for a few weeks or months, and then they die. Deadheading annuals will help to prolong their blooming period.
  
• Perennials: Perennials are plants that live for more than two years. They typically bloom for a shorter period of time than annuals, but they will come back year after year. Deadheading perennials will help to keep them looking their best and encourage new blooms.
  
• Shrubs: Shrubs are woody plants that can live for many years. They typically bloom for a few weeks or months in the spring or summer. Deadheading shrubs will help to keep them looking neat and tidy and encourage new blooms.
  
• Trees: Trees are woody plants that can live for hundreds of years. They typically bloom for a short period of time in the spring. Deadheading trees is not usually necessary, but it can be done to remove dead or diseased branches.
  

If you are not sure whether or not to deadhead a particular plant, it is always best to err on the side of caution and deadhead it. Deadheading is a simple process that can be done quickly and easily, and it can help to keep your plants looking their best and encourage new blooms.

Avoid These Garden Blunders at All Costs

• Do your research: Before you start planting, do your research on the plants you want to grow. This includes knowing their light, water, and fertilizer requirements.
• Choose the right location: Choose a location for your garden that gets the right amount of sunlight and has well-drained soil.
• Prepare the soil: Before you plant, prepare the soil by adding compost or other organic matter. This will help to improve drainage and fertility.
• Plant the right plants: Choose plants that are suited to your climate and growing conditions.
• Water regularly: Water your plants deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather.
• Fertilize appropriately: Fertilize your plants according to their needs. Too much fertilizer can be harmful.
• Weed regularly: Weeds compete with plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Weed regularly to keep them under control.
• Protect from pests and diseases: Take steps to protect your plants from pests and diseases. This may include using pesticides, insecticidal soap, or row covers.
• Deadhead spent flowers: Deadheading spent flowers will encourage new blooms.
• Mulch around your plants: Mulch around your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the roots.

By following these tips, you can help to avoid garden blunders and create a beautiful and healthy garden.

Summer Flower Combos that Shine Through Fall

 

Here are some summer flower combos that shine through fall with their corresponding images:

• Zinnias and cosmos: These two annuals are both heat-loving and drought-tolerant, so they are perfect for summer gardens. They come in a wide range of colors, so you can create a colorful combination. Zinnias bloom from early summer to fall, while cosmos bloom from midsummer to fall.

  

  Zinnias and cosmos flowers

   

• Marigolds and black-eyed Susans: These two annuals are also heat-loving and drought-tolerant. They have a bright, cheerful look that will brighten up your garden. Marigolds bloom from early summer to fall, while black-eyed Susans bloom from late summer to fall.

  

  Marigolds and black-eyed Susans flowers

   

• Asters and sedum: These two perennials are both deer-resistant and can tolerate a variety of conditions, making them a good choice for low-maintenance gardens. Asters bloom from late summer to fall, while sedum blooms from late summer to early winter.

  

  Asters and sedum flowers

   

• Chrysanthemums and ornamental grasses: These two plants can add a touch of elegance to your garden. Chrysanthemums bloom from late summer to fall, while ornamental grasses can add interest and texture to your garden all year long.

  

  Chrysanthemums and ornamental grasses flowers

   

• Salvia and snapdragons: These two annuals come in a variety of colors and flower shapes, so you can create a unique and eye-catching combination. Salvia blooms from summer to fall, while snapdragons bloom from spring to fall.

  

  Salvia and snapdragons flowers

Best Plant Food for Better Flowers

Watters Garden Center All Purpose Food 7-4-4 is a water-soluble fertilizer that is designed for use on a variety of plants, including flowers, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. It has a balanced NPK ratio of 7-4-4, which means it contains 7% nitrogen, 4% phosphorus, and 4% potassium. These nutrients are essential for plant growth and development.

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Watters Garden Center All Purpose Food 7-4-4

The fertilizer is also enriched with cottonseed meal and bird guano, which are natural sources of nutrients. It is also free of harsh chemicals and is safe to use around children and pets.

To use the fertilizer, simply mix it with water according to the directions on the label. Apply it to the soil around the base of the plant, being careful not to get it on the leaves. Water the plant well after fertilizing.

Watters Garden Center All Purpose Food 7-4-4 can be applied 4 times a year, typically in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. However, the exact application schedule may vary depending on the type of plant and the climate.

This fertilizer is a good choice for people who want to use a safe and effective fertilizer to help their plants grow healthy and strong.

Here are some of the benefits of using Watters Garden Center All Purpose Food 7-4-4:

• It is a balanced fertilizer that contains the essential nutrients that plants need to grow.
• It is enriched with natural ingredients, such as cottonseed meal and bird guano.
• It is free of harsh chemicals and is safe to use around children and pets.
• It is easy to use and can be applied to a variety of plants.

If you are looking for a safe and effective fertilizer for your plants, Watters Garden Center All Purpose Food 7-4-4 is a good option to consider.

When does Pampas Grass Bloom

Pampas grass blooms in the late summer or early fall. The feathery plumes rise above the tufts. Their color varies; some cultivars have pinkish-white plumes, while others have silvery-white plumes.

Here are some tips on how to grow pampas grass:

• Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Pampas grass does not tolerate wet soil.
• Space the plants 6-8 feet apart.
• Water the plants regularly, especially during the first year after planting.
• Fertilize the plants in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead the flowers after they bloom.
• Cut the plants back to the ground in the late winter or early spring.

With proper care, pampas grass can be a beautiful and long-lasting addition to your garden.

Best Water Practice for Large Container Gardens

• Water deeply and infrequently. This means watering until the water runs out of the drainage holes. Watering deeply helps to encourage the roots to grow deep, which will help the plants to be more drought-tolerant.
• Water in the morning. This will help to prevent the water from evaporating during the hot afternoon sun.
• Water the soil, not the leaves. Wetting the leaves can promote the growth of mold and mildew.
• Mulch around the plants. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil and suppress weeds.
• Inspect your plants regularly. This will help you to identify any watering problems early on.

Free Garden Classes @ Watters Garden Center

Every Saturday, a free garden class is offered at Watters Garden Center, 9:30 to 10:30 am. 

August 12 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

WILDLIFE & BUG PREVENTION

Watters Garden Center 1815 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ, United States

Late summer is not only the peak of bug season, there's also intense pressure from furry visitors in our yards. Students start with best practices to keep javelina and pack rats away, then quickly move to solutions for grasshoppers and tomato worms. You can have a nice yard with these easy-to-use tips and a few …

Continue reading"Wildlife & Bug Prevention"

Free

 

August 19 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

BEST EVERGREENS FOR MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES

Watters Garden Center 1815 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ, United States

Evergreens can be the anchor of any landscape, providing color and privacy year-round. We'll dispel the myth that the only evergreens are pine trees, when in fact they can be a multitude of different shapes, colors, and sizes—there are even evergreens that aren't green!

Free

August 26 @ 9:30 am - 10:30 am

GARDENING FOR NEWCOMERS

Watters Garden Center 1815 Iron Springs Rd, Prescott, AZ, United States

Learn all the mountain secrets to local garden success. This is an information packed class guaranteed to increase garden blooms and fruit this year. Learn about growing zones, frost dates, soils and more; you'll know exactly what to do in the gardens after this class.