10 Weekly Tips to Brighter Plants. Gardening can be challenging, but with these insider tips, you’ll reap Huge rewards.
Episodes
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!
This week, we're covering essential spring gardening topics to get your landscape thriving. We'll discuss the official start of spring for your garden, how to nurse plants back to health after frost, and the secrets to maximizing blooms on your trees. Plus, we'll explore the best early-blooming perennials and share our special pre-order for Mother's Day hydrangeas! Let's dig in!
Included in this week’s episode:
- What Day does Spring Gardening Officially Begin
- How to Help Plants Recover from Frost Damage
- Making Trees Bloom Better
- Perennial Flowers that Bloom Early in Spring
- Top 10 Flowering Trees of Spring in the Landscape
- How to Pre Order Your Mothers Day Hydrangeas
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.
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🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
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Saturday Apr 05, 2025
Saturday Apr 05, 2025
Mother's Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with the timeless beauty of hydrangeas? Ken Lain here, and I'm excited to announce our upcoming hydrangea pre-order!
These stunning shrubs, in a variety of captivating colors, are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to any garden or patio. But here's the thing: our hydrangeas are incredibly popular and tend to sell out quickly.
To ensure you don't miss out on these must-have Mother's Day gifts, we're offering a pre-order option. Secure your favorites now, and they'll be ready for pickup the week before Mother's Day.
Don't wait; these beauties won't last long! Visit to pre-order yours today.
🪻Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click below to join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
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Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
Hey gardeners, Ken Lain here! Spring is bursting with color, and what better way to celebrate than with flowering trees?
This is the prime time to get them in the ground, so let's explore my top 10!
First up, we've got the long-blooming Chaste Tree, followed by the vibrant hues of Crabapples. For something native and drought-hardy, consider Desert Willow. Flowering Pears offer white blooms and stunning fall color, while Hot Wings Maple adds unique red seed pods.
Purple leaf plums feature deep purple foliage, while redbuds boast heart-shaped leaves and pink flowers. Magnolias thrive here, from white-flowered Saucer Magnolias to the hardy Ulta Southern Magnolia. Serviceberries offer delicate white blooms and fall color, and finally, Weeping Cherries add a touch of grace.
Plant these now to enjoy their beauty all season long!
🌳Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here! Spring's arrival brings a burst of perennial color!
Lisa's here to guide us through some early bloomers. Armeria 'Garden Dreams' offers unique ball-shaped flowers in pink and white, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Dianthus 'Constant Cadence Popery' dazzles with fragrant, multi-colored blooms, deer-resistant and perfect for continuous color.
Gaillardia (blanket flower) adds fiery hues and critter-resistant texture. Columbines, in a rainbow of shades, thrive in partial shade, while blue fescue adds soft, textural beauty. Euphorbia 'Rainbow Ascot' boasts colorful foliage and long-lasting chartreuse blooms. Don't forget fragrant sweet peas, a spring delight!
Choose these perennials for a vibrant, low-maintenance garden.
🌻Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
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Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Wednesday Apr 02, 2025
Ken Lain Here, The Mountain Gardener! Our mountain soils and alkaline water can challenge even the most enthusiastic gardener.
If your plants are lackluster, it’s not you, it’s often the soil's pH. Unlike other regions, we need to acidify our soil, not sweeten it. Forget the lime; here, soil sulfur is your friend. It lowers pH, freeing nutrients for robust growth.
That’s why our Watters 7-4-4 all-purpose plant food includes sulfur, alongside natural ingredients, to combat our water's effects. Consistent feeding is key, especially for blooming and larger plants. Think of it as giving your garden a vitamin boost. With the right care, your yard will thrive, becoming a neighborhood envy.
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🌸 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
Tuesday Apr 01, 2025
And we are back with Lisa Waters Lane. Spring's energy is palpable, with gardeners eager to be outdoors.
John's frost-damaged Texas privet is a common concern. Remember, plants are resilient. Avoid over-correcting; let them recover. Fertilize with 7-4-4 to aid new growth or use Root & Grow for a quick boost.
For weed-ridden gardens, hoeing or hand-pulling is best. Decimate is an option, but removing the weeds is still necessary.
Enrich the soil with manure before planting cool-season vegetables like radishes and lettuce. For redbuds,
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Monday Mar 31, 2025
Monday Mar 31, 2025
Welcome to this week's edition of the Mountain Gardener! Your host, Ken Lain, here. Spring's arrival in our mountain landscapes is a dramatic shift, from snow to nearly summer-like conditions in just a few days.
This means you can start planting trees—flowering, fruit, or evergreen—now! The moist soil is perfect for root establishment. You'll notice ornamental trees like flowering pears (with white blooms) and purple leaf plums (with pink blooms) are in full bloom. They bloom early, so their fruit is often lost to frost, making them purely ornamental.
Remember, fruit trees typically bloom in April or May, after the risk of frost has passed.
For vibrant blooms, feed your trees with a 7-4-4 all-purpose natural fertilizer. Apply it now for summer bloomers and remember to fertilize in fall for next spring's show. Understanding when to plant, what to expect, and how to care for your trees ensures a thriving garden, even in our unique mountain climate.
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🍃Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Spring's vibrant energy is upon us, and at Watters Garden Center, we're diving deep into maximizing your garden's potential. From crafting lush privacy hedges with the fastest-growing plants and distinguishing between majestic Atlas and Deodar Cedars, to celebrating the early bloomers like forsythia and ornamental plums, and cultivating vibrant California Poppies with their perfect companions, we're here to guide you. We're also focusing on the essential techniques for "Proper Planting for Fast Growth," ensuring your garden thrives from the very start. Join us as we unlock the secrets to a flourishing and beautiful outdoor space.
Included in this week’s episode:
- Fastest Growing Plants for a Thick Hedge of Privacy
- Atlas Cedar and Deodar Cedar - What’s the Difference
- Bloomers of Early Spring
- How to Grow California Poppy and Their Companion Plants
- How to Plant for Fast Growth
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.
🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #WattersGardencenterAZ, #Top10Gardener,
#TheMountainGardener, #GardeningTips, #KenLain, #FastGrowingHedges, #CedarComparison, #SpringBlooms, #CaliforniaPoppy, #ProperPlanting
Saturday Mar 29, 2025
Saturday Mar 29, 2025
Ken Lain the Mountain Gardener here! Spring's unpredictable weather might have delayed our Spring Flower Festival, but the garden's spirit is in full bloom!
This weekend, discover the enduring beauty of peonies and how to cultivate them for decades of enjoyment. And on April 5th, immerse yourself in the intoxicating fragrance of lilacs, exploring diverse varieties and planting tips.
Remember, Watters Garden Center is more than just plants; we're about cultivating your green thumb and sharing the joy of gardening. Find our class schedule and my "Privacy Screen" book on wattersgardencenter.com. Let's grow together!
🪴Ken Lain, The Top 10 Gardener
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Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
Ken and Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!
Spring awakens the garden with vibrant California Poppies, their cheerful blooms signaling warmer days. Pair them with Delphiniums for a stunning contrast; their tall spikes of blue, purple, or white add vertical interest and elegance.
For a touch of drama, consider the new Euphorbia 'Miner's Merlot'. Its deep burgundy foliage provides year-round interest and animal resistance. When designing your perennial garden, remember your zone and the direction your garden faces to ensure optimal sunlight. Understand each plant's mature size and bloom time for a continuous display of color.
Group plants with similar water and sun needs. Visit Watters Garden Center to explore our selection and let our experts guide you in creating a thriving and beautiful garden space.
🌺Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
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Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Wednesday Mar 26, 2025
Ken Lain Here, The Mountain Gardener! Spring's arrival paints our mountain landscapes with vibrant hues.
Right now, you'll see forsythia's sun-kissed yellow and the striking pink blooms of ornamental plums – a true spectacle before the leaves emerge. Remember, these early bloomers are often ornamental, not fruit-producing.
If you’re craving homegrown plums, look for varieties like Elephant Heart or Santa Rosa, which bloom a bit later. Notice the redbuds and lilacs popping up, too!
This is the perfect moment to explore your neighborhood, snap photos of what catches your eye, and bring them to Watters Garden Center. We can help you select the perfect plants for your space, ensuring your garden thrives with style and beauty. Think of us as your garden mentors, guiding you to cultivate a landscape that brings joy and lasting memories, just like those salted plums of my childhood.
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🌼Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
We're back with Lisa Waters Lain, answering your garden questions! This weekend's buzz was all about spring planting, and many are eager to get started. Remember, while you can plant trees, shrubs, and perennials like lilacs and forsythia now, hold off on tomatoes until after the first week of May to avoid frost damage.
Shelly asked about the difference between Atlas and Deodar cedars. Both are large, beautiful trees, ideal for privacy screens. Atlas cedars, like the one at the courthouse, have a blue hue and distinct layering. Deodar cedars are greener with softer, fuller growth, especially when young. Both reach impressive sizes, but Deodar often appears fuller initially. For large screening, consider either, keeping in mind their eventual size.
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🌲Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
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Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Welcome to this week's edition of the Mountain Gardener. Your host, Ken Lain, here!
Spring is in full bloom across our elevations, and now is the perfect time to establish a thick, fast-growing privacy hedge.
- If you're looking to shield your space from neighbors or unsightly views, we've got you covered. Consider Red Tip Photinia, Cotoneaster, or Silverberry shrubs for quick privacy.
- For native-looking options, female Junipers like Spartan or Wichita Blue, and Arizona Cypress are excellent choices.
- If you prefer trees, Deodar Cedar, Colorado Spruce, or Austrian Pine will create a substantial screen.
Remember to trim existing hedges now, fertilize, and plant new ones for optimal growth.
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🌱Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
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Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Spring has sprung at Watters Garden Center! We're celebrating with vibrant blooming shrubs, sharing expert tips on lawn care, and showcasing easy-to-grow native plants. Discover unique garden companions like the Gopher Plant.
Join us in the joy of the season as we explore the wonders that make owning a garden center so much fun. From fragrant blooms to hardy natives, we're here to guide you through a successful and beautiful spring garden.
Included in this week’s episode:
- Top 10 Blooming Shrubs of Spring
- When Should a Lawn start with Water and Food
- Native Plant Drops and the Easy to Grow Selection
- Spring Gopher Plant with Garden Companions
- Why Owning a Garden Center is Such Fun
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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🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Top 10 Gardeners
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Saturday Mar 22, 2025
Saturday Mar 22, 2025
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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