Stop Guessing. Start Growing. Welcome to the Ultimate Garden Blueprint.
Body Copy: Most big-box store advice will get your plants killed. The intense sun, the heavy wind, and the local wildlife require a completely different set of rules.
I'm Ken Lain, "Top 10 Gardener," and every week, I share the exact "un-killable" strategies we use to cheat the heat and build vibrant, blooming sanctuaries in USDA Zones 5–8.
Don't waste another season on generic advice. Hit that '+ Follow' button right now to get your weekly dose of mountain gardening success. Let's put some roots in the ground together.
Whether you are trying to force your mountain roses into non-stop blooms, figure out why your evergreens are dropping needles, or reclaim your patio from summer pests, we give you the hyper-local science to make it happen.
When you tune in, you'll discover:
- The Overlooked Truths: Fast diagnostics and 10-second pruning tricks that flatlander gardeners know nothing about.
- Seasonal Urgency: Exactly what to plant right now to guarantee roots get established in our Prescott soil.
- Insider Access: First dibs on our custom plant arrivals and premium garden kits before they sell out on our online store.
Don't waste another season on generic advice. Hit that '+ Follow' button right now to get your weekly dose of mountain gardening success. Let's put some roots in the ground together.
Episodes
Sunday Apr 12, 2026
Sunday Apr 12, 2026
Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Watters-Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!
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!
Included in This Week’s Show:
🌻The Difference Between Hardiness Zones and Spring Frost Dates
🐞 Q & A - How to Use Ladybugs and Praying Mantis in the Gardens
🍅 Favorite Tomato Plant for Mountain Gardens
🌼 Top 10 Bloomers in the Spring Gardens
🌺 Growing Peonies for Fragrance and Beauty
🏜️Low Maintenance Plants for Southwest Gardens
Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with 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 Subscribe for Top 10 Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #WattersGardencenterAZ, #TheMountainGardener, #GardeningTips, #KenLain, #WattersGardenClasses, #SpringGardenChores, #PreparingforSpringPlanting, #WattersOnlineStore, #WattersOnlineExclusives, #SpringPlanting, #SpringGardening, #CentralHighlandsGardening, #SpringBloomingFlowers, #OrderSummerFlowersOnline, #BloomingTrees, #CareofBloomingTrees, #SpringBloomingPerennialFlowers, #Hellebore, #Phlox, #Columbine, #Peony, #Veggies&Herbs, #WattersGardenCenterFreeClasses, #Peonies, #Tomatoes, #Ladybugs, #PrayingMantis, #HardinessZones, #CentralHighlandsSpringFrostDates
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
If you’re looking for a drought tolerant, textured, blooming garden that doesn’t take a lot of maintenance, Mountain Gardener Ken Lain has the best advice for you on what plants will do well in the Central Highlands, how to plant them, and best of all, the minimal maintenance they require.
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #SouthwestGarden, #LowMaintenanceSouthwestGarden, # DroughtTolerantGarden
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Friday Apr 10, 2026
Peonies are one of the most beautiful, long-lived flowering plants for the garden, and Watters has varieties that will thrive in our Central Highlands climate. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares tips for selecting, planting and growing Peonies that will provide garden beauty for many years to come!
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter #Peonies, #GrowingPeonies, #PlantingPeonies
Thursday Apr 09, 2026
Thursday Apr 09, 2026
Spring is here and gardeners are eager for some color in the garden. Mountain Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain share the best, most colorful spring annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that bloom early in the season!
🌺Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #SpringBloomingPerennialFlowers, #Hellebore, #Phlox, #Columbine, #Peony, #SpringBloomingTrees, #SpringBloomingShrubs
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Wednesday Apr 08, 2026
Is there anything better than a sun-warm, ripe, delicious tomato from your own garden? Master Gardener Ken Lain shares the best tomato plants for our Central Highlands, how to plant them and how to get the best yield for a truly tasty summer treat!
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #GrowingTomatoes, #CentralHighlandsTomato, #FavoriteGardenTomatoes
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
For natural and organic gardening, beneficial insects can be your best friends! Mountain Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain share how to use ladybugs and Praying Mantis to control aphids and other destructive insects in your garden. Ken and Lisa will also answer other garden questions during this segment.
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
🌹Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #Ladybugs, #PrayingMantis, #BeneficialGardenInsects
Monday Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
Dahlias and other summer bulbs can be spectacular additions to your garden, and make great cut flowers. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares how to plant and grow these garden beauties for summer-long, healthy blooms.
Monday Apr 06, 2026
Monday Apr 06, 2026
We get a lot of questions at the Garden Center about hardiness zones and Spring frost dates. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares the difference between the two in the Central Highlands. He also shares about hardiness zones and the microclimates within these zones. Important information for our unique growing area!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🥕Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #CentralHighlandsHardinessZones, #CentralHighlandsSpringFrostDates, #SpringPlanting
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Hey garden enthusiasts, Ken & Lisa Watters-Lain, The Mountain Gardeners here!
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!
Included in This Week’s Show:
🌺 It’s Time to Plant Summer Blooming Bulbs
❄Q & A: How to Help Plants Recover from Frost Damage
🌳 Helping Trees Bloom Better
🌼 Perennial Flowers that Bloom Early in Spring
🇺🇸 250 trees for Americas 250th Birthday
🥕Plant Vegetables and Herbs, and Attend a Garden Class to Support Them
Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with 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 Subscribe for Top 10 Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
🎙️Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #WattersGardencenterAZ, #TheMountainGardener, #GardeningTips, #KenLain, #WattersGardenClasses, #SpringGardenChores, #PreparingforSpringPlanting, #WattersOnlineStore, #WattersOnlineExclusives, #SpringPlanting, #SpringGardening, #CentralHighlandsGardening, #SummerBloomingFlowers, #SpringPlanting, #OrderSummerFlowersOnline, #BloomingTrees, #CareofBloomingTrees, ##SpringBloomingPerennialFlowers, #Hellebore, #Phlox, #Columbine, #Peony, ##Veggies&Herbs, #WattersGardenCenterFreeClasses
Saturday Apr 04, 2026
Saturday Apr 04, 2026
There’s nothing better than fresh veggies and herbs from your garden. It’ll soon be time to plant your summer plants and herbs. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares about free garden classes at Watters Garden Center that will help your garden to get off to the best start!
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #Veggies&Herbs, #WattersGardenCenterFreeClasses
Friday Apr 03, 2026
Friday Apr 03, 2026
Lilacs are bursting with color all over the Central Highlands. Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares the three types of lilacs that will bring a touch of early spring beauty to every garden!
Friday Apr 03, 2026
Friday Apr 03, 2026
2026 is America’s 250th birthday, and what better gift to land than to plant more trees for beauty and the environment? Mountain Gardener Ken Lain shares the partnership between the Daily Courier and Watters Garden Center to plant 250 native trees in our communities. You can preorder Arizona’s hardiest beauties for an Arbor Day pickup on April 24th. Watters has selected several champions for our mountain climate, including the vibrant Western Redbud, the elegant Prescott Purple Plum, and the pollinator-favorite Chaste Tree. Supplies are limited, so don’t miss out! Visit Top10Trees.com to order or for more information!
🌺 Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter #ArborDay2026 #ArizonaGardening #PlantATree #America250 #TheDailyCourier
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
Thursday Apr 02, 2026
If you’ve had enough of winter, Mountain Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain have the cure for your blues! Ken and Lisa share this week the large array of perennial flowers that bloom in spring, filling your garden with color year after year.
🌺Ken & Lisa Lain, the Mountain Gardeners
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #SpringBloomingPerennialFlowers, #Hellebore, #Phlox, #Columbine, #Peony
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Wednesday Apr 01, 2026
Blooming trees can add spectacular beauty to your landscape. Master Gardener Ken Lain shares how to plant, feed and care for blooming trees to get the best display, year after year.
Subscribe for The Mountain Gardener updates!
https://themountaingardener.podbean.com/
Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #BloomingTrees, #CareofBloomingTrees
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
Tuesday Mar 31, 2026
While it looks as if any hard freezes are gone for the year, spring is unpredictable in the Central Highlands, and a late frost is not out of the question! Mountain Gardeners Ken and Lisa Watters-Lain share how to help your plants recover from a late frost. Ken and Lisa will also answer other garden questions during this segment.
Not already a Garden Club Member? Click Below to Join and be notified of Plant Preorders and other Special Offers!
https://wattersgardencenter.com/pages/garden-care-advantages
🌹Ken & Lisa Lain, The Mountain Gardeners
#WattersGardenCenter, #GardeningTips, #TheMountainGardener, #KenLain, #FrostPlantRecovery, #LateFrost&Plants