Mountain Gardener with Ken Lain

In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center chat about those Slim Sentinels and the elegance of narrow trees. Listen in as they focus on specialized plants for unique garden needs. There are some amazing tall, slender trees that work for tight spaces, property lines, or to provide height without significant width. Learn about the sweet gum and spirit oak for their deciduous fall color, as well as evergreen options like t...

In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares what to do when plants die in the garden. Do you have a persistent problem with plants dying in a specific garden spot despite efforts like replacing soil and clearing roots? You might find the real culprit when digging into the soil: numerous white grubs. Grubs, which are the larval stage of beetles, devour plant roots, leading to the plants' sudden collapse. Should you...

In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center in Prescott discuss shady shrubs for shady gardens. There are great evergreen shrubs for shady garden corners, including holly, spreading yew, daphne, gardenia, hydrangea, and hostas, just to name a few. They also dive into topics like how to help a gopher-damaged maple tree and using gypsum for new plantings.

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In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares a guide to a pest-free garden. In this segment, learn about pest management, specifically addressing an aphid infestation on his watermelons and cucumbers, as well as whiteflies on a sage plant. He covers his strategy to protect his plants. Listen in to see how a gardening expert protects his plants.

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In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares why you may have purchased the wrong plant. Is your plant dying? Do you struggle with keeping plants alive? There is a possibility that the plant you are trying to grow is the wrong plant for the environment. Lack of knowledge and impulse purchases can result in the wrong plant in the wrong place. How can you ensure you are getting the best plants for your spaces? Visit Watte...

In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, chats about plants that are impossible to kill. Listen in for a practical guide for novice gardeners or those who struggle to keep plants alive. There is a plant selection that you can add to your garden that are low-maintenance and robust like Silver Lace Vine, Prescott Blaze Maple, and various cacti and yuccas. What other varieties can you plant that are tough enough to survive? L...

In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center chat about impossible-to-kill perennials that are new to the gardens. Summer is here, and despite what you may think, you can still plant in your garden. The current conditions are perfect for heat-tolerant and drought-hardy perennials that thrive in this weather. Check out some new and improved perennial varieties like dwarf Catmint, compact Black-Eyed Susans, smaller Red-Hot ...

In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, describes an encounter with a black bumblebee while setting up a garden display featuring hibiscus plants on antique cars. These unique insects, also known as cutter bees, are distinguished by their solid black appearance and their habit of creating perfectly round, dime-shaped holes in the leaves of plants. Despite their "cutting" behavior, cutter bees are docile and gent...

In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center share how to grow better berries in the landscape. Ample sunlight and proper planting techniques are crucial to avoiding crown rot and growing plants that will produce the best berries. What else can you do to ensure you can grow better berries? Listen in to find out.

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In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, shares what it means to pinch flowers. He delves into the importance of "pinching" or "deadheading" flowers, especially perennials and wildflowers. By removing spent flowers, gardeners can force the plant to produce new blooms, resulting in a longer flowering period.

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In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, chats about healing drought-stressed gardens. When plants are severely impacted by unfavorable weather, consider removing and replacing them rather than waiting for recovery. For newly planted or struggling specimens, it's crucial to prepare the soil to ensure proper nutrition and aeration. What else can you do to help drought-stressed plants? Listen in to learn more.

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In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, discusses fast-growing plants for thick privacy screens in the landscape. Living walls in landscapes bring beauty to your landscape while also providing privacy. Check out the benefits of planting Arizona Cypress, Deodar Cedar, Colorado Spruce, and more.

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In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center, share the best summer flowers for Perennial Gardens. Check out the great blooms including Shasta daisies, agastache, coreopsis, and more. Learn which plants hummingbirds love and which are great for animal resistant. Listen in to learn which bring bright color, elegant white blooms, and those that love the summer heat.

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In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, shares how to keep tiny black ants out of your kitchen and home. We've entered monsoon season and with the increase in moisture, you may notice an increased presence of tiny black ants. Learn some great tips in this episode listen in to learn how to make those ants disappear forever!

The speaker begins by highlighting the current rainy season and its influence on both plants...

In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center cover the top shade trees for the Verde Valley. Summertime is here and the weather is hot but having some great shade in the yard can make a world of difference. Locust, elm, and ash are just part of the list! What else made the list? Listen in to find out.

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In this episode, Ken Lain The Mountain Gardener, shares how to organically control snails, slugs, and ants the easy way. From starting with healthy plants to the best pest control products, Ken Lain shares all you need to know about eliminating pests without harming desirable garden life or the environment.

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In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, discusses upcoming events and educational opportunities offered at the Garden Center. He talks about upcoming gardening classes in July and August and the Sip and Shop event on July 24th. Listen to hear about the upcoming events happening at Watters Garden Center.

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In this episode, Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener, interviews Chris Shipley, owner of Civano's Nursery, one of the largest growing operations in the Southwest. They discuss Civano's commitment to quality, emphasizing their long-lasting hanging baskets, flowers that attract butterflies, fruit trees, and the amazing supply of drought-hardy plants.

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In this episode, Ken and Lisa of Watters Garden Center discuss planting summer herbs in the garden. The hot summer is a great time to plant herbs like basil and tarragon, and the timing is perfect as fresh, new plants are arriving now. They also take some time to look at the heat-loving crape myrtle plant that brings vibrant late-summer color to the yard.

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