Top 10 Gardener the Ultimate Garden Blueprint with Ken & Lisa

Hey there, Watters friends! Ken and Lisa Lain here, chatting about those summer stunners – wildflowers!

Want a vibrant meadow bursting with color, but worried about constant care? Here's the secret: wildflowers are practically self-sufficient!

Through the summer, you'll get a dazzling display, but to encourage even more blooms next year, let's talk deadheading. Now, some folks might think deadheading means less flowers, but hold on! By removing those spent blooms (think pinching just below the faded flower head), your plant isn't wasting energy on seeds. Instead, that power goes into building a stronger root system. That translates to a healthier, showier plant come spring – Mexican Hats, Shasta Daisies, Gaillardia, you name it!

Of course, if you crave a sprawling wildflower haven, let some blooms go to seed! This attracts beautiful butterflies and hummingbirds, and guess what? Those leftover seeds become a winter feast for our feathered friends. Plus, next year, you'll be rewarded with a natural explosion of color, all thanks to letting nature take its course.

So, relax, enjoy the summer show, and let your wildflowers be wild!

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Your go-to guide for all things gardening. If you're seeing yellow leaves this summer, don't panic. It's common, especially during these hot months, and usually means your plants are thirsty or need a little boost of nutrients. The technical term is Chlorosis, which means a yellowing of normally green leaves due to a lack of chlorophyll.

So, what should you do?

1. Water deeply: A good soak once a week is key, especially for trees and shrubs. Don't just sprinkle the surface; water slowly and deeply until the soil is moist.

Remember, the best fertilizer is often Mother Nature's own—rainwater. Rainwater's natural pH helps release nutrients in the soil, so after you fertilize, let the rain do its thing!

Keep those questions coming, and happy gardening!

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Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, In this episode, we'll cover a variety of topics to help you make the most of your summer garden.

Learn how to coax tomato and pepper plants to set more fruit even in the summer heat. Discover the secrets to growing a stunning backyard crape myrtle and get tips on coaching your flowers to bloom again and again. We'll also dive into the best summer-blooming shrubs for your backyard and explore plants that thrive in high desert climates. Plus, we’ll celebrate Mackenzie Lain being named Retailer of the Year. Join us for practical advice, earthy wisdom, and inspiration to help your garden flourish.

Included in this week’s episode:

• Coaxing Tomato and Pepper Plants to Set More Fruit in the Summer Heat

Ken and Lisa are eager to hear from you! They'll be answering listener questions about gardening in Arizona's high country, so don't hesitate to share your queries and experiences.

Ready to catch Ken and Lisa's gardening bug? They're brimming with knowledge and passion for growing beautiful things, and they're excited to share it all with you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your gardening game!

Subscribe to The Top 10 Gardener Podcast today and get your hands dirty with their expert tips and tricks. It's available on all your favorite podcast platforms.

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! I have to tell you, one of the joys of being a small business owner is seeing our family business thrive through generations.

Watters Garden Center has been a Prescott staple for 62 years, and Lisa and I have proudly owned it for the last 22 years. It's rare to see a business stay within the same family for so long, and we're grateful for that legacy.

The real joy comes from seeing our children shine. Our daughter, Mackenzie Lain, has been named Retailer of the Year by the Garden Center industry. She’s a remarkable general manager, bringing youthful energy and extensive experience to the role. Raised in the business, she understands customer service deeply, always making people feel better when they leave than when they arrive.

Join us in celebrating Mackenzie’s achievement and our family’s commitment to serving the community.

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Summer's in full swing up here, and while the storms can be dramatic, it's also when your garden truly comes alive.

Now's the time to embrace the best of summer blooms! Think vibrant crape myrtles, colorful rose of Sharon, and those hardy hibiscus you might not expect to thrive in our high desert. Plus, our perennials, like lilies and daisies, are bursting with color and attracting all sorts of pollinators.

Don't be fooled by the heat! With the monsoon rains, it's actually a great time to plant. So if you're dreaming of privacy screens, shade trees like aspens and maples, or even fruit trees like cherries, get them in the ground now. And yes, even evergreens like Arizona cypress can be planted successfully this time of year.

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Ken & Lisa Lain, the Top 10 Gardeners, here! We're diving into the best summer-blooming shrubs for your backyard.

Let’s start with Moscheutos Hibiscus, a robust cousin of the Rose of Sharon. Unlike its relative, Moscheutos resets underground each year, growing to hip height and width. It’s a tremendous grower, setting spectacular flowers from now through fall. Also known as the Confederate Rose, its Latin name is Hibiscus mutabilis. This shrub is a showstopper, perfect for adding a splash of color and unique charm to your garden.

Another standout is Caryopteris, also known as bluebeard or false spirea. This plant is not only beautiful but also a great pollinator attractor. If you're looking to bring bees and butterflies into your garden, Caryopteris is the way to go. It resembles Russian sage but is more shapely and less weedy, blooming just as well, if not better. Its vibrant blue flowers and aromatic foliage make it an excellent alternative to Russian sage.

Both Moscheutos Hibiscus and Caryopteris are in limited supply and available at garden centers now.

Enhance your garden with these summer beauties and enjoy a season full of color and life.

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Let's dive into the art of coaching your flowers to bloom again and again.

Imagine a garden where flowers like yarrow, meadow sage, and Jupiter's beard are in constant bloom. It's possible with a few simple steps! As your blooms start to fade, grab your shears and deadhead those spent flowers. This encourages the plant to produce more blooms instead of focusing on seed production.

Next, feed your plants with an all-purpose plant food (7-4-4) to provide essential nutrients. To really boost flowering, add super phosphate (0-18-0). This high middle number in the fertilizer encourages robust flower production. With a little rain or a quick watering, you'll see a vibrant display of blooms in just a few weeks.

Don't forget to experiment with new plants in your garden. One of my new favorites is Merlot Euphorbia. This hardy perennial is part of the same family as gopher plant and gopher spurge but offers stunning purple foliage that adds a pop of color year-round. It's drought-resistant and perfect for rock gardens and sunny spots.

Remember, a well-tended garden is a blooming garden. Keep deadheading, feeding, and trying new varieties to enjoy a colorful and lively garden all season long.

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Hey there, Watters friends! Ken and Lisa Lain here, Growing a backyard Crepe Myrtle is a rewarding journey that transforms your garden with vibrant blooms and lush foliage.

Start by choosing the right variety for your climate. Look for hardy options like 'Dynamite' or 'Tonto,' which thrive in both heat and cold. Plant your Crepe Myrtle in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, ensuring it gets at least six hours of sunlight daily.

Water deeply but infrequently to establish strong roots. Prune in late winter to shape and encourage growth, cutting back any dead or weak branches. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Remember, extreme temperatures can turn a Crepe Myrtle tree into a bush. Instead of investing in a tree, consider purchasing a bush variety, which is more suited to handle the temperature fluctuations and will still provide beautiful blooms.

Visit us at Watters Garden Center to explore our selection of Crepe Myrtles with stunning purple foliage and bright pink, red, or white flowers. We'll help you choose the perfect plant to enhance your backyard oasis.

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! If your tomatoes and peppers are slacking in this summer heat, you're not alone. These plants, just like us, slow down when temps hit 95°. But don't worry, the monsoon rains are nature's remedy! Clouds offer shade, humidity rises, and BAM – your plants are back in business.

Give 'em a boost with Watters Flower Power (48% phosphorus) to encourage blooms and fruit. And remember, a little extra TLC goes a long way.

Remember your flowers! If your containers are looking sparse, fill them up! We've got heat-loving beauties like Lantanas, Pentas, and Mandalas ready to thrive.

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Ken Lain, the Top 10 Gardener, here! Feeding your plants organically is key to taking full advantage of the growing season.

Fertilize now to boost growth during the monsoons, ensuring vibrant blooms and strong, healthy plants.

Organic fertilizers, rich in natural nutrients like cottonseed meal and bird guano, not only nourish your plants but also enhance soil health by encouraging beneficial organisms. Avoid synthetic fertilizers that can harm your soil and groundwater.

You create a thriving garden environment that supports robust growth and vibrant colors by embracing natural options. Take action now and enjoy the benefits of organic gardening throughout the monsoon season.

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