October is a critical month in landscape maintenance and should not be ignored. As we transition into autumn and the first frosts in November, these key steps keep our landscapes healthy, weed-free and ready for their long slumber through winter. These strategic steps also will provide a rich harvest from the vegetable garden through the holidays. Broccoli at Christmas is possible with task #6, weed prevention with #8, and vibrant green evergreens right through the coldest winter days with #1. … [Read more...] about Eight Gardening Tasks You Must Complete This Month
garden
Design a Rose Garden in Five Steps or Less By Ken Lain
Ah, roses. From bud to bloom to falling petals, no garden, from cottage to contemporary, is complete without at least a few of these dreamy flowering shrubs. Their broad variety of growth habits, sizes, colors and textures can fill any niche in the home landscape, and as breeders have made improvements in disease resistance, they’re less work, too. As long as the site is right, there is no reason you can’t have roses in all parts of your garden. Here are five favorite ways to use them. Create … [Read more...] about Design a Rose Garden in Five Steps or Less By Ken Lain
Ten Foolproof Plants Fun to Grow with Kids
Some of our fondest memories are gardening together, collecting worms from under the tree pots at the nursery, picking a basket full of flowers and the summer harvest. When my kids were small, they worked with me, and instead of money we would visit the pet shop, buy a goldfish and release them into the pond. This was always after the ice cream shop, of course. My grandson and I now hang together in the same way. His unofficial nickname is “Garden Guy Junior,” and we love gardening together. … [Read more...] about Ten Foolproof Plants Fun to Grow with Kids
Eight Trees That Attract More Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are highly prized visitors in the garden. These inquisitive little birds zip around from flower to flower in search of nectar. This local list of trees is guaranteed to attract more hummingbirds. Provide a source of water for your hummingbirds, and use nothing but organic products in, on and around these fiery little creatures to keep them healthy. Crabapples - Each spring, crabapple trees burst into bloom in shades of white, red, pink and purple. As a bonus, … [Read more...] about Eight Trees That Attract More Hummingbirds
Planting Tomatoes’ Best Friends in the Garden
There are plants that work well together and plants that should be kept apart. Matching the two groups into a garden plan is often difficult, especially in small spaces. Companion planting tomatoes is relatively easy. Companion planting is part experience, part folklore and part wishful thinking. Native Americans were among the first to use companion plants to improve vitality. Iroquois legend states planting corn, beans and squash together helps all three plants thrive and produce a better … [Read more...] about Planting Tomatoes’ Best Friends in the Garden
Nine Steps to an Easy Garden
A good garden results in coffee time with your thoughts, watching a sunrise, the majesty of a butterfly or the buzzing of hummingbirds. “Gardener” is a label proudly worn, but there are some unpleasant tasks that can be eliminated. Weeds are my nemesis, watering is a bane, and chemicals must be avoided for a life lived well. Simplify is my motto in the garden. “Do something right the first time” and “quality over quantity” are mottos posted above my monitor that I take into account before … [Read more...] about Nine Steps to an Easy Garden
Ladybugs: Do they Really Work in the Garden?
There are many reasons to love ladybugs. This little red beetle started as a legend during the middle ages. European farmers, about 1000 A.D., struggled with insects that would eat and destroy their crops. At the first sign of crop damage, farmers would pray to “Our Lady the Virgin Mary” for help. The little bugs would come and eat the harmful insects, so farmers, assuming that ladybugs were in answer to their prayers, named the bugs "Our Lady's Beetles," which eventually morphed into … [Read more...] about Ladybugs: Do they Really Work in the Garden?
Ten Flowers that Insects Hate
Bugs wreak havoc on flowers leaving frustrated gardeners to ponder whether to fight back with chemical pesticides, organic poultices or angry machete chops. However, even if you've lost the battle with bugs this season, you can win the war by planting flowers that insects find unpalatable. These flowers naturally repel insects because of soapy sap, succulent leaves, hairy foliage and other natural defenses, meaning you have more time to devote to weeding, bouquet gathering or just relaxing in … [Read more...] about Ten Flowers that Insects Hate
Garden Party Grows Support for Education
Amidst perennials and pine trees, Watters Garden Center was the scene of a lively auction that raised funds for the Prescott Unified School District summer math and reading programs. Watters owner and Prescott Frontier Rotary Club member Ken Lain says the club brought in $36,000 at the annual Grapes 4 Grades party through donations, sponsorships, ticket sales and the auction on Sunday, June 26. “Lisa and I look for ways to give back to our community and a garden party is a natural extension … [Read more...] about Garden Party Grows Support for Education
A Gardener’s Guide to Sowing Seeds of Life
Spring is in the air and we are all scrambling to plant our seeds so the beautiful flowers and nourishing plants can start growing. Each of these seeds represents a hope and an expectation. They start off as small, insignificant seeds, but with the right mix of sun, nutrients and water, they become beautiful life-supporting food, healing sources of medicine and endless supplies of inspiration. Our life has many similarities to a garden. Here are some basics to prepare for a … [Read more...] about A Gardener’s Guide to Sowing Seeds of Life