The creativity of container gardens can add punches of color, elegance and drama to our gardens. As with statuary and garden art, they are the accent pieces in gardens, drawing the eye and saying, “Look how beautiful it is here!” Because the plants grow quickly, the constant morphing makes boredom a non-issue! The key to success with a container garden is choosing a pot that has good drainage. Here are some other considerations for choosing your new container: Pick a pot that appeals to … [Read more...] about Picture Perfect Pottery for Container Gardens
Ken Lain
July Recognizes Healthy Benefit of Blueberries
July is National Blueberry Month. It's a great time to celebrate this super fruit! Plant blueberries in your garden and you can pick fresh blueberries for all your summer entertaining. Nothing impresses friends, grandkids and relatives more than the ability to pick fruit fresh off the bush, and they are oh-so-easy to grow outside in the garden. Benefits of Growing Blueberries Blueberries have many benefits. First, let’s cover their simple beauty as a landscape shrub. The … [Read more...] about July Recognizes Healthy Benefit of Blueberries
Kill that Lawn, Grow Food
When Lisa and I where just married and struggling to keep fresh food on our table, a saint of a neighbor came to our rescue. Harry lived across the street, and his entire backyard was filled with produce-growing plants. His passion was vegetables and he purposely grew extra to share with family, neighbors, and the local food bank. Fresh tomatoes, peppers, squash and other bounty from his garden were delivered to our door. Believe me, we consumed every fruit he gave us! He was a lifesaver. A … [Read more...] about Kill that Lawn, Grow Food
Tomatoes that Melt in Your Mouth This Spring
In fear that a late frost would damage young plants, I have been holding back planting my first crop of summer vegetables. Well, the gardener within has been holding back long enough! With daytime temperatures well into the 70s and the evenings approaching 50 degrees I have planted my garden’s first wave of vegetables and herbs. My garden soil that has been ready to receive plants for weeks now and every week will see a few new plants put into the ground. As usual, the most sought-after … [Read more...] about Tomatoes that Melt in Your Mouth This Spring
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 C.E., 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 an 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?
Should You Plant a Fruit Tree?
You used to need a lot of land to grow fruit trees. Most standard-sized fruit trees mature at a height and width of between 18-25 feet. Not only do trees of this size require a big chunk of your garden, they are too tall to prune and spray without a ladder. Dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees have made it possible to grow them in just about any yard. Even with smaller trees, growing fruit is a long-term investment. It can take anywhere from two to 10 years for trees to begin bearing fruit. If … [Read more...] about Should You Plant a Fruit Tree?
Exploring the Seedy Side of Watters Garden Center
The 2016 organic seed has arrived at Watters Garden Center. Each packet is stamped with an official non-GMO seal, insuring that these seeds have not been genetically modified. Make sure to verify a seed’s freshness date, organic status and whether it is genetically modified before you buy your seeds for this spring. If you buy your seed online, there are some precautions that are important to have in mind before hitting the “Buy It Now” button. Make sure to check for seed freshness. Seed … [Read more...] about Exploring the Seedy Side of Watters Garden Center
Plant Your Christmas Tree After the Holiday
Using living trees over fresh-cut trees to decorate the holidays has increased in popularity. More than half of my local Christmas tree sales are for living trees that will be planted in January. Because of their waxy needles and high internal pitch, most conifers need surprisingly little water. This is true for the high country natives like pine, cypress, cedar and juniper. Once these trees reach their mature sizes, they thrive in our arid climate, dry soil and extreme mountain … [Read more...] about Plant Your Christmas Tree After the Holiday
The Secret Garden
As the autumn colors drop the last of their leaves, the gardens can feel naked. Without strategically placed evergreens in the yard, it easily feels like prying eyes look right through your home. Not only does your privacy seemingly disappear, but that neighbor’s debris pile can be witnessed through winter. The solution to both of these unwanted invasions of privacy is not rocket science. November is an ideal time to plant a wall of living trees to block the messy view and to create the … [Read more...] about The Secret Garden
Monday Garden with Ken Lain
Ken Lain of Watter's Garden Center offers Monday Garden, offering tips and insights to northern Arizona's unique outdoor landscapes. Watch the new arrivals for fall video. More information at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road. (928) 445-4159 … [Read more...] about Monday Garden with Ken Lain