Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Ken Lain

Ken Lain

Top Ten Houseplants that Grow Best in Bathrooms

By Leave a Comment

Here are the Top 10 Houseplants best used in a bathroom.

Plants are a go-to decorating tool. Whether it’s an erupting Schefflera that offsets a boxy sofa or an English Ivy that softens the doldrums of a desk, they bring much-needed life into your home’s décor. You can extend that soul-soothing effect of houseplant foliage to the bathroom. Bathrooms are particularly hospitable to houseplants. The added humidity makes it the most greenhouse-like space in your home. Tropical plants known as epiphytes – orchids, ferns and air plants – are well-suited to thrive in a loo. In the forest, these plants grow hanging in tree canopies. They gather nutrients and drink water droplets directly from the air.

Shampoo and soap suds strip a plant’s protective wax coating, so it is best to leave plants out of the shower directly.

Philodendrons and Peace Lilies grow in the shade of other plants. These houseplants thrive in low natural light, the conditions that tiny bathroom windows and frosted privacy glass provide.

Design idea: layer these privy practical plants in the same bathroom: a Fiddle Leaf Fig on the floor with a Schefflera on the bath shelf and a Golden Pothos on a plant stand. These three plants add designer magic to any space, especially spacious bathrooms.

Whether you are looking to liven up a small powder room or refresh the shared family bathroom with some greenery, a handful of plants thrive in a bathroom setting. Here are the Top 10 Houseplants best used in a bathroom.

  • Asparagus Fern, or the foxtail fern, thrives in bathrooms thanks to its love of shade and humidity. They are so happy growing in bathrooms that they often flower. The plant produces white buds when happy.
  • Boston Fern is a standard accent plant in outdoor spaces, like covered patios and the front door. They grow right at home in your bathroom. Ferns often look like they climbed out of a primitive jungle. They are trendy in marble surroundings with brushed nickel fixtures that complement any bathroom.
  • Maidenhair Fern is another that fits right into your bathroom space. The lace leaves look perfect with many different décor options. They like indirect sunlight and plenty of moisture, so mist your thirsty ferns to keep them hydrated.
  • Painted Nettle offers small green and red leaves with rippled edges that grow on tall stems. This easygoing plant grows in bathrooms regardless of the light and humidity.
  • Pothos is one of the easiest plants to grow. A good starter plant for those new to houseplants and need help. This vine hangs from shower rods and trails across mirrors and vanities. The luscious green leaves get pretty big, putting on a tropical show in your bathroom.
  • Snake Plant is a bathroom favorite, requiring little attention or light. Place your snake plant in frequently used bathroom spaces and those that only see the occasional visitor. Water once every 10-14 days for a healthy, happy Snake Plant.
  • Spider Plants have long, skinny leaves, creating a mounding effect with baby spider plants that drape from the mother plant. Spider plants require low to moderate amounts of light. They like humid environments, so bathrooms are a great location.
  • Succulents like Aloe Vera and Elephant Bush are great for bathrooms. You could leave them for long periods without thinking about them, and they flourish. Perfect for less frequently used bathrooms, like your first-floor powder room.
  • For more houseplant ideas, visit my Top 9 Plants that Love the Bedroom as Much as You: https://wattersgardencenter.com/9-plants-that-love-the-bedroom-as-much-as-you/.

Until next month, I’ll be helping gardeners grow better houseplants in their bathrooms here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10HousePlants.com.

Best Evergreen Shrubs for a Greener Winter

By Leave a Comment

Not to worry, you will find the best selection of winter evergreens at Watters Garden Center now, and it’s an excellent time to plant one of your own.

Autumn colors are spectacular. The colors and textures are unique to the four seasons of the mountain West. As we wrap up the last autumn leaves, the landscape can feel naked and bare. Deciduous plants, which lose their leaves through winter, often expose you to prying eyes, vehicle glare and a yard that feels empty. Evergreens take center stage for the next few months, and you can feel when the landscape doesn’t have the right mix of evergreen trees and shrubs.

Not to worry, you will find the best selection of winter evergreens at Watters Garden Center now, and it’s an excellent time to plant one of your own.

Here are the Top 15 most popular evergreen shrubs planted through winter.

Blue Star Juniper – This is strictly a foliage plant. If you like the look of a blue spruce tree but lack the space for something that big, merely scale down and grow a Blue Star Juniper. With its short blue needles, it looks terrific when planted next to shrubs with golden foliage.

Boxwood – This is a small, rounded evergreen that forms tufts of growth resembling clouds if left unpruned. This slow-growing dwarf form is ideal for edging borders along pathways or around flower beds. It is well-suited for topiary and containers and resistant to boxwood leaf miners.

Gilt Edge Silverberry – A splendid Arizona native, this shrub sports a combination of golden-yellow margins on bright green foliage that provides incredible year-round landscape interest. It’s superb as a hedge or low screen that tolerates heat and wind and requires little maintenance. Tiny, fragrant, silvery flowers followed by ornamental red fruit. Impervious to both javelina and deer.

Heavenly Bamboo is an evergreen with bright red highlights through winter. Bamboo-shaped foliage is graced with clusters of white flowers in spring that form red berries as summer heat arrives. Think versatility with this 3-foot-tall plant, as it is happy in any amount of sun, most soils, and tolerates any amount of cold or heat.

Holly is a broadleaf evergreen that usually grows 6 to 8 feet tall. The holly leaves develop a darker color that contrasts nicely against the bright red berries. It is perfect for north-facing borders, screens, hedges, and for foundation plantings. Easy to grow and impervious to mountain wildlife.

Indian Hawthorn – This easy-to-grow evergreen produces vast clusters of fragrant, pearl-pink flowers. Perfect for planting along driveways and parking medians where reflected heat is an issue for many other plants. This spring-blooming evergreen loves Arizona heat!

Mugho Pine – With its dense, symmetrical growth and compact, rounded form, this dwarf pine is perfect for confined spaces. Stunning green foliage takes on a golden hue during colder months. Its slow habit makes this evergreen an ideal specimen in smaller gardens or massed to make a bold statement in more significant landscapes.

Oregon Grape Holly – This is the perfect mountain evergreen, often mistaken for holly. Solar yellow flowers cover the entire plant in spring, followed by a summer berry that is attractive and edible. Heading into winter, the leaves turn a mixed cranberry and orange color that remains until spring blooms. This plant loves sun, heat, wind and requires less water than many natives.

Red Cluster Berry Cotoneaster – With white flowers in spring evolving to red berries that remain on the plant through winter, this plant is a welcome food source for feathered friends hanging around after welcoming in the new year. Growing 10 feet tall and wide, it loves the sun and is easy to grow.

Spreading Yew – This plant has rich green needles that border on black. The 4- to 6- foot spread is used as a hedge, screen or border in a shaded or dapple sunspace. Scarlet berries show off against all the wintergreen and are highly attractive to birds. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found at Watters Garden Center throughout the week, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his websites at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Shrubs.com.

Insider Secrets Your Landscaper Won’t Share

By Leave a Comment

Until next month, I’ll be helping locals design better landscapes here at Watters Garden Center.

Whether you are having hardscape features installed, performing chores or selecting plants for the yard, it’s helpful to understand the insider secrets landscapers won’t share. Thinking like a professional saves lots of money, time and frustration. Best of all, unlocking these pro tips help transform your plantings from a mere collection of plants into a sophisticated landscape design.

Hardscaping is everything non-living, like irrigation, raised beds, ponds and retaining walls. Hardscape features are captivating, but not all are equally necessary. Some types of hardscapes are exceedingly expensive; it is essential to prioritize landscaping on a budget. Give priority to those projects critical to your enjoyment.

Everyone gets excited about the idea of having an elite terrace complete with an outdoor kitchen. You may not enjoy it much when baking in the sun though. A straightforward patio roofed with a covered pergola is often a better investment. It offers a permanent, shaded retreat for dining, chatting with friends, or simply enjoy the flower beds planted nearby.

Save Time with These Lawn-Care Hacks

Lawn care can be a chore. Here are some hacks those in the know use to save considerable time by laying down a mowing strip and using a mulching mower.

After you lay down a mowing strip and see how much time it saves, you’ll kick yourself for not discovering this landscaper’s secret sooner. It consists of a row of pavers separating the grass from an adjacent area or structure. You run the wheels on one side of the mower on top of this strip, giving you a clean cut along the border. No need to go back later to edge and touch up.

Save additional time by using a mulching mower rather than mowing with a bag attachment. No more emptying those dirty grass clippings. The finely mulched grass acts as lawn fertilizer, saving the time required to buy more fertilizer.

Strike a Balance Between Monotony and Variety

Every homeowner prefers variety in a landscape. A way to add style to your design is to vary the viewer’s sightline rather than keeping everything flat on one plane. A landscape berm is the easiest, but intelligent plant selection will also do the trick. Grow a variety of plants that differ in terms of height. Provide transitions between them for a smooth flow.

Let’s say a row of landscape trees line the northern property line. To bring the viewer’s eye level down a notch, plant shrubs in front of them. Complete the three-tiered design with an edging of ground cover plants at the front.

A secret landscape designers swear by here at Watters Garden Center is planting a group of plants together in odd numbers and repeating this grouping elsewhere in the yard. This could be three Gold Star Potentilla grown together in a flower border at the driveway, complemented by a group of five more in a foundation bed. Each group achieves a more significant impact than a solitary shrub, while the repetition brings unity to the design, bringing different parts of the yard together.

Keep Your Plants Healthy.

The best autumn advice I can give you is to feed and care for the plants you do have. The most important feeding of the year is applied in the fall. Feed everything in the yard with Watters 7-4-4 All Purpose Plant Food for better autumn colors and healthier plants next spring. Second, treat your evergreen pine and spruce with Plant Protector. This easy-to-use plant drench keeps the bugs out of your trees and larger evergreens for the year to come.

Feed and Prevent at the same time or over several weekends. The two easy chores make for better gardening this fall and into next year.

Until next month, I’ll be helping locals design better landscapes here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Throughout the week, Ken Lain can be found at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Vegetables You Can Plant in September

By Leave a Comment

September is the start of our third planting season. Plant, eat and enjoy!

There are lots of vegetables that grow well through the cool autumn weather. Some plants need longer days and a bit warmer soil to really get started, but all produce through the end of the year. You can start seed in August by growing your starts in a cool, shady spot in the garden. We also have seedling starts ready for transplant here at Watters Garden Center through October. Plant them in the garden as your summer plants fade.

Plant seeds deeper in the fall than in the spring. Typically, the ground is warmer, having just come off the hot summer months. By planting your seeds a little deeper than the package suggests, you’ll be able to get them down to where the soil is cool and moist.

Best Vegetables to Grow in an Autumn Garden

Beets are best grown from seed without disturbing their roots once sprouted. Although beets grow in the summer heat, they are often bitter and woody. Late summer to early fall is the best time to resume succession planting at two- to three-week intervals. Beet bulbs keep growing in the garden until a deep freeze. Even the tops handle frost.

USDA Growing Zones: 2-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

 

Broccoli grows best in cool weather. Fall planting has two big advantages over spring planting when it comes to broccoli. There is no risk of early spring frost that often stunts the growth of young broccoli plants, so plants get off to a strong start. As your florets form, the cool autumn air keeps them from bolting into flowers, giving you more time to harvest. Broccoli does take several weeks to mature, so transplant a quick-grower, like Waltham, for a timely fall harvest.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-10

Sun Exposure: Full sun

 

Cabbage loves autumn weather. While plants can grow in warmer weather, they need cooler temperatures to form a head. Cabbage needs anywhere from 90 to 120 days to mature, so a fall crop will be most likely if you transplant seedlings in mid-to late summer. Most varietals in the cabbage family are hardy enough to handle light frost, so, with any protection, you can harvest them well into winter. Though they won’t continue to grow when it’s cold, they’ll retain their freshness and get even sweeter.

USDA Growing Zones: 1-9

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

 

Cauliflower does better in fall than spring, as the cool weather keeps the heads tight and tender. Cauliflower is a slow grower, often taking two to three months to mature. Plant them in early autumn for best results. Pluck the cauliflower when its head reaches the desired size and its buds are still tight.

USDA Growing Zones: 2–11

Sun Exposure: Full sun

 

Kale is probably the easiest cold crop to grow. The seeds quickly germinate in warm and cool soil. As autumn turns to winter, kale leaves maintain their great leaf texture with a flavor that only gets sweeter and deepens with every cold night.

USDA Growing Zones: 7-9

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

 

Lettuce, Lactuca sativa, can be planted pretty much all season. Most varieties take less than 50 days to mature, so you can start planting the seed in mid-August and succession plant into the fall months. Because of shorter days and lower temperatures, the plants may grow slower than spring plants, but the flavor will be sweeter and crisp. Because lettuce has shallow roots, it will require some protection against frost. Suppose you plant your fall lettuce in pots. In that case, it’s effortless to move it indoors to protect it from freezing temperatures. Otherwise, you can cover it with burlap or another netting if frost is expected.

USDA Growing Zones: 4-9

Sun Exposure: Partial shade

 

Spinach, Spinacia oleracea, often bolts in the summer heat. You are going to love growing spinach in the fall. Spinach only takes about 30 days to mature, even less if you like smaller tender leaves. You can get in several successions of spinach throughout the fall months. Spinach seeds are also perfect for winter sowing.

USDA Growing Zones: 2-9

Sun Exposure: Full sun

 

Swiss Chard, Beta vulgaris, plants have slowed down during the summer heat. With just a bit of cool air and water, they’ll ramp back into production come fall. If you’ve already harvested your Swiss chard as cut-and-come-again, you won’t need to reseed in autumn. They may even survive the winter but harvest them quickly in spring before they start to bolt to seed and get harsh and bitter.

USDA Growing Zones: 3-10

Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial shade

 

Other popular mountain vegetables to plant now are arugula, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collard greens, leeks, mustard greens, radishes and turnips.

September is the start of our third planting season. Plant, eat and enjoy!

Until next issue, I’ll be helping local gardeners extend their garden enjoyment here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his web site at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Exploring Seven Yavapai Medicinal Plants with Herbal Uses

By Leave a Comment

Below are the Top 10 medicinal plants used by Yavapai County founders and their use.

Arizona is all grown up and well past its 100th anniversary as a state. Pioneers to the territory needed to be resourceful, work hard and figure out how to work with the land, including its healing powers. Much of this knowledge came from those before and the indigenous people who knew the land well. Without access to pharmacies on the wagon trails, these trailblazers needed to survive on wild plants. Below are the Top 10 medicinal plants used by Yavapai County founders and their use.

Agave has thick leaves clustered to resemble a giant artichoke. It is referred to as the “Century Plant” because the plant blooms once every century. The tall flower stalk is high in sugar and the leaves are full of fiber. Flower stalks can be eaten raw or cooked. The base is boiled into a delicious syrup found in grocery stores today. The plant offers antibiotic, antiviral and healthy fungicidal properties.

Barrel Cactus is a short-round plant famous for its beauty in the Southwest landscape. Its flowers and fruit are both edible. The fruit lacks needles and can be consumed raw from the plant, seed and all. A TV myth is that water can be extracted from Barrel Cactus for emergencies, which is untrue. Barrels are very tough and challenging to open. The effort causes the body to use more water than is actually received. When successful, they are known to cause diarrhea, so they are not a good emergency source of water. Carry a bottle.

Mahonia is often referred to as Oregon Grape Holly. The bright gold flowers of spring form dark “sweet-tart” berries in mid-summer. The grapes are eaten fresh and made into preserves. The roots are utilized for liver, gastrointestinal and microbial issues.

Manzanita is the Spanish word for “small apples” and describes the fruit flavor. However, it is mealy and contains an abundance of seeds. They can be eaten raw, although they are mealy, with lots of seed. The best use is as a Manzanita jelly. Tea made from its leaves was used to cure urinary tract infections.

Prickly Pear cactus is easily identified with its flat pads and oval-shaped fruits. The flowers and pads are edible when young and tender. The fruit is ripe when deep red. The best way to eat the fruit is to scoop out the shell and roast it. Prickly pear has some medicinal properties, as it balances blood sugar. Its pulp and juice soothe the digestive tract, and the inside of the pads heal burns, wounds or inflamed skin when applied topically.

Serviceberry Trees are found throughout the ponderosa pines, providing summer berries. The fruit is ripe when turning entirely purple with a sweet, juicy berry. Tea from its leaves is not drinkable but was used as a wash for bruises, stings and insect bites.

Silk Tassel is used as a pain reliever and antispasmodic for cramps. The Mohave and Kawaiisu Indians use it for stomach cramps and diarrhea. Astringent for the digestive tract, it is a remedy for diarrhea or dysentery. It is also used for intestinal or menstrual cramping.

Each is a stunning landscape plant, even without its medicinal uses. They are easy to grow and create a low-maintenance landscape for non-herbalists.

Until next issue, I’ll be helping gardeners grow healthy plants here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Twelve Low-Maintenance Landscape Tips, Tricks

By Leave a Comment

Here are time-tested techniques that save you time and energy while still having a stunning yard.

Every landscape needs some upkeep. Many are labors of love for the outdoors, nature and all plants that grow in the yard. Water by hand and mowing take up large amounts of time and resources. Weeding and pruning require seasonal time and energy as well. Many ornamental plants need care to keep them looking vivacious and their best. Low maintenance landscapes have many of the same traits. Here are time-tested techniques that save you time and energy while still having a stunning yard.

  1. Automatic Irrigation System skips the maintenance of dragging a garden hose. These systems make watering your plants convenient and precise. Specific gardens are targeted for maximum efficiency. For travelers, your plants will never go thirsty when you are out of town.
  2. Container Gardens have multiple benefits that minimize plant maintenance. Watters Potting Soil significantly impacts a plant’s health for more robust roots and accessible care. You can control how much water and sunlight the containers receive. And pests and diseases are less likely to strike containers. Overall, you’re likely to spend less time dealing with plant problems. By moving your containers indoors for winter, you no longer have to replace plants each spring.
  3. Control Erosion by taking measures before erosion occurs. You can save yourself a lot of maintenance later. Select plants grown on slopes to hold back soil and avoid sucking up water. Creeping junipers and cotoneaster are commonly used for this purpose.
  4. Deer Resistant Ground Covers are an intelligent landscape solution reducing water and mowing time. Select plants that deer avoid, such as Creeping Mahonia, sweet woodruff and lamb’s ear. Watters Deer & Rabbit Resistance Plant List will help.
  5. Drought-Tolerant Perennials last many years. There’s nothing wrong with growing an annual plant that needs lots of water. Gardeners love the fragrance. They require work for one growing season’s enjoyment compared to drought-tolerant shrubs and perennials, especially in areas that receive full sun, which look great for years of enjoyment.
  6. Hardscaping is all the non-living landscaping components, including brick patios, concrete walkways, stone walls, wooden fences, pergolas and gravel beds. They certainly require less work than your plants in the yard. Trade some grass for a paved courtyard. You will add some usable outdoor living space and reduce your yard maintenance.
  7. Landscaping for Dogs can keep your yard from becoming ragged. Switch to grass that holds up under “paw traffic,” such as Tall Fescue grass. A clover lawn is also ideal because it won’t show the unsightly yellow stains or burns from canine urine, unlike typical grass.
  8. Low Maintenance Ornamental Grass is both beautiful and easy to care for. It fills gardens with texture, height, foliage colors, floral displays and more. Tall grass has a wide array of appearances and growing requirements, so you will find a species you like. Maiden grass is a hip-high grass that is both drought-tolerant and low maintenance. Likewise, Blue Fescue is a short, drought-tolerant variety with no serious problems with pests or diseases.
  9. Mulch is an unsung hero of the landscape. An application of mulch reduces water needs significantly by maintaining soil moisture and keeping garden soils from sunburn. It also suppresses weeds, making yard care much more effortless. A 2-3” inch layer of mulch protects plants through the winter rather than having to remove and replant them.
  10. Rock Gardens use drought-resistant plants that need little care. The rocks themselves are decor that never needs water or tending. Stones help keep weeds down while having a natural visual appeal. Ensure your plants are companions and have the same water and sun needs. That way, you won’t have to worry about providing individualized plant care.
  11. Trees significantly impact landscapes, providing essential focal points and shade. Some trees are better than others when minimizing maintenance. Look for trees that don’t drop messy seeds or fruit to reduce time cleaning up and preventing seedlings from growing in unwanted places. Consider dwarf trees like Purple Leaf Plum or Redbud, especially if the yard is small. These trees mature around 15 feet tall, making pruning a cinch. They are deciduous varieties that need minor leaf cleanup in autumn, compared to large trees.
  12. Xeriscaping is a landscape with plants that require minimal supplemental water once established, especially lawns. Maintaining a lawn is labor-intensive and costly when you consider water, lawn food and even replacing one that has succumbed to drought. Avoid this entirely by changing your landscape design with xeriscaping native plants found on our Yavapai Friendly Plant List (https://wattersgardencenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Water-Bills-be-Gone-Plant-Guide.pdf).

Until next month, I’ll be helping gardeners here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Top Ten Sedums Recommended as Groundcover Plants

By Leave a Comment

Sedum is basically like cacti without all the thorns.

Most gardeners remember their grandmother’s tall Autumn Joy growing in the hottest parts of the garden. Their joyous cousins spread and creep with the same sizzling blooms that make Sedum the ideal plant for gardeners that want less water and responsibility but still want the same beauty of a cottage garden.

Sedum is basically like cacti without all the thorns. There are close to 500 species known as Sedum or Stonecrops. Although all Sedums flower, they’re usually grown for their foliage, which comes in exciting shades of green, blue, gold and reds not found in most other plants. They store moisture in their leaves and grow well in arid mountain locations.

My Top 10 Sedums grown as stunning groundcovers are:

#1 Angelina Sedum

This gold leaf sedum is tinged in bronze when the weather turns cold. Dainty gold flowers appear through summer. The 5-inch plant mats and covers in dry locations, rock gardens, containers and hanging baskets, and its color contrasts nicely with dark foliage plants.

#2 Blue Spruce Sedum

The name comes from the blue foliage resembling evergreen shrubs. This fast-growing plant produces a blanket of small yellow flowers throughout summer. It grows perfectly as a transition between low-sprawling evergreens, such as juniper and yews. It grows to ankle height and enjoys the hottest, windiest spots in the garden.

#3 Cascade Sedum

This perennial species blooms with yellow flowers in the midsummer heat. The leaves are green but show a red tinge in full sun. Individual plants spread several feet in irregular patterns from the crown. The variety is striking in light shade, growing 4 inches tall.

#4 Coral Reef Sedum

Also called a “Chinese Sedum,” the Coral Reef Sedum is one of the few with warm golden foliage. Growing just 2 inches tall, the light-colored foliage looks fantastic next to darker-colored sedums. Miniature white and pink flowers appear in July and August. Aggressive greenery creeps and spreads down embankments and rock gardens but looks equally handsome planted at the edge of a container.

#5 Japanese Sedum

The Japanese Sedum has silver leaves with distinctive red edges and hot-pink flowers that appear in Autumn. The plant is perfect for brightening the dark corners of a landscape. Many gardeners refer to this beauty as the “October Sedum.” It stands just 3 inches tall and grows anywhere in the garden, especially in the summer heat.

#6 Mongolian Sedum

This excellent groundcover plant blooms in late summer in shades of pink. Stunning leaves are blue and often trimmed in late autumn before it hibernates underground for winter. It is super tough in dry, crusty soil and grows just 5 inches tall, making it the perfect Sedum for rock gardens.

#7 Murale Sedum

Attractive to butterflies, this is a sedum cultivar with bronze foliage and pink flowers that bloom in early summer. It has a similar growth habit as the rest of the species but is a slightly smaller plant overall. Growing just under ankle high, it creeps through rocks as a groundcover. The species was found in Siberia, so you know it’s cold hardy for mountain gardens.

#8 Purple Emperor Sedum

This has plum foliage and pink blooms that are striking when planted with other sedums. Growing a foot tall, it grows well when filling pockets in rock gardens and sunny border gardens. It grows in full sun but blooms a ridiculously long time when planted in shade gardens.

#9 Siberian Sedum

This groundcover plant has deep green leaves and golden yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. The 4-inch foliage turns an attractive bronze in autumn. It’s a reliable, fast-growing plant used to fill spaces in rock gardens or chinks in stone walls as well as blanket sunny areas. This Sedum was found in Siberia, so you know it thrives where lesser Sedums fail.

#10 White Sedum

Named for its white flowers, this plant’s green foliage turns reddish in autumn. It blooms in summer and is an excellent ground cover for thin, poor soils or rock embankments. Drought conditions may turn the foliage pinkish, but this species has excellent tolerance for dry conditions. It loves blistering hot sun and grows 3-5 inches tall. Its white outshines the rest in light shade.

Until next month, I’ll be helping gardeners grow more fragrant gardens here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Identifying Best Smelling Plants for Outdoor Gardens

By Leave a Comment

Here is a list of the best plants for easy fragrance through your gardens.

Arizona is famous for outdoor activities. When all this activity brings the party to your deck, patio or pool’s edge, the fragrance of the garden should be positive and uplifting to the friends that gather. This is the perfect place to add sweetly scented plants for ambiance. Forget the candles and citronella. The right plants remind us why the mountains of Arizona are meant to be enjoyed outdoors.

The fragrance of many plants intensified at night are yet another reason to relax under the stars. Enjoy the aromas of the sweetest-smelling plants at the garden center today.

What’s the first thing we do when we see a flower? Most of us smell it, of course. Children primarily identify the sight of a blossom with fragrance. While we can occasionally be surprised, disappointed or repulsed by a plant’s odor, its scent is essential to gardens.

Using fragrant plants in the landscape is not a new concept. The botanical reason for plant fragrance is simple. Humans identify hundreds of odors. Many trigger solid reactions and emotions. Smells attract pollinators to the flowers. White or pastel blossoms seem to have more potent scents. This trait is probably to help them compete with their more brightly colored cousins.

The fragrance is not limited to flowers. Heavenly aromas are found in other parts of the plant’s foliage, seeds and bark. Herbs are perfect examples.

Viburnum by the front entrance to your home invites guests to take a moment to stop and smell the flowers. Remember, our prevailing Southwest mountain wind directs the aroma. You want to place fragrant plants where they can be appreciated.

Best Planting Locations

  • Container Gardens on Rolling Caddies – create your own portable plant aromatherapy using rolling plant caddies under your containers. Move them where you want.
  • Open the Window – any window that allows a breeze to enter your home is enhanced by the fragrance of plants.
  • Porches, Patios, Decks – anywhere you have seating is a great place to enjoy fragrant plants, especially evening blooming plants like jasmine and moonflower. A solitary bench in the garden is an excellent place to escape.
  • Trellis to Climb – bring the fragrance up to nose level. Arbors, especially over garden gates and pergolas, bring the aroma to you.
  • Walkways and Entry – passers-by enjoy the aroma of blooms. Scented leaves release their scent when brushed as you walk by.

Here is a list of the best plants for easy fragrance through your gardens.

Annual flowers bloom in riotous waves of fragrant colors. The best flowers are Alyssum, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy, Petunia, Poppy, Primrose, Stock and Viola.

Evergreens are famous in the mountains of Arizona for their pitchy pine scent. Many have incredible flowers with a fragrance that outdoes most. Evergreens with aromas are Azalea, Cypress, Deador Cedar, Desert Broom, Holly, Euonymus, Juniper, Lavender, Pine, Rosemary, Silver Berry, Spanish Broom and Waxleaf Privet.

Herbs – Most herbs are fragrant. Sage and rosemary are undeniably fragrant. Creeping thyme is used as a ground cover in stepping stone walkways simply because it smells good when stepped on. Almost the entire family of herbs is fragrant: Basil, Bay, Catmint, Chamomile, Lavender, Mint, Oregano, Scented Geranium, and Thyme.

Perennials at the top of the fragrant list would have to be Astilbe, Candytuft, Daylily, Dianthus, Hosta, Iris, Lilies, Lily-of-the-Valley, Peony, Phlox, Primrose, Russian Sage, Sedum, Sweet Woodruff and Verbena.

Shrubs are more fragrant for one reason only: their size. The most fragrant of all would be Butterfly Bush, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Forsythia, Gardenia, Lilac, Manzanita, Mock Orange, Osmanthus, Roses, Viburnum, Big Sage Bush and Silverberry.

Trees come in all scents and flavors. The most notable local trees for uplifting aromas are Crabapple, Flowering Cherry, Crape Myrtle, Chitalpa, Fruit Trees, Serviceberry, Pine and Spruce.

Vines are ideal for climbing up arches, pergolas, fences and deck posts for a fragrance that reaches any location. Have them climb or spread out as a ground cover. Here are the top picks: Akebia, Clematis, Climbing Roses, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lady Banks Rose, Sweet pea and Wisteria.

Until next month, I’ll be helping gardeners grow more fragrant gardens here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

Prescott Food Forest Gala Marks a Major Victory for Gardening Education Programs

By Leave a Comment

There has never been a more important time than now to learn or expand your ability to grow food.

On Tuesday Feb. 21, at The Club at Prescott Lakes, we hosted a Victory Garden Gala to raise awareness and funds to support the Gardeners Of Destiny (GOD) gardening education training program at B Organic Farm, Chino Valley.

The evening was a total success. More than 125 people from all sectors of our community came to support our mission to empower people to grow food for health and self-sustainability.

I am grateful for the support from our sponsors, donors, friends and neighbors. I want to thank Ed Walsh and Bob Knudson from Lamb Cadillac for their generous primary sponsorship and also Grayden Guilford and Pinnacle Bank for their gold sponsorship. Your donations allowed us to accelerate our plans and efforts!

A special note of appreciation to Ken Lain and Watters Garden Center for their sponsorship and donation of a fruit tree orchard as part of our live auction. Ken was also the keynote speaker, sharing his first-hand experience seeing the shift toward edible growing and backyard gardening to fight inflation and to ensure healthy food consumption. His expertise and insights were enjoyed by all.

I was honored that Prescott City Councilman Steve Sischka attended as a sponsor with Olsen’s for Healthy Pets, as well as Dan Olsen, who offered a beautiful blessing before dinner. I am proud that my wife, Lisa, was a sponsor with Silver Sands Recovery. Special thanks to Quad Cities Business News, Toby Ebarb with Legacy Roofing, Mark Womack with Womack Construction and Brian Wirick of Sterling North Homes for their sponsorships. Vickie Johnston from H20 Health not only sponsored the event, but contributed a whole house water filtration system for our live auction. I have gratitude for the Barley Hound and the Vivili Group for donating a private culinary experience for eight at the Barley Hound, with a personalized chef’s dinner.

I want to thank many local individuals and businesses for donating items, experiences and art for our silent auction and raffle items. We truly live in a giving and supportive community. All told, we raised close to $30,000 and netted close to $20,000. This provides the needed resources to grow and expand our efforts.

The evening started with a soulful musical performance by the very talented Kenny James. The food, prepared by Chef Matt at The Club at Prescott Lakes, was delicious. They also donated a private chef’s dinner for six and a round of golf.

I was proud to present the 2nd Annual “Arline’s Angel Award” (in memory of my mom), which is presented to someone who reflects the giving nature my mom had. We awarded Stephane Leon, a local schoolteacher and the designer of our logos, website and the evening’s program guide, as this year’s recipient. Most importantly, she is the director of the Gardeners Of Destiny training program, which just completed the eight-week winter greenhouse growing course and was well received.

In that regard, we are offering a Summer Growing course starting Sat., April 29 for eight weeks. If you would like to participate, we have a few spots left. For more information, please visit prescottfoodforest.com. To apply for a full scholarship, you need to commit to a minimum of 10 hours of volunteering at B Organic Farm. Everyone seems to love this win/win deal.

Finally, I am thankful for our team of volunteers that worked tirelessly to help plan and execute the outcome we achieved. Specifically, I want to thank Ann Herrington, Susan Rubio, Rhonda Clark, Debra Ott, LeRoy Miller, Wendy Lancy, and Betty and Bob Knudson for their time, effort and heart to make this event a Big Victory to continue our education and growing food programs.

There has never been a more important time than now to learn or expand your ability to grow food. You are welcome to join us as a volunteer, student or donor for our scholarship drive. Together, we are making a difference and positively impacting our community by teaching gardening skills and building new friendships with like-minded people. Yes, this is a place for people to grow together, so let’s get growing! QCBN

By John Murphy

John Murphy is a realtor and founder of Make 100 Healthy. He can be reached at 928-899-1341.

Identifying Nine Vegetable Blunders

By Leave a Comment

Vegetable gardening is an ongoing learning experience made up of lots of small successes and some failures.

As we progress into the vegetable planting season, the potatoes, garlic, kale and lettuce are already planted. The summer edibles will take center stage with the last frost quickly approaching.

Garden success often depends on things out of our control, including rainfall, temperature and soil type, to name a few. Here are the personal mistakes I wish readers to avoid as we plant the spring gardens.

Mistake #1: Starting Too Early

Gardener and impatient are used in the same sentence. The planting season starts in March, but frost is expected through April. Ensure early garden plants can take the freeze-thaw cycle the Central Highlands are famous for. Leafy plants like broccoli, cabbage, peas and parsley love this early spring weather.

The first of May is our local last frost. You will find the most extensive vegetable selection when you shop early, but have a plan to protect them if a late frost is predicted. Otherwise, you will be back at the garden center buying more plants. Here is Watters local Vegetable Calendar for Mountain Gardens.

Mistake #2: Garden in the Wrong Spot

A vegetable garden should be conveniently handy. In days when zucchini grow to the size of bowling pins, or rabbits break through your fence to finish the peas, daily visits will be needed. Vegetables require six or more hours of sun per day. Too little, and the fruits are small without flavor. A hose or watering can is needed until summer monsoon rains arrive. The closer the garden is to water, the easier it is to irrigate.

Mistake #3: Going Cheap on Soil and Plant Food

Plants use up garden soil as they grow. Starting off with poor soil ensures a struggle all season. Refresh annually with Barnyard Manure and Premium Mulch at the start of every planting season. Containers and raised beds need fresh Potting Soil that revitalizes pots. Earthworms are always a good sign.

Use water-soluble Flower Power twice monthly for a fantastic vegetable harvest. Watters Fruit and Vegetable Food is even better for more extensive gardens.

Mistake #4: Picking Too Slowly

Enjoy your vegetables while at their peak. A plant won’t set more cucumbers or peppers if its branches are already full. Herbs, like basil and cilantro, benefit from frequent harvesting.

Mistake #5: Planting Too Many

Planting more than you can eat or even care for is common. Start with varieties you enjoy or cannot purchase fresh locally. Learn how to grow them and expand your repertoire. It is best to enjoy success with a smaller garden than struggle to keep up with a large one. Here’s my list of the Easiest Vegetables to Grow in the Garden: https://wattersgardencenter.com/10-favorite-vegetables-easily-grown-in-pots/.

Mistake #6: Lack of Spacing

Seeds of lettuce, carrots and beets are planted close and thinned as you harvest. Plants set out as seedlings, like tomatoes and peppers, or large plants, like corn and beans, need much more space at maturity. If squashes, pumpkins and cucumbers are in your garden, they require even more room. To make the best use of space, interplant early vegetables like spinach, radish and lettuce underneath or around those that require a longer growing season.

Mistake #7: Deferred Maintenance

Different vegetables have different needs. Tomatoes need water at ground level. Overhead watering can encourage diseases and blights. Vegetables like corn, lettuces and broad-leaf plants like squashes are more tolerant of overhead irrigation.

Weeds take water and nutrients from your vegetables. They also provide cover for bugs that carry disease and eat your garden. Your hoe may be the best tool in the shed.

Mistake #8: Letting the Animals In

The need for a sturdy fence cannot be overstated. Deer, javelina, rabbits and gophers can wipe out a garden overnight. Planting vegetables is like ringing the dinner bell.

Mistake #9: Not Dealing with Problems Early

Monitor your plants regularly. Yellowing leaves or spots are best corrected before the entire row is infected. Catch insects early before they take over. Problems like blossom end rot are remedied simply by removing the affected fruit.

Vegetable gardening is an ongoing learning experience made up of lots of small successes and some failures. Begin with good soil, quality seeds and regular garden practices, and success follows.

Until next week, I’ll be helping gardeners plant better vegetable gardens here at Watters Garden Center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Road in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Vegetables.com.