Joyful Blooming Evergreens of Spring

02/16/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Evergreen shrubs with fragrant spring flowers are timeless favorites when creating a vibrant and inviting garden landscape. These local favorites provide year-round foliage and burst into captivating blooms when spring arrives, infusing the air…

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Gardening for Newcomers to Mountain Landscapes

02/07/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener High altitude gardening is different from gardening at lower elevations.  Combine our altitude with Arizona’s dry climate, bright air, and ever-present mountain winds, and you pretty much can forget what you learned from gardening…

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What happens when Plants are Dormant

01/19/2024 Ken Davis

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Those new to the four seasons of Northern Arizona: Autumn is a time of intense transition in the yard. Leaves fall off deciduous trees, and flowering perennials bloom one last time before fading underground…

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5 Clever Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in Your Garden

01/12/2024 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener If you make a daily pot of coffee, you have a fabulous source of the organic matter right at your fingertips. Coffee grounds can make your garden happier in several ways, and not just…

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Your End-of-Summer Garden To-Do List

09/13/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Gardening is a year-round hobby, each month providing a new opportunity to cultivate your land and forest success. Gardeners are at the harvest season’s peak and relish in the bounty of their vegetable and…

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12 Low-Maintenance Landscape Tips & Tricks

07/19/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener 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…

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Top 10 Things Smart Gardeners Do in June

06/07/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener June is considered perennial month in the mountains of Arizona. This is the top time to find big, bold perennials at the garden center. These are the flowers that come back bigger and better…

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Best Smelling Plants for Outdoor Gardens

05/17/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener 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…

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Everything the May Gardens Need Now

05/03/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Mother’s Day is the historic last chance of frost, and summer plants can go in the gardens safely. It’s time to plant your garden tomatoes, pepper, squash, and herbs without risk. You wlll also…

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9 Vegetable Blunders Made

04/04/2023 Ken Davis

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener 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…

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