Tag: insects

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener It definitely feels like Autumn in the Lain gardens. We haven’t lit the pilot light on the fireplace, but there is a chill in the air every morning. There are a few things I…

By Ken Lain, The Mountain Gardener Spring weather signals the start of specific gardening tasks that are essential to maintaining a vital, healthy garden. I’m a list type of gardener, and the following is my springtime procedural list in order…

Your garden is about to be under attack! Spring is just around the corner, bringing some very unwanted pests to our home landscapes. This class focuses on two major enemies to our plants: insects and fungus. Learn how to identify…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener It’s time to start checking off items from that fall gardening to-do list. These are things I do every fall; my aim is to complete all of them by the end of October. Today’s…

By Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Because we’re gardeners and work around many flowers it’s bound to happen: a bee stings us.  Coincidentally, although it had been several years since any of us Lains had been stung, just last week…

The week between Earth Day and Arbor Day is something special.  April is the peak planting season for local gardens.  Arbor Day, Friday, April 27, Watters Garden Center will host it’s annual ‘Great Ladybug Release @ 2 pm and repeats…

Lora Goulding, Master Gardener Bacillus thuringiensis is a naturally occurring soil bacterium disease that is fatal to the larva stage of certain insects. It occurs naturally in the gut of caterpillars of various types of moths and butterflies, as well…

by Ken Lain, the mountain gardener Powdery mildew is one of the most prevalent and recognized plant diseases of our rainy season, July to the end of October. Virtually no plant is immune, but some are more susceptible than others. …

Owls and bats rule the night skies of Arizona, and they’re great for the garden –and the environment! On August 12, the Arizona’s Raptor Experience descends once again on Watters Garden Center to showcase “The Benefits of Attracting Owls and…

by Ken Lain, the mountain garden The aphids are thick in the garden.  Lisa and I were enjoying a sunset this week and the winged adults were so thick they were drawn to the flames of the firepit and polluted…