Next week, we’ll be busy doing our inventory and planning for a new season of gardening for our customers. But January is not only a time for restocking, it’s also a time for reflecting on the journey that brought Warner’s to northern Arizona and the four generations of family who have worked here.

Our family saga begins out of state. Our grandparents were raised in Ceres, California, just north of Modesto. Bill Warner worked for Sears Roebuck and was in the Navy Reserves, and his wife Dottie inspected chicken eggs.

Moving to Page

The family moved to Arizona when a friend, who was the construction project manager for the Glen Canyon Dam, convinced them to join the new community of Page in 1957. Bill started a hardware store and both our grandparents became community leaders.

Although Page boomed during the dam construction years, it went bust when construction was completed. The hardware store closed, but our grandfather held on to the building, which ultimately would house three different businesses run by the Warner family – an insurance company, a liquor store and a nursery, where our grandmother ruled!

All of this happened as the town was cycling into another boom season with the construction of the Navajo Generating Station. My father and his two brothers returned to Page to help my grandparents with their three businesses and then launched a new one – Warner’s Landscape Co.

Flagstaff Bound

One year, Warner’s Landscape Co. had contracts with Flagstaff’s three high schools and the City for landscaping services. Our family decided we needed a physical location in Flagstaff. We started at a location on North Highway 89 near Empire in 1990, but it soon became apparent that we needed a larger home, and in the spring of 1995, we moved operations to Butler Avenue.

The move allowed us to become more engaged with the community. Now in addition to nursery and landscaping products and services, we had the space to start some events, like our Easter Egg Hunt and the Fall Family Festival. We stepped up our educational offerings as well, with classes and workshops to help gardeners achieve their dreams. We even began to offer yoga classes in our tropical greenhouse in winter.

Although Dottie remained in Page the rest of her life, she was still a major force behind Warner’s Nursery in both its locations. She continued to run the gift shop within the Page nursery and would attend all the trade shows. She would go on trips and load up her minivan with “payloads” of antiques and other items that she would then dress up in her unique way to make her “Dottie’s originals” for the gift shop.

Honoring Dottie

Dorothy Morgan Warner died in 1999, but her spirit remains the heart of Warner’s Nursery.

My sister and I now lead the team that runs the businesses and my husband, Dan Andersen, is the head of the landscape company. During the summers, my three boys help out, which makes them the fourth generation of the family to work at Warner’s.

But even as we move forward, you don’t have to look far to find the influences of my grandmother who started it all. Nestled inside the nursery is “Dot’s Back Porch,” a gift shop that carries on her legacy, and a few years ago, when we started a coffee shop inside the nursery, there was no doubt what the name would be – Dottie’s Garden Coffee Shoppe.

We hope that when you come visit us you’ll see these little bits of our history and know how many generations of work have gone into the company that is so proud to be your go-to garden center in northern Arizona.

Happy gardening,
Misti

As 2021 winds down and we look forward to a new year, I wanted to talk about resolutions. Not your personal plans to eat better or exercise more in 2022, but your ambitions for your garden next year. Now is the perfect time to think about what you want to do in the new year and make a plan, so that when spring rolls around, you are ready to act.

To help out, here’s my list of 10 resolutions for the new year.

1. Have a bird feeder. Actually, this is one you can do right now. Birds are even more reliant on us right now than during the warmer months, so outfit a nearby tree with a bird feeder and keep it well stocked.
2. Buy or make a compost bin. You can purchase a composter for anywhere from $50 to $500, but it’s also easy enough to make one for about $20 or less. Good for the environment and good for your garden.
3. Learn to prune properly. Invest in good pruning shears (we have plenty at Warner’s) and learn how to take care of your trees. We have pruning guides for both deciduous and conifer trees.
4. Ask your relatives what they planted in their gardens. During your holiday get-togethers, compare gardening notes with your nearest and dearest. Find out what they planted this past season. It might just inspire you!
5. Plant a fruit tree. Been envious of your neighbors with their fresh pears, peaches or apples? Try your hand at planting a fruit tree this year. Not only will you get delicious eats, you’ll increase the value of your property.
6. Test your soil. If you haven’t before, soil tests will help you amend your garden beds and get fuller, healthier plants.
7. Explore native and naturalized plants. Native and naturalized plants evolve with the local climate and typically require less upkeep. For those of us in the high desert, this means plants that usually require less watering than non-native species.
8. Invest in a rain barrel. One of the blessings of our region is the annual monsoon season. Having a barrel to capture rainwater is a great way to be more water wise in 2022. 
9. Take care of bees and other pollinators. Absolutely essential in our ecosystem, pollinators account for about a third of the food we eat. Think about a bee condo or put in plants that are loved by birds, bees and butterflies. Here’s our suggestions for bees and another for butterflies and hummingbirds.
10. Make plants your gift of choice in 2022. It could be a rose bush for Mother’s Day, mums in the fall, poinsettia at Christmas or houseplants anytime of year. Plants are a lovely, living gift that your recipients will enjoy for a long time to come.

And there you have it – my top 10 New Year gardening resolutions. If you have any questions or need any help as you plan for the new year, please give us a call. The nursery will be open every day until 1 p.m. on December 24. Then we are taking a break between Christmas and New Year’s Day weekend, returning on Jan. 3, 2022.

Happy holidays and happy gardening,
Misti

It’s a question I get asked all the time at the nursery: Do you need to water your garden in winter?

Yes, you do. While your garden has gone dormant, your plants still need water to fuel basic metabolic functions. Unless we have an unusual amount of winter precipitation, you’ll need to water your trees, shrubs and perennials.

THIS YEAR’S RAIN AN EXCEPTION AFTER VERY DRY YEARS

Arizona’s historic rainfall this monsoon season made the news several times this summer. (Who can forget the videos of the car floating down streets due to flash floods?) But that came after two back-to-back “nonsoons” in 2019 and 2020. Technically, our state is still in a drought.

Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a La Niña winter. That means drier conditions and less snow. 

Add to that the cold and wind of winter in Arizona’s high country and you have a perfect storm of conditions leading to very dry soil and a lot of drought stress for plants.

HOW OFTEN (AND HOW MUCH) DO I NEED TO WATER?

You should plan on watering once or twice a month during the winter. Because that watering schedule is so infrequent, you might want to put it in your day planner. And, of course, you’ll be watering by hand since you should have winterized any drip irrigation system you have.

Another question we get a lot is how much water is enough during the winter. It depends on the size of the tree, shrub or perennial plant and whether it is new or well-established.

As a general rule, you’ll need about 10 gallons of water for each diameter inch of the tree. For example, a two-inch diameter tree needs 20 gallons per watering. The trick is to water slowly; you can’t just dump 10 or 20 gallons of water all at once, as it will run off instead of soaking down to the roots.

Newly planted shrubs require about twice as much water as an established shrub needs. You should be looking at 5 gallons each time you water a new shrub and 2.5 gallons for shrubs planted at least a year ago. Make sure they are surrounded by mulch to help them retain the water.

Perennials vary, but know that those planted late in fall will not have had as much time to establish their roots as the ones you put into the ground this past spring. Winter watering is highly advisable for late-planted perennials and ones located in windy or southwest exposures.

WHAT ABOUT FREEZES?

It’s a good idea to make sure that temperatures are going to hit about 40 degrees on the days you are watering, and you’ll want to water by midday to make sure it’s been absorbed before any nighttime freezes.

You’ll also want to try to water when it isn’t windy out. A drying wind could wind up carrying off the moisture you are trying to get to the roots of your plants.

By watering your garden in winter, you are increasing the chances that your garden, trees, shrubs and perennials will be lovely and lush next spring.

Happy gardening (and watering!)
Misti

It’s a question we often get this time of year at the nursery – should we get a cut tree or a potted tree?

Each has its positives and negatives and most have to do with timing. You can have your cut tree up and in your house longer. On the other hand, even though your potted tree can only be in your house for about a week, it will soon become part of your garden landscape.

No matter what type of tree you get, it will be a little harder and a little more expensive this year. Between wildfires in the northwest, extreme drought, and supply chain and labor issues that have beleaguered most businesses, trees will be more scarce this year than in recent memory.

Warner’s Nursery has been lucky enough to secure both cut and potted trees from our suppliers. Live (potted) Austrian and Colorado Spruces are already available, and we’ll be getting Douglas Fir, Noble Fir and Nordman Fir cut trees shortly before Thanksgiving.

Here are our guides to caring for both this holiday season:

Cut Trees

While you can bring your cut tree inside earlier than a potted tree, there’s often a fear that it will dry out before the holiday arrives. Here’s a few tips that will keep your tree fresh. 

Before you bring your tree indoors, spray it with Cloud Cover to preserve the needles and help them keep their moisture. Make sure you make a fresh cut of at least half an inch off the trunk to allow the tree to take up water. However, remember you need to set up your tree immediately after making the cut (get it in water within 15 minutes at the most!) If you don’t, the cut area will seal off and not be able to take up water.

Once the stand is mounted and your tree is properly situated in its place of glory for the season (far away from heater ducts and/or fireplaces!) fill the water tray with lukewarm water. Add Keeps-it-Green liquid to the water, to help keep the tree fresher longer. Check the water level in your tree stand daily. Always keep the trunk immersed in water. 

Potted Trees

For living trees, proper care is even more important. First, you need to acclimate your tree. We suggest placing the tree outside in partial sunlight (possibly on a porch) for one week prior to taking indoors and remember to water it daily.

The day before you bring it into the house, hose it down with water to remove dust and insects. Again, we suggest also spraying the tree with CloudCover to protect against dehydration.

Once inside, set your tree in a large tray to catch overflow and protect your floors. It should be situated close to a window for light and far away from heating ducts or fireplaces that could sap its moisture.

Continue to water your tree daily, but not quite as deeply as you did when it was outside (you don’t want your living tree to be standing in a tray full of water!) Add a few ice cubes to keep the tree cool and prevent it from breaking dormancy.

As we mentioned earlier, your living Christmas tree can only remain indoors for about seven days; otherwise, it might break dormancy and then will not survive outdoors. After that week, place your tree in a shady spot and out of the wind until you’re ready to plant. We suggest the north or east side of your home, as trees can be wind-burned and are prone to sun scald if left on the south or west side of a house.

Thoroughly water the tree immediately after transferring outdoors, then water once a week. Trees may be planted any time during the winter if the soil is not frozen. It is best to plant the tree as soon as possible. If the tree is to be left in a pot, water every 3-5 days.

Happy gardening and Happy Holidays,
Misti

It’s gotten downright chilly here in the high country of northern Arizona, and for those of us that still have our gardening groove on, it’s time to shift our focus to indoor plants. But if you have pothos or spiders in every corner, you might be on the lookout for more daring or unique plants to grace your home – or to give as a holiday present.

I’ve got three suggestions for you of plants that are unique but not difficult to cultivate that you might want to explore; two of them will also make a fun project for the whole family.

Kokedama

This form of Japanese gardening involves taking the root ball of a plant and suspending it in a mud ball, which is then coated with soft green moss (the word literally translates to “moss ball”). It means that you have not only a plant but a living planter which can then be displayed in a container or hung on a string. If you hang several of these plants up, it’s often referred to as a “string garden.”

What’s wonderful is that creating a kokedama isn’t much harder than planting a regular plant. Probably the most challenging part is the soil, because you need something with enough clay so that the ball keeps its structure. However, a good bonsai type of soil will work, or you can create your own using clay and peat moss. You’ll also need your featured plant, moss, string, scissors, water in a spray bottle and perhaps a bucket (if you need to soak your moss to make it pliable). 

As for your featured plant, ferns and ivy do well, but avoid succulents and cacti, as the soil ball at the heart of your kokedama will typically be too moist for them.

Terrariums

Also known as “gardens under glass,” these displays of plants are housed in partially or even fully sealed containers, which allow heat and light to enter the container but confine moisture. This results in a little eco-system that is pretty much self-sustaining.

You’ll want to feature plants that thrive in low to medium light with a mixture of leaf sizes, texture, and color. Popular plants to include in terrariums include African violets, ferns, lucky bamboos and prayer plants. Try to make sure you pick plants that will like the naturally humid environment of a terrarium. If you are thinking about using cacti or succulents, don’t fully enclose the terrarium – these plants need open containers for air flow.

Grafted cacti

Tiny and super colorful, this is a unique plant that’s requires no work from you; the grafted or “moon” cactus has already been created out of two different plants. Grafted cacti have solid green succulent stalk that looks like a traditional cactus, but then are topped with bright, almost neon-like domes in shades of hot pink, flaming tangerine and sunshine yellow.

That bright little ball on top is a “mutant” pup from a regular cactus. In the wild, it would detach from the parent plant and ultimately die soon after because of a lack of chlorophyll the plant needs to photosynthesize. The grafting process, however, allows the base plant to provide nutrients not only for itself, but its colorful pup.

I hope you’ll consider making some room in your home for these unique plants or giving them as a gift this year. If you have any questions about these plants – including how to create a terrarium or kokedama – please stop by. We’ve got the supplies and expertise you’ll need to get started.

Happy Gardening,
Misti

I hope you are enjoying fall as much as we are at Warner’s Nursery. It’s such an amazing time of year, and if you are looking for ways to enjoy it to the fullest, I’ve got seven that I would highly recommend this month.

Plant those bulbs. Time is quickly running out for you to get those spring-blooming bulbs into the ground. Once the ground gets frozen and hard, it’s much more difficult to get them planted.

Go for a hike. The weather is cooling, the aspens are turning and it’s a perfect time to tackle your favorite path on the San Francisco Peaks, Oak Creek Canyon or anywhere the views are beautiful (which is lots of places in northern Arizona).

Enjoy a pumpkin spice drink. I know we make jokes about there being pumpkin spice everything this time a year, but honestly, the lattes are yummy. You can try our version, the Pumpkin Pie Latte, at our in-nursery coffee shoppe, Dottie’s.

Speaking of pumpkins…Warner’s pumpkin patch and hay maze are open now. Lots of fun, especially for the little ones. And it’s a great chance to pick up this year’s jack-o-lantern.

Arizona Snowbowl Gondola. Take your enjoyment of fall to new heights with a trip on one of Snowbowl’s 8-person enclosed gondolas. These state-of-the-art lifts at the ski resort take you up to 11,500 feet and an amazing view that stretches from the Grand Canyon to Sedona’s red rocks. What a way to check out the fall foliage!

Decorate Your Outdoor Space. Dressing up your house is no longer just for Christmas. Between Halloween decorations and fall blooms like mums and hardy pansies, autumn is a great time to get creative with your patio, front porch or yard.

Join Us for Halloween. We’ll be hosting a Halloween bash from 10 am to 3 pm on Oct. 31, so dress up the kids and get ready to trick or treat. Activities like balloon animals, face painting and a kiddie caboose will round out the event. All activities are free (although our vendors do appreciate tips!)

We are looking forward to seeing you this season.

Happy fall and happy gardening!
Misti

We’re often asked at Warner’s when is the best time to plant a tree. The short answer, of course, is any time the ground is not frozen, because trees are awesome and the more of them we can get the better.

But, in looking at this topic a little more closely, we’d have to give fall a slight edge. And by fall we mean when the worst of the summer heat is over, the nights are cooler and the ground is wetter. This is particularly true in places like northern Arizona where we get the bulk of our rain during the monsoon season in July and August. 

So why do trees planted in the autumn flourish? There are a few reasons:

Planting in fall gives your tree an extra season (and some extra energy) to establish its roots. During the spring, a lot of a tree’s energy is spent on its foliage and producing fruit or leaves. As the summer fades, that energy can be spent on the tree’s network of roots before it goes dormant for the winter.

Pair that with the fact that the soil is warmer in fall than spring, which means that your tree is less likely to go into transplant “shock.”

There’s also an argument that you don’t have to water as much when your tree is planted in the fall and while that’s somewhat true, you really can’t ignore good watering. Water regularly and if you have any questions about how frequently to water your trees, just ask of our Warner’s associates.

Are there any downsides to planting trees in fall? Yes – the variety available. Smaller trees, including Apsens and some shade and fruit trees are available for planting during the fall. Many larger trees (the ones you get wrapped in burlap and not in containers) aren’t available until the spring. 

Regardless of when you plant your tree, however, your home and life will benefit. Trees mean more oxygen, increased value to your home, reduced energy costs depending on where you plant your tree, and the calming affect trees have shown to have in numerous studies.

Plus you’ll be creating another home for birds and other critters to enjoy, so you’ll be adding to the natural ecosystem of your neighborhood.

If you have any questions about trees – or any other gardening issues – please feel free to ask our experts here at Warner’s Nursery. We are happy to help.

Happy Gardening,
Misti Warner-Andersen

I can’t believe I’m writing this: school starts next week.

On the one hand, it’s a relief after the craziness of last year, when school was mostly conducted outside of the classroom. On the other, I’m always sad around this time because my favorite season is coming to a close.

But let’s not be too eager to call it a day on summer – for ourselves or our gardens.

Actually, you can argue this is the best part of summer. The temperatures have cooled off, your vegetable garden is at its peak, and there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors.

Here are some ways to celebrate these last weeks before gearing up for fall:

Fire up the Barbeque – With the arrival of the monsoons, restrictions have been removed and it’s safe to barbeque without fear of wildfires. It’s a great excuse to gather the family in the backyard for a few games while dinner is on the grill.

Freshening up the garden – Quick growing annuals and perennials can replace exhausted blooms. Try some annuals like petunias, marigolds, potato vine, vinca, bidens, mandevilla and alyssum or perennials that are late-summer blooming such as yarrow, rudbeckia, daylilies, penstemons, agastach and catmint.

Festivals and Events – August is prime time for summer festivals in Flagstaff and Warner’s is happy to be involved in two coming up in the next couple of weekends. We are one of the sponsors of the 12th Annual Hullabaloo on August 14 and 15.

Meanwhile, the Coconino Master Gardener’s self-guided tour of Flagstaff’s best veggie gardens will be on August 21 from 10 am to 4 pm. You can pick up your tickets and a map that morning exclusively at Warner’s Nursery.

I hope you fully enjoy this last (and arguably best) part of Summer 2021. Remember, there’s lots of ways to stretch out your enjoyment of this season.

Happy gardening,
Misti