After two years of minimal summer rain, the monsoon season has returned – with a vengeance, judging by the flooding some areas have experienced in the last 10 days.

We often talk in this space about being “water-wise” in our dry climate – things like using drip irrigation systems and selecting drought-resistant plants for your garden. Now, with the monsoons returning, we can take advantage of the weather by practicing rainwater harvesting.

There are lots of great reasons to harvest rainwater: lower water bills and general water conservation immediately spring to mind. But it’s also better for your plants since it’s not treated with any chemicals and it reduces soil erosion.

Rain barrels, which can be any container you use to catch water from a downspout, typically have a screen mesh to prevent debris from getting into the container and a spigot allowing you to attach your hose to the barrel and water your plants or grass.

You want to make sure your barrel is on a sturdy platform. Remember, unless you plan to install a pump, your rain barrel will be using gravity to move the water from the barrel through the hose and into your garden or yard, so the additional height will help increase the rate of flow.

Here are a few tips to make using a rain barrel safe and easy:

• You can use emitters and timers with your rain barrel system for distribution, but make sure they are for low-pressure systems. If you get parts that require 10 or 15 pounds of pressure per square inch (PSI), they will not work with your rain barrel.
• Make sure to keep your rain barrel clean; remove any debris that might block the screen mesh and clean the inside regularly to reduce algae growth.
• Keep your rain container out of direct sunlight. That will slow down evaporation of the rainwater you collect and also discourage mosquito breeding.
• Make sure no one drinks from this water. This water is great for your plants, but it’s not potable, so you might want to mark it so and take extra care that your kids and pets don’t try to drink from it.

Properly thought out and installed, rainwater harvesting can be great for you, your wallet and your garden.

Happy Gardening,
Misti Warner-Andersen

With the last of the late spring frost warnings behind us (finger’s crossed), now is a great time to talk about the rewards of growing your own tomatoes and veggies as a part of your garden.

The most obvious reason to grow your own food is taste. Yes, you can find lots of produce in your local grocery store, but nothing will thrill your taste buds quite like what you produce in your own garden. Remember, it takes a long time for tomatoes and veggies to be harvested, shipped and distributed – plus you don’t know how long they’ve been on the shelf by the time you buy them. The food you grow, however, has a very short journey to make from garden to kitchen and that freshness makes it more delicious and nutritious.

When you cultivate your own food, you also have more control of what goes in and on your food. Typically, you don’t know what commercial growers are using. You can go all-organic, but you’ll pay a premium for it. You, on the other hand, determine what goes into your garden soil to amend it and what types of treatments you use to deal with bugs or other plant issues.

You’ll also avoid other uncertainties about the food you eat. It’s not so long ago that we had romaine lettuce recalls because of e-coli outbreaks. That’s something you don’t have to worry about with your homegrown veggies.

Then there’s the benefits that extend to all sorts of gardening, whether it’s flowers or food. Time out in the sunshine gives you vitamin D. You increase your physical activity doing something you love. There’s also a lot of evidence that microorganisms in the soil (specifically Mycobacterium vaccae) triggers the release of serotonin in our brains, which is yet another reason why gardening can make you happy.

If you have small children, make sure they are a part of cultivating your tomato and veggie garden. First of all, it’s a great family activity, plus it will teach them loads about everything from biology to having a little patience. As a bonus, it’s more likely your kids will eat their vegetables if they help you grow them, according to a study by Ohio State and Cornell universities.

If you have any questions about growing tomatoes or vegetables (or anything else in your garden), please stop by the nursery and ask. We’d love to help you cultivate a terrific garden that’s full of good eats.

Happy gardening,
Misti

By definition, warm season vegetables are the ones that really can’t stand the cold – things like tomatoes and eggplants and melons. Because they are so susceptible to cool temperatures, they are typically planted outdoors only after the last frost of the spring.

Which is a problem here in northern Arizona. By the time we have the last frost of spring here, it’s practically summer. 

Don’t let the lovely temperatures of the last few days fool you. We can get a frosty night right up until June 15, and that’s way too late to get your plants in the ground and have them mature. We need to start them now!

Fortunately, there are ways to get your delicious warm season veggies planted and still protect them from late season frosts.

First off, let’s talk about where you are planting them. We like the idea of putting your veggie plants in raised garden beds or containers where you can ensure they are in nutrient-rich soil.

Once they are planted, it’s time to invest in some season extenders.

The most popular ones are tubes of water that go around the plant. They absorb heat during the day and keep you plant toasty at night. Additionally, they warm up the soil under your plant, which promotes good root growth and lessens the chance of shock, which will make your plant stronger.

You can also go the DIY route with PVC pipe and thick plastic. Just assemble the pipe into a frame that can cover your plants and attach the plastic to it. Pull it over your veggie beds at night and just make sure to take it off during the daytime.  

Growing warm weather vegetables in our region can be a bit of a challenge, but let’s face it – when you bite into that yummy pepper or cucumber or tomato, you’ll know that all your  hard work was worth it.

Happy Gardening!
Misti

I was reading recently that the #1 hot trend in home improvement this year was “more outdoor living.”

Now some of this was about how to make the outdoors more of a feature even when we are inside – like adding a sunroom or bigger windows so you can see your outdoor space more.

But much of this movement is about looking outward and making our patios and back yards feel like another room in our homes.

Décor is a big part of this trend, and I wanted to spend a little time talking about how you can bring your unique style into your outdoor spaces.

Since Warner’s is a nursery, let’s start with some living things that will brighten up your outdoor space.

First off, plant containers. We have the best selection of outdoor pottery in the region and we are huge fans of container gardening. Whether it’s a hanging basket spilling over with flowers or gorgeously glazed pots on the ground, this is a portable garden that you can place almost anywhere. Plus it doesn’t require that you have a huge backyard – a tiny patio can be transformed into a lush, colorful oasis with a few potted plants.

But annual and perennial flowers aren’t your only source of living décor. Vines are also beautiful additions to your outdoor space. We particularly like having them woven through a pergola for additional shade outside on the patio. Warner’s will be getting in its stock of vines in late May.

Of course, one of the things about our homes is that they give us a little privacy and you don’t have to sacrifice that in your outdoor space. Hedges are great for creating that feeling of seclusion and peace. There’s a lot of great ones to choose from, including forsythia, privet, juniper, serviceberry and Sumac varieties.

Now to think about some non-living decorations for your outdoor space. You’ll need to think about your style here and what kind of look you are going for. Rustic or contemporary? Formal or casual? Bright colors or muted shades? 

Fortunately, you don’t need to buy a whole new patio set to update your look. It can be as simple as changing out the cushions on your lawnchairs or adding a little something that brightens your space up.

Here’s some ideas:

• Birdbaths – there’s a huge variety available, from ornate to simple, and they are always an elegant addition to your yard. Plus, the birds will really appreciate it!
• Fountains – Nothing like the sound of running water to make your space feel more peaceful and serene.
• Windchimes – Another example of a piece of décor that can be a delight to both your eyes and your ears.
• Decorative yard stakes. We have a great selection of these at Warner’s and they can be beautiful or surreal or funny – or all of the above.

Whatever your taste, we hope that you have fun decorating your outdoor space this season – and take time to enjoy it once you get it all decked out.

Happy Gardening!
Misti