7 Ways to Celebrate Fall

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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

Fall Tree Planting

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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

Houseplant of the Week: Aralia

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Sometimes you look at two plants and you are amazed that they come from the same family. Take the Aralia, which can range from indoor plants that are about 20 inches high to trees that soar more than 60 feet in the air.

Even among the species most commonly indoors, there are several distinctive features. The Fabian Aralia has large, scalloped, dark green leaves. As it grows it eventually develops a very woody trunk. Then there’s the Ming Aralia that has a totally different look with feathery fronds. Other variations have leaves that are serrated or variegated. 

Despite the different looks of all these plants, they tend to have similar needs in terms of water, light and general care.

Aralias do best in bright indirect light, but will also tolerate low to medium light. They will grow faster – and much lusher – in brighter conditions. 

Make sure your Aralia is planted in high quality potting soil with enough drainage. 

Water when the top half of the soil is dry and keep watering until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Discard any water that accumulates in the saucer.

Finally, your Aralias enjoy their fertilizer but are modest eaters. You only need to feed them about twice a year during the spring and summer months.

Houseplant of the Week: Blue Star Fern

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We continue our tour of exotic looking ferns (we recently wrote about Staghorn Ferns) with the Blue Star Fern, a plant once again featuring unique looking fronds, but an easy-going manner.

In fact, Blue Stars will do well in topiaries without much growing material and in pots, as long as there’s good drainage.

It’s wavy fronds grow from rhizomes and can range in color from silver to blue-grey to green. Unlike most ferns, Blue Stars are more tolerant of drier climates and can take a little more sun than the typical fern plant. Park them where they can enjoy bright, but indirect light and they should be happy.

If your fern is going to be in a pot, make sure the planting material drains well. We’ve gotten mixed reports about using something like orchid mix, but a houseplant specific soil with a little perlite to increase drainage seems to work well. Also, avoid terra cotta pots as they tend to dry out too fast.

Water your plant generously once you notice the pot drying out, letting water runs out of drainage holes at the bottom. You might want to do this in your sink, because you want it to fully drain before putting it back on a saucer. In fact, don’t let your plant sit in a saucer full of water, as it could lead to root rot.

Blue stars don’t require much food – the nutrients in your soil will hold it for a few months, then only feed a small amount during the growing season and none at all in the winter months.

Embracing the Last Days of Summer

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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

Houseplant of the Week: Prayer Plant

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In the evening, if you look at the beautiful Prayer Plant, you’ll get a clue as to how this hardy native of Central and South America came by its name. Each night the plant’s leaves close together, resembling hands folded in prayer.

Prayer plants are relatively easy to grow, but have a few specific items you want to look out for – including susceptibility to some common houseplant pests.

Caring for Your Prayer Plant

  • Prayer Plants will tolerate low light conditions, but if you really want to see it thrive, give it bright, indirect light.
  • This is a plant of the Central and South American tropics, which means it likes its humidity. Keep its soil moist but not soggy and give it a spritz with a mister a couple of times a week.
  • It’s also a bit of a foodie, so satisfy its hunger with an all-purpose fertilizer every couple of weeks during its main growing time from spring through fall.
  • In winter, you can stop fertilizing and let the soil dry out a bit as it will be dormant, but it still needs some misting to keep it happy. In fact, you might want to do it every day given how dry our heated homes can get.
  • Prayer plants are easy to propagate through division or stem clippings during the spring. If part of your plant breaks off, dip it in some rooting hormone and place in distilled water. Change the water daily and when the roots are about an inch long, you can replant it.
  • Unfortunately, Prayer Plants are prone to things like spider mites, mealybugs and aphids, so it’s a good idea to check on your houseplant for pests during watering and feeding intervals.

Houseplant of the Week: ‘Whale Fin’ Sansevieria

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Whale Fin Sansevieria houseplant in pot against wood background

When we think of Sansevieria, we typically envision the plant popularly known as the “snake plant” with long slender leaves that are typically edged in green-gray or yellow.

But there is a rarer version of the species that is arguably even more striking. The “whale fin” or Sansevieria Masoniana takes its name from the wide, paddle-like leaves. Typically dark green with lighter mottling, these leaves can grow to a whopping four feet long by 10 inches wide. 

If grown in bright conditions, this plant will form a stalk of white flower clusters as well.

We say “if” because, like its snake plant cousin, the whale fin will tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions. Also like the snake plant, this is another easy to care for plant that is great for beginners.

CARING FOR YOUR SANSEVIERIA

  • Allow soil to dry between watering and be careful to not overwater. The foliage will “pucker” when the plant is thirsty.
  • Try to avoid getting leaves wet when you water.
  • While they prefer bright indirect light, these plants are tolerant of a variety of light conditions – including florescent-only lighting!

Rainwater Harvesting

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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

Houseplant of the Week: Xanadu Philodendron

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We know what you are thinking – how could nature make a philodendron even better? It’s already an amazingly easy plant to grow, with lots of variations like split leaf, Swiss Cheese and Brasil.

But the Xanadu, also known as the “Winterbourn” philodendron might just exceed your expectations. It’s doesn’t require support as it isn’t a vining philodendron. It’s compact while visually striking. And, like most of us, it gets better as it gets older.

Originally, the leaves of a Xanadu start out like most philodendron (see picture above). As you plant gets older, however, these leaves start to create separate lobes, ultimately becoming more spikey and exotic in appearance, like this:

When mature, each shiny leaf will have about 15 or so lobes, and those leaves can grow to 16 inches long and 12 inches wide!

One note of caution, however: make sure these plants are someplace where your pets can get to them, as they can be toxic to dogs and cats.

Caring for your Xanadu Philodendron

Light: This plant prefers a little more light than most philodendrons in order to maintain its compact growth habit. Too little sun and the stems will elongate as it tries to reach more light. Too much direct sun will burn the leaves. Bright, indirect light is your best bet.

Water: Water thoroughly with good drainage and then allow about half of the soil to dry out before watering again. The leaves will yellow if it is too wet.

Humidity: A native of Brazil, this plant likes it’s humidity, but it’s tolerant of average indoor humidity.

Fertilizing: Use a well-balanced plant food (one that includes all the major macro- and micro-nutrients) monthly during the spring and fall and every other week in the summer. Do not feed in the winter.

Houseplant of the Week: Hoya

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Banner with Hoya houseplant

Often called the “wax” plant because of its waxy leaves and star-shaped flowers, the Hoya is one of those plants that does better in bright, natural light. It will survive in medium and even low-light as well, but like most flowering houseplants, the more light it gets, the more blooms it will produce.

Caring for Your Hoya

This is a pretty easy going plant, but there are some basics.

  • Your hoya would prefer being too dry instead of too wet. Water it when the potting mix dries out and make sure not to overwater as that will cause root rot.
  • Although technically not a succulent, those thick leaves and stems do store water, so it will forgive you if you miss a watering.
  • The plant doesn’t require fertilizer, but you can use any general purpose houseplant fertilizer to get it to bloom better. (Warner’s has several good options.) Just follow the directions on the packaging.