We're a Succa for these Locally Grown Plants!
If there’s one thing the pandemic has given us it’s more time at home to explore new hobbies, revisit old ones, and more screen time to scroll through indoor gardening inspirations on Instagram. “Plant Parenting” is a trend that appears to be staying put—and it’s not only because of the eye-catching vibe that it brings to our home space. Caring for and owning plants has also been found to lower stress levels, improve mental health, and boost creativity.
Here are a few local growers that can help you get in touch with the “plant parent” within us all:
Abby Lee Farms is the perfect field trip for any plant lover with its magical greenhouses and the endless array of houseplants, cacti, and succulents—including hard-to-find species, native varieties, and plants that are perfect for those who are born without a green thumb but crave the green indoor flora. The farm’s history is steeped in growing and providing local produce to the community. They continue to grow specialty tomatoes and other edible goods but have upped their farming practice to grow houseplants locally.
The folks at Abby Lee understand how some of us can make houseplants flourish while the rest of us may be learning how to be a good plant parent. They are committed to making lifelong plant lovers out of us all and will replace your purchases from their farm should they not make it.
Plus, there is support and advice to be had from the experts on site who have tended and cared for their plants since they were baby sprouts. Schedule a socially distant private shopping trip to their plant farm where their experts will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of their farm and greenhouses, register for a gardening class, or swing by Uptown or Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market to pursue and purchase their handpicked, market selections.
If you or your significant other envisions transforming your backyard or patio space into an edible masterpiece, or fruit trees seem to be more their thing, then the Urban Farm is a great spot to pick up fruit plants. Their selection of fruit-giving trees, vines, and bushes—such as multiple varieties of mulberries, apples, apricots, peaches, citrus and so much more—have been grown and selected for taste and ease of growing in our climate. An added bonus: The Urban Farm website is a hub of gardening knowledge, enabling you to grow food no matter where you live. From educational podcasts to online courses and gardening events, the Urban Farm can teach you how to keep your fruit plants and your edible gardens vibrant and provide a tasty bounty for years to come.
While love may be on the forefront of everyone’s mind this month, this is also a great time to get your gardens growing, take on your #landscapegoals, and consider adding a few native shade trees to combat the brutal summers that will soon be making their way to us. Be sure to swing by Whitfill Nursery for your landscaping transformations.
Whitfill Nursery has been around for over 60 years as the Valley's original grower-direct nursery (their shade, palm and citrus trees are raised here in the Valley). From palms and desert trees to flowering trees, tropical plants, and shrubs, Whitfill offers six decades worth of knowledge of growing and landscaping in Arizona, and their staff can help you create that backyard (or front yard) oasis in the desert.