Gardening in Prescott AZ : A Lifestyle Many People Don’t Expect
One thing that often surprises people considering a move to Prescott is how different the gardening — and overall outdoor lifestyle — really is here. Our climate sits in a unique middle ground that feels nothing like Phoenix and very different from much of California.
For some people, that difference goes beyond casual gardening. Many buyers come to Prescott specifically because they want space to grow food, plant fruit trees, or create a full homestead. That was one of the things we were looking for when we purchased our home — the ability to use our land to grow our own food, keep chickens, and get in touch with the simple joy of gardening.
Learning the Local Rhythm
I’ve really enjoyed the Saturday classes at Watters Garden Center as a way to set my gardening calendar. The classes are free, and each week has a theme thats is timed for the local growing season. Gardening in Prescott has its own rules, and local guidance truly matters.
The classes are focused not only on Prescott’s climate, but the soil, drainage, and local wildlife — you get information on frost timing, soil prep, pruning schedules, and plant choices that actually succeed here. It’s the kind of information that helps you avoid trial-and-error and garden with confidence from the start, and thats what all gardeners are looking for!
How Prescott Compares to Phoenix and California
If you’re coming from Phoenix, the difference is immediate. Summers here are warm, but not extreme like the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. Many plants that simply burn up in the desert can thrive in Prescott without constant shade cloth or daily watering.
If you’re coming from coastal California, Prescott’s seasons are the biggest change. We have a true winter, and that cold period is essential for many plants to perform well. It creates a natural pause — and a reliable reset — that many mild climates never experience.
Plants That Do Well in Prescott
(and often struggle in California or Phoenix)
Prescott’s four-season climate supports a wide range of plants that can be challenging elsewhere:
Lilacs – Need winter chill; often fail in mild coastal areas
Peonies – Require cold dormancy and dry summers
Apple trees – Many varieties need substantial chill hours
Peach, plum, and apricot trees – Reliable producers here
Tulips and spring bulbs – Strong blooms after winter cold
Plants that typically won’t survive Phoenix heat, but do well in Prescott:
Lettuce and cool-season greens through spring and fall
Raspberries and some blackberries
Hydrangeas in protected areas
Currants and gooseberries
Many herbs like cilantro and parsley during longer seasons
This climate opens the door to gardening — and food production — that simply isn’t realistic in hotter desert environments.
What I’m Planting Right Now
Last week, I planted new wildflower beds, a mix of 10 different seeds that are selected to be deer resistant, and suited to Prescott’s seasons. I’m hoping for a fun show of colors in the Spring and through the summer. The wildflowers I’m planting are also prerrineals, so I’m looking forward to many years of blooms once they (and my routines) are established.
Next week, I’m excited to add a couple fruit trees to my new garden. I alredy have my eyes on a few Cherry trees that I’m told will bear fruit this year. I can just imagine summer days in my future, snacking on fresh picked cherries and sipping a cool glass of iced tea while being entertained by the animals… (we have chickens and a kinda crazy dog). Its one more step toward being intetional in each moment, being more self sufficient, and enjoying the little things in life — something a lot of people moving here are actively looking for.
Why This Matters When You’re Considering a Move
Gardening and homesteading may not be everyone’s priority, but they often represent something bigger: space, seasons, and the ability to live a little closer to the land.
Prescott appeals to people who want:
Manageable summers
Real seasonal change
Land that can actually be used
The option to garden, plant trees, or build a small homestead over time
It’s one of those lifestyle details that doesn’t always show up in listing photos — but ends up being a big reason people choose to stay.
If you’re curious about properties that support gardening, small-scale homesteading, or a full farm and even a barn for your horses, I’m always happy to talk through what’s realistic in different parts of Prescott.