Forget everything you picture when you hear the words “garden center.” No rows of fluorescent lighting, no beige metal shelving, no big-box monotony. This central Phoenix nursery was built by people who took cues from tattoo shops and art studios rather than agricultural supply stores, and it shows in every corner of the property.
Dig It Gardens opened its doors back in 2015, founded by Ryan Jerrell after the neighborhood’s longtime nursery, Baker Nursery, shut down. Ryan later teamed up with his wife Jessica, and together they turned a modest plant shop into one of the city’s most talked-about gathering spaces, a place where cactus and succulents share the spotlight with local art, live music, and community events.
What to Explore
The plant selection here leans heavily into what the desert does best: cacti and succulents in shapes and sizes you won’t stumble across at a typical garden supply store. Beyond the desert specimens, you’ll find houseplants, fruit trees, shrubs, and edible plants, all curated rather than mass-stocked, which is part of why the inventory feels fresh and interesting instead of overwhelming.
Pottery is its own destination within the destination. Shoppers consistently point to the range of ceramic and ornamental pots, from budget-friendly options to statement pieces, as one of the best reasons to wander the property even if you’re not buying a single plant that day.
Hands-on workshops are a signature offering, teaching everything from basic potting techniques to more specialized gardening skills, and they’re a great way to walk away with actual know-how instead of just a plant you’re nervous to kill. The team also runs Dig It Design, a full landscape design and installation arm, for anyone looking to take the inspiration home and turn it into an actual yard project.
Perhaps the most distinctive move here is how far Dig It leans into being an event space. Weddings, corporate gatherings, fundraisers, and private parties happen regularly on-site, a business direction that reportedly started almost by accident when an early customer asked to get married among the plants. Now it’s a core part of what the place does, complete with a setting that needs almost no additional decorating.
Atmosphere & Décor
The grounds are outdoors and sprawling, laid out more like a wandering art walk than a straightforward retail nursery. Ryan’s personal art collection is scattered throughout the property alongside pieces from local artists and even employees, so the aesthetic keeps evolving rather than sitting static.
There’s a lived-in, creative energy to the space that regulars describe as feeling less like shopping and more like exploring. Shaded seating areas, quirky sculptural touches, and a coffee counter on-site give you a reason to linger well past the time it takes to pick out a few plants.
Because it’s largely open-air, the vibe shifts with the season, lush and buzzing in cooler months, a bit more sun-baked in peak summer. Either way, it reads as a genuine reflection of its founders’ personalities rather than a corporate template stamped onto a retail lot.
Other Considerations
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, the open layout and relaxed pace make it an easy, low-pressure spot to bring kids along while you shop or grab a coffee.
Will the staff actually help me if I’m new to plants? Generally, yes. The team is known for being approachable and willing to walk beginners through care tips and potting advice, though like any busy retail spot, service can vary depending on how packed it is when you visit.
What are the hours? Dig It Gardens is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week, which makes it easy to swing by whether it’s a weekday errand or a weekend outing.
Are prices reasonable? Prices run a bit higher than what you’d find at a chain garden store, but that reflects the quality and rarity of a lot of the specimens on offer, and most shoppers feel the tradeoff is worth it for plants and pottery you won’t find elsewhere in the Valley.
Dig It Gardens
📍 3015 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Website: https://www.digphx.com/
