Garden Social

06/17/2026

06/14/2026

Garden Social started as an ambitious dream, like many small businesses do, it rose from the ashes of change as I (and nearly 300 other contractors) was laid-off by Apple in 2021.

At the time, I had worked from home and lived in then-rural Maricopa. During my search for work, I turned back to my favorite pass-time and therapy: horticulture. Having previously worked in the industry, with a little time, some cuttings a pack of great value styrofoam cups, our first wave of plants came to be.

I started with Facebook marketplace, advertising little 2 for $5 deals locally, even free delivery for orders of $20.00 or more. I found myself quite often taking orders for a few tiny flowers 20-40 miles just for a few dollars. You'd likely call that crazy, I'd say I was just totally passionate about sharing my love for plants.

With time, I focused greatly on improving my practice and standardizing my garden. Improving my plants, pots, aesthetic and available options as often as I could, all while making sure to stay within budget (which never happened, I just kept buying and planting more plants 🤣)

But here you were, supporting me all the while. Each time I had thoroughly convinced myself that the garden has grown beyond my capabilities, this local community of passionate growers came through with unwavering support and enthusiasm. For that, Im eternally grateful.

Through that support, we have begun to distribute bulk Growers Best Organics compost to the City of Maricopa, available Mon-Sat at Wildcat Landscape Supply. We have partnered with VITECH to bring concentrate, regenerative probiotic fertilizers to the local gardening/farming community, which are available for purchase during our open hours. We have hosted dozens of free educational events for local children to get hands-on with horticulture through Garden Social Community Impact, and now additionally carry non-GMO seeds, coconut coir, perlite and hand out FREE learning resources! I now also write for my own blog 'Horticulture in the Sonoran Desert', available FREE online at www.gardensocialaz.com 💚

Even though it's been a long time coming, I'd still argue that this is just the beginning. I find myself overwhelmed with emotion as we begin to plan out our 2026 fall season, especially reflecting on how far we've come.

Thank you.

- Austin, Garden Social 🌿

06/14/2026

In Southern Arizona, protecting your citrus trees from sunburn isn’t optional—it’s essential. And at Garden Social, we take it a step further.

Our citrus care service includes professional trunk painting to shield sensitive bark from intense desert sun—preventing sunburn, cracking, and long-term stress, especially on newly planted or recently pruned trees.

But we don’t stop there. We also condition your soil and incorporate our premium compost to improve structure, boost microbial life, and support stronger root development.

The result? Healthier trees, better growth, and citrus that’s built to handle the desert.

Rates vary based on tree size and complexity. Send us a message or call at 816-674-0534 for more info.

06/14/2026

Tomorrow (June 15th) is officially the first day of monsoon season, and here are our most important tips for a successful garden this season:

1) DONT STOP WATERING your plants: Even with high humidity and the occasional quick thunderstorm, it's important to keep watering. Most monsoon rains deposit small volumes of moisture that dont pe*****te deep into the soil.

2) Ensure your landscape is prepared for FLASH FLOODS: This means correcting poor drainage, especially away from plants that could rot easily, like cacti. You can do this by installing drain pipes, or by simply re-grading your space to allow water runoff. Use swales and berms around your water-needy plants to focus rain-water toward their root zones.

3) AERATE YOUR SOIL around outdoor plants: Break up your hard clay soil and amend it generously with natural compost. For tough clay soils that don't drain, consider applying gypsum. This ensures that water not only drains readily during a big storm, but also feeds your plants as rain falls.

4) STAKE OR PRUNE YOUR TREES and unstable shrubs: Don't let the wind catch you off-guard this season. Install at least 2 tree stakes per small tree. For larger trees and shrubs that may catch excess wind, consider pruning inner branching to allow better wind-flow. Although it's not recommended to prune in the summer, it's wise to reduce friction to prevent the entire tree uprooting, which can be expensive and dangerous.

5) DO NOT GO OUTSIDE DURING A HABOOB (Dust Storm): When winds lift and rapidly transfer dust throughout the air, they subsequently bring minerals, silica, bacteria and fungi. Being outside during an active dust storm can expose you to developing pneumonia, or in worse cases - valley fever (which is caused by inhaling fungal spores).

6) SOW YOUR SECOND CROP: The start of monsoon season provides an exceptional opportunity to sow seedlings in your garden. Great crops include melons, squash, loofah, cucumbers, and okra. Once rains arrive, the added humidity and soil moisture lead to some seriously rapid germination!

Bottom line - Monsoon‑ready gardens start with strong roots, smart pruning, and soil that can handle the storm. Prepare early, protect your plants, and let the season work for your landscape—not against it.

- Austin, Garden Social 🌿

06/13/2026

Your Arizona Garden Is Dying And Summer Isn’t The Problem

You’re doing it all wrong—or at least, you’re probably doing the same thing many Arizona gardeners do every summer: reacting instead of planning. When the heat tightens its grip, people panic, overwater, fry tender plants in the wrong exposure, or give up entirely until fall. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news is that thriving through an Arizona summer is less about perfect plants and more about consistent strategy....

You’re doing it all wrong—or at least, you’re probably doing the same thing many Arizona gardeners do every summer: reacting instead of planning. When the heat tightens its grip, people panic, over…

06/12/2026

Looking to bring a more tropical, lush feel into your desert landscape?

Canna Lily and White Bird of Paradise are two reliable performers in the Sonoran Desert, offering bold foliage and exceptional blooms even through the heat. Canna Lilies provide strong seasonal color, while White Bird of Paradise adds structure with its large, architectural leaves and soft white flowers.

Both plants grow from rhizomes, allowing them to slowly spread and fill in over time, making them a great choice for building out full, layered plantings. They’re also approachable for beginners and easy to maintain with the right watering routine.

Available this week at Garden Social

📍45030 W Edwards Ave, Maricopa, AZ 85139

🕑Open Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Stop by and see how these can fit into your space!

06/12/2026

A lovely Easter Lily cactus flower from the garden today. As humidity rises, we expect to see so many cactus flowers throughout the garden!

06/11/2026

A new order of big trees just arrived at the garden center today, we have massive Chilean Mesquite and Desert Museum Palo Verde in the 24" box size for just $219.99!

Planting and installation bundle with compost, soil conditioning, probiotic drench, line connect (up to 5ft) and a complimentary 90-day guarantee starts as low as $475.00, get yours today!

*Delivery rate varies by location.

Garden Social is open Fridays and Saturdays from 7am to 1230pm, come on by!

Location: 45030 W Edwards Ave Maricopa AZ 85139

06/11/2026

Looking for a fast-growing evergreen that can actually handle the desert?

Meet the Eldarica ‘Mondell’ Pine 🌲

Native to regions stretching from Afghanistan to Pakistan, this tough pine is naturally adapted to heat, wind, and dry conditions—making it one of the best-performing pines for Arizona landscapes.

The ‘Mondell’ variety stands out for its strong central form, dense canopy, and rapid growth. It’s perfect for:

✔️ Privacy screens
✔️ Windbreaks
✔️ Large property shading

Unlike many traditional pines, Eldaricas thrive in our alkaline soils and don’t need excessive water once established. Give them space, sunlight, and proper deep watering—and they’ll reward you with year-round greenery in even the harshest desert conditions.

Available now at Garden Social! Open Fridays and Saturdays from 7am to 1230pm, come on by!

Location: 45030 W Edwards Ave Maricopa AZ 85139

06/10/2026

Meet Spanish Reed 🌾

Also known as Arundo donax, this bold, bamboo-like grass is a powerhouse in the right setting—but here in the southern desert, it behaves a little differently… and that’s a good thing.

Unlike in riparian or high-water environments where it can spread aggressively, in our arid climate Spanish reed tends to grow slower, stay more clumped, and remain far easier to manage. That means you get all the benefits—fast privacy, strong vertical structure, and wind buffering—without it running wild.

Give it full sun, room to grow, and consistent deep watering, and it will reward you with dense, upright growth that makes a serious statement in the landscape.

Controlled growth, desert-adapted performance, locally grown!

Find yours at Garden Social, open Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00am to 12:30pm.

Location: 45030 W Edwards Ave Maricopa AZ 85139

See you soon!