Education
Education Resources
High Country Garden Club offers education and resources, informative links, and other pertinent information to assist area gardeners in enjoying their efforts. Need something not listed? Contact us!
The unique environment in our region makes gardening here different from many other areas. It’s always good to have a helping hand. Learn how to keep your plants thriving in Rim Country conditions all year long.
Arizona Gardening Information Links
Univeristy of Arizona Extension is one of the pillars of The University of Arizona’s Division of Agriculture, Life & Veterinary Sciences. They focus on “Improving Lives, Communities and the Economy” by serving as a statewide network of knowledgeable faculty and staff that provides lifelong educational programs for all Arizonans.
The Arizona Native Plant Society focuses on its mission to promote knowledge, appreciation, conservation, and restoration of Arizona native plants and their habitats, as well as the use of native plants in urban landscapes and gardens. They can help you select local plants that thrive in our natural habitat and are also beautiful. Their ‘Grow Native Initiative’ is here to help show you the way!
Native Seeds/Search focuses its mission to conserve and promote the crop diversity of the Southwest in support of sustainable farming and to preserve arid-adapted seeds.
Local Gardening Supplies
Plant Fair Nursery is our local gardening supplies specialist and provides expert advice and products for Rim Country’s diverse climate and microclimates. Voted Best of the Rim award in 2023 for “Best Garden Center”. Plant Fair is a dedicated supporter of High Country Garden Club.
Useful Gardening Resources
The following links are organizations and sources of information on a variety of gardening and conservation topics. We hope you find them as useful as many of our members.
The University of Arizona Agriculture Extension – Home Gardening provides specialized information for home gardeners in Arizona from frost dates to composting.
Gila County Master Gardeners are a group of local gardeners affiliated with the University of Arizona Extension – Gila. Find local gardening resources here.
Payson Public Library and Pine/Strawberry Public Library are excellent resources for gardening information. Both locations house local Seed Libraries.
Arizona Native Plant Society Tonto Basin Chapter is a local group affiliated with the main organization. Get local native plant resources and find out about upcoming events.
The City of Payson Water Department provides a guide listing native and low-water plants that you can grow. This is an excellent way to support conservation efforts locally.
Rainwater Harvesting by Brad Lancaster is offered by a permaculture & regenerative design expert who provides education on water harvesting.
Since 1979, Arbico Organics has been providing supplies and biological pest control for flies and plant pests to help transition your garden to organic standards.
Seeds in Common. Seeds in Common was born of the desire to care for seeds in a way that generates justice for land, water, seeds, and people. They serve all current and aspiring seed keepers.
Additional Gardening Resources
Plant Fair Nursery is our local gardening supplies specialist and provides expert advice and products for Rim Country’s diverse climate and microclimates. Voted Best of the Rim award in 2023 for “Best Garden Center”. Plant Fair is a dedicated supporter of High Country Garden Club.
Payson Community Garden has over 160 individual garden plots to serve gardeners with a lack of garden space in Payson, AZ. Learn more about all they offer.
High Country Gardens offers plants, products, and information that support long-term ecological balance and sustains the love of gardening for generations to come.
Plants of the Southwest is a plant nursery and seed store selling seeds, trees, shrubs, grasses, cacti & perennials that are native and desert-adapted.
Since 1974, True Leaf Market has earned the trust of home gardeners and growers by curating premium non-GMO seeds available exclusively through True Leaf.
Seeds of Change believe meals should include items from your garden. Combining just-picked veggies with our organic food products is naturally delicious.
Seed Savers Exchange grows and shares seeds for efforts to protect biodiversity and preserve heirloom varieties. At the heart is a seed bank housing 20,000+ varieties.
Baker Creek’s passion is saving, growing, and sharing rare seeds. Their mission is to provide seeds of a sustainable food supply for everyone.
Tonto Natural Bridge can be seen from many angles within the park. From the paved paths on top, visitors will encounter four great viewpoints to help understand the scale of the bridge, while having the opportunity to take in an expansive view of Arizona’s famed rim country.
Places to Visit
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. There are three hiking trails, a picnic area, and a group use area. The park provides habitat for animals, insects, and birds as well as Interpretive exhibits.
The Arboretum at Flagstaff was created to help people understand the flora of northeastern Arizona. This 200-acre botanical garden includes 2,500 species of high-elevation plants and miles of walking trails to explore them. The Arboretum is open seasonally from April 15 – October 31, six days a week (closed Tuesdays). Come out with friends and family for special events or with a picnic basket and enjoy the natural environment that surrounds you!
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum allows you to experience the lush beauty of the Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert at the state’s oldest and largest botanical garden. just 30 minutes from Mesa it features plant collections from the world’s deserts, historic buildings, and hidden gardens along miles of trails. The Arboretum is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Desert Botanical Garden is here to help us enjoy the beauty of the desert and care about it. Home to thousands of species of cacti, trees, and flowers from all around the world, it is spread across 55 acres in Phoenix, Arizona. Join them for a future event or exhibit or simply visit to roam and enjoy the Garden’s beauty. The garden is open daily, and admission is required.
Consider Our Amazing Sponsors
Though many of our sponsors are not directly related to gardening, all support our mission. We hope you will consider working with these wonderful organizations and giving them your business.
Contact High Country Garden Club
We love meeting new people and catching up with those we’ve known for a while. Please contact us and a member of our club will respond to you shortly. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or just want to say hello, we hope to hear from you soon.