22 OCTOBER 2026 By Michael P. Murphy Dig It Gardens is a terrific name for a business that’s downright cool. Tucked away in Phoenix, the nursery is a hidden gem, and founders Ryan and Jessica Jerrell kind of like it that way. There’s a welcoming feeling here, and first-time customers marvel at 30,000 square feet of glorious greenery outside – not to mention the colorful mural on the 16 th Street side of the building. “The name originated with my husband,” said Jessica. “It used to be Dig It Gardens and Nursery. Over the years we shortened it to Dig It Gardens. Then we found that the community, the people who come here all the time, call it Dig.” Dig is more than a nursery. It’s a place where weddings, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, and corporate events take place in a pleasing, natural setting. There are also fun educational workshops, such as the Succulent Skull and Pumpkin Wreath classes, and popular seasonal events that some families return to year after year. And in October? That’s when the nursery really starts revving up. “Fall is Christmas around here,” Jessica said. “My inventory has already tripled. We’re very seasonal, so you can always feel confident when you walk in the door that what you see on our floor can be planted. All the plants here have been hardened by the summer sun and can go in the ground right now.” Jessica emphasizes one point above all: that planting takes preparation. Adjusting irrigation for the season matters, but it all begins with the soil. “You must make sure you get it right, and the soil fits the foundation of your home. If you have the right mix of everything, then plant your veggies and herbs,” she said. Ryan’s primary focus is managing Dig It’s landscape service, and it’s where he spends much of his time. After the consulting and design process, he stays on-site for the entire duration of the work, ensuring the design’s integrity through completion and staying mindful of the client’s investment. The duo, along with their team, also volunteers. They’ve supported St. Mary’s Food Bank, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital. They partner with Community 43, an organization that helps people struggling with unemployment and mental health challenges. The crew helps plant, propagate, and care for the special succulents and cacti in a donated greenhouse, then sells them and gives the proceeds to Community 43. It’s all in the spirit of community, one that has supported Dig It Gardens for 11 years. Jessica sums up their business philosophy nicely: “What we strive to do, and we’ve told our employees throughout the years, is that we simply want to be a space where you come in and leave feeling a little bit better.” Whether you’re looking for the perfect cactus, seasonal color, a few herbs to get your garden growing, help with a landscape project, or simply a place to wander and get inspired, Dig It has plenty to discover. digphx.com Can you dig it? Local business has greenery for every season For Jessica and Ryan Jerrell, Dig It Gardens is more than a nursery – it’s an event space, a workshop and a store where people can find all types of plants.

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