Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Hello my garden friends,

July is the month I finally stop hoarding my own garden. After weeks of watching things grow, I’ve learned to actually cut the blooms - and discovered the garden rewards you for it.

I adore making small cut flower bouquets from whatever is blooming in the garden.

There’s a corner on my desk where I keep a small vase filled with something pretty. And I have a spot on my kitchen bar counter which is visible from many parts of the main living area where I almost always have something colorful and lovely.

I do grow a number of things specifically for this purpose, but honestly, it takes A LOT for me to cut those stems and bring them in. I don’t know what it is, but I guess everything just looks so lush and joyful in the landscape and I feel like by cutting the blooms I’m eliminating some of the magic.

But I’ve gotten much better at it this year and remind myself that often, by cutting blooms often I’m encouraging more growth and more flowering.

July in Zone-7 is about general tending, pest and water management. And if you are lucky, this is the beginning of some harvesting too.

Most years we are into our monsoon cycle early in the month, and with that comes the daily/weekly dance of backing off on your automatic drip schedule when appropriate... (and not forgetting to turn it back on if there's a break in the rain storms!)

Even with a rain sensor, which helps make that easier, I've found that I need to pay close attention to newer plants that might still need a bit of hand watering after a storm, when the rest of the system is on delay.

If you've been keeping up with the monthly checklists so far, then you should find that July is quite a bit less heavy on the big tasks. And just more about spending time in your landscape every day and tending to the little things that need doing.

July at Juniper Hill Cottage

A few behind-the-scenes notes from the garden as summer fully arrives.

🌼What I’m Planting

• Another round of Cilantro*

• Rosa ‘4th of July’ Climbing Rose (only because I’m replacing one of a pair that never settled in and finally gave up on me in June)

• English Lavender ‘Vera’ (Lavandula angustifolia) (see the story in Last Month’s Lessons Learned👇🏼 )

*direct sowing seeds in the ground

🌼What’s Blooming

• Clematis x ‘Niobe’ and ‘Jackmanii’

• Lavenders - English and French varieties

• Monarda - Beramot Lemon, Bergamo, and Raspberry Wine, and more

• Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus) - various varieties

• Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)

• Clary Sage ‘Vatican White’ (Salvia sclarea)

• Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

• Raven Cranesbill (Geranium phaem ‘Raven)

• Bushy Bulbine (Bulbine abyssinica)

• Burgandy Desert Willow (Chilopsis lenearis ‘Burgandy)

• Halls Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana)

• Major Wheeler Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler)

• I could keep going - but I also share lots of images of garden glimpses on my Substsack daily Notes if you’d like to catch more there

🌼Last Month’s Lesson Learned

Lavender is one of my all time favorite landscape plants. It does well here.

The soft, slightly fuzzy delicate leaves. The coolish, grey blue color of the foliage. The spikey tall vertical blooms in all manner of purples and light blues. That scent is heavenly.

However, anyone who’s ever grown lavender knows that it can get large and very woody. In practical terms, what that means is that while it may still be very much alive and even still blooming fairly well, it begins to loose it’s lovely rounded shape, and has a sort of - I don’t know - just a ratty look to it.

I’ve had the most lovely English Lavender (the cultivar escapes me right now) growing in a very prominent spot right by the front entry to the porch, in a very large ceramic planter.

It’s been stunning for about three years. Give her a light prunning each early spring as she begins waking up and she’s off and running.

This year, in May, she was healthy and leafing out, I began pruning. And just got over zealous about the thing. I kept cutting and cutting. I was feeling good about it, although I knew it was a tiny bit risky.

But now I know she’s not coming back and I’m feeling rather stupid about it.

Lesson Learned: The guidance that says only cut back about a third of a lavender and do it right after they’ve flowered is true. Don’t wait until spring. And certainly, don’t hack of two thirds of the thing. The trouble is, it’s just sooo hard to prune it back in late summer when in fact they are often still blooming a bit- and you remember the story I shared earlier about cutting blooms in the landscape - it’s just hard.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates anywhere in the world.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

Let’s get into it!

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?

No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Hello dearest readers,

By June, most of us have done the hard part.

We’ve hauled home new plants, tucked seedlings into the ground, rearranged containers three times, and spent more than we intended at the nursery.

Now comes the part that often determines whether the garden thrives or merely survives: watering wisely, managing pests early, and paying attention to what the plants are trying to tell us.

If a few plants are looking a little stressed right now, or if you’ve already lost a seedling or two, don’t worry - you’re in good company.

June is often the month when the garden begins revealing what is happy, what is struggling, and what needs a little extra attention.

By now, here in the high mountains of the Southwest, we've entered that dry and warm part of our summer. Monsoons typically enter the stage in late June. This year, surprisingly, it’s been mild and gorgeous - chilly evenings and mornings and warm but not hot days. Nothing to complain about here!

Strategies for June include a solid watering plan, and one of the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to match plants to the conditions you actually have, rather than the conditions you wish you had. Shade structures or layering of plants can help immensely.

Remember - overwatering can be just as bad as too little or too shallow as well.

June at Juniper Hill Cottage

A few behind-the-scenes notes from the garden as spring begins to settle in.

🌼What I’m Planting

• Dill (Anethum graveolens) ‘Mammoth’ and ‘Bouquet’ *

• Tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica) *

• Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia) ‘Torch’ *

• Castor Bean *

• Store bought succulents and Coleus for my annual pots

*direct sowing seeds in the ground

🌼What’s Blooming

• Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus) ’Beaujolais’, ‘High Scent’, and ‘Royale Blend’ - beautiful rich colors and off the charts scents

• New Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera neomexicana) - like a carpet of pale pink clouds

• Engelmann’s Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) - stunning apricot, sunset blooms the size of your palm

• Angelica - covered with bees and pollinators, and that scent is like heaven

• Icelandic Poppies (Papaver nudicaule) - stunners in the cooler beds and for cut flowers, like crackly tissue paper with bright apricot centers

• Giant Rattle Breadseed Poppy (Papaver somniferum) ‘Laurens Grape’ - impressive, huge plants and the first one opened up this morning!

• I could go on and on…. I share little garden glimpses on Substack notes weekly, so you can catch these beauties there if you’d like to follow along.

In last month’s letter I mentioned that we extended our rebar shade structure in the courtyard kitchen garden this winter. I use a 40% industrial grade fabric that you barely notice. The goal was to take the edge off that intense heat on the south edge of the raised box-beds and minimize the need to over-water in that space.

Good news: It seems to be doing the trick perfectly! Although, as mentioned, it hasn’t been as hot and dry as it often can be this time of year. But I’m thrilled with the result.

🌼Last Month’s Lesson Learned

The early birds.

I actually have several planters on the property and buy really good quality seed for the birds. I love them. But darn it - they love to get in there where I’ve sown seeds in the kitchen garden and make a rukus.

No wonder the dill wasn’t sprouting.

I reordered a few seed packets and tried again.

Lesson Learned: Always, always put some hardware cloth over the seeded areas to keep those seeds protected until they’ve gotten to a 1- or 2-inch height.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates anywhere in the world.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

To learn more about why I started this Garden Keeping Journal:

Let’s get into it!

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?

No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

How was your “May Day” yesterday?

In many parts of the world, May 1st is traditionally the beginning of the summer season. Of course, it's still really spring here in the high country - and technically the summer solstice isn't until mid-June.

Good news! May is about planting and blooms and birds and pollinators.

That said, it’s important to stay alert.

We still have high chances of overnight frosts which can zap the life out of tender annuals, and newly planted perennials that are very young. So, it's wise to keep an eye on the forecast and keep your frost fabric handy until about May-15th or so.

I keep mine rolled up in a bin under a nearby deck - so it’s out of sight, but easy to grab.

And, ironically, May is one of our drier and hotter months. So that means that getting your watering system going and keeping it well maintained is a priority now, as well as mulching and shade.

May at Juniper Hill Cottage

A few behind-the-scenes notes from the garden as spring begins to settle in.

🌼What I’m Planting

• Plum Tomato - from a a nursery start - yep, I’m taking a shortcut this year 🤦🏼‍♀️

• Scabiosa ‘Fama White’ *

• Sea Holly (Eryngium zabelii) ‘Big Blue’

• Tall Verbena (Verbena bonariensis)

*direct sowing seeds in the ground

🌼What’s Blooming

• Climbing Rose ‘4th of July’ - it’s so early but it’s busting out striped blooms

• Rosa Banksiae (Lady Banks Rose) ‘Alba Plena’ - this is the white bloom

• Tulipa (tulips) ‘Nora’ - which just happens to share my granddaughter’s name

🌼My Biggest Challenge

Typically May brings some pretty dry and warm weather to the high-country. Because of our elevation at 5,600 feet, the intensity of the sun is very real. While I can’t predict what this month will bring, I did take some precautions.

We extended our rebar shade structure in the courtyard kitchen garden this winter and I use a 40% industrial grade fabric that you barely notice. But it should take the edge off that intense heat and minimize the need to over-water in that space.

I’ll let you know what happens.

🌼Last Month’s Lesson Learned

I need to get ahead of spring.

April carries a long list of garden tasks, and between annual mountain bike events and hosting, and an uptick in local design work, it becomes too much all at once.

It would be luxurious to have extra spring help in the landscape, but the truth is that I choose to do it all myself.

Lesson Learned: Next year I’m going to shift all the soil prep and composting done in February and March rather than leave it for April. That’s the plan anyway.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates anywhere in the world.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

To learn more about why I started this Garden Keeping Journal:

Let’s get into it!

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Spring in the high-country can be a wild ride, can't it?

One day you're soaking up the sunshine, convinced spring is finally here, and the next morning - surprise! - two inches of snow and a biting, cold wind greet you. That's springtime in Prescott!

My biggest advice this month is similar to March: resist the urge to plant your tender annuals and young perennials too soon. Even though the warm days might tempt you, remember our last frost date around Prescott usually falls around Mother’s Day. Patience is key to gardening success here!
​
Last year this time, I was convincing myself that I should go ahead and get my Dahlia tubers in the ground because it was so nice. Then reason set in and I decided to wait just a tiny bit longer. But this year (this fall to be exact) I decided to try a different approach. Rather than lift the tubers and store them until spring, I left them in place, tucked in under layers of garden felt and a heavy tarp to keep warm and avoid rotting.

It’s an experiment that might be a real time saver if it succeeds. And if not, a worthwhile effort.

April's to-do list is a bit lighter than March's - assuming you tackled everything last month, of course! And if you didn’t, just keep moving forward and do what you can.

April at Juniper Hill Cottage

A few behind-the-scenes notes from the garden as spring begins to stretch its legs.

🌼What I’m Planting

• Myosotis (forget-me-not) - ‘Victoria blue’, ‘Victoria pink’, and ‘Spring & Summer’*

• Delphinium belladonna ‘Casablanca’*

• Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) - ‘Chantilly Light Salmon’, ‘Maryland Apple Blossom’*

*seedlings from seeds I started in the fall

🌼What’s Blooming

• Hellebores - so many varieties showing off

• Tulipa (tulips) - ‘Apricot Symbiose’, ‘Salmon Prince’, ‘Black Hero’

🌼My Biggest Challenge

Managing shade and water. We’ve had such a bizarre hot spell recently that I struggled with using frost fabric to try to shade my beds with young plants rather bringing out the shade cloth already. And have done a ton of hand watering rather than turn on my drip system. Neither of which would normally happen until mid-April.

🌼Last Month’s Lesson Learned

I put out a few cool season seedlings - quite small - that normally do quite well this time of year, but I neglected to put out deterrents for the pill bugs (aka, roly-polies). Did you know that they can devour young seedlings in a single evening? Yep. Next day I ordered 3 jugs of Sluggo-Plus! Better late than never.

Lesson Learned: before planting very young seedlings, check your soil to see if you have pill bugs in large numbers lurking.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates anywhere in the world.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

Let’s get to it!

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Winter will still be visiting here and there for the next couple of months. Nights are still at or below freezing often, and our last frost date is usually around Mothers Day in May.

We will have those warm t-shirt days and front porch happy hour evenings. But don’t jump the gun and start putting out tender plants until May - if you can stand it!

But March is here and we've got some serious checklists to start tackling!

I realize that this is getting to be a long one, but some of what I've got listed is just a reminder from last month (to wrap it up). And everything you do now will pay off as the season progresses.

I’ve just wrapped up my autumn garden clean-up - last weekend actually. And that’s how I like to tackle it. I set aside time in February to pick away at it, and it’s a workout that benefits not only my health, but also the prep for spring in the garden before things get too crazy.

The other reason I wait, is because I like to leave the garden as it is for the bulk of the winter to offer food and shelter to birds and other critters, as well as the added cover for the roots of herbaceous plants in case of deep freezes or strong winter winds.

I’m currently waiting for my first deliveries of spring seed packets as well as a few hard-to find plants. I’m excited!

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

​Let’s get started, shall we?

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries - you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the monthly Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Hello there, dear garden-keepers!

A quick housekeeping note before we dive in: while most of my letters arrive on Friday mornings, I’m moving these Garden Keeping Journals to the first Saturday of the month - it just feels better aligned with when many of us actually get outside.

Last year, about this time, I was chatting with a local friend who was sharing how she "could not wait" to get going with her annuals in her garden now that it was starting to warm up a bit.

I know the feeling! That's why winter here is typically so pleasant... even though we get those snow storms and cold, grey days we are blessed with these breaks where the sun shines and the air warms just close enough to sweater weather that you feel like spring is on its way.

This year, of course, has been a big exception to that typical weather pattern, so far anyway. It's been gorgeous, don't get me wrong. But it's time for some more winter.

It's only the first week of February. We will still have winter lows and weeks here and there of full-on winter weather for several more months. Because of our high elevation at 6,000+ feet, our last frost date is typically right around Mother's Day, that’s May 10th or so. (This surprises a lot of new high-elevation gardeners.)

It was hard to break it to my friend who was so excited, and had just moved here from Minnesota.

The consolation is that there is a ton of fun pre-season stuff to work on right now to get everything ready for the season.

During this "dormant" season, don't be fooled into thinking that there's nothing going on in the garden over the winter! In fact, while the pace slows down significantly, this is often the best time to build the basis for a hugely successful and healthy landscape in the coming season.

Plus, spreading out the work over several months makes it a bit less taxing on you.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of annuals, veggies and herbs.

​Let’s get to it…

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries- you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

Well hello dear garden-keepers!

I’m always thrilled to sit down and write another letter to you all. Thank you for being here and spending a little of your time with me.

This series, where we talk about what’s happening in your landscape and garden, has long been a reader favorite.

A few years ago I began doing this specifically for local Prescott gardeners in my community and soon realized that it was a keeper. The notes and feedback told me this was filling a real need.

My hope has always been to make these journals specific and actionable, yes. But even more than that, encouraging and grounding. This space is for anyone who wants to spend a little more time outdoors, notice the season you’re in, and feel connected to the earth beneath your feet.

Whether you’re tending a full landscape or just a few pots on a small balcony, I want this to speak to you. I hope it nudges you outside this month, and maybe helps you begin something wonderful.

I’ll be honest: here in the high-country of northern Arizona (at about 6,000 feet), it’s been an unusually mild start to winter. Normally by mid-December we’re well into snow and nighttime temperatures in the 20s and 30s. This year? Not so much.

And here’s my truth: that extra stretch of mild weather gave me a few more precious weeks to get myself sorted - taking cuttings, doing some long-overdue pruning, and catching up on garden tasks I’d fallen behind on. A real gift, honestly… especially since I clearly took on a bit (okay, wayyy) too much this year and couldn’t quite keep up with my own garden ambitions.

Today, though, as I sit at my desk in this lovely sunroom, the world outside looks different. It’s foggy and misty, quiet and gray - and it finally feels like winter has arrived.

Winter might be the "dormant" season, but don’t let that fool you. There’s still plenty happening in the garden! 🌱❄️

Things slow down, yes. But this is also the perfect time to lay the groundwork for a healthy, beautiful season ahead. And when we spread the work across the winter months, it feels far more manageable… even enjoyable.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of veggies and herbs.

​Let’s get to it…

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries- you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

After working with a client to design and create a beautiful garden or landscape, I like to check in often - more frequently at first, and then a bit less as the months go by. The long-term success of any garden really comes down to two things: a thoughtful design and consistent care.

While the installation may be the most exciting part of the process, it’s the ongoing tending (month after month, year after year) that makes a landscape truly flourish.

A garden is never finished; it just keeps evolving, shifting, and adapting with attention and time.

We’ve had a stunning autumn here in the high-country of northern Arizona. At 6,000 feet, surrounded by national forest, tall Ponderosa pines, and old juniper trees, the seasons are distinct and rich. Only last week did I finally tuck my own garden in for the season. Winter has arrived at last - no snow yet, but the rhythm has clearly shifted.

I love this time of year for the rest it brings, and the quiet promise of a fresh start on the horizon. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do out there. Far from it.

I’ve gathered your December Garden Keeping Checklist below - take a look and see what might spark a new idea or serve as a timely reminder for your garden rhythm this month.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of veggies and herbs.

​Let’s jump in.

Read more

Not gardening in Zone-7?
No worries- you can easily adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Garden Keeping Journal and still receive all the other stories, reflections, and design inspiration from The Whiskey Porch.

It’s starting to feel like Autumn, and there’s something so magical about this time of year. November brings shorter days, a touch of frost, and - if we’re lucky - more of that crisp, sunny fall weather we love. 🍁

Here in the high country, autumn lingers well into December, painting the garden in warm shades of gold and rust. It’s a quieter season now - less watering, fewer chores - a chance to slow down and simply soak in the beauty of it all.

As I wander through the garden, I find myself dreaming of what could be next: a better spot for that peony, new additions I’ve been imagining, or ways to make things even more delightful next season. Lately, I’ve started jotting down these little ideas in my garden journal—a cozy ritual for these cooler days. When winter truly settles in, and I’m curled up indoors with a cup of tea, these notes will guide me as I plan for spring.

For now, it’s still prime Porch Sittin’ season. There’s nothing quite like wrapping up in a wool blanket and savoring the crisp air while the earth begins its gentle shift toward winter. 🍂

I've got your November Garden Keeping Checklist below - take a look and see what might spark a new idea or serve as a timely reminder for your garden rhythm this month.

About These Checklists

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, these monthly Garden Keeping Checklists are designed to help you stay on track and feel supported through the seasons.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, you’ll find the tips practical and flexible - especially if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona, or in other Zone-7 and neighboring climates.

Each checklist reflects the rhythm I experience here in Prescott’s downtown microclimate, so your own garden may vary slightly depending on your elevation, location, and what you’re growing. Generally speaking, these notes align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike, even in the same zone. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These guides are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, with a sprinkling of veggies and herbs.

​Let's jump in.

Read more

Not a Zone-7 gardener?

You can adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Prescott Garden Keeping Journal - while still enjoying the rest of The Whiskey Porch publication.

October in the high country is such a gift.

The days still feel a like late summer, but the mornings and evenings are crisp enough to make you reach for a sweater and linger a little longer with your coffee on the porch.

I love this in-between stretch. It’s as if the garden is taking a deep, contented sigh before settling into its autumn reset.

Right now, I’m holding steady on irrigation, but soon I’ll begin dialing things back. By mid- to late October, our first freeze is usually knocking at the door, so this is the month to stay alert. That means it’s almost time to start thinking about draining and powering down irrigation systems, and tucking things in for the colder days ahead.

Meanwhile, I’ve been unboxing a few long-awaited plant orders - perennials and lots of seeds I’ve been dreaming about adding before the soil turns cold.

October (and often well into December) is still a beautiful window for planting, and I find myself soaking up every moment outdoors, whether it’s hands in the dirt or just porch sittin’ and admiring the rich colors in the landscape.

I’ve pulled together your detailed October Checklist to keep things easy and organized. Let’s make the most of this season before winter truly sets in. Keep reading…

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, I’ve put together these monthly garden keeping checklists to help you stay on track.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, these guides are designed to be practical and helpful if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona. Or any Zone-7 landscape.

Each checklist is tailored to the specific microclimate I experience here in downtown Prescott, so your own timing might vary slightly depending on your exact location, elevation, and what you're growing. Generally speaking, these tips align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These checklists are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, plus veggies and herbs.

Let’s get to it.

Read more

Not a Zone-7 gardener?

You can adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Prescott Garden Keeping Journal - while still enjoying the rest of The Whiskey Porch publication.

September in Prescott isn’t quite autumn … at least not yet.

Around here, it’s more of a “late summer” moment. The garden (with any luck) is thriving, the intense heat has passed, and it’s the perfect time to slow down and enjoy what you’ve nurtured.

Fortunately, our much delayed summer monsoon season has arrived with bells on along with some much appreciated light cloud cover.

This is the beginning of my favorite stretch of the year, which lasts for a good long while into December. Time for afternoon gatherings, generous porch sittin’, and lingering glances at the garden and the birds flitting through.

Yes, I’ve pulled together a few September to-do’s for you. But nothing too heavy. This month is about planning and reflecting, ideally from a shady seat in the garden, cool drink in hand.

Keep reading for this month’s checklist: practical, thoughtful tasks to help you make the most of this in-between season.

While we don’t offer garden maintenance services here at The Whiskey Porch, I’ve put together these monthly garden keeping checklists to help you stay on track.

Whether you’re handling everything yourself or working with a maintenance crew, these guides are designed to be practical and helpful if you’re gardening in or around Prescott, Arizona. Or any Zone-7 landscape.

Each checklist is tailored to the specific microclimate I experience here in downtown Prescott, so your own timing might vary slightly depending on your exact location, elevation, and what you're growing. Generally speaking, these tips align with USDA Zone 7b.

Of course, no two years are exactly alike. Some seasons bring an early hard freeze in late October, while others hold off until December. Keep that in mind as you plan your tasks.

These checklists are geared toward landscape gardens that include mostly perennials, plus veggies and herbs.

Let’s get to it.

Read more

Not a Zone-7 gardener?

You can adjust your email preferences anytime to skip the Prescott Garden Keeping Journal - while still enjoying the rest of The Whiskey Porch publication.

August is all about the beginning of the harvest season, ongoing tending, and enjoying the results of your efforts and labor so far.

With any luck, the monsoon is still visiting your little part of the world fairly regularly, and you've got a garden and landscape that is showing off it's splendor.

For me, this year, here in the downtown area of Prescott (at 5,600 foot elevation) we had one good week of rain and then… nada. Going to be doing the rain dance at sunset later today!

The character of things may not be quite as pristine as it is early in the season, but the party is well underway and meant to be enjoyed.

The days are still long and if you've done a pretty good job of tending to and feeding your landscape, you may be blessed with color and the gentle shift towards late summer. Since autumn is my favorite time of year, I find this very joyful and exciting.

If you haven't been able to keep up with your to-do's as well as you'd liked, don't worry about it. Just jump in and do what you can now. It's not too late to get some cooler season herbs and veggies going.

Just be sure to look closely, use all your senses, and slow down. A garden is truly a gift. Enjoy!

We don't do garden maintenance at The Whiskey Porch, but I wanted to put together a series of garden keeping checklists to help keep you on track. Whether you are going to do it all yourself, or bring in a maintenance crew to do much of it for you, these monthly guides should be useful to you if you live in and around Prescott, AZ.

All of these checklists are very specific to the micro-climate that I am in here in downtown Prescott. So, there will be slight variations for you depending on your specific location, as well as what you grow. Generally speaking, these lists will relate to USDA Zone 7b.

Each year can bring a slightly different cycle to the seasons. Sometimes we have our first hard freeze in late October, but most often not until early December. Keep this in mind when planning your monthly tasks.

These checklists apply generally to a landscape garden which includes primarily perennials, as well as veggies and herbs.

​Let's get to it.

Read more

July is about general tending, pest and water management. And if you are lucky, this is the beginning of some harvesting too.

Most years we are into our monsoon cycle early in the month, and with that comes the daily/weekly dance of backing off on your automatic drip schedule when appropriate... (and not forgetting to turn it back on if there's a break in the rain storms!)

Even with a rain sensor, which helps make that easier, I've found that I need to pay close attention to newer plants that might still need a bit of hand watering after a storm, when the rest of the system is on delay.

If you've been keeping up with the monthly checklists so far, then you should find that July is quite a bit less heavy on the big tasks. And just more about spending time in your landscape every day and tending to the little things that need doing.

We don't do garden maintenance at The Whiskey Porch, but I wanted to put together a series of garden keeping checklists to help keep you on track. Whether you are going to do it all yourself, or bring in a maintenance crew to do much of it for you, these monthly guides should be useful to you if you live in and around Prescott, AZ.

All of these checklists are very specific to the micro-climate that I am in here in downtown Prescott. So, there will be slight variations for you depending on your specific location, as well as what you grow. Generally speaking, these lists will relate to USDA Zone 7b, in our high elevation, mountain climate.

Each year can bring a slightly different cycle to the seasons. Sometimes we have our first hard freeze in late October, but most often not until early December. Keep this in mind when planning your monthly tasks.

These checklists apply generally to a landscape garden which includes primarily perennials, as well as veggies and herbs.

​Let's get to it.

Read more

I write from the perspective of a lifelong gardener and landscape designer with deep experience in Arizona’s high-country, but also years tending gardens in coastal Northern California and Phoenix’s low desert. Those contrasts have taught me one thing: every place has its rhythm, and it’s nuances.

Whether you’re here in Prescott’s high-country or tending a garden in another similar four-season climate, that rhythm - the steady give and take of the seasons - is worth really tuning into. A little attention and care go a long way toward lasting success.

And if your garden looks nothing like mine - different zone, different climate entirely - I know you'll still find something here. Readers tell me they love the photography: real, unstaged shots from an actual garden, not stock images.

There’s something worth watching in a landscape moving through its seasons, no matter where you’re standing.

That’s what this journal is all about - helping you stay in step with the seasons so your garden (and your confidence) can thrive month by month.

What Is the Garden Keeping Journal?

Each month, you’ll get a personal letter:

• What’s happening in the gardens at Juniper Hill Cottage right now - what I’m planting, what’s blooming, last month’s lesson learned

• Beautiful images of my real landscape and gardens, photographed by me, no stock images

• Reflections on the seasonal rhythm and design notes for future months

Every edition includes a detailed checklist for each of these topics, accessible by paid members:

Plants & Planting

What to sow, transplant, or harvest - and how to time it with our quirky frost dates

Water

Irrigation tips, watering schedules, and seasonal moisture strategies

Critters

Updates on pest activity, wildlife deterrents, and gentle interventions

Maintenance

What to prune, mulch, clean, or repair - plus soil care and seasonal transitions

Planning & Reflecting

Garden journaling prompts, seasonal reflections, or design notes for future months

This is not generic gardening advice. It’s written from the ground up for the unique four-season, high-altitude pattern of Zone-7 life. (Here, spring can flirt with snow and summer arrives in a blink!) Still, the broader timing, mindset, and seasonal pacing will feel familiar to gardeners in many other regions too.

Why Subscribe?

Every free subscriber gets the monthly letter intro - what I’m planting, what’s blooming right now here at Juniper Hill Cottage, and the stories and lessons learned along the way. You’re always welcome here, whether or not you ever go further than that.

Paid subscribers get the rest: the full actionable checklist for the month - what to plant, prune, protect, and watch for, timed to our real frost dates - plus close-up images and the kind of specific, month-by-month guidance that goes beyond the intro.

“I love this! Zone 10 next please 🌵” — Kelsey Crane, reader

The Garden Keeping Journal and full monthly checklist is available to paid members - Porch Companions (whether Monthly or Annual) and Studio Stewards.

Porch Companion - less than the cost of your weekly chai latte (even less if you go annual). Full access to the Gift Library and monthly Garden Keeping Journals.

Studio Steward - one year, for less than the cost of a single nice dinner out. Everything above, plus a closer connection to the studio - first notice on what’s coming next, including the Prescott Garden Collective.

Subscribe or Become a Paid Member

Whether you’re gardening here in Prescott, elsewhere in Zone-7, or simply following along for the rhythm of seasonal living, I hope these Journals bring a little clarity, confidence, and joy to your garden year.

With contentment & possibility,

June is all about water and pest management.

By now we've entered that super dry and really warm part of our summer and everything is probably in the ground and settled but often the newer additions or seedlings end up struggling a bit with the intense sun and heat.

Strategies include a solid watering plan, but don't forget that the right plant in the right place, and shade structures or layering of plants can help immensely. Overwatering can be just as bad as too little or too shallow as well.

​Keep reading for your June checklist and tips.

We don't do garden maintenance at The Whiskey Porch, but I wanted to put together a series of garden keeping checklists to help keep you on track. Whether you are going to do it all yourself, or bring in a maintenance crew to do much of it for you, these monthly guides should be useful to you if you live in and around Prescott, AZ.

All of these checklists are very specific to the micro-climate that I am in here in downtown Prescott. So, there will be slight variations for you depending on your specific location, as well as what you grow. Generally speaking, these lists will relate to USDA Zone 7b.

Each year can bring a slightly different cycle to the seasons. Sometimes we have our first hard freeze in late October, but most often not until early December. Keep this in mind when planning your monthly tasks.

These checklists apply generally to a landscape garden which includes primarily perennials, as well as veggies and herbs.

​Let's get to it.

Read more