That's why I love it up here. I came from Indiana and this is the closets climate and greenery to that. Even Indiana is hotter than it gets up here and grass grows naturally. Cool and shady and always a small breeze. Can sit out on the patio even when it gets into the 80's and it's cool. Not like the southern region of AZ where it's even hot in the shade and feels like an oven when you go outside. Lived in Phx for about 19 years and finally got to move up here and we've been here for 19 years. Wouldn't move back down there for all the money in the world and gardens do really great in this region. The snow is minimal in the winter and the temperature is moderate to the point that you don't need a coat in the warmer part of the day in the winter but we do have the distinct change of seasons like the mid-west. Love it, love it, love it.We followed our daughter and the grandkids here 10 years ago. I had lost my job in WA and my husband was going to lose his, so we figured Arizona was a good option. Both of our sons were in the Army at the time and have since ETSed and now they and their families all live here, too (except the oldest grandson who is stationed near Pensacola FL in the Air Force). But we are all (except for the S-I-L and D-I-L) from up north. It's not that I want to go back to snowy winters, though - I just want someplace moderate. Kind-of looking at the southeast (Carolinas, Tenn, Georgia, FL) - why not, since it's the only corner of the country we haven't lived in!!
I hadn't thought to look on Facebook for gardening help. Thanks for the pointer.