Archive for “Outdoors” Category

News & Events

Five Mistakes That Harm Your Landscape During the Summer

July 7, 2025

Are you looking for ways to help your trees and plants thrive under the intense heat of the desert summer sun? Desert-adapted plants are naturally suited for this climate, but they do require some additional care during the summer months to truly flourish. Many enthusiasts unknowingly make changes that can be detrimental to their trees and plants. Here are five …

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Save Water, Save $$$ at the Virtual SRP Water Conservation Expo

June 24, 2025

  Water you doing to conserve this summer? Secure your spot and join us online for the virtual 2025 SRP Water Conservation Expo from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 15! This one-hour virtual webinar is available to anyone with a smart phone or computer who wants to learn how to reduce water use and purchase a smart irrigation controller …

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Less Grass Mow Money! Tucson’s New Commercial & Multifamily Customer Incentives

June 17, 2025

More Water Conservation Help is Here for Commercial & Multifamily Customers! Tucson Water has had a robust conservation program for residential customers since the late 1990s, offering free water conservation kits; high-efficiency toilet, clothes washer, gray water, and rainwater harvesting rebates and, in some cases, free toilet replacements and emergency repairs for qualifying customers! Commercial and multifamily customers have also …

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Plant of the Month: Desert Milkweed – Fit for a Queen and Other Royals

June 9, 2025

Botanical Name Asclepias subulata Common Names Desert Milkweed, Jumete, Rush Milkweed, Reed-stem Milkweed Habitat / Range Desert milkweed is often found along desert washes and sandy flats, and sometimes on rocky hillsides in lowlands up to 2,500 feet.  It will settle into disturbed soils, so can be found along roadsides as well. The range of desert milkweed extends from western …

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Desert Milkweed Plants

Plant of the Month – Blackfoot Daisy

April 21, 2025

This month’s Plant of the Month blog spotlights another standout selection from the newly revised Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr — a must-have guide for any desert gardener! With 150 water-wise picks perfect for the Southwest, it’s no surprise we’re big fans here at Water – Use It Wisely. One of our favorite features? Greg’s playful deep …

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April = Celebrations of Nature & Water

March 17, 2025

Spring is in the air, and so is the spirit of water conservation! This April, Water – Use It Wisely is gearing up for several exciting events that highlight the importance of water-saving efforts. A variety of activities – from Water Awareness Month to Earth Day to Arbor Day – means that there are plenty of opportunities to have fun …

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Plant of the Month: Pollinator-Friendly Plants are All the Buzz

March 6, 2025

Bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are just a few of the helpful pollinators flying through our landscapes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce. We depend on pollinators for the gardens we enjoy, plant materials we utilize, and the food we eat. Bees are by far the …

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Water – Plant It Wisely: Everything You Need for Spring Planting!

February 10, 2025

This spring, learn how beautiful water conservation can be.  Spring is in the air; in the sweetness of the citrus buds, in the warmth against your skin, and in the vibrant colors of blooming shrubs. Time to put your garden gloves and shovel to work and get your landscaping on par with the rest of Mother Nature. Water – Plant …

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Plant of the Month – Eremophila ‘Valentine Emu’ and ‘Outback Cupid’

February 3, 2025

Our February Plant of the Month blog features a plant description from a recently revised book, Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr! In his book, Greg features 150 water-smart choices for the Southwest – it’s no wonder why we like the book so much here at Water – Use It Wisely! He includes a fun category of the …

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You are Invited to SRP’s Water Conservation Expo!

January 27, 2025

Join us in person on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 8 a.m. – noon at PERA Training and Conference Center in Tempe for the water-saving event of the year! The annual SRP Water Conservation Expo brings together our community to raise awareness of water in the Valley and discover ways to conserve at home. Purchase a smart irrigation controller (limit …

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Plant of the Month: Winter Color Means Winter Wonderful!

January 20, 2025

As we all know, our desert cities are magnets for winter visitors, who are seduced by our balmy weather, manicured fairways, and bountiful recreational opportunities. Not surprisingly, they also expect their winter paradise to be landscaped with loads of COLOR! This is always a challenge for landscape professionals because although our cold temperatures are mild compared to those across most of the country, they are low …

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Top Blogs of 2024: Your Favorite Reads on Water-Saving Wisdom

January 13, 2025

As another year of water conservation draws to a close, it’s time to highlight the blog posts that stood out in 2024. Covering topics ranging from landscaping tips to surprising flushable facts, these articles sparked interest and helped amplify efforts to save water. Here’s a look back at the most popular posts of the year!   1. Plant of the …

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