Archive for “Outdoors” Category

News & Events

Landscape Professionals Get Special Tree Care Training

May 9, 2023

With many Arizona cities focusing on tree planting initiatives to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Smartscape program recently developed an advanced course focusing on urban forest management. Industry professionals and Cooperative Extension staff worked on a comprehensive curriculum. The first course took place with Pima County Cooperative Extension (Tucson area) in February, …

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Trees Are Cool – Even During a Drought!

April 28, 2023

Trees Offer Climate Change Solutions On February 7, 2023, Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, announced the ‘Trees Are Cool’ initiative to increase shade across the city, lower the urban heat island effect in neighborhoods, and help cool our communities during the hot summer months. “Trees Are Cool” challenges residents and businesses to help increase the City’s tree canopy coverage …

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Plant of the Month: Chihuahuan Orchid Tree

April 19, 2023

This month, our plant of the month blog features a plant description from a newly 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 “Etymology” …

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Surprise! This Garden Demonstrated Water Waste

April 7, 2023

Prologue to our story Since April is Arizona Water Awareness Month (WAM), we felt like it was a great time to focus on watering properly. WAM is an annual outreach effort that aims to spread the word about the value of conserving the Southwest’s most precious natural resource, water. A WAM website, first launched in 2011 by the Arizona Department …

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April = Celebrations of Nature & Water

March 30, 2023

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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Planting Ahead: Benefits of Smart Gardening & Desert Landscaping

March 13, 2023

Did you know that what you plant today has short-term and long-term benefits? It’s true. As water resources become even more precious, planting wisely is more important than ever. You will enjoy the immediate effects of lowering your outdoor water use while enjoying the knowledge that you are creating a sustainable outdoor space for the future. Another benefit is that …

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

March 3, 2023

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, 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 It Wisely …

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Two BIG Water Conservation & Landscaping EXPOS!

February 17, 2023

Get amazing landscape ideas, meet experts, get discounts, and more at these two events coming up in early March! 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo  Salt River Project (SRP) invites Valley customers to learn about water conservation and water supplies at the 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo on March 4, 2023, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: PENSTEMON

February 8, 2023

Penstemon’s Are a Top Desert Perennial With many beautiful varieties of penstemon, it is hard to recommend just a few. These perennials are spectacular in bloom, with their trumpet shaped flowers ranging in color from orange to red, to purple, to white, and everything in between. Hummingbirds cannot resist their flowers. Penstemons are wonderful accent plants, and make great additions …

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Plant of the Month: Winter Color Means Winter Wonderful!

January 16, 2023

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 enough to prevent most ornamentals …

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Five Favorite Blogs of 2022

January 6, 2023

Happy 2023! We’ve rounded up our very best blogs of 2022 to help you start the year with a water-saving splash. #1 Xeriscape Gardens – Great Outdoor Escapes   Your local xeriscape garden not only serves as a helpful resource on water-wise landscaping but also offers a beautiful place to spend quality time in nature! We’ve pulled together a list …

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Wayne Drop’s Top Five Water-Saving Stocking Stuffers

December 21, 2022

Hi everyone, Wayne Drop here!  The holidays always put a big smile on my face. And yes, while I realize my smile is stitched to my face and can’t move, the holidays really do warm up the inside of me. Besides hot chocolate, s’mores, candy canes, bright lights, and presents under the tree, ‘tis the season I get to bring …

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