September has come around again, and that means it’s Planting for Monarchs Month in the Phoenix area! 🦋 It’s a great time to think about which native species you might add to your yard or patio this fall. Native plants provide important food and habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators while supporting biodiversity in our urban areas. And the …
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To Overseed or NOT to Overseed… Most Americans love lush, green lawns, and many are willing to do whatever it takes to keep one. Nowhere is this act of defiance against nature more obvious than in the Arizona desert, especially in fall when the annual ritual of planting winter grass begins. You’ll hear lawnmowers whirring, see clouds of dust as …
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Rain in the desert has a way of getting our attention. We step outside and take a deep breath to catch that unmistakable scent of desert rain – a fresh, earthy aroma known as petrichor, made even more distinctive by the fragrance of rain-soaked creosote. Then, we check the rain gauge. We send photos to friends or post them on …
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Do you know who provides your water — or what conservation programs are available right in your neighborhood? You may be surprised. Many Arizona residents don’t realize their water provider may be different from the city or town where they live. A quick address search can reveal who delivers your water. Moreover, it shows what resources are available to you …
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Arizona’s Colorado River outlook makes conservation at every scale more important than ever. One overlooked source of potable-water use may be hiding in the routine maintenance of backyard pools: cleaning cartridge filters with a garden hose, even though those filters can be professionally cleaned using reclaimed and recycled water. The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard Arizona homeowners are becoming …
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HOW PLANTS COPE WITH THE DESERT CLIMATE Desert plants tend to look very different from plants native to other regions. They are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. Their strange appearance is a result of their remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert climate. Aridity is the sole factor that defines a desert …
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El Niño is often portrayed as a reliable weather pattern that brings wetter winters to the Southwest. While that has frequently been true in the past, it isn’t guaranteed. Every El Niño develops under different conditions, and this year’s event highlights just how complex these climate patterns can be. Several oceanic and atmospheric systems are interacting at the same time. …
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Saving Thousands of Gallons-One Pool at a Time Traditional swimming pool draining wastes thousands of gallons of clean water. It can also put your pool at risk for cracks and leaks. Furthermore, pool water recycling is a smart alternative that helps conserve water and maintain your pool’s integrity. Mobile reverse osmosis offers a smarter, sustainable solution. It recycles your pool …
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Do your plants really need water today? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. For many Arizona homeowners, landscape watering can feel like a guessing game. We inherit irrigation schedules from the previous homeowner. We water because it’s Tuesday. We water because it’s hot outside. Sometimes we water because we haven’t thought about it in a while and suddenly feel …
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The Lower Salt River has long been one of Arizona’s most visited desert waterways. Here, cool flowing water cuts through the Sonoran landscape and creates a seasonal gathering place for recreation, wildlife, and community. As tubing season approaches each year, increased foot traffic along the riverbanks brings both opportunity and impact. Therefore, early-season stewardship has become an important part of …
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Chihuahuan-Sage, Leucophyllum laevigatum is a low-maintenance evergreen shrub with a spiky, but loose form. The periodic masses of lavender flowers are not only fragrant but will attract hummingbirds, too. Description Medium green leaves are somewhat sparsely arranged, yet they cling tightly along the erect to spreading branches of Chihuahuan-sage. Individual leaves measure ½ inch long and ¼ inch wide at …
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Featured Plant of the Month – Palo Blanco When searching for plants that work well in an arid climate, it can sometimes be hard to find a hardy plant that has the right “feel.” Our desert plants can be full of stout, sharp edges and lines, and some designers or landscapers have a hard time finding ways to soften the …
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