Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day, a special day set aside to encourage the planting and proper care of trees. It has been 152 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. The 1st official Arbor Day was created by Morton and …
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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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Shamrocks Aren’t the Only Green Plant to Celebrate in March I hear that wearing green will make you invisible to leprechauns so you can avoid being pinched. Some say it will bring you good luck. Even beyond March and St. Patrick’s Day, green is often used for interior decorating for its calming effect? You’ve likely heard about television guests waiting …
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Your journey to creating or maintaining a water-wise landscape is now even easier thanks to the resources provided by the city of Phoenix Water Services Department. Phoenix Water recently collaborated with design experts from Arizona State University to produce free, easy-to-use desert landscape, or xeriscape, design guides that anyone can download. The Desert Landscapes in Your Front Yard guides were …
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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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This month, our plant of the month blog features another 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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Local Xeriscape Gardens. Great holiday getaways for landscaping ideas. You’ve heard about the benefits of forest bathing? Well, in the desert we have xeriscape bathing. Arizona’s many xeriscape demonstration gardens are perfect outdoor getaways during the holiday season. They provide calming places to relax, to enjoy light exercise, and to pick up pointers on how to incorporate xeriscaping ideas into your …
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‘Tis the season of giving… and saving! Look no further than this Water – Use It Wisely approved holiday wish list. WaterSense Labeled Fixtures Who doesn’t want a gift that keeps on giving month after month with water and even energy savings? WaterSense labeled fixtures like a showerhead, irrigation controller, bathroom faucet, and how about a regular or dual-flush toilet? …
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Beautiful trees and shrubs, including milkweed and other pollinator-friendly varieties, now grace the walkways and parking areas of the Superstition Springs Transit Center. This transformative project is the result of collaborative efforts between Mesa and its partners: Meta, Mesa High School, and the Arizona Sustainability Alliance. Additional support for the initiative came from Valley Metro and the Superstition Springs Center …
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Want beautiful foliage, spectacular flowers all packaged up in a tree that blooms in fall and winter? Well, let me introduce you to a medium-sized tree with a funny name: Cascalote (Caesalpinia cacalaco)*. I love this medium-sized tree with its circular leaves, textured bark and winter flowers. Native to Mexico, Cascalote produces beautiful yellow flowers during the cooler months of …
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It might seem strange to be talking about wildflowers in the fall. After all, most are spring bloomers, putting on their colorful, showy displays from February through April in the Sonoran Desert. What you may not know is that you need to plant your wildflower seeds NOW for spring bloom! When you look at how our native desert plants survive …
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In today’s climate, low-water-use plants have emerged as the superior choice over traditional lawns, artificial turf, and rockscapes due to their many advantages—especially in regions like ours that are facing water scarcity and environmental challenges. Water – Use It Wisely, with permission, is reposting this blog from one of our favorite local garden centers, SummerWinds Nursery. Discover why low-water-use plants are the …
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