Archive for “Outdoors” Category

News & Events

Fall Planting with ‘Water – Plant It Wisely’

September 4, 2025

The Fall Planting Season is Here! The fall planting season has arrived (really!), and cooler temps make it the perfect time to get your landscape back in shape. Maybe you lost a few plants during the record-hot summer, or maybe you’re ready to swap out high-water-use plants for water-thrifty ones. Either way, fall is the season to dig in! Water …

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Plant of the Month: Agaves

August 18, 2025

Agaves are impressive leaf succulents with a wide range of color, texture and size to their rosettes. There are approximately 200 species found throughout the southwest, Mexico, and Central America. The bold rosettes are dramatic accents for the garden that contrast well with the fine texture of desert trees and shrubs. Agaves are some of the most useful desert plants, …

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Cultivating Resilience: How Green Stormwater Infrastructure is Transforming Arizona Yards

July 29, 2025

Living in the Sonoran Desert means learning how to do more with less – especially when it comes to water. Among the most impactful of these solutions are green stormwater infrastructure and passive rainwater harvesting. From school campuses in the heart of the city to suburban homes in desert foothills, Arizonans can make every drop count. What is Green Stormwater …

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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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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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