Living in the Southwest means learning to deal with periods of unusually warm temperatures and extended dry periods. Here are some tips to help you maintain your quality lifestyle and landscapes. Adjust Sprinklers, Set Timers – Water only landscaped areas (not sidewalks or streets) and be sure to repair broken sprinkler heads promptly. As Water-Saving Tip #102 says: Apply water only …
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Have you ever driven by a landscape with shrubs that have been pruned into rounded shapes? You may be surprised to find out that maintaining shrubs this way is often not only unnecessary but uses more water than shrubs pruned infrequently. What are some of the other ill effects of excessive pruning? Plants grow faster in their attempt to re-grow …
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“It gives me a sense of accomplishment!” That’s what one Master Gardener told me after I asked. I wondered about this when I offered composting classes to the public and always observed a great turnout of people with passion and enthusiasm for the topic. There is definitely great satisfaction in taking green waste and kitchen scraps and watching the magical process …
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Winter weather watchers are seeing all kinds of interesting conditions across the country right now, including a lot of snow in the Midwest and Northeast. But here in the desert Southwest, the forecast has been dry and parched! And yet, January is typically part of our winter rainy season with an average of one inch of rain throughout the month. …
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We live in a very special place where people enjoy the outdoors nearly year-round. The plants that thrive in this unique climate are the key that unlocks the door to outdoor living. Creating an ideal outdoor space enhances not only your life, but also the beauty of your community and, ultimately, the sustainability of our world. With up to 70% of …
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Local gardens will be on display this weekend at Tour de Birds 2013. This self-guided tour of birds and gardens will feature nine habitats located around the East Valley. The tour will take place on Nov. 9th from 9am to 4pm and will feature a variety of native plants to suit all gardens. Planting native plants can provide many other …
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Are you ready to plant wildflower seeds, a vegetable garden, or a winter lawn? Fall is a fantastic time to plant because soil temperatures are still warm, encouraging root growth and development while allowing plants to get better established before next summer’s heat sets in. Wildflower Seeds Plant your wildflower seeds NOW for spring bloom! We recommend that you only …
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Have you driven by the intersection of Central Avenue and Indian School Road and wondered what is behind the art hanging on the fence? There is a new community venture sponsored by Mayor Greg Stanton and Keep Phoenix Beautiful that has brought public, private businesses and government agencies together as partners to show neighborhoods ways they can turn blighted vacant lots into …
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From leafy greens to desert-adapted trees, October is an ideal time to plant in the low desert because the daily air temperatures are more moderate, yet the soil is still warm. This gives plants, especially trees, some time to get established before the frost hits. October is also a good time to scale back on your irrigation frequency, especially for …
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Over half of household water use – in some cases up to 70% – takes place outdoors, on our landscapes. That means watering your yard efficiently is one of the best and easiest ways to save water overall. Check out one of our Water – Use It Wisely partners, Mike Buettner from the City of Peoria, showing Terry Ouellette from …
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