Monsoon Season in Arizona It’s July 25th in Mesa, and we are feeling hopeful with the prediction of having a whopping 40% chance of storms. In Arizona, the monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30. Most summer storms don’t move in until July. So far in 2024, when consulting the experts, we’ve heard ‘drier than normal’ and …
Read MoreRain Can Be Hit or Miss – Especially During Summer Monsoons A little red-headed girl once sang “The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun…” Since many areas in Arizona receive over 300 sunny days a year, the state certainly lives up to the sunshine in the song. But what about rainfall? Have …
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It’s summer in the desert… and it’s brutally hot! Many of our spring blooming plants are taking a rest. So, what can we expect to see blooming now? Turns out, there are three tough, heat-hearty plants that are perfect for the 4th of July! Check out these plants, having ‘hot fun in the summertime’ and offering blooms for your landscape …
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Living in the desert in Arizona, we are no strangers to extreme heat and sparse rainfall. As temperatures rise, so do health concerns. However, we can harness the limited rain the desert provides to build communities resilient to these challenges. One approach to achieving this is through “nature-based solutions,” which leverage natural systems to enhance both community health and watershed …
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Desert Ironwood, Olneya tesota Dense, thorny, and strong like steel, the Desert Ironwood Tree (Olneya tesota) is an under recognized super tree of the Sonoran Desert. It is naturally found along washes and hillsides of Arizona’s deserts under 3,000 ft of elevation. It offers valuable protection for understory plants and habitat for our native wildlife. When in their natural environment, …
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THIS IS GOING TO “Be GROSS” It’s time to talk about something unpleasant, folks, because what you flush matters, and I’ll tell you why. Hold onto your seats while I take you through a guided tour of a typical wastewater treatment plant. SOCKS, BASEBALLS, AND RUBBER DUCKIES. OH MY. On any given day, wastewater treatment operators encounter a staggering variety …
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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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Take the 10-Minute Challenge Did you know that easy-to-fix water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted each year in U.S. homes? In fact, the average household leaks almost 10,000 gallons of water per year, or the amount of water it takes to wash nearly 300 loads of laundry, and could be costing you an extra 10 …
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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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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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October is a welcome time to get back outside as temperatures start to cool. Desert or xeriscape demonstration gardens provide a fun way to enjoy the outdoors with the family. Since many of the gardens have shady places to enjoy a picnic lunch, you can plan to spend some time exploring and enjoying the surroundings as you build ideas for …
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