Discover how to keep your backyard healthy and environmentally friendly Maintaining a sustainable backyard can be difficult during summer months. However, you can keep your yard green and healthy without water waste by implementing these four tips. Take advantage of native plants Keeping your backyard healthy and vibrant starts with the plants you’re using. In order to more easily save …
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Minimal rainfall in Arizona is a great reminder of why we need to use water as wisely as possible. This includes informing ourselves about the ever-increasing and innovative ways to recycle all types of water, such as the water from our washing machines, bathtubs, showers, and bathroom sinks. These are collectively referred to as “gray water”. In Arizona, gray water …
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Creosote Bush, Larrea tridentata is the perfect plant for us to feature during these hot summer months. It’s one of the toughest plants you’ll find, and with a little extra water, they are green and attractive in the landscape! Description – What does the Creosote Bush look like? Whenever it rains in the desert, Creosote Bush lends a distinctive fragrance …
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We are thrilled to announce the winner of this year’s Drab to Fab Backyard Rehab giveaway. DRUMROLL please! Congratulations to Paul M. from Tempe, Arizona! Out of a record-breaking 11,576 entries, Paul has won a gorgeous Xeriscape landscape makeover package valued at $9,000. Paul, who grew up in Scottsdale and is a flight attendant with American Airlines, is thrilled for the …
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Lovely, white blossoms of not one, but two different types of cordia, add welcome beauty to the arid landscape throughout the warm season, including summer. Cordias are large shrubs that are underused in the garden and deserve more attention due to their ability to thrive in full sun and shrug off the summer heat. Their evergreen foliage looks great all …
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Did you know that up to 70 percent of your total household water use goes to your landscape? That’s why it’s so important to check your yard’s water use! This means checking for leaks and adjusting your watering schedule with the changing of the seasons, making sure your irrigation system is working as efficiently as possible. If you’re not changing …
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Looking to transform your yard from tired and dull to attractive and fabulous? Water – Use It Wisely is here to help! In April and May, Water – Use It Wisely will partner with ABC15, the Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association, the Arizona Nursery Association’s ‘Plant Something’ Campaign, and Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply to provide landscape makeover tips and tricks. …
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I love springtime in the desert when it comes alive in shades of yellow, orange and pink. Last week, while I was driving through a residential area nestled in the desert mountains, I could hardly keep my eyes on the road. Everywhere I turned, there were brightly colored cactus blooming. It’s a small miracle that I didn’t crash into the …
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FIRST, A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES Before we start talking about these beautiful groundcovers, we want to briefly discuss plant names with you. The botanical name given to plants is often referred to as the “scientific name” or “Latin name.” Each plant has a name made up of two parts, a generic (or genus) name and a specific epithet …
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Join the city of Scottsdale’s Mustang Library for the Fourth Annual Garden Week from March 27 to April 1, featuring daily programs and how-to clinics. The library is excited to bring local vendors and speakers together to share with our community the latest tips in gardening and landscape sustainability. What better place to gather experts in their fields to talk …
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Does your yard have a drinking problem? Always thirsty for that next watering? Overconsumption can be a serious problem for many yards – it either needs too much water, or maybe you’re giving it more water than it needs. Help your landscape curb its water habit and regain its vibrant, healthy life with this ten-step backyard rehab. Watch our ten tips …
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Plants provide many functions for the landscape February is a great time to plant in the low desert as temperatures are still cool and roots can get established before the heat sets in. Perhaps you are looking to add or replace a few plants to your landscape, create a new focal point with sculptural cacti or accent plants, or you …
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