Archive for “Xeriscape Landscaping” Category

Fall Planting with Water – Plant It Wisely

September 20, 2023

The fall planting season is here! Temperatures are cooling down, making it a perfect time to replace your plants you may have lost during the record-hot summer, or replace your high-water-usage plants with water-thrifty ones. Find our favorite Water – Use It Wisely resources below: Water – Plant It Wisely: Our Ultimate Fall Planting Resource Put your gardening gloves and …

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Why the Desert Benefits from Low-Water-Use Plants Over Turf or Rockscapes

September 13, 2023

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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Trade Your Water-Thirsty Grass for a Xeriscape

August 30, 2023

CONSIDER A CONVERSION It’s summertime! The summer monsoon with warmer temperatures and higher humidity has helped your grass grow thick and lush. The grass is finally greening up, and is even filling in nicely where you had brown spots. The conditions are perfect… perfect for killing your bermudagrass lawn that is. Keeping a green, attractive lawn isn’t a simple task …

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Plant of the Month: Vitex or Chaste Tree

June 5, 2023

Learn more about Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste Tree or Monk’s Pepper This small tree provides spring and summer color, and is great for pollinators! At-A-Glance Bloom Period: Summer Mature Height x Spread: 25 x 25 ft (8 x 8 m) Exposure: Full sun Cold Tolerance: -10°F (-23°C) Origin: Southern Europe   Description This is a large, deciduous shrub commonly grown as …

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Landscape Professionals Get Special Tree Care Training

May 9, 2023

With many Arizona cities focusing on tree planting initiatives to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Smartscape program recently developed an advanced course focusing on urban forest management. Industry professionals and Cooperative Extension staff worked on a comprehensive curriculum. The first course took place with Pima County Cooperative Extension (Tucson area) in February, …

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Trees Are Cool – Even During a Drought!

April 28, 2023

Trees Offer Climate Change Solutions On February 7, 2023, Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, announced the ‘Trees Are Cool’ initiative to increase shade across the city, lower the urban heat island effect in neighborhoods, and help cool our communities during the hot summer months. “Trees Are Cool” challenges residents and businesses to help increase the City’s tree canopy coverage …

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Plant of the Month: Chihuahuan Orchid Tree

April 19, 2023

This month, our plant of the month blog features a 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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Surprise! This Garden Demonstrated Water Waste

April 7, 2023

Prologue to our story Since April is Arizona Water Awareness Month (WAM), we felt like it was a great time to focus on watering properly. WAM is an annual outreach effort that aims to spread the word about the value of conserving the Southwest’s most precious natural resource, water. A WAM website, first launched in 2011 by the Arizona Department …

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Planting Ahead: Benefits of Smart Gardening & Desert Landscaping

March 13, 2023

Did you know that what you plant today has short-term and long-term benefits? It’s true. As water resources become even more precious, planting wisely is more important than ever. You will enjoy the immediate effects of lowering your outdoor water use while enjoying the knowledge that you are creating a sustainable outdoor space for the future. Another benefit is that …

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Water – Plant It Wisely: Everything You Need for Spring Planting!

March 3, 2023

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, 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 It Wisely …

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Two BIG Water Conservation & Landscaping EXPOS!

February 17, 2023

Get amazing landscape ideas, meet experts, get discounts, and more at these two events coming up in early March! 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo  Salt River Project (SRP) invites Valley customers to learn about water conservation and water supplies at the 16th Annual SRP Water Conservation Expo on March 4, 2023, from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity …

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Trees Play a Vital Role in our Communities

January 27, 2023

There are many ways to enhance any landscape, but one of the most beneficial ways is with trees, especially desert-adapted ones that can thrive in our arid climate. While planting the correct type of tree will make an immediate visual impact because of its beauty, color, and texture, trees also bring many benefits when planted and cared for properly. Low-water-use …

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