News & Events

News & Events

Water Awareness Month: Be Water Aware

April 21, 2022

With the arrival of April, we celebrate Water Awareness Month, a perfect opportunity to learn more about water management and the importance of conservation in Arizona. In Arizona, it’s essential to understand water and realize that our daily choices affect our collective future, especially in our desert climate. That is why being more water aware will ensure we continue building …

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Plant of the Month: Azure Bush Germander

April 8, 2022

Something Blue Azure Bush Germander (Teucrium fruticans ‘Azureum’) is a unique blue flowering perennial that thrives in full sun & drought tolerant Arizona gardens. With striking silvery sage foliage and cooling blue purple blooms that cover the bush in Winter extending into Spring, it’s sure to bring pollinators and brighten up your garden at a time of year when most …

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New Certified Water Efficient Home Program for Tempe Residents

March 18, 2022

Tempe residents… This one is for you! Tempe Water Conservation and Efficiency has rolled out a new program called the Certified Water Efficient Home. Now Tempe residents have the opportunity to self-certify their home and receive a yard sign along with a water conservation kit to display as a symbol of their dedication to saving water. What does it take …

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Plant of the Month: Globe Mallow

March 15, 2022

Globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), both drought tolerant and beautiful, brings a unique “cottage-garden” feel to the desert plant palette along with some surprises. In spring a flush of colorful flowers are produced that will cause people to stop in their tracks. After that, globe mallow will bloom off and on throughout the summer and fall. This shrubby, perennial is native …

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Mogollon Rim with Wayne Drop

February 22, 2022

Hey Everyone… Wayne Drop here! There’s nothing more fun than going sledding! A February winter storm watch has been issued for Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim today with snow predicted to reach anywhere from 8-16 inches. That’s when I love to visit the Mogollon Rim (pronounced “Muggy – own”), a sheer cliff that runs a stunning 200 miles diagonally across Arizona. …

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Plant of the Month: Aloe

February 10, 2022

Aloes are striking succulents from southern and eastern Africa that offer some of the best color for Arizona gardens with their impressive and long-lasting show of flowers during the winter and early spring. Aloes have numerous forms ranging from low groundcovers to treelike species. Small clustering forms work well in containers and the tree forms work well as accents or …

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Valentine’s Day with Wayne Drop

January 26, 2022

Hey Everybody! Wayne Drop here… Valentine’s Day is coming up! Here are some fun messages to share with your crush… along with some water-saving tips they will be sure to love.   Water you wading for? Be mine. We love our earth and the special gifts it gives us, especially water. We have 100+ tips to help you save it. …

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Plant of the Month – Texas Mountain Laurel

January 23, 2022

Texas Mountain Laurel Note this plant was recently reclassified to Dermatophyllum secundiflorum, but is often still sold as Sophora secundiflora. Description This evergreen shrub grows slowly, in time becoming treelike with multiple trunks. A typical mature size is 15 feet high and 10 feet wide. Glossy dark leaves up to 5 inches long are divided into seven to nine 1-inch …

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Top Five Blogs of 2021

January 10, 2022

2022 has arrived! Let’s take a “drip” down memory lane. Here are our top 5 blogs from 2021. #1 Plant of the Month: 5 Plants That Can Take the Southwest Heat It’s no surprise that the biggest challenge to growing plants in our region is the intense heat and dryness of summer, which is a stressful environment for plants. Thankfully, there …

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Plant of the Month: Succulents Can Add a Little Drama to Your Yard

December 19, 2021

Succulents can steal the show in a drought-tolerant landscape. Their structural and exotic shapes add whimsy and originality to a desert yard. With a little knowledge, succulents are as easy to maintain as any other drought-tolerant plant. Here’s the secret: Succulents encompass a wide variety of plants. While there are general succulent-care guidelines, it is important to understand how each …

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Caring for Your Landscape When the Weather Cools

December 15, 2021

We have experienced above-average temperatures throughout the fall season, but now with the arrival of December and with the start of meteorological winter, temperatures should begin to cool. Meaning it’s a perfect time to get your yard ready for you and your winter guests to enjoy. Plus, correctly maintaining your desert-adapted yard during these chillier months will also help make …

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Detecting Sneaky Leaks: How to Find a Plumbing Leak at Home

December 7, 2021

Here’s something many homeowners agree on: Water leaks are trouble! Aside from causing a dramatic rise in your water bills, they can cause damage to ceilings, cabinets, drywall, and compromise wooden structures. Surprisingly, plumbing leaks are rampant even in newer houses. While unfortunate to note, not all plumbing leaks are obvious. That said, leak detection is not as straightforward as …

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