Why Salt is a Problem Increased salinity in water supplies in Arizona, and specifically Maricopa County, is an issue of growing concern. As people try to combat the natural water hardness of Arizona water supplies using conventional water softeners, increased discharge levels of salt are introduced into sewers, treatment plants and, at times, into groundwater aquifers through recharge. The increased …
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I hear the whirring of the lawn mowers and see the dust in the air. It’s overseeding season! It’s a familiar scene in neighborhoods across the Valley every fall… the sound of a roaring lawn mower trailed by a cloud of dust. Immersed in the dusty fog is a homeowner or landscaper engaged in the seasonal ritual of scalping a …
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By: Cass Turnbull, PlantAmnesty Founder/President I invented and have run a nonprofit to end bad pruning (mostly tree topping and unsustainable shearing) for 26 years. During that time I’ve written a lot about the topic: why topping and shearing are bad, how to prune selectively, why grounds crews won’t selectively prune, how to change pruning practices and how I came to …
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Back when George H. W. Bush was president, the U.S. Congress passed a law that has helped the country conserve its water supply as we face drought and climate change. There was nothing glamorous about the law, but its impact was dramatic. The law, written and championed by Massachusetts engineer Amy Vickers, changed the amount of water that could be …
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Many valley cities are offering you cash! Cash for your grass that is! The purpose of a grass-to-Xeriscape program is to help customers reduce their landscape water use by half or more by replacing their water-thirsty lawns with landscape plants more suitable for our Sonoran Desert climate. What does Xeriscape mean? Xeriscape (zeer-a-scape) is a term that defines a creative approach to landscaping that …
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Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education Summertime in the desert gets tough without a little shade, or in this case, SHADE, the Southwest Horticulture Annual Day of Education. Presented by the Arizona Nursery Association (ANA), this award-winning one-day educational seminar is designed for landscape architects, designers, arborists, small business owners, property managers, nursery employees and other green industry professionals. This …
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Join the next session of Smartscape classes for landscape professionals and receive expert instruction on how to better serve your clients. The Smartscape program is a comprehensive, research‐based training program that instructs landscape professionals in the fundamentals of design, installation, irrigation, and maintenance of low‐water‐use landscapes. The need for efficient water use, the regulatory environment, methods of water conservation in …
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The second annual Water – Use It Wisely photo contest is a wrap, and we have a winner! After reviewing over 1,000 incredible images celebrating water throughout Arizona, Dave C’s photo of a post-rain scene in Boulder Canyon was a drop above the rest. “The celebration of water in a climate like ours can be very different for each person. …
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Many homeowners prefer a lawn close to the house that may provide a recreational or play area for children or pets, a relaxing place for lawn chairs and family gatherings and to create a cooling effect. Lawns can be functional and their root mass provides erosion control and helps to filter, capture and break down pollutants. In fact, a practical …
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July is not only Smart Irrigation Month, but it’s also our summer monsoon season. There’s no better time to talk about rainwater harvesting. Here are our best reasons to take advantage of this great resource. 1. Rain is free Wouldn’t it be great if water just fell out of the sky? Okay, I’m kidding… it’s hard to imagine that right …
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July is typically the month of peak water demand for landscapes in Arizona. The Irrigation Association named July as Smart Irrigation Month to increase awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies for homeowners. By planting low-water-use plants, watering efficiently, and maintaining and upgrading automated irrigation systems, you can save money, save water and see better results. Here are some tips …
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The drought and potential shortages of Colorado River water have everyone talking. That’s good news because no one seems to pay attention to water issues if there isn’t a crisis brewing. It’s also the bad news because everyone–pundits, politicians and prognosticator–has an opinion, which makes it tough to determine how the pieces fit together so we can see the big …
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