Why we need books by local experts! One thing is certain when it comes to gardening books and magazines . . . gardening in the deserts of the Southwest is far different than in all other regions of the country. For that reason, most books, national magazines, and even those AP stories (that the local newspaper will occasionally publish) just …
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Are you in search of the perfect tree? Try the Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis). If you miss the vivid, light to very dark red, scarlet, orange and yellow colors of fall, this tree will give you a brilliant display in December, with new leaves emerging in late March to early April. Chinese Pistache, a native to China and Taiwan, is …
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The kitchen is the heart of the home; laughter, conversation and satisfied appetites can be inspired by the home-cooked meal. Sadly, one less appealing culprit also may find its origin in the kitchen: fatbergs – giant globs of Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) that build up and clog pipes. Water that goes down the kitchen drain does not disappear; it …
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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 …
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Hey everybody… Hallo-Wayne Drop here! Spooky season is here! Your neighborhood is probably full of jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, skeletons, and witches… But saving water doesn’t have to be so scary! Don’t get me wrong, there is a scary side to water… like misusing and wasting water. Boy, do I have frightening stories. Someone taking a 30-minute shower will drive …
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Conservation actions are more vital than ever as pressures on our water supplies increase. While reducing your water use won’t solve the Colorado River shortage, conservation enables your city to maximize and stretch all of its water supplies – this is crucial when dealing with the consequences of a historic drought and shortages. As we all prepare to have less …
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Provides a stunning display of the bright pink clusters What a perfect name for this beautiful late summer blooming vine. The elegant Antigonon leptopus or Queen’s Wreath (also called Coral Vine) is one of those show-stopping plants that has likely caused near automobile accidents with their stunning display of the bright pink clusters. The rich, green, heart-shaped leaves seem to …
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Hello, fellow water savers! Wayne Drop here! As you know, I am a thinker. I am always thinking about water conservation. Water is literally on my mind all the time, and if you’ve ever seen me, water is on my entire body, too. Which is good because I am always coming up with new ways to make water conservation fun and …
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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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Arizona water has been making headline news lately. You’ve seen the headlines and the images of lakes (reservoirs) that appear to be draining before our very eyes. The growing urgency to preserve the precious water we have challenges us to think harder about the water we use. Fortunately, our state is having a relatively active monsoon season this summer. However, …
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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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Hello teachers, students, children, and fellow water savers! Wayne Drop here with a wonderful story that floods my heart. Way back in 2009 (when I was a slimmer water drop), I received a brave letter from little 4th grader Mya Oleksiak who wrote about her passion for water conservation. She dared to share her ideas and love for the water we cherish! At …
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