Archive for “water conservation” Tag

WATER YOUR FACTS: INTRODUCING ARIZONA WATER FACTS WEBSITE

July 12, 2016

Arizona’s legacy of carefully managing its water supplies over the years isn’t so much about preparing for drought. Not precisely. More than anything, it has been about Arizonans taking control of their own destiny. The years devoted to planning and investing from the creation of engineering water-delivery marvels like the Salt River Project, irrigation projects in the Yuma area, and …

Read More

HISTORY OF WATER IN THE VALLEY: BECOMING ONE OF THE FIRST FIVE

July 4, 2016

The story of water in the Salt River Valley began more than a thousand years ago, with a group of people we call the Hohokam. The Hohokam lived in the Valley from approximately A.D. 450 to 1450, and constructed a complex network of canals and laterals to support their agriculture. When the first American settlers arrived more than 400 years …

Read More

AT STAKE: SECURING YOUR TREE’S FUTURE

May 20, 2016

If you’re working to make your landscape more water efficient, don’t forget to add one of many drought-tolerant trees that thrive in the Metro Phoenix area. Trees can raise property value, save energy by shading walls and windows, and make great gifts to mark special occasions. Once established, drought-tolerant trees need minimal care and only occasional deep watering at the …

Read More

XERISCAPE INSTALLATION: DO-IT-YOURSELF … OR NOT?

May 9, 2016

Are you willing to take a risk with your landscape investment? Whether you’re the type of person who loves a do-it-yourself project or you’d rather hire a pro, making the switch to a beautifully designed and installed Xeriscape landscape is a visible investment that can be very rewarding and lead to a substantial return. Finding the right resources to help …

Read More

PLANT OF THE MONTH: EVENING PRIMROSE

April 27, 2016

Oenotheras, also known as Evening Primrose, are spreading or clumping groundcovers, native to the plains, grasslands and deserts of North America. They have large, showy four-petaled flowers in pink, white, or yellow, and create carpets of bright color in desert landscapes. Oenotheras are generally night-blooming plants, but most will stay open until midday. These widely adapted plants can be used …

Read More

CAPTAIN RUN AGROUND: BEHIND THE SCENES OF BEYOND THE MIRAGE

March 15, 2016

Water Mirage Found in Desert Cities A boat yard, crammed full with more than a hundred powerboats, sailboats and pontoon boats, bakes in the white washed light of a hot Mexican sun. Standing within the maze of bleached white hulls laid crisscross within the yard, Cody Sheehy, the captain of the 47-foot sailboat Endymion, is striking deals with the locals. His …

Read More

Overseeding A Winter Lawn?

September 11, 2014

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 …

Read More

Learn About Rainwater Harvesting for Your Landscape

April 8, 2013

By Donna DiFrancesco, City of Mesa Yes, it really is worth harvesting rainwater in the desert… really! Have you ever noticed how plants appear greener and brighter after a good rain? It’s not just because the dust and dirt get washed off. Rainwater is a clean, salt-free source of water that contains many beneficial ingredients for plants. Rain can contain …

Read More