Archive for “Outdoors” Category

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 …

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FLUSHING OUT LEAKS THAT ARE DRAINING YOUR BUDGET

March 14, 2016

Leaks are small annoyances, but those persistent little drips can add up quickly, wasting valuable water and costing homeowners money. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average U.S. home can lose up to 10,000 gallons of drinking water a year to minor leaks. Nationally, household leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of water wasted annually. That’s …

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FINDING LEAKS MADE EASY

March 9, 2016

Find and Fix Leaks with Scottsdale Water’s Workshops The Internet is a fantastic educational resource; however, research has shown that students overwhelmingly prefer books over electronic text. While learning about DIYs online is convenient (like when your faucet decides to noisily drip at 3 a.m.), there is just something irreplaceable about learning directly from an expert with a guide in …

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HOW TO COMBAT WATER POVERTY

March 4, 2016

We often take water for granted. Most of us expect water to flow from the tap every time we need it. If it does not, it is usually because our utility company is doing work in our neighborhood, or someone overlooked the bill. This is but a minor inconvenience that is easily remedied. Widespread water poverty in Mad Max: Fury …

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CELEBRATE AZ WATER WITH US AT TONTO CREEK

February 9, 2016

Tonto Creek flows along the northern edge of Tonto National Forest, just beneath the Mogollon Rim in central Arizona. It feeds Theodore Roosevelt Lake, and makes up one of many tributaries that flow into the Salt River. As the creek continues to flow south, forming narrow channels through rocky canyons, it meets the Hellsgate Wilderness. The foreboding wilderness name depicts …

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CELEBRATE AZ WATER: WADING IN THE BLACK RIVER

January 26, 2016

The Black River is located within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, which runs along the Mogollon Rim and the White Mountains in east-central Arizona. It flows southwest through the White Mountains and forms the border between the Fort Apache Indian Reservation to the north, and the San Carlos Indian Reservation to the south. Upper reaches of the river, closer to the …

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TURN OFF THOSE TIMERS — BUT FOR HOW LONG?

January 18, 2016

With the super El Niño upon us, it begs the question—do I really need to be watering my landscape plants right now? Follow along by watching this video from Gilbert Digital and Gilbert Water Conservation about how to easily turn off your irrigation timer (also called an irrigation controller) before expected winter rains without disturbing your seasonal irrigation programs. How long …

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Gilbert-Digital-Landscape-Timer-Guide

RAINWATER HARVESTING: ANYONE CAN DO IT

January 7, 2016

What do you think of when you hear the term ‘water harvesting?’ Do you imagine a giant cistern collecting water? Can you envision a complicated system of pipes leading from your roof to your outdoor landscape? If so, you are completely right! What you may not realize is that there are some very simple ways that you can utilize rainwater for your …

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Rain Off Roof

CELEBRATE AZ WATER WITH US AT THE MOGOLLON RIM

December 14, 2015

The Mogollon Rim (pronounced “muggy-own”) is an extensive rocky cliff that runs 200 miles diagonally across Arizona. The powerful forces of erosion and faulting over thousands of years shape and mold this sheer cliff that represents the Southern portion of the Colorado Plateau. The high elevation provides a fantastic opportunity for breath-taking views over hundreds of miles to the east, …

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PLANT OF THE MONTH: MUHLENBERGIA

November 13, 2015

These spectacular, non-invasive, ornamental clumping grasses are versatile and require very little maintenance. Muhlenbergias are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico at elevations of 2500 to 7000 feet. With over 125 species, this large and diverse group can be used as a vertical specimen or accent, a softening feature around boulders and contrasting dessert plants, or a …

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WHEN THE SKY OPENS UP, IT’S TIME TO COLLECT

October 9, 2015

We all marvel at the beauty of a big desert storm and what it does for our plants. It’s like our landscapes are a little more alive after drinking a big gulp of rain. The clean, salt-free properties of rainwater are extremely beneficial for desert plants, and you can make sure your landscapes are quenched by this natural source even …

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CELEBRATE AZ WATER WITH US AT FOSSIL CREEK

October 5, 2015

Chelsey F. shared this photo overlooking a popular swimming hole on Fossil Creek. Fossil Creek is a popular destination for both tourists and locals due to its lush surroundings, which span over 12,000 acres of wilderness, supporting over 30 types of trees and over 100 species of birds. Fossil Creek is located within the Verde River Watershed, with headwaters of the …

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