Archive for “Outdoors” Category

IS IT TIME TO TURN YOUR YARD INTO A WILDLIFE HABITAT?

March 18, 2015

Tired of winter guests? How about inviting some colorful visitors to your backyard who can entertain you instead. It could be time to turn that bit of grass and gravel, with its smattering of sheared shrubs, into a Sonoran Desert wildlife habitat. Sure, the birds and butterflies you attract will need a little food and shelter, but they’re pretty low …

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plant that attracts butterflies

IS YOUR TOILET RUNNING?

February 25, 2015

Grab a wrench and fix that leak! Water leaks in a home can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water per year. That’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool! The most common types of leaks found in the home include leaking toilets, dripping faucets and showerheads, and other seeping valves. Fixing water leaks is simple and easy to do …

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ARE YOU CURIOUS?

February 13, 2015

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein Eyes alert, hands touching, and “why” bouncing off the tip of his diving board tongue, my nephew is a ball of inquisitive, non-stop energy. Traveling around Arizona as a water educator, I encountered youth in diverse circumstances – all with the same drive to see, touch, and …

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RAINWATER GARDEN WINS 2014 “CATCH THE RAIN” PHOTO CONTEST

January 27, 2015

Community Invited to See Best-in-Show Garden at Glendale’s Main Library The City of Glendale’s Water Services Department, Conservation and Sustainability Division, known for its award-winning programs, took home another honor. Glendale received top ranking in the 2014 Water Resources Research Center’s “Catch the Rain” photo contest and captured the Best-in-Show prize for a picture of the Glendale Rain Garden in action …

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Tree Care – Understanding the Language of Tree Service Contracts

December 11, 2014

When people ask for help pruning their trees, many aren’t sure what to ask for. They know their trees need work but they don’t how to describe it. Tree service ads don’t help. They use terms such as trimming, cutting, topping, rounding, crowning, heading, shearing, lacing, sculpting, wind-sailing and the list goes on. The words attempt to describe pruning operations …

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The Best Landscaper of All

November 19, 2014

We frequently receive requests asking for names of good landscapers. Because we must remain impartial, we aren’t able to make any recommendations. Except for one….Mother Nature. Use her as a guide and you’ll hardly go wrong. For instance, in nature, rain flows over the canopy of a tree and cascades to the ground from the edges of the branches. We call it the drip line. This is where 90 percent …

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Cutting the Curb for Beneficial Use of Stormwater

November 6, 2014

On November 1, the morning was crisp and the volunteers were full of energy. Over 40 community members arrived at 7:30 a.m. to learn about green infrastructure and a relatively new idea called low impact development. By lunchtime a 20-foot wide and 200-foot long area in front of Mesa Urban Garden and neighboring restaurant, República Empanada, had over fifty native …

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How to Harvest Rainwater

November 3, 2014

In this arid land, when it rains, it really does pour. Residents who hope to take advantage of this free, yet ephemeral water have begun a revival in the ancient practice of rainwater harvesting, which involves capturing and storing rainwater near where it falls. It’s no surprise that people are interested: harvesting rainwater can save energy and water, reduce the …

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Outdoor Water Use – Fall Checkup

October 29, 2014

Fall is here! And it’s a great time to conduct an outdoor water use checkup, which could help you save water and money. Here are some tips to help you get started: Watering As temperatures begin to drop, you’ll need to water your landscaping less frequently. Make sure you water thoroughly and deeply at each watering. This way, roots are …

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Fall Planting – Wildflowers and More!

October 22, 2014

Fall is a fantastic time to plant because soil temperatures are still warm, encouraging root growth and development while allowing plants to get better established before next summer’s heat sets in. Also, with cooler temperatures, plants need less water and it is a much more forgiving time of year to put new plants in the ground. It’s also the time …

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Create a Water-Wise Herb Container Garden

October 21, 2014

Do you enjoy using fresh herbs when you cook? If so, you probably know how expensive they can be. What if fresh herbs were as close as your garden? Herbs are easy to grow and aren’t fussy. You may be surprised to find that herbs make great container plants and are a great alternative to flowering annuals. So, why should …

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Get Your Irrigation System in Order for Fall

October 8, 2014

The cool season brings with it the renewal of the mind and body—gone are the long, hot summer days, at least for the foreseeable future. So what better time to get out into your yard and examine the state of your irrigation system? As Water Conservation Specialists, we often see overwatering of the landscape in the fall months.  Plants simply …

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