ABC’S OF MONSOON PLANTING
The summer rainy season is here, making it a great time to get out in the garden and do some planting! For many seed varieties in the Native Seeds/SEARCH collection, this is a traditional time to plant. The monsoons allow for a second summer season after crops planted in March… Read More
PLANT OF THE MONTH: HOW DO THOSE DESERT PLANTS SURVIVE?
HOW PLANTS COPE WITH THE DESERT CLIMATE Desert plants tend to look very different from plants native to other regions. They are often swollen, spiny, and have tiny leaves that are rarely bright green. Their strange appearance is a result of their remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert… Read More
WATER HARVESTING BASICS
Water harvesting is the capture and storage of rainfall to irrigate plants or to supply people and animals. It is one of the oldest known gardening methods. Water harvesting dates back to the beginning of agriculture. In the desert southwest, Tohono O’odham, and Hopi tribes still harvest rainwater after the onset of summer and winter rain. Did you ever play… Read More
TIME TO PROGRAM YOUR IRRIGATION TIMER!
July is Smart Irrigation Month, so that means that summer is a great time to learn about controlling your irrigation timer. Just because you have one hanging on the side of your house or in the garage doesn’t mean you can set it and forget it! Unless you have a ‘smart… Read More
FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP OUT WITH THE DROUGHT
They’ve been hard to miss … stories about drought, Colorado River water shortages, and water restrictions in California and other surrounding states. Through actively managed water supplies and the development of extensive reservoirs and underground storage, Arizona has planned for moments like these (see 5 Things You Need To Know… Read More
MANAGING OUR WATER SUPPLY FOR DROUGHT AND PROTECTING WATERSHEDS FROM CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRE
This past winter turned out to be one of the driest on record within the Salt and Verde River watersheds. Dry weather with only 3.13” of precipitation (27 percent of normal) going back to October of last year resulted in a new record low streamflow in the Salt and Verde… Read More
PLANT OF THE MONTH – THE MIGHTY SAGUARO
The Saguaro cactus, Carnegiea gigantea, is the most famous and characteristic plant of the Sonoran desert. This gigantic, tree-like cactus is an Arizona icon! Description The main trunk of a mature Saguaro may be 40 feet high and 2 feet in diameter. A woody inner skeleton provides the strength to support… Read More
FREE MONTHLY LANDSCAPE WATERING ADVICE SENT RIGHT TO YOUR PHONE
Spring is almost over, and summer is on the horizon! Which means it’s time to adjust your landscape watering schedule. But did you know that your irrigation should be adjusted monthly? It’s easy to set it and forget it — which could mean wasting water and money. To make life… Read More
CELEBRATE AZ WATER WITH US ON THE SALT RIVER
The Salt River originates from the confluence of two tributaries (White and Black Rivers) in part of what is known as Arizona’s high country. The river flows about 100 miles through the middle of the state from east to west. The tributaries are created by a network of smaller headwater springs… Read More
Keep the Splash In Your Pool: Is Your Pool Leaking?
Summer is almost here, the temperatures are heating up, and that means it’s almost swim season. So now is the time to get your pool in tip top shape, which includes determining if your pool is leaking. In our dry, Arizona desert climate, the typical swimming pool can evaporate its… Read More
