What does 120 gallons of water look like? It’s one thing to read a number. It’s another to see 120 one-gallon jugs stacked into a towering, 16-foot-tall display! Meet the Water – Use It Wisely Water Tower, a traveling exhibit that helps Arizonans visualize just how much water we use every day—and discover simple ways to use less. And this …
Read More
This month, our plant of the month blog features a plant description from a recently 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 …
Read More
Are you a would-be gardener that’s held back by the amount of water needed to care for plants? Believe it or not, it’s possible to grow a water efficient garden in the desert. Here are four ways we recommend making the most out of your garden without racking up your water bills: 1) Grow Native Plants Plants native to the Sonoran …
Read More
The Fall Planting Season is Here! The fall planting season has arrived (really!), and cooler temps make it the perfect time to get your landscape back in shape. Maybe you lost a few plants during the record-hot summer, or maybe you’re ready to swap out high-water-use plants for water-thrifty ones. Either way, fall is the season to dig in! Water …
Read More
September has come around again, and that means it’s Planting for Monarchs Month in the Phoenix area! 🦋 It’s a great time to think about which native species you might add to your yard or patio this fall. Native plants provide important food and habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators while supporting biodiversity in our urban areas. And the …
Read More
To Overseed or NOT to Overseed… Most Americans love lush, green lawns, and many are willing to do whatever it takes to keep one. Nowhere is this act of defiance against nature more obvious than in the Arizona desert, especially in fall when the annual ritual of planting winter grass begins. You’ll hear lawnmowers whirring, see clouds of dust as …
Read More
Rain in the desert has a way of getting our attention. We step outside and take a deep breath to catch that unmistakable scent of desert rain – a fresh, earthy aroma known as petrichor, made even more distinctive by the fragrance of rain-soaked creosote. Then, we check the rain gauge. We send photos to friends or post them on …
Read More
Do you know who provides your water — or what conservation programs are available right in your neighborhood? You may be surprised. Many Arizona residents don’t realize their water provider may be different from the city or town where they live. A quick address search can reveal who delivers your water. Moreover, it shows what resources are available to you …
Read More
Arizona’s Colorado River outlook makes conservation at every scale more important than ever. One overlooked source of potable-water use may be hiding in the routine maintenance of backyard pools: cleaning cartridge filters with a garden hose, even though those filters can be professionally cleaned using reclaimed and recycled water. The Unknown Water Thief in Your Backyard Arizona homeowners are becoming …
Read More
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 climate. Aridity is the sole factor that defines a desert …
Read More
El Niño is often portrayed as a reliable weather pattern that brings wetter winters to the Southwest. While that has frequently been true in the past, it isn’t guaranteed. Every El Niño develops under different conditions, and this year’s event highlights just how complex these climate patterns can be. Several oceanic and atmospheric systems are interacting at the same time. …
Read More
Saving Thousands of Gallons-One Pool at a Time Traditional swimming pool draining wastes thousands of gallons of clean water. It can also put your pool at risk for cracks and leaks. Furthermore, pool water recycling is a smart alternative that helps conserve water and maintain your pool’s integrity. Mobile reverse osmosis offers a smarter, sustainable solution. It recycles your pool …
Read More
Signup today for monthly updates.
Complete the form to receive your free landscape watering guide.