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 …
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Did you know that the average household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water each year through leaks? Water leaks not only increase your monthly bills but also contribute to unnecessary water waste. As responsible homeowners in Arizona, it’s crucial to be proactive in conserving water and reducing our environmental impact. We teamed up with our partners in Chandler to …
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Did You Know that an estimated 20% of pools in Arizona have leaks? Water – Use It Wisely, with permission, is reposting this blog from our favorite home advisor, Rosie on the House. * * * Thanks to an abundance of winter rains and significant snowpack, we’re seeing less drought news in the headlines . . . for now. However, …
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Plant Description Slipper Flower (Euphorbia lomelii or sometimes sold under the old name of Pedilanthus macrocarpus) has succulent light green stems that grow upright from a woody root crown. The jointed stems are mostly unbranched, ¾ inch thick and up to 3 feet tall. The plant can eventually spread to 2 feet wide. Small leaves along the stems drop soon …
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As one of the Valley’s largest suppliers of water, Salt River Project (SRP) reminds you that July is typically the month of peak water demand for landscapes. The Irrigation Association named July ‘Smart Irrigation Month‘ to increase awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies. SRP invites Valley customers to learn about SRP’s role in water and save money on a …
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Here in Arizona, the monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30, but summer storms often don’t move in until July. When it does hit, it’s time to lower the shade umbrellas and batten down the hatches. Powerful storms can roll in bringing downpours, wind, hail, dust, microbursts, haboobs … you get the idea. While we love them–but …
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Learn more about Vitex agnus-castus, Chaste Tree or Monk’s Pepper This small tree provides spring and summer color, and is great for pollinators! At-A-Glance Bloom Period: Summer Mature Height x Spread: 25 x 25 ft (8 x 8 m) Exposure: Full sun Cold Tolerance: -10°F (-23°C) Origin: Southern Europe Description This is a large, deciduous shrub commonly grown as …
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With many Arizona cities focusing on tree planting initiatives to help mitigate the impacts of climate change, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Smartscape program recently developed an advanced course focusing on urban forest management. Industry professionals and Cooperative Extension staff worked on a comprehensive curriculum. The first course took place with Pima County Cooperative Extension (Tucson area) in February, …
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Trees Offer Climate Change Solutions On February 7, 2023, Mayor John Giles of Mesa, Arizona, announced the ‘Trees Are Cool’ initiative to increase shade across the city, lower the urban heat island effect in neighborhoods, and help cool our communities during the hot summer months. “Trees Are Cool” challenges residents and businesses to help increase the City’s tree canopy coverage …
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This month, our plant of the month blog features a plant description from a newly 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 the “Etymology” …
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Prologue to our story Since April is Arizona Water Awareness Month (WAM), we felt like it was a great time to focus on watering properly. WAM is an annual outreach effort that aims to spread the word about the value of conserving the Southwest’s most precious natural resource, water. A WAM website, first launched in 2011 by the Arizona Department …
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Did you know that what you plant today has short-term and long-term benefits? It’s true. As water resources become even more precious, planting wisely is more important than ever. You will enjoy the immediate effects of lowering your outdoor water use while enjoying the knowledge that you are creating a sustainable outdoor space for the future. Another benefit is that …
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