Water Harvesting

Getting started:

• Observe the natural flow of the rainfall in your yard from your house and around.
• Sketch a site map and include these areas.
• Mark the pitch of the roof and flow of rain.
• Mark high and low points in your yard and where water accumulates.

Next Steps:

• Begin with adjusting or installing gutters. Add a barrel or build a berm to direct or capture the water off of the gutter. During a 1" rainfall, a 1,000 sq. foot roof collects about 630 gallons of water.
• Watch what happens during rainfall and make adjustments or add other elements as needed. You should direct the water away from the foundation by about 8-10 feet.
• Promote quick drainage by loosening or tilling the soil in holding areas and covering with mulch. Do not compact the soil or the water will just sit and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Add spillways to provide for overflow in order to channel the extra water elsewhere in the landscape.
• Utilize many small rainwater collection areas. These are more effective then one large basin and will drain faster to your plants.
• If you are wanting to store the water for future use during dry times, then consider installing a containment system with filtrations installed to avoid contamination and mosquitoes. This system can then be plumbed to your plants to keep them watered without costing you a dime. Check out a company called Desert Rain Systems for more information on such systems.

Excerpts of this Article Courtesy: Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine

Preserving Rain Water for your Landscape

Did you know that rainwater contains minerals that stimulate plant growth and it is salt free? Desert soils contain a large amount of salt which also leads to high levels of sodium in our water. This results in a build-up of salt in the root zones of our plants and can ultimately damage the plants in our landscape. When the summer monsoons or the winter rains come our plants get a large dose of much needed salt-free water. The rain helps to push the salt away from the plants roots and results in a beautiful, happy plant. Many of the desert trees, bushes, and even cacti will bloom after a rainfall. Drive around after a nice rain and notice desert plants such as the Bird of Paradise, Sage Bush, or Arizona Yellow Bells. They will all be covered with beautiful summer flowers. Notice the Ocotillo plant will produce red/orange flowers at the top and green leaves all over the stems. Many of these low-water succulents will green up and perk up after a nice rain.

How can we harvest this water on the rare occasion that we actually get rain in Arizona? Water harvesting stores and diverts the excess water from rooftops, patios, etc and directs them to the garden. Installing gutters, downspouts, and pipes can channel the water away from the house and to the yard. Trenches can be dug in the land to direct water and slow the flow so it can be absorbed or redirected, rather than going to the storm drain. Basins, berms, water wells can all be dug out to hold the water in naturally low areas of the yard. This water can then be absorbed in the land or used elsewhere in the landscape.
Check out our blog on Water Harvesting for ideas on how to do this.

Excerpts of this Article Courtesy: Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine

Watering your Bermuda Grass Lawn

Signs of under-watering your Arizona lawn:

• Bermuda Grass turns bluish-grey and doesn't spring back after you step on it.
• The soil is too hard to push a screwdriver into.
• The turf still feels warm i the evening after the sun has gone down.

Signs of over-watering your Arizona Lawn:

• Water is constantly puddled in areas
• Turf has a musty odor
• Soil is extremely soft or mushy
• Moss, dichondra, or mushrooms are present

Tips for watering your lawn:

• If water runs off your yard, irrigate more often for shorter periods of time.
• Install sprinkler heads vertically and flush with the soil surface. Make sure grass is not blocking the spray.
• Adjust sprinler heads so they don't spray walls, driveways or sidewalks.
• Hand water dry areas rather than increasing overall watering time.
• Replace broken and missing sprinklers immediately.
• consult and irrigation supplier or irrigation specialist for more information about the most efficient types of sprinklers and irrigation control clocks.
• Water shaded areas about 30% less than sunny areas.
• If it has rained, reduce irrigations accordingly.

Dethatching your lawn

What is thatch? It is a mat of plant material consisting mainly of grass stems and roots. A thin layer is good, because it acts as mulch, which reduces evaporation. Too much will repel water, cause shallow roots and make the grass less resistant to draught.
Excessive thatch is usually caused by over-watering or over-fertalizing. It thatch if over 1/2", it should be removed with a vertical ower or power rake.
Dethatch during the hot summer months so bermuda grass can quickly recover. After dethatching, apply fertilizer at a rate of 1/2-3/4 lb. of nitrogen per thousand square feet, and water the grass well to speed recovery. Do not dethatch your winter lawn if you have one.

Mowing your Bermuda Grass

Believe it or not, there is a proper way to mow your bermuda grass to maintain a healthy, vibrant lawn.

• Avoid scalping your lawn. Grass that is too short uses more water.
• Common bermuda grass should be about 1.5-2" tall.
• Don't remove more than 1/3 of the grass at a time. If you can't mow frequently, incease your mowing height.
• Keep mower blades sharp.
• If you mow frequently and do not over-water or over-fertalize, you shouldn't need to bag your clippings, with the exception of some bermuda grass hybrids.
• Avoid following the same pattern each time you mow.
• Increase the mowing height by 25% in shady areas.
• Use a reel-type mower when mowing grass at a height of one inch or less

Call an experienced landscape company for the perfect yard.

Easy Ways to Save Water

In Arizona, water is a valuable natural resource. Many people who come from the midwest or east coast do not fully understand how to conserve water. When you come from a climate that is green with lots of rain and move to the desert, you are definately in for a shock. There are many things you can do in your house and landscape to conserve water and save on your high water bills. Here are just a few:

• Always water during the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation. In Arizona during the summer, you can water at night also.
• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
• Choose water-efficient drip irrigation for your trees, srubs, and flowers.
• Don't water on windy days or right after a rain.
• Water deeply but less frequently to create healthier and stronger landscapes. Check out our blog on watering bermuda lawns: Bermuda Lawns
• Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation, promote plant grown, and reduce. If you don't like the look of the mulch, you can cover it up with the gravel in the landscape.
• Install covers on pools and spas to avoid water evaporation.
• Periodically check your pool for leaks if you have an automatic refiling device.
• Evaporative coolers require a seasonal maintenance checkup. For more efficient cooling, check yoiur evaporative cooler annually.
• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill on sink with water and the other with rinse water.
• Use the garbage disposal less often.
• Soak post, pans, and grills before you wash them.
• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks.
• Check faucets and pipes regularly for leaks.
• Install low-volume toilets and make sure there are aerators on all of your faucets. (Most homes built after 1980 already have these features).
• Plug the bath before you turen on the water, then adjust the temperatures as the tub fills.
• Take shallow baths.