FREEZE WARNING - Cover your plants

There is a deep freeze warning here in the Phoenix valley tonight through the next few nights. You need to cover your plants. You can wrap the trunk of your palm trees and other trees, cover the canopy if possible, especially Ficus trees. Drape all of your plants and put cups on your cactus. Many of our desert friendly plants will die in a hard freeze like this.

Desert garden worth the effort

Here is a great article from Kath Babcock from the Desert Botanical Garden. She talks about Arizona gardening and how it differs from the midwest gardening. In Arizona we have two seasons for vegetable gardening: Fall and Spring. In other parts of the country everything is planted in for the summer garden. We are not able to plant everything we need for a salad at one time because different plants are planted at different time, depending on their heat tolerance. She also talks about our drip irrigation systems. Due to the little amount of rain we get here in the Arizona desert, everything is on a drip system to meet the watering needs of the plants. For help with your Arizona Desert Garden call a local licensed landscape contractor. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477. If you would like help installing, designing or repairing your irrigation system, we can also help you.
Read the article below.
Desert garden worth the effort

Cactus in the Arizona Summer

The summer temps are rising and the plants are thirsty. But, did you know that cactus needs a little water in the summer? In years like this when the monsoon season doesn't bring much rain our cactus needs a little help. Water your cactus plants deeply about once a month to keep them from getting dehydrated. Be careful to not overwater them but give them a monthly dring and they will love you for it.

Install a Patio Misting System

It is HOT out there Arizona. Wouldn't it be nice to sit in your yard and enjoy the evenings by the pool with a Professionally Installed patio misting system? When properly installed, these patio mist systems can dramatically reduce the temperature in your back yard or anywhere you might need a system. Misting Systems can be installed around your Patio, Pool, Entertainment Areas, Greenhouses, RV, boat, trailer, golf cart, or anywhere you can imagine. Misting systems use very little water (less than half a gallon per hour for each nozzle) and are constructed and installed to last for years. Sure, you can go to a hardware store and pick up a do it yourself kit but you get what you pay for. The key is in the components used and the pump for a true fog effect.

By pressurizing water up to 1000 psi and forcing it through a specially designed mist system nozzle, billions of tiny water droplets can be created. Each droplet is smaller than the size of a grain of salt and are so light they actually suspend themselves in the air. If the water evaporates, it produces cooling up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit making it a very effective method of outdoor cooling. If the droplets are enclosed in an area such as a greenhouse, humidity levels up to 100% may be achieved. Because the droplets are so small, they have the ability to remove small particles from the air making fog systems a very effective method of dust and odor control. Misting Systems can be used within your landscape (mist-scaping) or a fog effect can be created in a pool water feature (Fog Deck). The key to the full effect is in the pump, high-quality materials, and regular maintenance.
Call for a free estimate on a professionally installed patio mist system 480-390-4477

Irrigation System Check-up

The heat has arrived in Phoenix AZ. With the hotter and drier weather it is time to check your irrigation system. Below is a checklist of items that need attention:

• Check for waterline breaks, leaky valves, broken drip emitters or broken sprinkler heads.


• Adjust the sprinklers to water the lawn and not the sidewalk, rock or driveway.


• Adjust the sprinkler/irrigation timer for proper watering times and frequency.


• Move the drip line emitters out to the drip line of the trees and shrubs as they grow.


• Check out the following website for guidelines: www.Wateruseitwisely.com/arizona

For a complete irrigation system check up and repair call an Arizona licensed landscape contractor at 480-390-4477.

Arizona Desert Fall Planting Guide

It's fall out there and the weather is finally starting to cool off some. As the southwest desert cools down we need to make some changes in our garden for a winter planting season. Below are some guidelines taken from Home Depot for fall:

1. Get the garden ready for fall crops by adding organic matter such as compost and digging it into the soil to a depth of 12–18 inches.

2. Start watering less often as temperatures begin to drop. Add a rain barrel to collect water from fall monsoons to use in the garden.

3. Evaluate your landscape and make a list of plants that add color, shade or other desired features. October is prime planting time in the desert.

4. Sow wildflower seeds. Buy a seed mixture or choose individual kinds that will thrive in desert conditions. Prepare the soil before planting by removing all weeds and grasses.

5. Prune trees and shrubs that get damaged during the fall monsoon season. Remove broken limbs, cutting them back to the next side branch so you don't leave an unsightly stub.

For all of your Arizona Landscaping needs call a licensed contractor. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477

Fall Plant Guides Arizona

In the fall there are several things to consider with your plants.

1. Ryegrass overseeding - done in late September through early November.
2. Fertilize your citrus trees. This is the final feeding of the year and will help improve the size of the fruit. Spread the fertilizer around the outer edge of the drip line and water immediately. It should soak 3 feed deep throught the tree's root zone.
3. Watch your Agave's. If they have been infested with the Snout Weevils this year, they will fall over in a rotten mess. If so, dig them up and dispose of them before the infection spreads.
4. Spread compost in your garden beds. It is time to spread around 4-6" of compost in your garden and mix it in the existing soil. Compost should be spread in your garden in fall and spring every year.
Call a Arizona licensed landscape contractor. 480-390-4477

Fall Overseed of Bermuda Grass with Rye

It's that time of year again. Time to think about preparing your yard for fall over seeding with Rye grass. Bermuda Grass will stay green usually into November but as soon as the frost hits, Bermuda will go dormant until Spring. Many Arizonan's over seed their lawn with Winter Rye grass. Rye grass looks and feels very different from Bermuda Grass and will give your yard year round enjoyment, in addition to keeping the weeds at bay in your lawn. We usually over seed in early October.
1. If you plan to over seed this fall, the first thing to do is not fertilize your Bermuda Grass 4-6 weeks before over seeding. You do not want it to be actively growing when it is scalped.
2. Plan to over seed in late September through early November when night time temperatures are below 60 degrees.
3. Cut your watering schedule down by half a few weeks before overseeding.
4. Stop mowing your lawn one week before mowing.
5. The day of overseeding you will scalp your lawn to about 1/2" high and remove all clippings.
6. Spread the Rye seed according to package directions.
7. Cover seed with mulch, composted manure, or grass clipping to aid in moisture and keep the birds away.
8. Water 3-4 time daily for 5-10 min. until the seeds germinate in 5-7 days.

After the third or fourth week, you can gradually reduce your watering to every 3 to 7 days in Nov. and Dec. and every 14 days for the rest of the season, depending on rainfal, etc.

You may mow y our ryegrass after is has grown 2" tall but only mow to 1.5". Do not fertilize until after the first mowing.

For assistance on your fall ryegrass overseeding call a licensed landscape contractor. Arizona Living Landscapes operates in the east valley: Queen Creek, Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler Arizona. 480-390-4477

Summer Gardening Tips August

Fertilize roses less often and moisten soil to a about 1 foot when watering during the extreme summer heat. Water in the morning to prevent disease so the leaves will be dry in the evening.

Mulch and water landscape plants that product ornamental berries in the fall. If you water properly no, you will have a full set of fruit by fall.

Prune your shrubby flowers such as Vinca to promote flower growth in the fall. Cut the stems back to just above where a side branch emerges from the stem. Water well and fertilize.

Walk across your lawn looking for dry areas. If you can see your foot for more then a few seconds then you need to water more. Check out our watering guide for Bermuda grass blog. http://azlandscape.blogspot.com/2008/06/watering-your-bermuda-grass-lawn.html

For Sprinkler Repairs or adjustments, call a licensed landscape contractor.

Planning your Flower Garden

Things to consider when planning your flower garden include light, plant height, water needs and bloom time.
Height: plant the taller plants in the back against the wall. If the planter can be seen from both sides, plant the taller plants in the middle and smaller ones on the outsides.
Light: Most plants need at least eight hours of sunlight to produce flowers. You must determine how much water an area will receive and plant accordingly.
Water Needs: Group plants together with the same water needs to avoid over or under watering.
Time to Bloom: If you determine when and how long each plant will bloom, you can schedule your planting so each section blooms separately for a longer bloom time or scattered blooms throughout the years.

What are Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between Annuals, Biennials, and Perennials?

Annuals: these flowers complete their life cycle (vegetative plant, bloom, setting seed, to death of plant) in one growing season. Most annuals need to be replanted each years but some will re-sow themselved each year. Their seeds are scattered by the wind, etc and pop up the next season. Some examples include Larkspur, cornflower, poppies, desert marigold, canendual, scarlet flax, and Johnny Jump-ups.

Biennials: these plants grow vegetatively in their first year, flower in the second year and typically die after flowering. Arizona has two growing seasons so some of he biennials complete their life cycle in one year.

Perennials: these plants will live more than two years and will bloom each year once established. Some will die back in the off season while others will retain their foliage year round. The off season in Arizona can include the hot summer season and the cold frost in the winter. Many perennials in other parts of the country are considered annuals in Arizona due to the harsh summers or mild winters.

Pest Control Tidbits - Aphids

Pest Control - Aphids

How do I get rid of those pesky aphids on my trees and flowers? The organic way is to spray with a hard streams of water; add 2 oz. molasses per gallon for better results. I have also read to use dish detergent in the water. Also release ladybugs and lacewings.

I have tried this but have not had much success. I ended up loosing five hibiscus bushes by trying the natural way. I did not use ladybugs and lacewings though. The alternative that worked for me was to purchase a strong chemical from my local nursery and spray the affected plant. This saved my tree and kept the aphids from spreading to my other plants and trees. I intend to get the ladybugs and lacewings and releasing them to prevent future attacks. In the meantime, my Desert Willow is getting ready to bloom and is aphid free.

Arizona April Garden To Do

Set out transplants of hot-weather annuals, including vinca, salvia, angelonia, verbena, zinnias, and sunflowers. These are easily grown from seed sewn directly in the garden. Soaker hoses can be weaved around the garden beds now. Put them out in the sun to make them more flexible before laying them in the garden. Soaker hoses are an efficient way to irrigate. You will loose less water to evaporation and they can be covered with mulch so you can't see them. Organic mulch will help conserve moisture in the Arizona hot sun and it will also help suppress weeds.

Sprinkler Irrigation Tip

Every so often you may need to flush out the debris that may have accumulated in your sprinkler system. The debris can be tiny particles of dirt, hard water, lime, etc. All you do is twist off the sprinkler heads and run the water through the system for a couple of minutes. This will clean out all of the dirt/debris that may be in the system and ensure that you have good coverage at all times.