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

Winter Frost Warning

All Phoenix customers, there is a frost warning tonight November 29, 2010. Do not forget to cover all of your tropical type, cold sensitive plants or bring them in under your patio. These include annuals, bougainvilleas, hibiscus, vegetables, etc.

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

Backflow Preventer & Your Irrigation System

What is a backflow preventer and why do I need it? Homes built in Arizona with a front yard landscape already installed, usually have a backflow preventer installed. If your house does not have one already in place, then you must have one in order to have an irrigation system.
The backflow preventer is designed to stop the back flow of water from your irrigation system to your house and the city or well water system. The valves in the sprinkler system will not do this alone, thus a backflow preventer is needed. Landscape irrigation water is considered a contaminant and can introduce chemicals to your house and your drinking water. In Arizona, you are required to have a backflow preventer on your irrigation system. If your landscaper says you do not need one then find a new landscaper. The valves will eventually leak or break and without a backflow preventer installed, all the contaminants in your yard and ground water will come into your house.
Call Arizona Living Landscape & Design in Arizona for full sprinkler system or irrigation system installation or repair. 480-390-4477
www.LandscapeArizona.com

Arizona Desert December Gardening Ideas

It is getting colder but you can still plant in the desert southwest.

1. It is time to plant bare root roses. Soak the roots in a bucket of water a few hours before planting. Dig a hole that is larger than the root, plant the roses and fill the hole with a mixture of organic material and soil.

2. The rains have also started so be ready for those weeds that are bound to start popping up as soon as we have a warm day. Pull them when they are small so they don't have time to spread. Also, spread pre-emergent down now to help keep the seeds from germinating. Remember, do not put down pre-emergent anywhere you plant to plant seeds.

3. It's time to plant deciduous fruit trees such as apples, apricots, peaches and plums. Look for the low-chill varieties adapted to the Arizona desert climate.

4. You can continue to sow winter vegetables such as carrots, radishes, turnips, beets and kale. Germination may be slower in the cooler soil.

5. It's time for oranges. Harvest your oranges, tangelo, and mandarins. Taste for sweetness before harvest. Go to the local farmers markets for some great local oranges.

6. It's not too late to get your back yard ready for the winter parties. Call Arizona Living Landscape & Design for a custom quote and free design. They can install a fire pit, built in BBQ, concrete patio, paver patio, sod, plants and much more. If you need a yard clean-up before the relatives come over, call them 480-390-4477.

Flowers for Winter Color in Arizona Low Desert

This is the season for flowers in Arizona. Time to plant and enjoy the winter blooms. Below is a short list of my favorites. For a more complete list check out this website: University of Arizona

Calendula or Marigold: They come in orange or yellow colors, can take full sun, easy to grow, get 15-18" high so would be used as a focal point in the center of a bed or in the back, take minimal water, edible, make a good cut flower, attracts butterflies and reseeds. This plant can be planted Sep. through Nov. and will bloom Dec. through May in the Arizona low desert elevations.

Geranium: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. Geraniums get 12-18" tall, take partial sun, lots of water, and are easy to grow. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from Sept. through April and will bloom into June.


Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies get 6-12" tall, can be planted in sun to partial sun but will do better when the heat hits in partial sun, have average water needs, are edible, and are easy to grow. Pansies can be planted Oct. through Feb. in the Arizona low Desert and will bloom through April/May depending on weather.


Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. Petunias grow 6-18" tall, require a lot of water, are easy to grow, attract butterflies, and are fragrant. They can be planted Sept. through March and will bloom Oct., Nov., March, April, and part of May. They are frost sensitive and will die off with frost and need to be replanted. May survive light frost if covered.


Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. Snapdragon will grow 6-36" tall. These are the long stalk type flowers you see in the center or back of arrangements. They do best in full sun, average water, easy to grow and make a good cut flower. Snapdragons can be planted Oct. through Feb. and will bloom from Nov. into May.


Sweet Alyssum: These come in white, blue, pink, or easter bonnet. They are low growing and make a very nice border flower. They do well in full sun to partial shade, take quite a bit of water, are easy to grow and have a nice fragrance. They can be planted Oct. through March and will bloom Oct. through May.


For best results and an abundance of foliage and blooms use lots of mulch and a good pre-plant fertilizer like 16-20-0 ammonium phosphate. Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist or slightly dry. Too much water causes fungi and will kill the plants just as quickly as not enough water. Also remember if the weather calls for a heavy frost or even a light one cover the flowers with a sheet all the way to the ground. This will help to ensure they stay alive and bloom all winter.

Contact a local Landscape Designer

Patio Misting System will Cool you down during summer

It is HOT out there. The only way to continue to truly enjoy your yard in the heat of the summer is to have 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 RV, boat, trailer, pool, 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

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