Arizona Planting Zone Chart

Arizona consists of Zone 7, 8, and 9. The low desert of the Phoenix valley is zone 9 and the outlying desert areas are zone 8/9. The mountains are zone 7.

Featured Tree: Desert Willow

The Desert Willow tree grows to be 15' - 25' feet in height and has a spread of about 10' at full maturity. This tree grows at a medium growth rate. (13-24" of growth per year) and does well in full sun. The Desert Willow grows in acidic, alkaline, drought tolerant, loamy, sandy, well drained, wide range, clay soils(perfect for Arizona desert trees) and cannot grow in wet or heavy soils. The Desert Willow has a rounded, spreading or horizontal shape. The leaves are long dark green leaves. The blooms are fragrant and pink and it flowers from late spring into fall through the summer. It produces a ten-inch long seed-pod that persist throughout the winter. The Desert-willow requires little maintenance and produces flowers at peak season. It should be grown in full sun and is extremely drought-tolerant. While the trees will grow better with adequate moisture, they will not tolerate over-watering. The multi-trunked, well branched habit of growth and thick growth make Desert-Willow well suited for a wide screen or tall hedge. Groups can be planted in a large-scale landscape for a splash of color. The seeds of the Desert Willow are eaten by wildlife and the flowers often attract hummingbirds. It can provide a nesting site for desert birds and ground cover for other animals. The branches of the Desert-willow have been used to make thatch roofs. This tree resembles a willow in appearance, but is not related.

Winter freezing temps means frostbitten plants

Winter is upon us - even in Arizona. We usually have several nights of below freezing temperatures here in the Phoenix valley. Those of us further out in the outlying areas get even colder. Remember, our desert plants need to be protected from the freezing nights. Most cacti will manage just fine but the more tropical plants need to be covered to protect them. Any new plantings should also be covered. These are too delicate to make it through a major frost. Plants like Hibiscus, Aloe, Morning Glory, some Palms, Bougainvillia, Lantana and most flowering plants are susceptible to frost bite and can die.
When covering your plants, just put an old sheet or towels over the plants. Make sure you cover them to the ground to keep the frost out. Trees are obviously harder to cover but get as much of the leaves as possible. You can even wrap the trunk if you like but this is not usually necessary. Don't forget to remove the covers in the morning so they can get the sun of the day then recover again at night if it calls for frost.

Fall Lawn Care

If you are not planning on winter overseeding your Arizona lawn, then you need to fertilize well. Your lawn needs plenty of nutrients to help it come back in the spring. Mow often and take off less to help your lawn stay green and healthy longer. You still need to water in the fall but you should be able to cut down on the water as the weather cools. In Arizona, the fall weather comes a little later than other climates so remember to keep watering during the heat but be prepared to cut it back in October/November. If you are overseeding, check out our article on fall overseeding. You can also check out http://www.landscapearizona.com/ for some great prices and the fall special.

Winter 2008 special

Check out our Internet Special for Sept. and Oct. 2008! Mention this ad and get 10% off our already low landscape package prices. Winter is coming and it is time to get that firepit or outdoor fireplace installed in your backyard.

Arizona Fall Overseeding

It is almost time to start thinking about overseeding your lawn with winter Rye grass in the Arizona desert. Overseeding is usually done in early October. We plant winter Rye grass in Arizona because our summer Bermuda grass goes dormant with the colder winter nights. If you plan to overseed, do not fertilize this fall. The idea is to let the Bermuda grass start to go dormant so we can cut it back and plant the new Rye grass. If you fertilize, then the Bermuda will continue to grow and won't take to overseeding very well. The lawn will need to be mowed very short prior to planting. The Rye grass seed needs to be put down and then covered with a mulch or seed cover. The seeds need to be kept wet in order to germinate and within a few weeks, you will have a beautiful lawn for the rest of the winter. Contact Aquatic Landscaping for fall overseeding rates. 480-390-4477.

Plant & Landscape Trends for 2009

Yes, it is time to start looking ahead to next year. Below are some of the planting trends that you will see in 2009.
1. Big, Bold Flowers. The small, dainty flowers will be replaced with large bold flowers for a greater visual impact. Some examples are Gazania, Osteospermum, Arctotis, Geraniums, Impatiens and of course our favorite - Hibiscus.
2. Bright, vibrant colors. What better way to make an impact in your yard then with vibrant flowers. Again, you can plant Geraniums, New Guinea Impatiens, Hibiscus, Vinca, Lantana, and Petunia. In Arizona the Lantana is seen all over the landscape and the colors are brighter then ever this year.
3. Architectural plants, pots & accessories. The use of high-end containers and combination planters are very hot! You can plant your cacti, succulents, palms, orchids in these planters. Dress your entrance way with a large pot or several varied layers of pots for a dramatic effect. This is also popular indoors.
4. Vertical Gardening - Use window boxes, tiered pots, hills or mounds around the edges for depth in your yard. Move the plants to a more visible level and bring impact in the garden. Add trailing plants like ivy or other vines like Cats Claw, Snail Vine, etc for a more tropical look.
5. Outdoor rooms - Of course this is the hottest trend. Expand your living space to your yard. What a better place to do this then in Arizona. You can add hard-scapes such as a built in BBQ, Custom fire pit or custom fireplace, and misting systems around your patio or mistscape around your pool. The ideas are endless. Check out these pictures of Built-in BBQ and custom fire pits.

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.

Desert Lawn Care - Bermuda Grass

I love a nice green lawn and thankfully I can still have it in Arizona. The most common summer grass in Phoenix is Bermuda Grass. This is a weed everywhere else in the country but in Arizona we plant it and fertilize it to grow a beautiful desert lawn. Proper mowing is important for maintaining a healthy lawn. Do not mow it too short or scalp it in the summer. Short grass requires more water. Common Bermuda Grass should be about 1.5-2" tall. Hybrid Bermuda Grass (Tifgreen, Tifway, Midiron) should be .5 - 1" tall. Perennial Ryegrass (winter grass) should be 1.5-2" tall Fescue should be 1.5-3" tall, and St. Augustine should be 2.5-3.5" tall. Typically you will need to mow in the summer growing months once a week to keep your lawn healthy. If you let your lawn go too long, don't remove more than 1/3 of the grass at a time and keep your blades sharp. The best time to water in the hot summer months is at night or during the cool morning hours to avoid evaporation. Make sure when you water that you can push a screwdriver into the ground about 10" after watering. This deep watering with infrequent cycles are best for Bermuda Grass. In the summer you will need to water your lawn about every 3 days. Too often and you will waste water and cause algae and mushrooms in your yard. Fertilize regularly but do not over fertilize. Check the package for instructions. When in doubt consult an experienced landscape contractor.

Arizona Landscaping

This is my first blog ever. I am going to attempt to write about landscaping in Arizona, particularly Phoenix and sourrounding areas. I came to Arizona about 5 years ago and we have learned a lot about how unique it is to landscape here. The climate if very different from virtually everywhere else and the landscape design options in Arizona are endless. You can create a yard completely xeriscaped with cactus, rock, and desert plant material or you can go tropical and create an island paradise. When I used to think of xeriscape, I thought of drab and plain. It is amazing to see the different types of yards that can be created with desert adapted material. Unfortunately, for us there is a drought and we need to consider this when choosing our landscape design. I plan on posting articles about xeriscaping and how to mix and match plants and design. I also plan on posting articles about your lawn with tips on how to water it wisely and make our yard look beautiful. Check back often for new tips and tricks to your Arizona Landscape. Also, check out our website www.landscapearizona.com.