Looking at the extended forecast, the warming trend – aka beautiful AZ weather – appears to continue for a few weeks. While below freezing temps can occur into early April, our typical last frost date is mid-February.
Don't forget that some trees and shrubs have already dropped their leaves due to the winter season. Others will drop leaves within the next couple of months but will leaf back out quickly.
The January rains helped to water our plants and germinate a few wildflowers, but also helped the weeds. Remove them when they are young and BEFORE they go to seed. They will compete with your plants for water. NEVER use strong weed killers or soil sterilants (labeled total vegetation killer, groundclear, etc.) as they persist and move in our desert soils and will negatively impact desirable plant roots.
Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about two years).
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- Desert Adapted - once every 28 days
- High Water Use - once every 12 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 36 days
- High Water Use - once every 14 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 21 days
- High Water Use - once every 10 days
Cacti and succulent watering
Annuals & vegetable watering
- Once every 6-9 days (or more if you are starting seeds)
Wildflower watering
- Once every once every 10-12 days if no rain
Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.
Landscape Watering by the Numbers: Don’t forget our online, interactive watering guide. If you input some simple information about your landscape irrigation system, it will tell you how long to water to give your plants just the right amount with these frequencies.
Thinking of Getting Rid of Your Grass? Our Incentives Have Increased!
 Apply to remove established grass and replace it with a water-thrifty Xeriscape landscape and you may qualify to receive up to $1,100 from the City of Mesa. Two levels of incentives are available: 500 - 999 square feet of grass conversion is eligible for $750, and more than 1,000 square feet is eligible for $1,000. Add an eligible tree or two as part of your Grass-to-Xeriscape project for up to $100 more. Completed projects are ineligible. A Xeriscape (zeer-a-scape) uses well-adapted plants, efficient irrigation, careful design and proper maintenance to produce landscapes that save water and energy. Xeriscape also provides wildlife habitat and creates shade.
Plant of the Month: Texas Mountain Laurel
It won't be long before you'll see (and possibly smell) this plant around town. Texas Mountain Laurel naturally occurs in south-central and western Texas, New Mexico, and southward in Mexico to San Luis Potosí. It displays large clusters of showy purple flowers from February through March, filling the air with the fragrance of grape soda.
Learn about Texas Mountain Laurel.
Find all of our Plant of the Month Articles.
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2023 SRP Water Conservation Expo!
Sat., March 4, 8 a.m. to Noon. The SRP Water Conservation Expo brings together members of our community to celebrate water in the Valley and discover ways to conserve at home. This event is free for SRP customers and includes amazing discounts on smart irrigation controllers. Get a Rachio 3 or Hunter Controller for $60+tax (retail value is $199 and $528 respectively). Attend classes and visit exhibitors.
Location: PERA Club, 1 E Continental Dr., Tempe. Advance registration is highly recommended.
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Irrigation Maintenance Checklist Perfect for Spring Weather
Did your cute dog just chew off another emitter?
During our beautiful spring weather is an especially good time for irrigation system maintenance. Irrigation problems are not always apparent because of the cool nighttime temps, cloudy days, and the occasional sprinkle of rain. Don’t wait until the heat sets in. It won’t be fun for you or for your plants. Find our easy irrigation maintenance checklist. Oh, and bad dog!
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Thinking of a Landscape Renovation?
Here are four great resources:
Drab to Fab Backyard Rehab 10-Part Video Series Check out our ten 3- to 5-minute videos that take you through the process of a real landscape renovation.
AZ Plant Lady Low Water Use Landscapes are Beautiful Videos Mesa's water conservation staff partnered with Noelle Johnson (AKA, AZ Plant Lady) in a series of landscape videos to help you keep your landscape water smart. Eight videos cover topics such as fuss-free plants, plant selection and how to plant, and easy tips to save water in the landscape
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Residential Landscape Revitalization Workbook This booklet from Scottsdale features seven unique landscape design idea options for you – Birdscape, Colorscape, EZscape, Flutterscape, Nativescape, Shadescape, and Verdescape.
Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert This improved online guide provides information on design, installation, and maintenance, and a photo gallery of ideas for Arizona low desert gardens.
We've also got Tips for Selecting Professional Landscape Services.
SRP's Shade Tree Program - Free Trees!
Attend a virtual workshop and you can receive two free trees. Why? Because shading your home helps reduce cooling costs, improves air quality, and will help lower the heat island effect – all without using a lot of water. Six shade tree species are available.
The last spring program is Feb. 18 via Zoom. Learn more and register. After attending you can claim two new tree saplings at the spring tree distribution event.
Note that the classes are also being offered in Spanish. Asiste al taller y recibe dos arboles.
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Tree Watering Quick Guide Now Available
Have you been looking for the Cliff Notes version of our watering booklet? Check out our 'Quick Guide' version for watering your trees. You're welcome!
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 Learn more about the water shortage and stage one - water watch. Find 100+ tips and more at Water - Use It Wisely.
**Reduce your landscape water use 30 to 50 percent by adjusting your irrigation each season.** Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A Guide for the Arizona Desert will help you determine how much water to apply and how long to run your system. Visit the interactive website or request a free copy of the booklet.
-H2O-
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