Regrettably, the first week of the new year continues the trend of above-normal temperatures and dry conditions seen in recent months. It has been over 130 days since we last experienced significant rainfall. This means you should be following the watering recommendations below. However, if we receive a significant winter rain of half an inch or more, you can skip a recommended watering cycle.
Leaf yellowing or leaf drop occurs naturally this time of year to plants such as palo verdes, native mesquites, desert willows (seen in photo), elms, ash, and even shrubs like Texas sage. Leaf litter provides beneficial mulch for your plants or can be added to your compost pile.
Don't forget, Mesa offers our residents a $5 compost bin made from a repurposed trash container.
If frost is in the forecast and you have sensitive plants, learn how to protect them in this University of Arizona publication.
|
Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about two years).
- Desert Adapted - once every 35 days
- High Water Use - once every 18 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 45 days
- High Water Use - once every 21 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 30 days
- High Water Use - once every 14 days
Cacti and succulent watering
Annuals & vegetable watering
- Once every 7-10 days (or more if you are starting seeds)
Wildflower watering
- Once every once every 12-15 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.
Have Tree Questions?
Jan. 3, 8-9:30 a.m. Get Answers, Get Planting! This month, Stephen, our urban forester and tree expert, will be at Guerrero Park, located at 205 W. 8th Ave. Join us for hands-on advice on tree selection, planting, and maintenance. This event is free, and registration is not required. Learn more.
|
Gardening Programs at Mesa Library Happening in January
Jan. 9, 6-7 p.m. Spring Gardening in Arizona. Mesa Main Library. The spring gardening season is short, but spring is the best time to grow many of our favorite crops. Don't miss this opportunity to meet presenter, Angela Judd, the author of "How to Grow Your Own Food." She is also a Master Gardener and an urban farmer in Mesa. Arrive early as this program will fill up quickly. Learn more.
Jan. 16, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Family Garden Day: Seed Bombs. Mesa Express Library. Learn to make flower seed bombs to bring a little color to your garden. Learn more.
|
2024 East Valley Citrus Clinic
Jan. 18, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Located at Greenfield Citrus Nursery, 2558 E Lehi Road, Mesa. Learn more and purchase tickets.
The Citrus Clinic features the foremost state citrus experts, including University of Arizona faculty and noted local professionals. The experts will present eight learning stations. While you are there, do not miss the display of more than 100 citrus varieties and sample many of the varieties made available that day.
Choose 5 of the 8 stations listed below and rotate every 30 minutes:
- Citrus Display and Tasting
- Citrus Fertilizing
- Date Palms for the Home Grower
- Citrus Planting and Care
- Deciduous Fruit Trees
- Citrus Pests
- Citrus Diseases
- Citrus Irrigation
|
Shade Tree Workshops & Free Trees for 2025!
> Are you a City of Mesa Electric Customer?
We’re excited to offer our electric customers up to two free, desert-native or desert-adapted shade trees through our Trees Are Cool Initiative! The purpose of this program is to help lower your home cooling costs and improve air quality without using a lot of water.
Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to Noon. Mesa Electric Shade Tree Workshop. Register now.
Visit our Trees Are Cool interactive website to learn how reducing energy and planting more trees can contribute to our climate action goals and to record your newly planted trees.
> Are You an SRP Electric Customer?
SRP is offering desert-adapted shade trees for their customers as well. The 2025 classes are now open! Get two free shade trees by attending an SRP Shade Tree workshop (Zoom) on Jan. 16, Feb. 1, or Feb. 15. Learn more.
These classes are for SRP electric customers only. But if you get trees from SRP, please record them on our Trees Are Cool site.
Photo: Thornless Mesquite
|
One Valve Won't Stop Watering!
Keep an eye on your landscape for persistent wet spots or puddles. This may indicate that a valve is stuck in the "on" position. To confirm this, turn off the power to your controller. If the valve continues to water, it signals a problem with the valve itself. This issue is often caused by debris buildup inside the valve, which prevents it from sealing shut properly.
If the valve does stop watering when you power down, it is likely a controller or program malfunction.
Photo: Valves are typically found inside a valve box.
|
There's Still Time to Treecycle
Christmas tree recycling drop-off sites will be open through Jan. 20. Collected trees can be sustainably reused as garden mulch or marine habitat. Get the details!
At this link, you'll also learn how to donate your live Christmas tree to plant at a Mesa park.
|
The Colorado River: An Overview of Its Present State and Challenges Ahead
As we begin 2025, we will officially remain in a Tier 1 Colorado River Shortage. However, the uncertainty surrounding the Colorado River continues to pose challenges for all users of this vital resource. The unpredictability of the amount of Colorado River water that our municipalities can expect after 2026 remains an ongoing concern. Read more.
|
This Resolution Will Save Water and Save You Money!
This year, resolve to save water! This small commitment benefits both you – by saving you money – and the earth. And it doesn’t require big changes to make a difference. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Need more ideas? Visit our water conservation pages.
|
 Water Wisdom: If you didn't overseed with winter ryegrass (bravo), your dormant Bermudagrass only needs water once every 30 days this time of year.
**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-
|
