Mid-May through October marks our summer watering season, and temperatures are starting to climb again – expect low to mid-90s this week, with a welcome cooldown arriving Sunday. As we shift from spring to summer, Bermuda grass and many landscape plants may show signs of stress during the transition.
May also brings low humidity and windy days, both of which cause moisture to evaporate more quickly from soil and plant leaves. Be sure to give your plants a deep, thorough watering – especially ahead of breezy days like those expected this Sunday. Just a note: if you're using sprinklers for your lawn, try to avoid running them during windy conditions to reduce water waste.
Stay cool and keep those plants hydrated with our recommended watering frequencies below!
Photo: Foothills Palo Verdes in bloom.
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 17 days
- High Water Use - once every 8 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 20 days
- High Water Use - once every 10 days
- Desert Adapted - once every 14 days
- High Water Use - once every 6 days
Cacti and succulent watering
Annuals & vegetable watering
Wildflower watering
- Once every 7 days (start going to seed and may be pulled)
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.
Heat-Proof Landscaping Program, Just in Time for Summer!
Tomorrow, May 1, 6-7:30 p.m. at Dobson Ranch Library. Heat-Proof Landscaping is the first program in our Xeriscape Done Right: A Water-Wise Landscaping Series. Join us for Part I of the free workshop series. Meet our expert, AZ Plant Lady Noelle Johnson, as she discusses how to identifying the signs of heat stress in plants, practical solutions for reducing reflected heat around your home, and "heat-proof" plants that thrive in extreme temperatures.
Noelle is the author of two gardening books: Dry Climate Gardening and The Water-Smart Garden.
All attendees will have a chance to win one of Noelle’s books or a $50 gift card to a local nursery. You'll also get details on the incentive program below!
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Grass-to-Xeriscape Incentives up to $2,100!
Are you ready to swap your grass for a water-friendly desert landscape? We're here to help! Not only do we provide great resources on how to do so (like great recommendations for plants), but we also now offer up to $2,100 when you qualify for future projects. Save water and stop mowing.
Grass-to-Xeriscape Incentives up to $50,000+ for Commercial Customers!
 Thanks to recent grant funding, Mesa has increased its Grass-to-Xeriscape and Landscape Irrigation Incentives for HOAs, apartments, businesses, churches and nonprofits. Eligible properties can now qualify for up to $50,000 to assist with grass removal and/or get additional funds for irrigation upgrades. Get the details to lower cost and maintenance.
Landscape 'Special Tips' from AZ Plant Lady
Follow along with landscape professional and book author, Noelle Johnson – also known as AZ Plant Lady – as she explains the many ways to keep your landscape water smart. Our video playlist includes:
- Trees Are Cool
- Fuss-Free Plants
- Stop Shearing Shrubs
- How to Water Your Landscape
- Plant Selection and How to Plant
- Low Water Landscapes Are Beautiful
- Landscape Watering in the Real World
- Easy Tips to Save Water in the Landscape
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The Art & Science of Landscape Watering
Plant of the Month – Blackfoot Daisy
Blackfoot Daisy, Melampodium leucanthum. This month’s Plant of the Month blog shines a light on another standout from the newly updated Cool Plants for Hot Gardens by Greg Starr – the charming Blackfoot Daisy! With its herbaceous stems, woody base, and cheerful daisy-like blooms, this resilient plant adds a burst of seasonal color to any xeriscape garden.
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This Test 'CAN' Help You Save Water
THIS is one of the key ways to be efficient with your lawn watering! Perform the sprinkler can test so that you’ll know just how long you need to water each time you irrigate. Find instructions here or on page 5 of Landscape Watering by the Numbers. If you get runoff when running your sprinklers, consider using 'rotating stream sprinkler heads' which apply water much more efficiently and are particularly good for slopes to reduce runoff. You can also use a cycle and soak program.
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A Little Goes a Long Way When it Comes to Grass
Visit our info page on grass: Grass may be a desired component in a well-designed Xeriscape yard. It is one of the best plants to handle foot traffic and it provides a softer surface for kids’ sports or dogs’ paws. But grass is both maintenance and water-intensive, so when planning your landscape, a little goes a long way. Learn more about caring for grass, watering properly and efficiently, artificial turf, and more.
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Keep the Splash In Your Pool
Pools & spas. Warmer temperatures mean it’s swimming pool season. We’ve got tips and info for keeping the splash in your pool. Learn about how to check for leaks, draining & backwashing, alternative pool care, and more. If you have an automatic refilling device, check your pool periodically for leaks. Another great resource is a page developed by the City of Tucson and partners, called Removing Your Pool.
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Trees Are Cool – Even During a Drought
Every desert dweller has experienced how much cooler it feels on a hot day when standing in the shade of a tree rather than in the full sun. That effect has become increasingly important as cities help people cope with higher summer temperatures. That’s why Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson, and others are focusing on tree plantings in Arizona. Learn more in this Water – Use It Wisely blog about Mesa's 'Trees Are Cool' initiative. Another favorite is this one on Why Trees Are Superheroes. If you planted a tree, make sure you record it to get it on our map! You'll also find tips on how to plant, water, and care for your trees
 **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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