This is no time to have irrigation problems! We’re in the thick of it – with a string of 110°+ days behind us and the tease of monsoon activity fading. Your landscape is officially on sprinkler or drip system life support as we push through the hottest stretch of the year.

June and early July are when plants need water the most. Long days, high daytime and nighttime temps, and intense sunlight all contribute to rapid moisture loss from both soil and plants. Even well-watered landscapes may show signs of stress as plants struggle to adapt to the extreme heat.

Some cloud cover, higher dewpoints, and a bump in humidity may feel hotter to us – but it actually helps plants by reducing water loss. Still, as with most monsoon seasons, rainfall remains unpredictable and hit-or-miss (learn more below).

Stay vigilant. Keep your irrigation system in top shape and watch for signs of heat stress. Your plants are counting on you to get them through it!

Photo: Leaf wilt and curling leaves on this citrus tree are a sure sign of heat and water stress.

Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about two years).

Whether you’re updating your landscape or planning a major home improvement project, this free workshop is designed to help you confidently navigate the contractor process and avoid common missteps. Get expert guidance on:

• How to find the right contractor for you
• Setting clear expectations and ensuring a smooth project process
• What to do if issues arise

Our presenter is Cindy Casaus, assistant director at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors, who will share best practices and help you understand your rights as a homeowner. Plus, learn about our new, higher incentives for grass conversion, now up to $2,100 on a future project!

All attendees will have a chance to win a Dry Climate Gardening book by Noelle Johnson or a $50 gift card to a local nursery. Mesa Main Library, 64 E 1st Street. Free!

Since summer monsoon storms can be localized, shop for a rain gauge if you don't have one, or empty the dust out if you do. 😉

If you get at least 1/2" of rain, you can skip an irrigation cycle. If you are not sure how much fell in your yard (and you didn't buy a rain gauge yet), visit rainlog.org or Maricopa County Flood Control Rainfall Map. Turning off controllers during rain events is a great way to save water and help out with the drought.

Don’t miss out on using this clean, salt-free source of water that contains many beneficial ingredients for plants. Check out our resources below for harvesting rainwater from our monsoon storms:

• Find our sustainability tip on rainwater collection
• Visit our Water Harvesting page! Whether you want to naturally channel rainwater to your plants or use a barrel or cistern for storage, we’ve collected all of the best local resources for you.
• Learn more about Rainlog and how you can add your rain totals to the map!

Something Fun! Monsoon Melodies

Monsoons are music to our ears! That's why our Water – Use It Wisely outreach campaign curated a special playlist on Spotify of rain-themed songs. Yes, it's still a bit dry outside, but the playlist includes classics like I Wish It Would Rain by the Temptations and No Rain by Blind Melon. Check it out and get in the rainy day spirit!

July 24 or Aug. 23. SRP customers can attend a webinar this summer so that they can qualify for two free trees in the fall. Registration now open.

Oct. 4. Mesa Electric customers can attend a workshop and pick up their tree the following week. Learn more.

Why?

Desert-adapted shade trees can lower your cooling costs and improve air quality without using a lot of water. 

If you plant a tree, record your tree to get it onto our planting map on our Trees Are Cool page.

Photo: Desert Willow

High Water Bills? 

Your Water. Your Impact. Know, Compare, Save. How much water does your household use compared to how much you should be using? By reading your water bill, and knowing your expected use, you can take control of your water usage. Our simple water use calculator will help you estimate your optimal water use based on your household, number of occupants, landscape, etc. 

If your monthly usage is higher than those estimates, we have tips and tricks to help you reduce your use, conserve water, and save money. 🎁Bonus, you can order a water-saving kit and get it mailed directly to your home to provide even more savings. To order yours, look for the "Request a Water Saving Kit" link at the bottom of the 'Water Calculator Results' page.

Our special Your water. Your impact. page gives you all the steps and links to this very cool water conservation tool.

Desert Milkweed – Fit for a Queen and Other Royals This tough accent plant can be used as an upright sculptural accent in the landscape. Producing practically no debris, desert milkweed is perfect for poolscapes. And yes, this plant is fit for queens – queen butterflies and other royals – the monarchs. 

• Drain or backwash your pool while protecting the environment. Learn more.
• Check out our Water Saving Tips to Keep the Splash in Your Pool.
• Our Best Water – Use It Wisely Swimming Pool Resources

Each time you water, be sure to water deeply. About 1 foot for groundcover, 2 feet for shrubs, and 3 feet for trees. How long is that? See our online landscape watering guide for a quick and easy way to determine your run times. For example, a 2-foot diameter shrub would need about 4 gallons of water each time you water. If you have a 1-gallon per hour emitter on that shrub, your run time would be 4 hours!