Winter decided not to winter. ❄️➡️🌞
Our unusually mild winter even has some landscape plants a little confused. The 10-day forecast shows a cooling trend with possible showers (fingers crossed 🤞), but otherwise we’re looking at mostly sunny days – aka classic, beautiful Arizona weather.
While many deciduous trees and shrubs have already dropped their leaves (some never did due to mild conditions), others may hold on a bit longer or drop leaves over the next couple of months and leaf back out quickly. That’s completely normal.
🌱 Heads up: Lots of great spring programs are coming up – see below for details!
Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about two years). Remember, to properly wet the root zone, water for the same duration each time you irrigate. The key is adjusting the frequency based on the season.
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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 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.
Mesa Electric Shade Tree Program
Sat., February 21, 10 a.m. to Noon. We’re excited to offer Mesa Electric customers up to two free shade trees through our Trees Are Cool Initiative! Choose from a selection of desert-native or desert-adapted trees that provide shade, save energy, and thrive in our desert climate.
For Spring 2026, Mesa is celebrating America’s 250th birthday by designating 250 of these giveaway trees as “Liberty Trees” (while supplies last). Each Liberty Tree is specially tagged to honor values like strength, endurance, and hope – serving as a living tribute to our shared history while bringing lasting environmental benefits to our neighborhoods.
By planting a Liberty Tree, you’re helping grow shade today and rooting our community’s legacy for generations to come. 🌳
Are you an SRP electric customer? See below.
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SRP's Shade Tree Program - Last Spring Workshop
If your power provider is SRP, then take advantage of their final spring 2026 Shade Tree Workshop offered on February 14. Attend the online class to qualify for two free trees.
Visit our Trees Are Cool interactive website to learn how reducing energy and planting more trees can contribute to our climate action goals. If you plant a tree, record your tree to show your support of this program. View the map to see trees planted.
2026 SRP Water Conservation Expo!
 Sat., February 28, 8 a.m. to Noon. The SRP Water Conservation Expo brings together members of our community to raise awareness of water in the Valley and showcase ways to conserve at home.
This free event includes great discounts on smart irrigation controllers. Get a Rachio 3 or Hunter Controller for $60+tax (list price is $240 and $409 respectively). New again this year is an offer to purchase efficient sprinkler spray heads and nozzles at a discount.
Sign up for classes, including Sustainable Landscaping in the Sonoran Desert, presented by Carianne Funicelli. The presentation will cover a variety of native plant species that can be successfully used to attract pollinators and wildlife while using limited water.
Mesa's water conservation staff will be on hand for one-on-one chats about our programs, including our grass-to-xeriscape incentive. At our Water – Use It Wisely booth, stop by for a chance to win great prizes.
Location: PERA Club, 1 E Continental Dr., Tempe. Advance registration for a controller is highly recommended.
Spring Equinox in the Monarch Garden 🦋
Sat., March 21, 10 a.m. to Noon. Families are invited to a flutter-tastic Spring Equinox celebration at the Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary at Red Mountain Library!
Kids can enjoy hands-on activities or create Sonoran Desert native wildflower seed bombs with the Mesa Outdoor Recreation Experience (M.O.R.E.) mobile unit. The St. Vincent de Paul's Urban Farm will be giving away milkweed seedlings grown from their farm.
Chat with city landscape experts, Master Gardeners, the SciStarter Ambassador, and other exhibitors to learn more about plants, trees, pollinators, and sustainable gardening. Don’t miss your chance to win fun prizes – including origami butterflies created by our talented origamist!
Tip: On the library event calendar, use the buttons at the top to add this event to your own calendar or set a reminder so you don’t forget.
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Plant of the Month: Firecracker Penstemon: What's Not to Love? ♥
This southwestern native perennial adds easy, vibrant color to desert landscapes. Hummingbirds can't resist the bright scarlet-red 1-inch-long flowers on stalks that rise 1-2 feet above a tidy mound of leaves. Bloom time often starts in late winter and can continue into early summer, adding long-lasting interest with minimal fuss. Learn more.
Find all of our Plant of the Month Articles.
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Water Wisdom – Troubleshooting
Water squirts from emitters
Water should drip, not squirt. If emitters pop off or shoot water, replace damaged emitters. If the problem repeats, your drip system pressure may be too high – call a professional to inspect and install a pressure regulator if needed.
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Thinking of a Landscape Renovation?
Here are four great resources:
Whether you’re planning a full makeover or just looking for inspiration, these tools can help you create a beautiful, water-smart landscape:
🎥 Drab to Fab Backyard Rehab 10-Part Video Series Follow a real-life landscape renovation from start to finish with ten short (3–5 minute) videos that walk you through the entire process.
🎬 AZ Plant Lady 'Low Water Use Landscapes are Beautiful' Videos Mesa’s water conservation staff partnered with Noelle Johnson (aka the AZ Plant Lady) on an eight-video series packed with practical advice. Topics include fuss-free plants, smart plant selection, proper planting techniques, and simple ways to save water outdoors.
📘 Residential Landscape Revitalization Workbook This booklet from the Scottsdale offers seven creative design themes to spark ideas, including Birdscape, Colorscape, EZscape, Flutterscape, Nativescape, Shadescape, and Verdescape.
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🌵 Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert This online guide covers landscape design, installation, and maintenance, plus a photo gallery full of ideas for low desert gardens.
👉 We've also got Tips for Selecting Professional Landscape Services to help you find the right help for your project.
🐘 Don't forget that we have grass removal incentives available.
Water – Plant It Wisely Spring Site Now Live 🌱
Warmer temperatures make spring the perfect time to replace plants lost over winter – or swap out high-water-use plants for more water-thrifty options that thrive in the Arizona desert.
Water – Plant It Wisely is our special microsite from Water – Use It Wisely, bringing together our best landscaping resources in one easy place. You’ll find practical guidance, inspiration, and plant ideas, including:
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🌿The newly updated Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
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🐦Tips for inviting birds, pollinators, and wildlife into your landscape
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⚠️Artificial turf: water savings and important drawbacks to consider
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🌼Local demonstration gardens to spark ideas
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🛒Specialty plant sales across the Valley
By choosing low-water-use plants and following xeriscape principles, you’re helping conserve our precious water supplies – now and for generations to come. 💧🌵
**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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