🌡️ The Heat Just Won't Quit...

After experiencing our hottest July on record, the extreme heat isn't letting up. The next 10 days are expected to bring more temperatures of 110°F or higher, with little monsoon relief in sight.

Unlike us, our plants can't escape to cooler temperatures or retreat to a shady patio. Instead, they endure the heat by dropping leaves, shedding small branches, or slowing their growth to conserve energy. But even the toughest desert plants have their limits. When overnight temperatures stay high and plants don't have a chance to recover, heat stress builds quickly, making them more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and dieback.

Check out the tips below to help your landscape survive this stretch of sizzling summer weather. 🌿☀️💧

📰🗞️Water isn't just making headlines because of the heat. Be sure to read the message below from Mayor Freeman regarding the latest developments involving the Colorado River and what they mean for Mesa.

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

Bring Your Questions About:

💦 Landscape watering

🌿 Desert-friendly plants

🌼 Plant problems & seasonal care

🌱 Grass-to-Xeriscape incentives

🌧️ Rainwater harvesting

Bonus! Sign up for our Watering Reminder newsletter when you stop by for a chance to
win prizes!

Join us for Part I of the Watering in the Arizona Desert Series. If you’ve ever been unsure how to water your landscape, this workshop is for you. Learn when, how often, and how much to water using simple techniques from the newly updated Landscape Watering by the Numbers guide. You’ll discover how to measure your irrigation system’s output, make seasonal adjustments, and water more efficiently to keep your landscape healthy while saving water and money. Whether you’re new to desert gardening or simply looking to fine-tune your watering practices, you’ll leave with practical skills and resources and the confidence to water wisely.

Bonus! All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a signed book by Arizona Plant Lady (Noelle Johnson) or a $50 gift card to a local nursery.

DIG Classes are in-depth presentations on home horticulture topics taught by University of Arizona Maricopa County Master Gardeners. Don't miss this upcoming August program.

Aug. 27, 6:15-8:15 p.m. Online. Mastering Irrigation in the Desert Join Donna DiFrancesco for a personal introduction to the newly updated Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A Guide for the Arizona Desert. Learn how to take the guesswork out of watering with simple, science-based techniques that help you grow healthier plants, save water, and lower your water bill. Registration required.

Find videos of past Living Green workshops and events such as Xeriscape Landscaping with Style, and Plants to Provide Shade Color and Wildlife. 

Secrets of Summer Watering and Maintenance is a good one to check out for this time of year. Watch it in the comfort of the indoors. 

Our Water – Use It Wisely blog provides interesting insight as to how our native plants survive and tolerate our harsh weather conditions. Learn about the remarkable adaptations to the challenges of the desert climate. Read the blog.

Photo: Creosote Bush, one of our toughest desert plants.

• Add organic mulch around plants (but not touching the stem) to lock in moisture and keep roots cool.
• Water deeply – but not too often! Even grass only needs water every 3 days, even in extreme heat.
• Only water daily if it’s an annual, veggie, potted, or newly planted. Desert trees and shrubs? Nope – they prefer infrequent, deep soakings.
• Provide temporary shade (30% cloth works well) to protect tender plants from harsh sun.
• A quick mist during peak heat can cool surfaces and help birds and wildlife too!

Photo: An agave at Desert Botanical Garden with shade cloth to protect from sun burning.

These temperatures should have you ready to plant trees!

Aug. 29 or Sept. 26. SRP Offers Free Shade Trees when you attend an online Shade Tree Planting workshop. Why? To help reduce your cooling costs, improve air quality, and cool our communities. Since summer isn't the best time to plant, there will be a tree pick-up event planned for fall. For SRP electric customers only.

Mesa Electric customers stay tuned... our fall tree program was recently funded! More to come.

If you plant a tree, record it by adding it to our Trees Are Cool planting map.

Photo: Desert Willow

There's more to discover than books this month at the Mesa Main Library (64 E. First St.)! Throughout August, stop by to see the Water – Use It Wisely Water Tower—a 16-foot display of 120 one-gallon jugs illustrating the average amount of water each person uses every day. It's an eye-opening reminder that small changes can make a big difference.

While you're there, pick up a FREE copy of the newly updated Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A Guide for the Arizona Desert. This practical guide takes the guesswork out of landscape watering with simple, science-based techniques to help you grow healthier plants, save water, and lower your water bill.

You'll also find additional water conservation publications and resources to help you use water wisely.

Can't make it to see the Water – Use It Wisely Water Tower? You can still pick up a FREE copy of the newly updated watering guide at these Mesa locations:

🌿 Participating Mesa Nurseries: A&P Nursery (Baseline & Brown Road locations), SummerWinds Nursery, Treeland Nursery, Moon Valley Nursery

📚 Mesa Libraries: Dobson Ranch Library, Gateway Library, Mesa Main Library, Red Mountain Library

🏛️ City of Mesa Customer Service: 55 N. Center St.

Or explore the digital guide and companion resources anytime at WaterUseItWisely.com/HowToWater.

Mayor Freeman Statement on Mesa’s Water Resilience and the Colorado River Released Saturday, August 1, 2026. Today's federal action falls short of resolving the challenges facing the Colorado River, and there is still much more work to do. The Colorado River is Arizona's lifeline, and protecting its future requires solutions that are...