Here in Arizona, desert landscapes are quite common. While most of us dream of green grass (and cooler temperatures), there is much to be appreciated about the beauty of the desert; and surprisingly, much to be maintained.
Gravel Needs
Although gravel yards are preferred for low maintenance, according to a local landscaper, 80% of their business involves gravel care. This often includes keeping the gravel clean and free of debris and weeds by blowing and raking the rock, and sometimes adding additional rock to fill gaps. If you have questions or need help with your gravel yard, consider finding a landscaper to help you with your gravel supplier kalispell mt needs.
Pre-emergent
Do you want to prevent weeds forever? Whether you have gravel or grass, using a pre-emergent on a regular basis will prevent weeds–possibly forever. While commercial grade products are available at your local hardware store, it’s possible to make an equally effective product right in your own home (and safely). Just search for a DIY pre-emergent video and follow the steps to make your own!
Want to go Green?
If the gravel landscape isn’t ideal for you, you might want to look into Bermuda grass. Perfect for the hot Arizona sun, Bermuda grass is resilient to heat and drought and grows quickly and densely. Besides figuring out what grass is best to plant, you also need to know when to plant bermuda grass in AZ. If you plant seedlings too early, they’re at risk of being baked by the hot sun. If you plant them too late, they’ll be threatened by frost.
Use the Right Fertilizer
After you’ve decided on the best grass to plant, make sure you pick the best fertilizer to go with it. The best fertilizer is dependent not only on the type of grass planted but also the season. For example, the best fertilizer for Ryegrass in the winter is Scott’s Turf Builder Starter Fertilizer or Vigoro Lawn Fertilizer.
Know When to Water
Besides knowing what grass is best to plant in Arizona and when to plant, when to water also plays a huge factor on your lawn health. Not only that, but since we all want to conserve water as much as possible, making the most of our watering is another key factor. If you water too late in the day for example, the water can either evaporate before it soaks into the soil, or burn the leaves and roots of your plants. Local experts claim that the best time to water grass in Arizona is early morning before the heat of the day, and doing so about every 3 days.
Summer Vs Winter Watering Schedules
Grass requires more water initially and also during the Summer months. When the temperatures drop, however, you can begin to water more infrequently. For example, if you were watering daily during the warmer months, the recommended winter watering schedule for Phoenix is 10-20 min soakings 3 days a week. This new schedule should be implemented around November with careful consideration to possible night time freezes.
Maintaining the Perfect Lawn
After all your lawn affairs are in order, the next step is keeping your grass green. There are various techniques for how to keep your grass green in Arizona. Fresh, sharp blades for example keep your grass cuttings clean and prevent new growth from being pulled out by dull blades. Improving your soil quality and switching to organic fertilizer also improve the health of your yard.
Bring in a pop of Color
If you want to expand your yard beyond gravel or grass, add plants that bring a pop of color. Red Hibiscus in Arizona is a great plant to add color to your yard and does well with the summer heat. The flowering blooms on a Hibiscus plant are large and noticeable. Be sure to protect them during the winter because they are very sensitive to frost.
Add Vines
Greenery is something we can’t get enough of here in the desert, but finding green things that grow well can be difficult. The Creeping Fig Arizona vine is a great suggestion for adding growing vines to your home or fences. Also known as Ficus Pumila, these vines can climb 2-3 stories high and grow up and out instead of in layers which makes them easier to prune and maintain.
Use Desert Trees
Desert trees are unique and beautiful and get very little credit. The Palo Verde, for example, is a popular desert tree that’s easily identifiable with its green bark and yellow blossoms. The branches can easily get weighed down so knowing how to trim a Palo Verde tree properly is important for its health and appearance. The best time of year to start pruning your Palo Verde tree (or hire a professional) is in Spring when the tree starts to blossom. You’ll want to focus on any low hanging branches, branches pointing downward, or branches that are growing across the tree.
Local professionals here in the valley are ready to help you get your yard in shape. If you’re thinking about hiring one, do some price comparison to get the average cost of landscaping maintenance in Phoenix to help you make the best choice. Think ahead and plan your landscaping maintenance around the bulk trash pickup in Phoenix so they can haul off your large cuttings and clippings.
