Small Desert Trees

Small Desert Trees

Rain Sensors

Agaves

Do you live in a hot dry area?  Do you want to have interesting plants that don't require much water?  Then you may want to plant some agaves!

These desert plants can endure long periods of 100+ degree weather without water.  They range in size from very small to extremely large varieties.  They propogate by setting off "pups" from the main plant that can be removed and transplanted easily.  And, they have a distinctive look that works well when you want an interesting plant to add to your landscaping. 

Some of my favorite agaves include Parry's agave (Agave parryi) seen to the top left on the screen, Queen Victoria agave (Agave victoriae-reginae) on the bottom left, and the Thread-leaf agave (Agave filifera) shown on the right. 

Go to http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ to find information and photos on these agaves and many others.  Once you learn about them, agaves may become your favorite plant!

Save Water - Use an Irrigation Rain Sensor

Tired of seeing your irrigation system running while it's raining?  Ever have to run outside during the rain to shut off your irrigation?  There's a cost-effective and reliable way to help reduce irrigation water waste.  Install a rain sensor.  It absorbs rainwater in proportion to the amount of rain that falls and activates a switch that keeps the solonoid of the irrigation valve from turning on.  Once the rain stops and the sensor dries, your irrigation valve operates normally again.  Some rain sensors can shut your irrigation system off as soon as it detects any precipitation.  Thus, avoiding the appearance that your system is "wasting water."  This is especially helpful for a commercial property or homowners association common area.

Rain sensors can be used with your automatic irrigation controller.  The are easy to install and well worth the small amount they cost in the amount of money they can save you.  They can be used for residential, commercial, and community properties. 

Springtime Landscape Checklist - Residential & Homeowners Association

Springtime is here and it's time to start thinking about getting outside and enjoying your garden or outdoor space. Get a good start by doing the following:

• Reset your irrigation clock for Spring weather
• Check irrigation system for leaks
• Trim dead branches off of dormant plants
• Add new plants (plant the right plant in the right place)
• Fertilize plants that need it

If you do these things, you will have a great looking landscape that you can enjoy all year long. Happy Gardening!

Is My Plant Dead or Alive?

We’ve had a schizophrenic month of weather in Tucson…it’s warm, it’s cold, it’s warm. That can be really hard on plants. Look in your yard and you’ll probably see that most of your plants are brown and ugly right now. Don’t worry, desert plants are wonderfully resilient and know how to take care of themselves. Take a look under the brown section of a plant and more than likely you’ll see green leaves and branches. Lantana is a good plant to see this with.
Once the chance of freezing is past (early March), you can cut back your plants to the green section or lower and your plants will grow back. Just make sure you wait until its warm enough for the tender green leaves to survive. Birds-of-Paradise can be cut back just about all the way down to the ground and they come back looking great.

And, if you want to add some plants to your yard to freshen up the look of it, head to the nurseries in March to see all the spring plants available. Don’t be afraid to ask a nursery worker for help. They’re extremely knowledgeable and can help you find just the right plant.

All or most of your plants are still alive and should look great this spring. Always use a professional to properly cut back your plants. Give us a call at (520) 370-5697 if we can help you with a spring cleanup or certified weed control. And, get ready to start enjoying your yard again!

Deborah Munoz-Chacon
Sonoran Oasis Landscaping
http://www.sonoran-oasis.com/

We Provide Professional Services, Certified Teams, Quality Client Relationships

What to do now to have a great landscape this Spring

Are you looking at your brown dormant plants and wondering what you can do to have a great looking landscaping in the spring? Here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck for your landscaping.

• Get your irrigation inspected to ensure that it is working properly. If your irrigation is not working well, your plants will not look good. You may also have leaks that could cost you money on your water bill in the spring if they are not fixed now.
  
  
• Plan what you would like to add to your existing landscaping. Think about the mature size of plants so that what you plant is not too big or to small for the area you will be putting it in.



• Consider adding landscape lighting to add a dramatic evening effect to your plants and trees. There are now a lot of good solar lights available. This gives you the added benefit of not increasing your electricity bill.



• Add a layer of crushed rock to your existing rock to refresh it. Make sure that you get the same size and color as the rock you already have.
  

Now that you’ve looked at easy ways to make your existing landscaping even better, choose a few things to do and you’re ready to enjoy your landscape in the spring!

Deborah Munoz-Chacon, Sonoran Oasis Landscaping

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