Landscape Watering Reminder for January

Leaf yellowing or leaf drop occurs naturally this time of year in response to the cold. Palo verdes, mesquites, elms, ash, and Texas sage are just some of the plants that can be affected. Leaf-litter is a beneficial mulch for your plants or to add to your compost pile.

If you don’t have one, call your solid waste department and see if they provide compost bins. Some tips for composting can be found at http://www.Mesaaz.gov/waste/Successful_Composting.aspx.

Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).

Lawn watering:
Summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 30 days
Overseeded cool season grass (rye) – once every 10-14 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:
Desert Adapted - once every 35 days
High Water Use - once every 18 days

Tree watering:
Desert Adapted - once every 45 days
High Water Use - once every 21 days

Shrub watering:
Desert Adapted - once every 30 days
High Water Use - once every 14 days

Groundcover and vine watering:
Desert Adapted - once every 28 days
High Water Use - once every 14 days

Cacti and succulent watering – if needed

Annuals watering - once every 10 days

Wildflower watering – once every 15 days

**Reduce your landscape watering 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 Web site or request a free copy of the booklet at http://www.wateruseitwisely.com.

Bonus tip: Make your New Year's resolution to save water today. Water - Use it Wisely is now offering an interactive and fun home water audit. To get started, visit http://www.wateruseitwisely.com and click on the family water audit.

Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.

Sign up for a free monthly watering reminder
This online subscription service delivers a monthly e-mail outlining the appropriate watering frequencies for the different times of the year (as shown above). The service also includes reminders to turn off irrigation when there has been adequate rainfall.

To register, visit http://www.Mesaaz.gov and click on List Subscribe located in the left navigation bar. Choose Landscape Watering Reminder, and follow the registration instructions. You can remove your name from the list at any time.

For more information about Mesa’s water conservation programs, visit www.Mesaaz.gov/utilities/conservation.