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Author: csDevTeam

How to Conserve Water on Your Landscape this Summer

4bigLandscaping irrigation is one of the largest sources of water usage in residential homes. Because water is a valuable natural resource, particularly in the desert climate of Tucson, taking steps to conserve water can reduce your utility bills as well as benefit the environment. Making a few small changes in your landscaping management strategies can have a big impact on your water usage this summer.

Water Early or Late
During the hot desert day, water evaporates quickly before it can soak into the soil. To get the most from every drop you deposit, water early in the morning or later in the evening when the heat is less intense. If possible, set up a timer to water before the sun rises, as this is generally the coolest part of the day.

Group Similar Plants
Different types of plants have different sun and water requirements. Design your landscaping so that plants with similar needs are grouped together. This allows you to water based upon need and avoid using excessive amounts of water over your whole yard. Providing extra water to only the plants that need it will reduce the overall water usage associated with irrigating your landscaping.

Install a Gray Water System
Gray water is reclaimed water from sinks, tubs, showers, and washing machines. This water can be used to irrigate your lawn, rather than purchasing more water from your utility company. Although installing a gray water irrigation system is an upfront investment, it will save you money over the long term by significantly reducing the water usage associated with watering your yard. Additionally, the City of Tucson is currently offering a rebate program that can reimburse you up to $1,000 of the cost of installing a gray water system.

Santa Rita Landscaping is a Rain Bird Irrigation Select Contractor that can help you develop an environmentally conscious irrigation system to keep your yard looking its best. Visit our website or call (520) 623-0421 to find out more about our landscaping services in Tucson, including commercial construction, homebuilder construction, and commercial landscape maintenance.

Design Ideas for Your Arizona Backyard

Style- Contemporary 6Your backyard should be a comfortable retreat where you can enjoy time spent with family and friends. Whether you want to design a scenic landscape or a family-friendly space for high-energy activities, Santa Rita Landscaping can help you create the look you want for your Tucson yard.

Relaxing Retreat
There are many ways to turn your Arizona backyard into a relaxing retreat the entire family can enjoy. Consider a built-in grill, fireplace, or firepit where you can cook meals or gather for conversation and cocktails. Place plenty of large, comfortable furniture around a central point to encourage discussion. If you’re looking for something on a smaller scale, a fire or water feature can create a central element around which you can design the rest of your landscaping and patio décor.

Pool and Spa
If your yard features a pool and spa, why not highlight these amazing features with your landscaping? A flagstone patio adds texture and comfort around your pool deck, while plenty of lush landscaping can soften the edges of your pool and add color to your yard. Water features, such as waterfalls and fountains, can further enhance the appeal of your pool and spa, making you feel as though you’re at a luxury hotel while you are relaxing at home. Make sure to add plenty of comfortable furniture for lounging or drying off in the desert sun.

Desert Garden
A desert garden adds color and texture to your Arizona backyard. Choose plants suited to the desert climate in a color palette you enjoy. Your landscaping service can help you design your garden plan, whether you prefer geometric flowerbeds or a more sprawling, organic landscape. Consider adding a garden path and benches or other seating from which you can enjoy your colorful landscaping.

Santa Rita Landscaping offers custom residential landscape design. Since 1985, we have been designing, creating, and maintaining residential and commercial landscaping throughout the Tucson area. We invite you to click through our website to view our gallery or call us today at (520) 623-0421 to learn more.

Avoiding Common Landscaping Mistakes

Turf 9A neat, well-kept, and stylish yard will be a great boon to your Tucson home. However, there are many common landscaping mistakes that can detract from both the appearance and functionality of your yard. Keep reading to learn how you can avoid many of these common landscaping mistakes; your Tucson landscaping service can also offer advice to help you create an appealing yard or lawn.

 

Over-Decorating Your Yard
Decorative items add personality to your yard, but overdoing it can create the wrong impression. A cluttered yard gives off a disorganized and neglected feel. Keep in mind that you want to highlight your landscaping and use each decorative item as a complement to the overall design of your yard. It’s best to limit lawn ornamentation to a few choice pieces and, if possible, maintain a single theme.

Poor Planting Strategy
Every type of plant has different sunlight and hydration needs. Before you plant, it’s important to take these needs into account and place plants accordingly in your yard. Putting a plant that needs sunlight in a shady spot or a plant that prefers more water at the highest point in your yard will only cause frustration when your landscaping doesn’t flourish the way you’re expecting. Map out each planting zone in your yard and choose plants that are appropriate for these areas before you begin to landscape.

Improper Irrigation
Irrigation is an essential part of any landscaping project. Know how much water the plants in your yard will need and develop an irrigation plan that will meet these needs. Keep in mind that overwatering is just as damaging to plants as underwatering. Water early in the morning or later in the evening, when the temperature is cooler and more water will make it to your plants because less is lost to evaporation.

Don’t Overplant
Pick plants that when fully grown will be in scale with the space. Plants that grow to big for the space generally end up being removed at considerable time and expense.

Do you need help developing and implementing the perfect landscaping for your home? Santa Rita Landscaping offers landscape design and maintenance so you can enjoy a yard you love. Click through our website or call (520) 623-0421 for more information today.

The Santa Rita Way

When you hire Santa Rita Landscaping to take care of your yard, we understand that you are trusting us with the aesthetic of your property. We take this responsibility very seriously. From the moment you pick up the phone to schedule an initial consultation, we promise to provide thoughtful and respectful landscaping services. We hold ourselves to a very high standard, and each of our employees adheres to the “Santa Rita Way.”

Our Mission and Values
As Southern Arizona’s landscape solution, our remarkable team strives to produce stellar results for our Tucson clients. Our main values are accountability, professionalism, teamwork, integrity, quality work, and constant improvement. Every day that we’re on the job, we reflect on our company’s values and do our best to apply them to the job at hand. We’re not ones to rest on our laurels—instead, we’re always striving to provide better services to our clients.

What We Expect from Our Employees
We expect a lot from our employees, and they are proud to deliver. First and foremost is safety. We do not permit our employees to work under unsafe conditions, and we expect them to maintain a safe environment for our clients. We also encourage our employees to see things from the homeowner’s perspective and ask the question, “Is this what I would want in my yard?”

What We Expect from Our Leaders
Our leaders are obliged to follow many of the same rules as our employees. Our leaders are also encouraged to maintain our high standards, help others achieve and exceed their goals, and find safe solutions to whatever issues may arise. A good leader should be able to recognize good work performance and reward it accordingly.

The Santa Rita Way has served us and our clients well for nearly 30 years. If you’re looking to create an elegant new landscape, or need someone to maintain your commercial building, trust the team at Santa Rita Landscaping. Our three owners have over 75 years of combined experience.

Creating a Southwestern Lawn Care Calendar

Style- Contemporary 2Maintaining a lush, green yard in Tucson is possible with the right amount tender loving care. If you want to grow a lawn in the desert climate, it’s important to know how to care for your grass to keep it healthy all year long. Creating a Southwestern lawn care calendar can help you maintain a healthy landscape that will enhance the exterior appeal of your home.

 

Spring Care
Applying pre-emergents during the spring will prevent summer weeds from taking over and affecting the health of your lawn. Once your grass starts growing, you can begin mowing your lawn. Keep grass about two inches tall for optimum health and growth. If your lawn has developed thatch—old, dead grass stems—take the time now to remove it to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the soil during the summer.

Summer Care
The beginning of the summer season is a good time to fertilize your lawn to promote lush growth. If you’ve had past problems with grubs, you may also want to add a grub-killing product to the mix. Mow your lawn regularly to keep growth under control, but take care not to over-cut grass. You’ll need to mow less often during hot, dry periods than moist periods; wait until grass blades are about three inches tall before you pull out the mower.

Fall Care
Fall is the time to prepare your lawn for the winter ahead. Keep mowing until the grass falls dormant and stops growing. A pre-emergent herbicide will prevent weeds from taking hold over the winter months, if you do not plan to overseed with rye. Add fertilizer as well to provide your grass with the nutrients it will need in the spring. Make sure to keep your lawn clear of leaves and other debris and take care of any weeds that do spring up promptly. If you want a green lawn in the winter, you will need to overseed the lawn with rye seed in early October.

Let the experts at Santa Rita Landscaping help you care for your Tucson lawn all year long. We offer a variety of services, including landscape design, yard maintenance, and homebuilder and commercial construction. Visit us on the web or call (520) 623-0421 for more information about us.