In Tucson, average highs in April are over 80°F, and by May temperatures can already reach the 100s. Because the desert climate experiences such intense heat, many plant species that would be landscaping staples elsewhere cannot thrive in Arizona. Many property owners elect to landscape their grounds with local plants native to the Sonoran Desert, including succulents and cacti. Learn more about these desert floras and how to care for them below.

Types of Cacti

Although the tall, many-armed saguaros are the most iconic type of cactus in the world, the natural landscapes and carefully tended gardens of Arizona feature many more species. Prickly pears, with their large, flat “arms,” Barrel cacti produce many colorful, small blooms and Agaves add great architectural elements.

Cacti Receive Little Maintenance

Because they have evolved to thrive in the harsh environments of the desert, cacti are generally hardy plants that require little maintenance, which makes them perfect for gardens in Tucson. They only need to be fed once or twice per year, and all they really require to grow and bloom is plenty of sunlight and a small amount of water.

Watering Your Cacti

Although they are well suited to dry environments, cacti do still require some water in order to stay healthy. During the hot summer months before the monsoon season, you should water your cacti once every couple of weeks to make sure that they don’t stress. Cacti will appreciate a gallon or two of water every other week in May and June.

Protecting Your Cacti

Though they are desert plants, cacti can get sunburned when newly transplanted. If you notice yellow or brown spots on yours, cover them with shade cloth to protect them from ultraviolet rays.

Santa Rita Landscaping of Tucson can help you take good care of any cacti on your property, and even plant news one for you. With over 75 years of combined experience maintaining landscapes in the Old Pueblo, we know how to care for all types of cacti. Call us today at (520) 623-0421 to inquire about our services.

Tax day is here, but there are more chores you need to do beyond just filing your federal and state returns. Tax day is a great time to clean your irrigation filter and reprogram your irrigation controller for the summer season. Your landscape and lawn require springtime maintenance in order to prepare them for the hot Tucson summer days that will be arriving soon. Because the Sonoran Desert gets very little moisture until monsoon season, your lawn and other plants may stress without proper landscape care. Follow the tips below before the temperatures rise too high:

Clean Your Irrigation Filter

If you wish to have green, lush shrubs all year long, you should have an irrigation system to help keep the shrubs hydrated even when the scorching sun beats down on them. Make sure you remove and clean the filter so that your system stays clog-free. Your filter is located in your irrigation valve box. It is Y shaped, next to the valve. Be sure to shut off the water before beginning. Just unscrew the cap and remove the screen filter, clean any tough deposits by scrubbing the filter with an old toothbrush, then replace the filter and hand tighten the cap. There is no need for Teflon tape as there is an O ring on the cap.

Here are some helpful tips for watering your plants during the seasons

Suggested Watering Schedule for Plants

Your landscape has been installed with a drip irrigation system.  It is called a drip system because each plant is watered by an emitter that drips water directly to the plant’s root zone at a rate of one or two gallons per hour.  This slow rate of watering provides the plants with a much deeper watering.  With this slow deep watering you should not have to water as often, providing the system is set to water for a long period of time when it does water.

Below is a suggested watering schedule that you can use as a guide.  However, you should only use it as a guide, because your watering schedule will vary depending on the weather, soil, maturity of plants, type of plants and season.  Watch your plants carefully anytime you change your watering schedule.

Newly Installed Plants (First  3 Months)

Every other day for 2 to 2.5 hours

First Year – Summer (beginning April 15)

Every other day for 2.5 hours

First Year – Winter (beginning October 15)

Every other day for 1.5 hours

Second Year – Winter

Every third day for 2.5 hours

Second Year – Summer **

Every Third day for 3 – 4 hours

Established Plants – Winter  **

Once per week for 3 – 6 hours

Established Plants – Summer  **

Once per week for 3 – 6 hours

**Take caution when using these settings, in some soil conditions, plants may stress between waterings or some soil will not accept 4 hours of water at one time, multiple start times may be needed.

Lawns

Established lawns should be watered 2-3 times per week for approximately 20 minutes. The best way to pinpoint exactly how long to water is to:

Tip #1 – Use several shallow containers such as tuna cans (any container with straight sides will work) and space throughout the yard.  Water until the containers fill to 1 inch.  However long this takes is how long you should water.  Lawns need approximately 2” of water per week in the summer.

Tip #2 – If you have a dry area or a blue-gray area (a sign of water stress,) place like-size containers in the area and one in a green area.  Water 30 minutes, then measure both containers.  If the dry area is not getting the same amount of water, adjust the sprinkler heads.

The lawn care professionals at Santa Rita Landscaping can help you get your lawn and other landscaped features on your property ready for summer. Call us today at (520) 623-0421 for more information.

Shrubs are a diverse and resilient type of plant that can add new life to your home’s landscape, and you will see the most vibrant looking shrubs around your home if you follow proper steps for fertilization. The guidelines below can help you nourish these plants with the right fertilization techniques.

When to fertilize

A good way to keep a steady fertilization schedule for your shrubs is by fertilizing on the major holidays of the warm months in the year. If you fertilize on Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day, your shrubs should be looking great all year round.

Choosing a fertilizer

Following the holiday fertilization method, you should select a good general-purpose fertilizer. At Santa Rita Landscaping, we recommend a granular fertilizer for regular use, as it is easy to use with no mixing required. In a general purpose granular fertilizer you want to find one that contains around 10% Nitrogen(N), 10% Phosphorus(P), and 10% Potassium(K), (10-10-10). Granular Fertilizer can be very concentrated, so make sure to follow the directions on the brand you buy. When applying the fertilizer make sure to spread it evenly around the plant. Do not just pile it up in one spot, as this will be too concentrated. Spread the fertilizer around the plant evenly from the trunk to the outer edge of the plants canopy. Granular Fertilizer is intended to dissolve slowly over time, not all at once. A good watering before and after application is a good idea.

If your shrubs do not look their best using a general-purpose fertilizer, you might need to invest in a fertilizer designed to address certain nutritional needs for your plants. Consulting a landscaping professional can help you determine which fertilizer will be the right fit for your yard.

Signs of poor fertilization

One of the most common signs that shrubs are not being properly fertilized is yellowing leaves on the plant. However, you might also notice the absence of blooms on flowering shrubs, thinning of leaves, and weakened branches. To resolve these issues, you may have to change your pruning routine for your shrubs and adjust watering in addition to selecting a new fertilizer.

For more tips on caring for your Tucson, Green Valley or Oro Valley home’s landscape, consult Santa Rita Landscaping today. You can explore our custom residential design and commercial maintenance services by visiting our website or calling us at (520) 623-0421. We have been serving the greater Tucson area for over 25 years, and our owners have over 75 years of combined landscaping experience in Tucson’s unique desert climate.

When Tucson homeowners or property owners are deciding on landscape design features, they are faced with many important choices. Those who wish to install a lawn must choose between living grass and artificial turf that mimics the look of the real plant. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, which you can learn about below.

Artificial Turf: Pros

Artificial turf will look bright green and lovely all year long, and after the initial installation it requires no maintenance and no watering, so it will also result in lower water bills. Depending on the brand you choose, imitation grass is covered by a warranty for up to eight years. Available infill can even eliminate pet urine odors.

Artificial Turf: Cons

Since it is a manufactured product, artificial turf is initially more expensive than real grass, although this cost is offset by the reductions in your month water bills. Also, you should be aware that artificial turf can get extremely hot in the summer.

Real Grass: Pros

You don’t need to be a plant enthusiast to appreciate the look and feel of real, living grass. Even at the height of the desert summer, a barefoot walk on freshly watered grass will cool your feet and refresh you. Kids and pets also love to play and roll around on the grass—and because Southern Arizona is warm year-round, you will get many months of use out of your lawn.

Real Grass: Cons

Because it is a living plant, real grass will need to be watered frequently, especially in the Sonoran desert, so you will need to budget for the extra water bills. You will also need to spread ryegrass seed on your lawn in the winter time, and mow year-round.

For single-family homes with children and pets, artificial turf is no substitute for real grass. But on residential homes without children, a commercial property or on larger grounds such as condominiums and apartment complexes, low-maintenance artificial turf is a good landscape option. To discuss lawn options for your property, call Santa Rita Landscaping today at (520) 623-0421.

In Southern Arizona, maintaining a green and beautiful lawn on your property’s landscape takes year-round work and dedication. The month of March, especially during years like this one where temperatures have already risen into the 90s, can be a crucial period in the life cycle of your lawn this year. Take the steps outlined below this spring to ensure that your lawn grows beautifully this summer.

Mow Closer to the Ground

Today’s lawnmowers often have multiple settings that allow you to trim the grass to varying lengths. In the summertime, you don’t want to crop the blades of grass too short, as this can cause the top layer of soil to dry out and burn. In the springtime, however, you can safely mow close to the ground, especially if you have winter ryegrass growing, because shorter grass blades promote better airflow which will allow your dormant Bermuda grass to start growing.

Dethatch and Aerate

If your lawn is composed principally of ryegrass, you probably don’t need to dethatch it. If, however, it is composed of Bermuda grass, spring is the perfect time to dethatch and aerate your lawn. Clearing away this layer of dead plant matter allows more air circulate around the roots, and also allows your lawn to absorb moisture more quickly when you water it, which is an important consideration in the dry desert climate of Tucson.

Fertilize and Water

Spring fertilization is key to promoting full growth, since it gives your lawn’s roots the food they need to grow large and strong, which in turn allows them to stretch further and absorb more moisture during the hot summer when they need it most. This time of year, you can begin to water earlier in the morning, when less of the moisture will evaporate, because there is no longer any risk of frost overnight.

What Type of Fertilizer Is Best For My Lawn?

Depending on the variety of grass planted on your grounds, your landscape professionals may need to choose between several different varieties of fertilizer to keep your lawn healthy.  Time-release fertilizers continue to release nitrogen and nutrients over a period of several months, making them ideal for supporting growth well into the early summer, though lawns that sustained damage may require quick-release fertilizer to help them heal.

When Should I Use Herbicide?
If you have recurring problems with crabgrass on your lawn, use fertilizer that has a pre-emergent herbicide in your spring application. This will prevent the seeds from sprouting. Taking this preventative step in the early spring can save your lawn from weed removal treatments in the late spring and summer. Most pre-emergents last for 6 month, so it is important to follow directions and not use pre-emergent too close to late September if you plan to over seed your winter Rye for the winter.

Do I Need to Worry About Lawn Fungus?
In cooler climates, professionals often caution property owners against over-fertilizing in the early springtime, because grass that grows too quickly is susceptible to lawn fungus during heavy spring rains. However, here in warm, dry Tucson where temperatures have already reached 90ºF and there is little to no precipitation before the monsoon season in late summer, lawn fungus is not a major concern, and early fertilization can help your lawn thrive. It is best to water during daylight hours in the early morning to allow your lawn to dry out during the day to prevent fungus.

To keep your lawn healthy, you can hire the professional services of Santa Rita Landscaping. Our owners have a total of over 75 years’ worth of experience maintaining commercial landscapes in Tucson, so you can rest assured that your home or commercial property’s lawn is in expert hands. Call us today at (520) 623-0421 to learn more about our services.