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Weed Tips for Monsoon Season

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Landscaping, Monsoons, Pre-Emergent Spray, Weeds.

Tucson receives an average of 14 inches of rain annually and over half of that rainfall transpires during monsoon season. The term monsoon describes an overall weather pattern that occurs over the course of several weeks.  The official start of the season begins around mid-June and continues through September.

Many Tucsonans welcome the monsoon rains which help their plants thrive and bloom. However, monsoons can also contribute to the growth of unwanted, pesky weeds.  We recommend the following tips to prevent weeds from taking over your landscaping during the summer:

Weed Before the Rains Arrive

It is best to remove existing weeds before the monsoon rains arrive. Weeding now will prevent unwanted plants from growing rapidly during the rainy season. Waiting to weed until after the rains begin creates more mature and stubborn weeds that become difficult to remove. You may need to enlist the help of a landscape professional to help eradicate.

Pull Weeds When They Are Young

When weeds are young, they are tender and have less established root systems making them easier to pull. If you wait until weeds are mature, the weeds will be difficult to pull up and may start to crowd and damage neighboring plants.

Use Herbicides Sparingly and with Caution

Pre-emergent herbicides should be sprayed in the 1st part of July and in December.  These spray formulas stop weeds before they germinate.  There are also post-emergent herbicides that offer a similar solution for killing existing unwanted plants. Make sure you follow the directions or contact a professional when using these products.  If unused incorrectly, they may harm surrounding plants and negatively impact the soil in your garden.

If your home or business needs help with weed control, contact Santa Rita Landscaping at (520) 623-0421.

PROTECTING YOUR YARD FROM SUMMER HEAT

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Irrigation Systems, Landscaping, Monsoons, Mulch.

Summer heat is here and you need to prepare your yard for the harsh conditions that come with it. Here are some recommendations on how to protect your yard this summer.

Water Timing

Now is the time to tweak your daily watering schedule to make sure your plants are receiving the water they need. Never water during the hottest times of the day, you will waste water and money since the water will dry up before it can soak into your plants. Instead, water your plants during the cooler mornings and evenings, so they can receive the most benefits. Set up an irrigation system or sprinkler to water your plants during these cooler times.

Mulching

Mulch provides an added layer of insulation that surrounds your plants and trees. This layer keeps the soil moist and it protects your plants’ roots from hot temperatures. There are many types of mulch that will benefit your plants and can also add some color to your yard.  A common mulch to use would be gravel. You may also consider grass clippings, wood mulch, straw, compost, and shredded newspaper.

Shade

Sensitive plants need protective shade in the summer heat. Their leaves can get sunburned and stop flowering if they become overheated. You can provide protection by placing a shade cloth over sensitive plants and gardens during the hottest part of the day. Your landscaper can recommend ultraviolet-rated plant covers, shade trees, and patio umbrellas to keep your plants protected.

Work with Santa Rita Landscaping to keep your yard protected and beautiful year-round in Tucson, AZ. We have over 30 years in business as Tucson’s premier landscapers, so we know how to keep Tucson plants healthy. Please call us at (520) 623-0421 to schedule our services.

How to Prepare Your Yard for Monsoons

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Citrus Trees, Landscaping, Monsoons.

The arrival of the monsoons brings heavy rains and high winds that can cause serious damage to your landscaping. Roadways flood roofs leak, and without the right preparation, your landscape could suffer the consequences. We’ll help you prepare your landscape for the upcoming storms.

Staking Out Trees

If you’ve ever gone camping, you know to stake out your tent in case of excess wind. Preparing your trees for the monsoon season follows the same basic principle—  younger, fast-growing trees need to be staked out with guy wire for stability. Small trees can be staked using two lodgepole stakes to stabilize them. Trees over a year old can benefit from guy wires too. For maximum stability, trees should be staked out at three separate points that are out of range of the root system.

If you are unsure of how to stake your trees, consult a landscaper to help you secure your trees during the monsoon. You may want to have the ties and stakes adjusted or removed when the monsoon storms are over since tree growth can be inhibited by ties.

Trimming Trees

Monsoon storms can create wind gusts. You will see large tree branches blowing when winds are at 30 miles per hour. When wind speed increases, the entire tree will move to cause structural damage.  Winds above 50 miles per hour can uproot an entire tree.

You can control how your trees are prepared for these wind gusts. Trim back branches and thin out treetops to improve how much wind can pass through them. Decreasing this resistance may give your trees a better chance of surviving the monsoon and staying rooted.

Call Santa Rita Landscaping at (520) 623-0421 to find out how we can help you prepare your landscaping for the summer monsoon. We have been serving Tucson’s landscaping needs for 28 years.