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Cost Of Xeriscaping In 2022

How Much Does Xeriscaping Cost

On average, the cost to xeriscape a typical 1,200 sq. ft. yard is $17,085. Prices can range anywhere from $6,000-$24,000 depending on the size of the project, according to Fixr.

Average Xeriscape Installation Costs

Here is a look at typical xeriscaping costs across the U.S.:

  • National Average Cost: $17,085
  • Average Range Of Costs: $16,000-$18,000
  • Minimum Cost: $6,000
  • Maximum Cost: $24,000

Cost To Xeriscape A Yard

The cost of xeriscaping a yard can vary based on several factors, including plant choices, yard size, irrigation, soil and hardscaping. Hiring a designer to plan out the project ahead of time can be helpful, but this will add on to your total cost. Prices can be broken down by the 7 steps of xeriscaping outlined below.

Planning And Design

A landscape designer hired to plan the xeriscaping process may charge up to $200 per hour. Xeriscaping can be quite a difficult process, so careful planning is essential.

  • Average Cost: $200

Mulch

Mulch is often utilized in xeriscaping because it helps to hold in water and prevents evaporation. Delivery for a 500 sq. ft. range costs between $200-$500.

  • Average Cost: $685

Concrete Slabs

To form a walkway of concrete slabs in your yard, the cost can be a bit much, but this will give your yard a truly unique look.

  • Average Cost: $1,200

Drought-Tolerant Plants

Plants that are well adapted to the region can reduce water use and will require no supplemental irrigation. Prices will range based on the type and size of the plants.

  • Average Cost: $3,000

Soil, Rock And Stones

The biggest costs for these items will come from the delivery. 20 sq. ft. of river rock can cost as much as $1,000 to deliver.

  • Average Cost: $3,000

Turf

Replacing natural grass with artificial turf will help conserve water.

  • Average Cost: $4,000

Irrigation System

An irrigation system will be optional for xeriscaping projects. Some homeowners prefer to rely on rainfall, but those living through extremely hot summers should invest in an irrigation system.

  • Average Cost: $5,000

Xeriscaping Cost Per Hour

A professional landscaping service is necessary for xeriscaping since they will know the region’s native plants and what’s needed to achieve water conservation. A typical landscaper will cost from $50-$100 per hour, with a maximum cost of $200.

Xeriscaping Cost Per Square Foot

Xeriscaping costs are usually calculated by square footage, and the price will include all labor, plants and supplies needed. Typically, costs will range from $5-$20 per sq. ft.

  • 500 sq. ft. Total Cost: $5,500-$7,500
  • 1,000 sq. ft. Total Cost: $11,000-$15,000
  • 1,500 sq. ft. Total Cost: $16,500-$22,500

Xeriscaping In Arizona

If you are interested in increasing the beauty of your landscape by buying desert plants, stop by our convenient location at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For customers interested in our landscaping services, give us a call at (480) 488-9455 to schedule a visit to your home.

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Types Of Rocks For Landscaping

Types Of Rocks For Landscaping

What are the most commonly used landscaping rocks today? Let’s look at a few!

Decomposed Granite

Typically coming with a reddish-tan coloring, decomposed granite will give your landscape design a soft and rustic feel. It is extremely popular due to its low cost, and is usually found around trails and trees.

Benefits Of Using Decomposed Granite:

  • Affordable.
  • Versatile.
  • Helps With Drainage.

River Rock

River rocks are commonly utilized for big and small landscaping projects. Homeowners love these rocks for their smooth texture and size. These rocks are much bigger than pea gravel, which helps create beautiful garden surroundings or dry creek beds. Others may choose river rocks for an aesthetically pleasing pathway used to direct drainage.

Benefits Of Using River Rock:

  • Limits Soil Erosion.
  • Naturally Deter Weeds.
  • Natural Substance.

River Rock

Flagstone

Many landscaping projects will call for smaller pebbles. Meanwhile, other projects will need the use of larger rocks like flagstone. These rocks are ideal as stepping stones, walkways and garden paths. Think of flagstone as a great supporting cast for your lawn.

Benefits Of Using Flagstone:

  • No Maintenance Needs.
  • Extremely Durable.
  • Turf And Moss Can Be Planted Around Flagstone.

Brick Chips

While not technically a rock, brick chips are still a popular choice for hardscapes. These rocks are comprised of crushed fragments of bricks that come in brown and reddish hues. Most individuals choose to use brick chips for path and driveways.

Benefits Of Using Brick Chips:

  • Substitute For Organic Mulch.
  • No Need To Replace Them.
  • Durable.

Marble Chips

Marble is no longer just for use in the kitchen. Marble chips are now common for covering soil around other landscape design elements. One downside is you should not use marble chips around plants that require high levels of acid.

Benefits Of Using Marble Chips:

  • Gets Warmer Than Organic Mulch.
  • Won’t Blow Away Like Other Mulch Materials.
  • Does Not Need To Be Replaced.

Lava Rock

Composed of real lava from volcanoes, lava rock features bold colors that will be sure to stand out. Lava rocks provide a beautiful accent to any landscaping designs. Ideal for dry climates, lava rocks can absorb heat well during the day, releasing it at night.

Benefits Of Using Lava Rock:

  • Lightweight.
  • Protects The Soil.
  • Porous.

Lava Rock

Crushed Granite Gravel

Crushed granite gravel comes with larger particles than decomposed granite. Use this gravel to create a scenic walkway from garden to home.

Benefits Of Using Crushed Granite Gravel:

  • Affordable.
  • Soft And Natural Look.
  • Drains Efficiently.

Pea Gravel

Only up to 1/8-inch in size, pea gravel can be white, tan or brown, meaning it can be used in multiple areas. Often, pea gravel covers driveways or fills in gaps.

Benefits Of Using Pea Gravel:

  • Doesn’t Decompose Like Mulch.
  • Easy To Install.
  • Will Prevent Erosion.

Cactus For Sale In Arizona

If you are interested in increasing the beauty of your landscape by buying desert plants, stop by our convenient location at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For customers interested in our landscaping services, give us a call at (480) 488-9455 to schedule a visit to your home.

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Why Is My Cactus Turning Yellow?

Why Is My Cactus Turning Yellow?

If you are wondering why your cactus is turning yellow, we’re here to provide four possible explanations for the discoloration taking place.

Reasons A Cactus Turns Yellow

The four reasons why a cactus may become discolored include:

  • Cactus positioning.
  • Excess of light.
  • Lack of light.
  • Indoors.

Cactus Positioning

A cacti needs full exposure of sunlight for 6-8 hours each day to grow properly. In most cases, the southern aspects of the garden will receive the most sunlight on a daily basis. If you happen to move a cacti outdoors due to overwatering indoors, place the plant in a low light spot for the first few days. Then, gradually increase the amount of light it is exposed to after that trial period. Starting with low light, then increasing exposure over time gives the plant the best opportunity to adapt to its new environment.

Excess Of Light

The amount of light needed does depend on the type of cacti you have. You will be able to judge how much light is needed by monitoring any discoloration. Orange and yellow discolorations are clear indicators of too much light exposure. If a cactus is moved too close to light, it can become scorched. A scorched cacti will develop permanent rings atop the plant.

Lack Of Light

When placing your cacti in a certain spot, it is vital to recognize the signs of a plant not receiving enough light. Cacti that grows toward light sources needs to be moved closer to the light. Make sure to rotate the plant frequently so all sides receive a proper amount of sunlight.

Indoors

Cacti positioned close to windows indoor will begin yellowing when facing south. A net style curtain placed on the window can help decrease the yellowing progression. If any discoloration is noticed, it is suggested to move the cacti further away from the window.

Cactus For Sale In Arizona

If you are interested in increasing the beauty of your landscape by buying desert plants, stop by our convenient location at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For customers interested in our landscaping services, give us a call at (480) 488-9455 to schedule a visit to your home.

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How To Bring A Dead Palm Tree Back To Life

How To Bring A Dead Palm Tree Back To Life

How To Save A Dying Palm Tree

Here is a step-by-step guide to reviving a palm tree:

  • Add proper amount of water
  • Use high-quality fertilizer
  • Use top-notch soil
  • Cut fronds only after they are dead
  • Do not prune during hurricane season
  • Plant palms at the right level
  • Provide the right nutrients
  • Increase or decrease sunlight

Add Proper Amount Of Water

Overwatering or underwatering can damage your palm tree. An excess of water may cause the fronds to turn yellow or brown, eventually dying off completely. Underwatering will dry out the leaves, turning them to a shade of brown, as well. Adding about 30 percent sand to your soil is the perfect mixture to prevent overwatering with this help in draining. Make sure the palms are watered more often in the summer than during the winter.

Use High-Quality Fertilizer

By giving your palm tree the nutrients it desperately needs, a healthy and long-lasting growth and development should occur. Using cheap fertilizer can deprive the tree of nutrients, making it more susceptible to disease. Keep a good distance of two-feet away from the roots when applying this fertilizer.

Use Top-Notch Soil

Of course, this step is for palm tree owners who have just purchased the new plant. Using the best and most appropriate soil will give the palm the right moisture to grow and develop. Mixing fertilizer with soil can burn roots, so please avoid this combination.

Cut Fronds Only After They Are Dead

When one first notices the tips of leaves turning brown, it might be a gut instinct to cut these parts off right away. This is not the best way to approach the scenario, though. Cutting the leaves too soon can easily result in a loss of nutrients. Only cut these leaves away after they are dead.

Do Not Prune During Hurricane Season

There is some misinformation about the proper time to prune your trees. Do not prune before hurricane or monsoon season. This will reduce weight, but it will undoubtedly put more stress on the palm tree. These fronds actually provide protection against the wind.

Plant Palms At The Right Level

This means planting the palm tree only deep enough to cover the root ball. Mexican Fan Palm Trees can be buried up to five feet deeper than the root ball. This same rule applies when you are simply replacing a palm tree.

Provide The Right Nutrients

Provide your tree with the right amount of calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. Without the necessary nutrients, your palm can experience a whole list of troubling issues. Any discoloration, growth of spots and deformation could be signs of lack of nutrients. Iron deficiency can cause broken ends and thin green veins.

Increase Or Decrease Sunlight

If left in direct sunlight, new palm trees can actually become sunburned. The leaves will turn brown when not receiving enough sunlight, on the other hand. Find the perfect spot to plant your tree with the ideal amount of light hitting the area during the day.

Desert Plants For Sale Cave Creek, Arizona

If you are interested in increasing the beauty of your landscape by buying desert plants, stop by our convenient location at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For customers interested in our landscaping services, give us a call at (480) 488-9455 to schedule a visit to your home.

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When are the Saguaro Cactus in Bloom in AZ?

Saguaro Cactus

Every spring giant saguaro cactus produce one of the most beautiful flowers in the Sonoran Desert. These big white flowers bloom during the night and close the next day. They get their pollination by birds, insects, and sometimes bats.

These cactus bloom throughout the months of April, May, and June. A lot of people wonder if the flowers could be blooming earlier than in the past because of increasing desert heat, that may cause the plants to start to be out of sync with migration patterns of their pollinators.

Saguaro National Park has implemented a Citizen Science project for studying saguaro flower phenology. Phenology is the examination of natural life happenings, like when a plant blooms. Every day they go to the desert and count the saguaro’s flowers. Their goal is to tie the flowering times with meteorological extents and past records on saguaro flowers to gain insight about changes in saguaro phenology after a certain period of time.

Saguaros reach their reproductive age and put their first flowers forth when they get to a height of around 7 feet, or when they reach 30-65 years of age. Saguaro flowering starts around the last 2 weeks of April, and peak flowering happens throughout the last week of May through the 1st week in June.

Saguaro flowering is triggered by winter rains in addition to the increased length of the day, and the warmer temperatures of springtime.

Saguaro fruit usually ripens into a reddish color in late June and early July.

Source:

  1. “Saguaro Flower Power Project.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/sagu/getinvolved/saguaro-flower-power-project.htm.

Cactus For Sale Cave Creek, Arizona

If you are interested in increasing the beauty of your landscape by buying cactus, stop by our convenient location at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd., in Cave Creek. For customers interested in our landscaping services, give us a call at (480) 488-9455 to schedule a visit to your home.

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Mulch vs Compost | Differences

Are you a homeowner who appreciates having your garden looking hearty and healthy? Sometimes it can be challenging to make sure that your flowers and plants grow properly, but you don’t need to be an expert gardener to have a beautiful garden. Fortunately for those of us who haven’t developed our green thumbs yet, there are a couple of tricks that can help! One of these tricks includes using compost or mulch in your garden. On the other hand, there are a couple of questions that need to be answered first. Which one is best and what are the differences between them?

Mulch Vs Compost 

It’s hard to decide between mulch and compost. However, something that can make the decision even more difficult is not fully knowing what each one has to offer. This post will describe what mulch and compost are, and how they can be beneficial to you and your garden.

Mulch

Mulch is a type of non-living, organic material that can be dispersed across the top of the soil. It is intended to cover anything that was planted beneath the surface. Mulch is used as an overall term, as countless materials fall under the category.

Among others, materials you can include newspaper (with organic dyes), composted wood chips, tree bark, leaves, and straw. Shredded leaves are the most universal form of mulch because they are free and can be found naturally in your yard. Wood mulch is also favorable, as it is also natural and light to carry to various areas.

Benefits of Using Mulch

There are a lot of benefits of choosing to use mulch.

  • It is able to maintain the moisture in the soil. Your plants will find it easier to get water and moisture, as it will not dry up as fast. Additionally, more nutrients will be retained in the soil, making it rich and easier for your plants to grow.
  • Mulch naturally fights weed growth. When undesirable seeds are blown into a part of your garden that is covered in mulch, the weeds can’t take root and grow. In general, this will benefit you, as you won’t have to spend time and effort weeding your garden.
  • Mulch helps manages temperatures so that plants have a better chance of thriving outdoors. In colder temperatures, mulch can safeguard roots and lowers the probability of plants being uprooted due to the contracting soil. In warmer temperatures, the roots are kept healthy and cool.

Compost

Compost is comprised of organic materials that have decomposed. It will be dark brown in color and shouldn’t have a bad smell. Compost is added to the soil, far beneath its top layer. When digging your garden bed, you can add some compost to a hole, then plant the flowers over the hole. Compost can be worked into the soil so that it is more spread out when placed next to plants.

Benefits Of Using Compost

By using compost in your garden, there will be more nutrients near the roots of your plants. They will have an easier time absorbing these nutrients and will grow healthier. Additionally, the nutrients will be released over time. This means that months (sometimes years) later, the plants can still thrive in the enriched soil.

Common household products can be used as compost. This includes items from the kitchen, including used paper towels, tea bags, eggshells, and fruit peels. Despite that, compost is not limited to kitchen items. You can also compost pencil shavings, cotton balls, or animal or human hair. Compost allows you to recycle otherwise useless materials that would have ended up in a landfill.

Composting is especially beneficial to the soil itself. If there were harmful chemicals or unnatural preservatives in the soil, they are removed naturally. After a while, the composting materials will revitalize the soil and get rid of the toxins that will prevent plants from growing and flourishing.

Mulch And Compost Conclusion

Now you have two different options regarding your garden. Whether you use compost or mulch as fertilizer, they are free, lightweight and natural. Overall, it is a better option than man-made fertilizers, where you don’t know the ingredients. But which should you use?

People who plant gardens and want their plants to emerge every year after the frost clears. This means that you should choose to start composting because it is a more long-term fertilizer. Composting will take dedication but will pay off in the end. Gather a compost pile and use it as a natural fertilizer in your garden. The soil in your garden will steadily improve in richness and plants will have an easier time growing.

Desert Foothills Gardens Is A Desert Plant Nursery In Cave Creek

Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery offers desert plants and landscape design in Cave Creek, Arizona. If you are looking for the best quality, widest selection, and healthiest plants to put in your landscape or garden in the Phoenix area, Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery is your #1 source. If you would like to view our desert plant selection stop by our nursery in Cave Creek or give us a call at (480) 488-9455.

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Garden Soil Vs. Potting Mix | Differences

For a lot of gardeners they had to learn the advantages are for garden soil vs. potting mix.  Depending on the application with consideration of the nutrient retention and moisture of the soil, then you will want one over the other. Being able to know that different types of soil can mean a big difference in having a satisfying and successful gardening season and simply wasting effort and time trying to cultivate the ground that just won’t reward your efforts with a good garden.

Potting Soil

Potting mix is manufactured and it doesn’t actually contain much organic material. The biggest feature of potting mix is that it can retain moisture in a container that has several plants. Although, as time goes on the mix can become dry and will repel water with age. Whenever this happens, topping the potting mix with organic material is needed to keep your potted plants thriving.

Gardening Soils

Garden soil usually come in 50/50 mixes. These are great for open beds instead of pots. This is because these types of soil will retain too much moisture when in an enclosed container unlike being exposed to the open. Garden soil also has a tendency to pull away from the containers when it dries out. There are even some soils that have clay in them that is too heavy for a pot and will compact and settle like concrete.

Loam vs. top soil

Top soil is the highest layer of soil and it can be 12 inches deep. Relying on what organic matter lands on the top soil can really vary between being worth nothing and nutrient rich. Also relying on the area will depend on if there is silt, clay or sand in the soil. Additionally, depending on your area and previous owners it may also contain chemicals such as pesticides.

Loam is soil that has silt, clay, and sand evenly distributed in it. Normally loam will contain 50% sand, 7-20% clay and 30-40% silt. When people state that they are selling loam, it is vital to know that calling it loam doesn’t state the organic material but that it has various soil types in it.

It is quite easy to confuse loam and top soil because you could have loam in your yard. To remember them top soil is the location of the soil and loam is the quality of the soil being a balance of various soil types.

Whenever you purchase top soil, a good rule is to pay attention to the type of top soil that you are being offered. It could be just regular top soil or loam top soil. You may judge it yourself and what you should look for is the soil to be crumbly not gritty or sticky. It needs to be firm enough to roll between your hands when wet.

Garden soil types

There are 6 types of soils that you may find. They way that you group them in your garden will depend on what you have in your soil the most.

Clay Soil

Clay soils will have over 25% clay. It is also called heavy soil. Despite that it is high in nutrients, it has a tendency to retain a lot of water. This means that it takes much longer to drain and a lot longer to warm up unlike sand. During the summer the soil may get so dry that it cracks. During wet months it can be easily compacted if walked on when wet. This is a challenging type of soil to grow in, but with the right plants and some patience its rewarding.

Chalky Soil

Chalky soil has larger grained and will have a stonier consistency unlike other soils. This soil is free draining and will sit over limestone or chalk bedrock. It has high alkalinity can lead to stunted growth and yellow leaves. This can be fixed by adding fertilizer to fix the pH and adding humus to fix the quick drain and improve the workability.

Sandy Soil

Sandy soils will have mostly sand in the soil. It is known as light soil. During rain storms or watering, it will drain quickly and will be easy to cultivate and work. During the morning and spring they will warm up quickly than clay. It doesn’t really hold nutrients and it dries quickly. It also has high acid levels.

Silt Soil

Silt soil is in between clay and sand soil. It has a mineral origin of quartz and feldspar. It is mainly found in places where rivers and lakes had existed. It is considered to be the most fertile soil. It drains better than clay but has enough moisture to support plant growth.

This is great for perennials, grass, climbers and shrubs. Trees such as Dogwood, Willows, Birch, and Cypress love this soil because of the moisture. It is also good for vegetable and fruit crops if there is enough drainage.

Loam Soil

Loam soils is a combination of multiple soil types and avoids the extremes of sandy and clay soils while being quite fertile. Loams are easy to work and will drain well. There are sandy-loam and clay-loam variants depending on the characteristics.

This soil is great for most berry and vegetable crops. It can also grow shrubs, perennials, bamboo and much more. This is a great option for a serious gardener. It does take a bit to maintain it by rotating crops and maintain the moisture, especially during dry and hot months.

Peat Soil

Peat soils are mainly made of organic matter and are quite fertile and will hold plenty of moisture. However, you will rarely find it in gardens. Peat soil is considered peat soil when it has over 30% organic matter or dry mass that has gathered and composted on the surface. It is basically a mix of decomposed plant material that has decayed in an oxygen free and water saturated environment.

This is great soil for root crops that need well drained soils to thrive. You can have a lot of success with growing things such as lantern trees, witch hazel, heather and camellia. When it comes to vegetables that absolutely love this soil, you will find root crops, legumes, and some salad type crops really excel within this soil.

Phoenix Valley Nursery & Gardening Center

If you are looking for wide selection of soils or potting mix along with healthy plants to buy from a nursery Desert Foothill Gardens is the place for expert advice, the best plants, and landscaping design.  Stop by to talk about what you want to grow and we will help you find the right soil and the right location to plant your new plants.

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What Type Of Water Fountain Should I Buy?

A lot of homeowners wonder “What Type Of Water Fountain Should I Buy?”.  This guide helps outline what types of water fountains there are, and which are better for different spaces.

While water fountains might seem simple on the surface there are different designs and types.  There are water fountains which sit on the ground and others are mounted straight to walls. Depending on the area your fountain will reside, the architect

A fountain is available for any location in your home, your residential landscape, and even your commercial office!

Wall Fountains

  • Beauty & Appeal:

Choose by the statement you want it to say about your home and/or office.

  • Saving Space:

By placing your fountain upon a wall you will be making more space in your home and/or office.

  • Painting Alternative:

Put some elegance in the room of your choice by creating wall fountains, by changing the normal

wall décor to fountains.

  • Out of Reach:

Since it is harder for children and pets to reach, it makes things a lot safer.

  • Branding:

Add your company’s log to your fountain and increase brand exposure.

Floor Fountains and Water Walls

  • Visual Impact:

Water walls will captivate customers, and gives off a relaxing effect.

  • Pet Accessible:

It can also benefit your pet, for pets enjoy it when they are allowed to drink from a fountain.

  • Company Logo

Use your logo for personalizing your company’s brand, and start receiving more brand recognition.

  • Easily Moved:

Keep in mind, the floor fountains are easily moved, since they are not mounted on a wall.

  • Simple Installation:

Fountains that stay on the floor are usually easily installed.

  • Fills Vertical Space:

Outdoor / Garden Fountains

  • Large Focal Point:

One way to put that ‘Wow’ factor into your home and/or office is to install an Outdoor – Garden Fountain.

  • Coin Collection:

People will be tossing coins in your Outdoor – Garden Fountain, to make wishes. Imagine, collecting these coins up every day!

  • Noise Mitigation:

You would be able to drown out/block any unwanted noises by having a larger fountain installed. Replace the unwanted sounds with the soothing that comes from the water.

  • Easy Installation:

The garden fountain will be easy to install, for the majority of them is only going to need a level surface.

  • Doubles as Birdbath:

You will be able to relax and watch as the birds use your fountain as their playground.

Lake and Pond Fountains

  • Controls Bugs and Mosquitoes:

Having a lake fountain is beneficial, as it creates water that is agitated, which helps the water from drawing in mosquitos for developing their eggs.

  • Improves Water Quality:

Pond and lake fountains help in increase the waters circulation, improve the water quality, the life of the fish and plants.

  • Aesthetic Appeal:

Enhance your home and/or office with a pond or lake fountain, with the stunning effect it gives off visually.

  • Inhibits Algae Growth:

The growth of algae will be limited from the circulation a fountain puts in the water, additionally, it also makes the water better oxygenated.

Tabletop Fountains

  • Perfect for Pets:

Most pets enjoy playing, and drinking, from a fountain, however, maybe not your cat! Also, fountains will be safe for your pets.

  • Quick and Easy Set up:

It only takes a few minutes to set up a table top fountain.

  • Affordable:

Even if you have a tight budget, a tabletop fountain will let you enjoy a fountains many benefits.

  • Great for Small Spaces:

A tabletop fountain is going to give your home and/or office that element – that says sophistication.

  • Great Gift:

When you have to get a gift for someone, whether it is a friend, a family member, customers, or spouse, Tabletop fountains are great to give.

Phoenix Valley Water Fountain Sales

If you live in or near the Phoenix Valley in Arizona and would like to get a new water fountain Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery, Inc. has a wide selection, friendly sales, and expert landscapers. We have design specialists that can help you choose the right look, size, and material for your water fountain.  When you are asking “What type of water fountain should I buy?” we will help you narrow down what matters to you, and find the perfect choice for your home or office. Call us at 480-488-9455 for information about our fountains.

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What is Xeriscape?

Are you searching google for “What Is Xeriscape” while looking for an explanation? If so, Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery, Inc. is here to tell you what exactly a Xeriscape is, and what it is not.  It is not a specific group or look of plants. It is a combination of 7 commonsense principles of gardening that saves resources, water, and time while creating a visually stunning, beautiful landscape.

Xeriscape landscapes are incredibly beautiful and a practical choice for outdoor spaces in the Phoenix Valley. Requiring little to no maintenance or watering, Xeriscape landscapes save significant amounts of two of the most valuable commodities around; time and money. Keep your outdoor spaces looking beautiful, vibrant, and lively with designs, plants, seeds, supplies and maintenance for your Xeriscape outdoor space from Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery, Inc.

The 7 principles of Xeriscape are:

  1. Plan & Design: Do this for beauty and water conservation from the very beginning. Your design will make it easier to adapt and change as needed. The design makes it easy to complete the project in various phases. From the beginning, middle, and end.
  2. Make Practical Turf Areas: They need to be manageable grades, sizes and shapes. Be careful of using paved patios and walkways, as they could lead to drainage problems.
  3. Pick Low-Water Plants: If you can, try using plants that are native south central Arizona. This is not exclusive, as some plants have become adapted to the climate. Be sure to group them according to their watering needs.  This practice is called hydrozoning. Then you can experiment to find how often and how much water you need to use.
  4. Utilize Soil Amendments: Do this while you plant. Compost is best; it will help aerate the soil.
  5. Use Mulch: Similar to wood chips or cobble rock to keep the soil cool and reduce evaporation. Hate weeding your garden? Use mulch.
  6. Efficiently Irrigate: Use a properly designed irrigation system and apply the right amount of water at the right time. You can even utilize a timer, that way your plants get watered at the same time each day or week. If you prefer, you can also water your plants by hand.
  7. Maintain Your Landscape Properly: Learn how to weed, mow, prune and fertilize your Xeriscape properly.

You can get more information about the fundamentals of Xeriscape by contacting your local Xeriscape program, reading books about Xeriscape, or logging into the sites under References & Resources.

What Xeriscape Is Not

Now that we know what Xerixcaping is, we can nail down what it is not.  A lot of people think that Xeriscape is nothing but yards with a pile of gravel, rocks, no lawn, and nothing but native plants with no grass.  This couldn’t be further from the truth as well designed, installed, and maintained Xeriscape landscaping is visually stunning, full of vibrant colors and lush green plants including grass.  Read more of what Xeriscape is NOT below:

  • Xeriscape is NOT dry only.

Even though dry-only landscaping can be colorful, and lush, limited areas of high watered areas are consistent with wise water use. A heavily irrigated field turf would make sense, because it recovers fast from heavy use.

  • Xeriscape is NOT just gravel and rocks.

It isn’t zeroscape. Although dry rock gardens are great, there are plenty of choices other than rocks for dry areas of Xeriscapes. Dry means no added water. Xeriscape means that there is some water in well-controlled amounts of water and locations in the landscape.

  • Xeriscape is NOT a lawnless landscape.

Some lawn, even species that are highly watered, can be wise water usage. Less-lawn landscape instead of lawnless is a more appropriate statement.

  • Xeriscape is NOT just native only.

There are plenty of local plants that are adapted to the local climate which are great additions to landscapes that use water wisely. For instance, Iris, Roses, Tulips are well adapted to non-irrigated landscapes.

  • Xeriscape is NOT boring.

A well planned Xeriscape is a great example of diversity and beauty that may make your neighbors jealous.

Phoenix Valley Xeriscape Design & Installation

Desert Foothills Gardens, Inc. has a team of award winning landscape design specialists who are experts in Xeriscape landscaping.  We will help you design a visually impressive, low maintenance, low water use Xeriscape that will bring unmistakable beauty to your residential or commercial property. If you have any questions or are looking to get started please stop by or give us a call today.

Call Us Today At – (480) 488-9455

Xeriscape
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The Benefits of Ground Covering Plants

Gardening is one of those practices that seem to always offer a way that you can improve on your craft. There always seems to be an undiscovered wrinkle that you can add to your skill set or knowledge base and new developments seem to be happening non-stop in almost all areas of our ever-progressing society. That means that science will provide you with new advances to take advantage of when you have mastered the tried and true techniques that have been developed in the past. The chase never ends because being awarded for evolving your skill set is highly addictive and the possibilities with gardening are nearly endless. One way that you can improve the efficiency of your garden is by planting ground covering plants throughout your garden bed. Ground covering plants can do a lot to add to the visual appeal of your garden, but the real benefit comes in the form of their ability to control weed growth. There are many different ground covering plant species that you can choose from and understanding them will allow you to get the most out of the benefits that they provide.

One reason that ground covering plants are so effective at controlling and limiting weed growth is their ability to grow and spread just as fast as weeds do. The advantage that weeds have over the plants in your garden is the speed in which they can propagate and multiply. Staying ahead of their competition within your garden bed allows weeds to invade and eventually leach all of the available nutrients. One reason for this advantage is that weeds are compatible with their local environment so much so that this kind of speed is possible in their growth. Many plants we choose to plant in our gardens are not native to the area that we live which can limit their ability to naturally propagate and spread efficiently. Finding the right ground covering plant species to add to your garden will all but eliminate the possibility of weeds taking over your garden or even successfully infiltrating in order to merely share the space.

Species such as Ajuga, Vinca Minor as well as English Ivy are all very effective and bring their own unique attributes to the table. English Ivy adds an elegant and rustic feel as it cascades over surfaces that is has spread over. It really does a lot to a gardens aesthetic and can make edges appear to be softer. Species like Vinca and Periwinkle can add a lot of bright and vibrant colors while keeping weeds at bay. They will show bright blues and purples. If you want pinks and white, Ajuga flashes those colors brilliantly. You can combine ground covering plants in different sections of your garden, but make sure to control the manner in which they spread, especially ivy. These species can also take over a space if they are allowed to grow and spread unchecked. Finding the right ground covering plant species can do wonders for your garden on both the functional and visual spectrums.

Garden, Ground Covering Plants
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