Written by webtechs

What Planting Zone is Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, Arizona is primarily in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b, with some parts falling into Zone 10a depending on elevation and urban heat effects.

🌱 What This Means for Planting:

  • Zone 9b:

    • Avg. annual minimum temperature: 25°F to 30°F

    • Most of Phoenix is in this zone.

  • Zone 10a (warmer microclimates):

    • Avg. annual minimum temperature: 30°F to 35°F

    • Found in central/urban Phoenix or south of the city.

🌼 What You Can Grow in Zone 9b/10a:

✅ Fruit & Citrus Trees:

  • Lemons, limes, oranges, figs, pomegranates, dates

✅ Vegetables:

  • Fall/Winter: Lettuce, broccoli, carrots, peas

  • Spring/Summer: Melons, okra, eggplant, peppers

✅ Herbs:

  • Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, mint

✅ Ornamentals & Trees:

  • Bougainvillea, lantana, Texas sage, palo verde, mesquite

🗓️ Planting Calendar Tip:

Because of Phoenix’s desert climate, fall and early spring are the best times to plant — avoid mid-summer plantings unless you’re using shade cloth and drip irrigation.

Here’s a Phoenix-Specific Planting Calendar for USDA Zone 9b/10a, plus a list of drought-tolerant plants that thrive in your desert climate.

🌵 PHOENIX PLANTING CALENDAR (Zone 9b/10a)

🥬 Cool-Season Crops (Plant: October–February)

  • Lettuce

  • Kale

  • Spinach

  • Broccoli

  • Carrots

  • Beets

  • Onions

  • Garlic

  • Peas

  • Radishes

🌟 Tip: Best germination in October–November. Use row covers in Dec–Jan if frost hits.

🍅 Warm-Season Crops (Plant: Mid-February–April)

  • Tomatoes (start indoors in Jan, transplant in Feb/March)

  • Peppers

  • Eggplant

  • Squash (zucchini, crookneck)

  • Melons (cantaloupe, watermelon)

  • Beans (green beans, black-eyed peas)

  • Corn

  • Cucumbers

🌡️ Note: Shade cloth helps protect tender starts from late spring heat.

🌞 Hot-Season Crops (Plant: July–August)

For monsoon planting (heat-loving crops that can germinate fast in warm soil):

  • Okra

  • Cowpeas

  • Armenian cucumbers

  • Sweet potatoes

  • Malabar spinach

🍋 Fruits & Citrus (Plant Trees: Fall or Spring)

  • Citrus: Lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit (plant Feb–April or Oct–Nov)

  • Pomegranate (best planted fall to early spring)

  • Fig

  • Jujube

  • Olive

  • Date palm (needs space and heat)

🌼 DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR PHOENIX

🌺 Flowering Shrubs & Perennials

  • Lantana – colorful, attracts butterflies

  • Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum frutescens) – purple blooms after monsoons

  • Desert Ruellia – purple flowers, low water

  • Red Bird of Paradise – bright orange-red flowers

  • Chuparosa – hummingbird favorite, red tubular flowers

🌳 Trees

  • Palo Verde (AZ state tree) – yellow blooms, low water

  • Desert Willow – fast-growing, trumpet flowers

  • Mesquite (Native types) – shade provider, deep-rooted

  • Ironwood – beautiful lavender flowers in spring

🌵 Succulents & Cacti

  • Agave

  • Aloe Vera

  • Ocotillo

  • Barrel Cactus

  • Golden Torch Cactus

🌿 Groundcovers & Grasses

  • Damianita – yellow flowers, compact

  • Desert Marigold – bright and fast-spreading

  • Deer Grass (Muhlenbergia rigens) – native, ornamental

  • Trailing Rosemary – fragrant, edible, heat-tolerant

Here’s a Phoenix-Specific Drip Irrigation Schedule tailored to Zone 9b/10a, factoring in the desert climate, plant type, and season. This guide helps you water efficiently using drip emitters while avoiding overwatering or plant stress.

💧 PHOENIX DRIP IRRIGATION SCHEDULE

(For native & desert-adapted plants and non-natives)

🌡️ General Guidelines by Season

Season Frequency Depth of Watering
Winter (Dec–Feb) Every 14–30 days Deep soak (18–24″)
Spring (Mar–May) Every 7–14 days Deep soak (18–24″)
Summer (Jun–Sept) Every 3–7 days (native)
Every 2–3 days (non-native)
Deep soak (18–24″)
Fall (Oct–Nov) Every 7–14 days Deep soak (18–24″)

Note: Native plants tolerate longer gaps. Adjust for soil type: sandy = more frequent, clay = less frequent.

🪴 By Plant Type (Drip Irrigation System)

🌳 Trees (Desert & Non-Desert)

  • Emitters: 2–4 emitters, 2–4 GPH

  • Watering zone: Near dripline (not trunk)

  • Schedule:

    • Summer: Every 7–10 days

    • Winter: Every 21–30 days

🌿 Shrubs

  • Emitters: 1–2 emitters, 1–2 GPH

  • Schedule:

    • Summer: Every 5–7 days

    • Winter: Every 14–30 days

🌼 Groundcovers / Perennials / Flowers

  • Emitters: 1 emitter, 0.5–1 GPH

  • Schedule:

    • Summer: Every 3–5 days

    • Winter: Every 10–14 days

🍋 Citrus & Fruit Trees

  • Emitters: 4+ emitters, 2–4 GPH

  • Schedule:

    • Summer: Every 7 days (long soak ~2 hours)

    • Winter: Every 14–21 days

🌵 Cacti & Succulents

  • Emitters: 1 emitter, low flow (0.5 GPH)

  • Schedule:

    • Summer: Every 21–30 days

    • Winter: Rarely if at all

🔁 How Long to Run Your System?

Calculate Time:

Time (minutes)=(Gallons NeededFlow Rate (GPH))×60\text{Time (minutes)} = \left( \frac{\text{Gallons Needed}}{\text{Flow Rate (GPH)}} \right) \times 60

Example:
A shrub needs 4 gallons
You have 2 emitters @ 1 GPH

42=2 hours (120 minutes)\frac{4}{2} = 2 \text{ hours (120 minutes)}

🧠 SMART TIPS

  • Use a soil probe (or screwdriver): If it goes in easily 6–10″, you’re watered enough.

  • Always water at night or early morning to reduce evaporation.

  • Add mulch around emitters to keep soil moist longer.

  • Check for emitter clogs monthly — mineral buildup is common in Phoenix.

Desert Landscaping in Phoenix

Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery, Inc. has been Phoenix’s source for design, plan selection, and maintenance since 1985. We have a team of experts that help with the overall plan for your desert landscape that includes plant selection, design, irrigation, and water management strategies. If you are interested in seeing how Desert Foothills Gardens Nursery, Inc. could provide a low maintenance and low water use landscape at your home or business either stop our nursery at 33840 N. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek or give us a call at 480-488-9455.

 

Finding The Right Metal Yard Art Near Me
Written by webtechs

Finding The Right Metal Yard Art Near Me

Finding the right metal yard art involves balancing style, durability, size, and budget to match your outdoor space. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best piece:

🎨 1. Know Your Style

Start by choosing a theme that suits your yard or garden:

  • Rustic – Weathered steel, patina finishes

  • Modern – Sleek stainless or powder-coated metals

  • Whimsical – Animal figures, kinetic sculptures, colorful elements

  • Southwestern – Cactus, suns, kokopelli figures, often in corten steel

  • Abstract or Minimalist – Geometric or flowing forms

📏 2. Consider Size and Placement

  • Small accents: Fit well in flower beds or on patios (e.g., 1–2 feet tall)

  • Medium sculptures: Work as focal points (2–4 feet)

  • Large installations: Stand out in open areas or entryways (5+ feet)

🔍 Tip: Use tall art to draw the eye upward in a flat yard or wide garden.

🌦️ 3. Choose Durable Materials

Look for weather-resistant metals:

  • Corten Steel: Develops a stable rust-like patina without corroding

  • Stainless Steel: Sleek and rust-resistant

  • Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, good for windy areas

  • Copper or Brass: Develop beautiful patinas over time

🔧 4. Check for Proper Coating

If painted or coated:

  • Look for UV-resistant paint to prevent fading

  • Powder coating improves durability and color longevity

🛒 5. Where to Buy

  • Local garden centers and nurseries often carry unique, handcrafted pieces

  • Art festivals or craft fairs for original work

  • Online sources:

💡 6. Lighting and Mounting

  • Consider adding solar lights or uplighting to highlight your art at night.

  • Make sure it’s securely mounted or weighted if exposed to wind.

Other Tips

  • Take a photo of your yard before buying to visualize scale.

  • Combine metal art with plants, stones, or water features for harmony.

  • Don’t be afraid to mix styles if it reflects your personality.

If you’re seeking Southwestern-style metal yard art in Arizona, you’re in a prime location to find unique, handcrafted pieces that reflect the desert’s beauty and culture. Here’s a curated guide to help you discover the perfect art for your outdoor space:

🛍️ Local Arizona Artists & Shops

1. The Metal Gardener (Tucson, AZ)

Jon “WATTO” Watson creates storytelling sculptures inspired by desert life. His rusted and sealed steel pieces include wall art, statuary, and large installations, all crafted in Tucson. The Metal Gardener

2. Artistic Alloys & Design (Phoenix/Scottsdale)

Specializing in custom metal yard art, they work with various metals like iron, stainless steel, and copper to bring your design ideas to life. Artistic Alloys & Design, LLC.

3. Rusted Desert Metal Art (Tucson, AZ)

Offers handcrafted metal art inspired by the Tucson desert, including saguaros, prickly pears, and organ pipe cacti sculptures. RUSTED DESERT METAL ART

4. Cuevas Imports (Arizona)

Provides a wide selection of wholesale and bulk metal yard art, perfect for decorating large properties or for resale. cuevasimports.com+1Artistic Alloys & Design, LLC.+1

5. Southwest Garden Arts (Chino Valley & Lake Havasu City, AZ)

A family-owned store offering a variety of fountains, fire pits, and custom metal features to enhance your outdoor living space. Southwest Garden Arts

🛒 Online Options

  • Etsy: Search for “Arizona metal art” to find a plethora of handcrafted pieces from local artisans. Etsy

  • Direct From Mexico: Offers rustic iron yard art and metal garden sculptures handmade by skilled artisans in Mexico, featuring Southwest desert themes. Direct From Mexico+1Pinterest+1