Professional landscape maintenance in Arizona is tailored to its unique desert environment and the specific challenges it presents. Due to the hot, arid climate, common outdoor maintenance here differs from what one might expect in more temperate zones. Here’s what’s typically included:
1. Watering/Irrigation
One of the most important outdoor maintenance tasks in Arizona is to regularly check, adjust, and repair your irrigation system. Making sure your system is operating efficiently will ensure all of your plants are getting the right amount of water they need to thrive in this hot environment.
A commonly overlooked maintenance tasks is to adjust your system to the perfect amount of watering. Many plants require different amounts of water and plenty of Arizona plants don’t require much. To avoid root rot and other overwatering conditions, make sure to research your plants and learn the recommended watering schedule. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your irrigation system.
Testing Your Irrigation System
- Start at the Source: Ensure your main water source is functional. This might be a tap or a dedicated water line.
- Activate Each Zone: Turn on one zone at a time. This allows you to focus on specific sections without overwhelming the system.
- Inspect for Wet Spots or Puddles: This indicates a leak or a broken sprinkler head.
- Look for Dry Spots: These might suggest blockages or misaligned sprinkler heads.
- Examine Drip Emitters: Ensure they’re dripping and not clogged.
- Check System Pressure: Too high or too low pressure can affect distribution. Use a water pressure gauge to verify.
Fixing Your Irrigation System
- Replace Broken Sprinkler Heads: Unscrew the damaged head and replace it with a new one, ensuring it’s the same model or compatible.
- Unclog Drip Emitters: Remove the emitter and soak it in a vinegar solution to dissolve mineral buildup. If still clogged, replace it.
- Adjust Misaligned Heads: Redirect any sprinkler heads that are watering pavements or missing plants.
- Fix Leaks: For a cracked pipe, cut out the damaged section and replace it with a new piece using couplers. For small leaks, rubber tape or repair kits can be effective.
- Regulate System Pressure: If the pressure is consistently too high or low, consider installing a pressure regulator or adjusting the existing one.
Recommended Watering Schedule for Arizona:
- Spring (March – May): Temperatures start to rise. Water early in the morning every 2-3 days.
- Summer (June – August): The hottest months. Water early in the morning or late at night every day or every other day, depending on the plant type and age.
- Fall (September – November): As temperatures drop, reduce watering to every 2-4 days.
- Winter (December – February): It’s cooler, and many plants go dormant. Water once a week or less, but ensure they don’t completely dry out.
Additional Tips and Tricks to Optimize Your Irrigation System
- Consider Soil Type: Clay soils retain water longer, so they might not need as frequent watering as sandy soils.
- Update Older Systems: Technology has advanced. Consider upgrading to a smart irrigation system that can auto-adjust based on weather conditions.
- Mulch Garden Beds: Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Regular Maintenance: Check your system monthly and do a comprehensive maintenance check at the start of each season.
2. Weed Control
Removing weeds manually or with the use of herbicides is an unfortunate requirement in Arizona. Weeds can be surprisingly aggressive in the desert and may compete with desired plants for resources. This makes routine weeding and preventative treatment a staple in Arizona outdoor maintenance.
While we won’t be diving into the intricate details here, we put together this Arizona weed control guide to help you get started.
3. Pruning and Trimming
Periodically cutting back plants, bushes, and trees to ensure they grow healthily and maintain a pleasing shape is another common maintenance tasks. Depending on the species, it is common to also remove dead or diseased portions of plants.
In Arizona, it’s especially essential to prune plants that can become fire hazards during hotter months!
4. Pest and Disease Management
Identifying and treating common pests and diseases that affect desert plants is another common tasks to take care of. This might include pests like the agave weevil, aphids, or whiteflies. Taking the time to regularly checking plants for signs of distress or infestation allows you to diagnose and treat the problem before they kill your plants.
5. Lawn Care (if applicable)
While lawns are less common in Arizona due to water conservation efforts, some homes do have grassy areas. If you have a grassy lawn, we recommend mowing, aerating, fertilizing, and overseeding, especially if the lawn is a winter rye variety.
6. Mulching/Rocking
Applying organic or inorganic mulches (like gravel or decomposed granite) around plants helps retail soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and protects the plant roots from temperature extremes. Many homeowners are actually moving towards Xeriscaping which removes grassy lawns for mulch, gravel, and plants to create a beautiful desert oasis.
7. Soil Testing and Amendment
We would recommend occasionally testing the soil to determine its pH and nutrient levels. Given the alkaline nature of Arizona’s soil, certain amendments might be necessary to support specific plants.
8. Cleaning and Debris Removal
Regularly sweeping or blowing leaves and other debris from patios, walkways, and driveways is an easy tasks that keeps your yard looking great. It’s also important to promptly remove fallen branches, dead plants, or other organic material that could become a fire hazard or home for pests.
9. Plant Replacement
If a plant dies or becomes too stressed due to environmental conditions, it may be necessary to replace it. This involves selecting appropriate plants for the site and ensuring proper planting techniques to ensure it can properly take root and thrive in it’s new home.
10. Seasonal Care
As the seasons change, so do plant requirements. For instance, certain plants may need protective coverings during occasional frost events in winter, while others might require more frequent watering during particularly hot periods. We recommend researching each plant in your yard to learn the best practices to ensure they live long and healthy lives.
Getting the Most Out of Outdoor Maintenance in Arizona
In Arizona, a proper landscape maintenance regimen is crucial for both the health of the plants and the aesthetics of the property. Given the state’s unique environment, understanding the specific needs of desert-adapted plants and ensuring they’re met is key to a thriving landscape. While there are plenty of tasks listed above, our number one recommendation is to focus on perfecting your watering schedule. Getting the right amount of water to your plants will give them a significantly better chance of thriving in your yard.
If you’re falling behind on your outdoor maintenance, it might be time to call in the professionals. Our team at Three Timbers are experts at maintaining Arizona yards to they are set up to thrive. Not only will we take care of all of the necessary outdoor maintenance tasks, but we go a step further by handling trimming, pruning, edging, and all the extra tasks that make your yard standout from the rest. If you’re interested in calling in the professional outdoor maintenance team at Three Timbers, simply give us a call and we’ll be happy to help!
