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Your Soil Determines How You Should Water Why Is Water Running Off When My Plants Still Seem Dry? Two homes can have similar landscapes and irrigation systems but still need different watering schedules. One reason is the soil. If your irrigation system applies water faster than your soil can absorb it, water may puddle or run off before enough moisture reaches the roots. Watering longer doesn't always mean watering better. Your Soil Makes a Difference Clay-heavy soil absorbs water slowly but holds moisture longer. Sandy soil absorbs water more quickly but also drains faster. Compacted soil can also absorb water...

Different Plants Have Different Watering Needs One Yard Doesn't Mean One Watering Schedule Your lawn is green. Your trees look healthy. Your desert plants are doing well. But they don't all need water the same way. A lawn generally needs water more often. Trees and shrubs benefit from deeper watering that reaches their root zones. Desert-adapted plants may need water much less frequently. Put them all on the same irrigation schedule, and something may get too much—or not enough. That's Why Irrigation Zones Matter Whenever possible, plants with similar watering needs should be grouped together on the same irrigation zone....

Your Irrigation Timer Should Change with the Seasons Is Your Irrigation Timer Set for the Season? Most homeowners don't think twice about their irrigation timer after it's installed. Once it's programmed, it often runs on the same schedule month after month—even as Arizona's weather changes dramatically throughout the year.The problem is that plants don't need the same amount of water in July as they do in January. Leaving your irrigation timer on one schedule year-round can waste water, increase your utility bill, and even damage your landscape.A few seasonal adjustments can help keep your landscape healthy while conserving water. Watering...

Irrigation Drip Heads: The Small Parts That Protect Your Landscape Healthy Plants. Efficient Watering. Lower Water Bills. A drip irrigation system is one of the best ways to keep your landscape healthy while conserving water—especially here in the Southeast Valley of Phoenix. But even the best system won't perform properly if the drip emitters become clogged, damaged, or disconnected. A few minutes of inspection a couple of times each year can prevent dead plants, wasted water, and expensive replacements.  Why Drip Heads Matter Unlike traditional sprinklers, drip irrigation delivers water slowly and directly to the root zone where plants need it...

Part 2 of 2 In Part 1 of this series, we discussed why proper grading is the foundation of every successful landscape. Before choosing plants, pavers, turf, or outdoor living features, it's critical to make sure water drains safely away from your home. Now let's look at the warning signs that your yard may already have a drainage problem. Many homeowners don't realize there's an issue until expensive repairs become necessary. Fortunately, your landscape often gives you clues long before damage occurs. Here are seven warning signs we commonly see throughout the Southeast Valley of Phoenix. One of the most...