At one time or another, we have all been awakened by a leaf blower in the neighborhood, and while they are an essential tool in maintaining a tidy yard, the leaf blower, or should we say the operator of the left blower can be at times an annoyance. But with a little awareness and courtesy, cleaning one’s property doesn’t have to be a disturbance to the public.

Want to learn a thing or two about growing grass that might be helpful to you? Let’s start with some watering wisdom for your turf. Always water established turf in the early morning to prevent excessive evaporation. Next, if footprints stay in your grass for more than 5 minutes, it's time turn on the sprinklers. A bluish gray tint also indicates stress and lack of water. If the dry area is not getting the same amount of water as the green area, adjust the sprinkler heads accordingly.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn for help. As important, they provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers to serve their neighbors in need and ALCA member Desert Tree Farm has been doing just that for more than five years.

“Help Me! My Grass is Dying!” What to Do When Overseeded Rye Dies in the Spring. Words heard all over the Phoenix area as we transition from perennial rye back to Bermuda in the spring and summer. While there is no escaping the rye die-off completely, there is a lot we can do to ensure that the Bermudagrass underneath, in either sodded or seeded varieties, is ready to leap out of the ground when the time is right. This method is for those who want Bermudagrass as their primary grass (April through October), either overseeded with rye or 100 percent Bermuda.

We have been receiving calls lately about the incurable disease plaguing oleanders around the state: Oleander Leaf Scorch. Arriving to our state a number of years ago, the disease first surfaced in the Central Phoenix area and has now spread to Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and to other areas around Maricopa County. Here is more information on this fatal plant disease: