YES!! Fall has finally arrived. Don’t let the occasional high temperatures in the triple digits delay your fall planting. Soil temperatures are still warm enough to promote growth but not too hot. This is why October is often referred to as the best time to plant trees, shrubs and other perennial plants. It is time to replace any plants that didn’t survive the brutal summer, add a splash of fall color, and to look ahead to a nice, green winter and spring.

To overseed or not to overseed? That is the question. Here in the valley we are blessed (or cursed?!) with this decision each year as summer starts to wane. Cooler temperatures in the coming months will cause our lush, green Bermudagrass to turn into a yellow, crunchy surface during some of our most enjoyable months of outdoor entertaining and recreational activities. Or you can choose to overseed with ryegrass for a green lawn year-round. If you haven’t yet made a decision about this winter’s lawn, it is not too late. Here are some pros and cons of overseeding to discuss with your landscape contractor to make the best decision for your outdoor space.

It is August and no one needs to tell you we are deep in monsoon season - it is obvious by the humidity that makes us a bit more uncomfortable and the sudden and dramatic storms. But the higher humidity that we experience as discomfort can actually benefit our landscapes, if it is taken into account rather than ignored. Higher humidity, coupled with the additional moisture added in the form of rain, require that we adjust our irrigation schedules to maximize the benefits of this extra water, reduce harm to the plants, and avoid wasting our precious water resources.

Ahhh, July in Arizona! Now that we are deep into the summer, enjoying our landscaped areas can be challenging. The combination of shade and living, breathing plants come together to provide the most appealing outdoor spaces. If you have turfgrass areas, you know how important they are to your overall landscape. These living surfaces keep our yards cooler and provide a more livable and enjoyable space. The most commonly used summer turfgrass in Arizona is Bermudagrass. While Bermudagrass is seemingly easy to grow (as evidenced by it growing in places we haven’t invited it!), it does come with some challenges if you are trying to enjoy your lawn in the shade.

Right Plant, Right Place… We can’t say it enough. Yet it is common to see plants too wide for narrow strips of landscape planted in our landscape. Who is making the decision to plant the wrong plant for the site, or shall we say the ‘right plant,’ just in the wrong place? Here are a few considerations to discuss with your landscape professional before planting: