In Arizona’s hot, dry climate, lawns can sometimes suffer despite the best efforts of the homeowners. These days, water conservation is on everyone’s mind, and in our state, it can be vital to operate on a minimal water supply. Some grasses are more tolerant of drought conditions than others, but before you lay your sod or plant any seeds, check out our tips to ensuring the happiest grass in dry conditions.

Yes, drought-tolerant grasses do exist. These blades tend to require less water than other types of grasses. In fact, they can use less than 25% of the amount of water traditional grass lawns use on average.

When you’re shopping for grass in a drought-prone area such as Arizona, keep in mind that water isn’t the only thing to consider. To get your grass to grow to optimal potential, you need to factor in the time of year, seasonal attributes, soil, lighting, and maintenance.

Types of Drought-Tolerant Grasses

As with anything else in life, some species are just a better fit when it comes to fasting from water. The following grasses are more likely to survive without regular hydration than traditional choices:

• Bermuda Grasses such as Tifway, Midiron and others.
• St. Augustine grasses.
• Ryegrass.

Secondary Options

The grasses mentioned above are the best options for drought-laden lands, but they’re not the only possibilities when you’re trying to produce a lush lawn. The following alternatives can create a green greeting when you look at your front yard, even when water is nearly non-existent:

• Moss
• Thyme
• Blue Star Creeper

Making the Most of Your Drought-Tolerant Grass

Planting the seeds isn’t enough to nurture most plant life, and your lawn is no exception. To get the most benefit from your efforts, follow these steps:

• Cultivate Deep Roots. Several factors contribute to ensuring you cultivate deep roots. Among one of the most important is your mowing height. The depth of your roots will more likely than not be directly correlated to the height of your grass. Avoid cutting your lawn too short in favor of progressively mowing at a higher level each time you hit the turf. These deep roots will help your grass endure the heat, environmental stress, and problematic situations that would otherwise arise when a drought arrives.
• Fertilize. If you want a happy lawn, you should avoid coming home with any old fertilizer. Lawn nutrition and fertilization is much more of a science than many green landowners realize, but it pays to do your homework before you head out of the house to ensure that you return with the levels of phosphorous, potassium, nitrogen, and other elements that will best optimize your outdoor experience.
• Thatch. When managed properly, thatch can actually help keep a lawn healthy in the right conditions. Try not to let your thatch build up beyond 1/2″, as it can inhibit growth and reduce the amount of oxygen your grass is able to receive at its roots. When kept under 1/2″, however, thatch can actually retain any available moisture in the soil and provide insulation against the extremes in temperature occurring in the outside world. Thatch has been known to facilitate extensive root development, and when it’s kept to a manageable depth, it provides the home base of excellent deep root cultivation.
• Aerate. Aeration is a process through which air and water are able to penetrate beyond any built up thatch and nourish the soil and roots beneath the ground’s surface. The process avoids starvation to the roots which ultimately will dehydrate grass during droughts.

Need help getting your grass growing just right? Check out our Evergreen Turf Lawn Selector tool to help you choose the optimal grass ingredients.

Do you feel like your lawn has seen better days? If the grass really is greener on the other side of the fence, don’t fret. Almost any Arizona sod lawn can come back to life with a little help. Before you can revive your lawn, you need to understand what’s causing its stressful disposition to begin with. Read on to learn more!

Root of the Problem.

If your grass is known to be less than luscious, look past the surface. More than likely, the root of your problem lies in the soil below. Keep in mind that timing is of the essence when you’re trying to revive your lawn; if you wait too late into the year, your efforts will likely be an exercise in futility, as the heat from the summer can wreak havoc on horticulture. Late winter and early spring offer the perfect opportunity to assess your soil’s needs so your lawn can flourish and grow as summer approaches.

Sample Your Soil.

For starters, make sure you have soil. Here in Arizona, it’s not uncommon to see gravel yards or find that grass is rooted by rocky terrain. If this is applicable to your area, too, it’s time to toss down some topsoil. To keep your grass healthy and happy, you’ll want to shoot for a layer of topsoil that’s around six inches thick. This dark, loose matter is made of decomposing organic compounds, which feed the grass and provide it with nutrients necessary to grow.

To truly know how to revive your lawn, you need to understand the properties of which it’s currently comprised. You can get a soil test kit in many hardware and home improvement stores such as Lowes. You’ll want to pay particular attention to the amount of the following:

• pH
• Electrical Conductivity
• Amount of Organic Matter
• Nitrogen
• Other Nutrients

Aerate

Many lawn problems begin to occur as time compresses the soil underneath the grass. The more compact the under layers become, the less the grass is capable of receiving nutrients. The grass’ roots and the ecosystem’s insects and microbes no longer have free pathways through which to create their healthy community.

Aeration allows the ecosystem of your lawn to breathe, freeing up its ability to absorb nutrients that are vital to sustaining growth and health. Gasoline-powered aerators are generally user-friendly and not too difficult to work, but you should expect difficulty this time of year, as these little tools achieve high demand as spring approaches. Manual aerators are perfect for smaller spaces. Of course, landscaping companies are generally happy to come to your home and help, too.

Food and Water

If your grass has patches of bareness, or if you’re just not happy with its overall look, consider reviving your lawn by overseeding and watering it. Find a species of grass that works well with your climate, and get those seeds down as early in the season as possible.

Employ the aid of a tiller or rake to break up the top layer of existing topsoil, then work in a 1-inch layer of topsoil with the same tool. Top your new lawn concoction with a layer of pulverized lime. Evenly spread your grass seed across your lawn, and use a leaf rake to gently encourage it into the soil.

The new seeds will need water. Hydrate your lawn in the morning, taking care not to over-water. The proper amount of water hydrates your grass while encouraging its roots to grow longer in search of more moisture.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

Follow these tips and tricks on how to make your Arizona backyard work for you and you’re sure to have a lot of fun designing your backyard.

Create an outdoor lounge area

While Arizona does get very hot in the summer months, the rest of the year is quite pleasant to be outdoors during the day. It’s nice to have a lounge area with some outdoor furniture to relax in your backyard and to entertain guests. You could even hang a hammock for extra-indulgent relaxation. It’s best to also have a coffee table and a few comfortable chairs in your backyard. Wicker works nicely for outdoor furniture and holds up well through a variety of weather scenarios. Finally, create this lounge area in a shady spot so that it’s comfortable to use for long periods of time. If you don’t have much shade in your backyard, you could purchase some shade sails and set them up around your backyard lounge area.

Install Misters for the Summer

Everyone knows that the Central and Southern parts of Arizona can get very hot in the summer. If you happen to live in one of these areas, consider installing misters in your backyard to keep you cool all summer long. Misters can reduce temperatures by as much as 25 to 30 degrees. You can install them along the edge of your lounge area, grill, or pool. Your kids and house guests will thank you for creating a cool environment even in the thick of the desert heat.

Create a small vegetable garden

Cut down on the amount of veggies you buy at the store by creating your own vegetable garden. Choose the area that you want to be your garden and mark it off. If you are having professionals install a fresh Arizona sod lawn, make sure to let them know which area of your yard you plan to turn into a garden so they can avoid laying sod in that area. Some vegetables that grow well in Arizona include:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Okra
• Onions
• Radishes
• Squash
• Herbs

Install a Backyard Shed

Having a shed in your backyard reduces clutter in your garage and closets. Keep all your lawn care tools in the shed for easy access. Alternatively, if you choose not to do yard work and would rather leave it to the professionals to tend to your Arizona sod lawn, then you can install a shed and transform it into something useful for you, such as an afternoon nap and reading area, a playhouse for the kids, or an office!

Pick the right type of sod for your Arizona home

There are many factors to consider when choose the right type of sod for your Arizona lawn. Some questions to ask yourself are:

• Is the area in the sun or shade?
• Do you have a reel or rotary motor?
• Do you have children or pets?

If you need more guidance, check out our Lawn Selector tool that will guide you to the right type of Arizona sod for your lawn.

People who live in southwest Arizona, including Phoenix and Tucson, have the option to keep their lawns green in winter. But many people have questions about this process. One of the most common questions we get asked is, “How long does it take for winter grass to grow?”

We’re here to answer that question for you, and provide other tips to create a beautiful, lush, green lawn in the winter. With just a little effort and proper overseeding, your winter lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood!

How Long Does Winter Grass Take to Grow?

It takes 7-10 days for the seed to germinate. Once the seed has germinated, your winter grass will begin to grow. Then it will take an additional 10-14 days for your grass to grow tall enough to mow.

Now that we’ve answered that popular question, let’s get into a bit more explanation and detail. That answer we just provided is accurate for folks who overseed their lawns. This is the most popular method of keeping a sod lawn green through winter. Typically, people in Arizona have a Bermuda lawn in the summer and overseed it with perennial ryegrass to keep it green through the winter.

Once you’ve spread the winter grass seed on your lawn, it’s extremely important to keep that soil moist for those first 7-10 days. If it’s not kept moist enough, the seeds may not germinate. During this critical time, you will want to water 4 to 5 times per day for very short cycles that leave no puddles and no dry spots. After the seed has germinated and grown to a height of 3/4″ to 1″, you may reduce watering to 2-3 times per day. After ten to fourteen days, you can reduce watering to once per day. Once your winter lawn is established, you will be able to water every other day through the winter.

Time It Right

Fall is generally the right time for overseeding, as it provides some time before the ground gets too cold to promote growth. Because our temperatures are warmer in Arizona than much of the country, late fall and early winter overseeding works perfectly, as the ground maintains much of its heat and provides an optimal germination place for the young grass.

Get Prepared with the Right Tools

You never want to find yourself in the middle of a job only to realize you’re short-handed in the tool department. Before you begin this task, make sure you have the following items available at your disposal:

• Lawn mower with the ability to drop to a height of 1/4″ to a 1/2″ from the ground
• Grass seed
• Rake
• Trash bag (or other vessel for disposal of the extra grass and debris)
• Sprinker (or other watering system)

Know How to Care for Your Overseeded Lawn.

You’ll want to make sure you have some type of irrigation or watering system in place. In Arizona, you’ll need to water your lawn three to four times on average for six to eight minutes per session for the first couple weeks to obtain the best results. Once the grass starts growing, you can reduce the time or frequency of watering, but be careful not to begin neglecting it.

Understand Your Fertilizer Options

If you’re inexperienced in the land of lawn care, you might think that all fertilizers are pretty much created equally. This simply isn’t so, but fertilizer is a vital part of the growth process for your grass. Make sure you read up on the various types of fertilizers, and be sure to speak to an expert if you have any questions. If you purchase the incorrect fertilizer, you may end up doing more harm than good to a lawn that would have otherwise turned out lush and healthy.

Get Our Full Guide to Fall Overseeding & Growing a Winter Lawn

Check out our step-by-step guide to fall overseeding. It will walk you through the whole process on how to transition your lawn from warm season to cool season. Contact us if you have any questions. You can also sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address in the box on the right of this page, and we will email you each spring and fall when it’s time to start getting your lawn ready for the upcoming season.

A fire pit is a natural attraction. People are drawn to the crackle of the fire, the dancing flames, and the conversations that take place around the fire. Are you interested in adding a fire pit to your yard? You may be surprised at how simple and affordable this project can be. We’ve gathered some of our favorite fire pit ideas that are perfect for a variety of Arizona yards and will entice your friends and family to join you at the fire!

Concrete Paver Fire Pit

One of the most popular DIY fire pit ideas is to construct the wall surrounding the pit out of concrete landscaping pavers. These pavers are sold at home improvement and garden stores and are incredibly affordable. Because the size and shape of a concrete paver fire pit is easily modified it is perfect for any size yard. Make sure the ground is level and take the time to create a barrier to keep the fire from spreading from the fire pit to the rest of the yard.

Washer Drum Fire Pit

This upcycled fire pit is one of the most creative fire pit ideas we’ve discovered and highly adaptable for any yard. It uses an old metal drum from a clothes washer, 1″ galvanized tubes for the legs, and an old bike rim to stabilize the base. Using self taping screws and M6 nuts and bolts you can attach the legs and base stabilizer with a simple screwdriver. Fill the washer drum with wood, cast a flame, and you are ready to go!

Cement Bowl Fire Pit

Many home improvement or building stores sell large cement bowls that are perfect for a patio fire pit. This bowl can be placed onto a metal base or layers of concrete pavers to elevate it to the perfect height. Using a large cement bowl is ideal for burning small pieces of wood or it can be retrofitted to include a propane burner. For an extra bit of creativity consider purchasing a large wok at a restaurant supply store that can be added to the center of the bowl for visual interest.

Tabletop Fire Pit

If you live in a home with a small yard or if you reside in an apartment building you can still enjoy the serenity and beauty of a fire pit on a much smaller scale. A glass box, a metal planter, and a small metal grate are all you need. The glass box should fit snugly into the metal planter and the metal grate should should be cut to the dimensions of the planter. Once your pit is built you simply need to place the gel fuel under the grate, layer rocks on top, and light the flame.

Rectangular Fire Box

If you are looking for the quickest and easiest route to a fire pit, a rectangular fire box may be your best option. These pre-made fire boxes are sold at home improvement stores and install directly on top of your patio pavers. A fire proof base layer and material to fill the box allow you to burn wither propane or wood.

Regardless of where you live in Arizona, the size of your yard, or your DIY ability you deserve to enjoy the beauty of a fire pit. These fire pit ideas are intended to inspire your creativity and help you envision how a fire pit can bring your yard to life!

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or contact us and talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

If you’ve just recently moved to the southwest, you’re probably learning all sorts of new facts about how to landscape your home in this climate. It may come as a surprise to you that homeowners are actually able to have sod lawns in arid desert climates such as Tucson and Phoenix. What’s even more surprising is that many people choose to have summer lawns and winter lawns, and each season requires a very different type of sod.

Summer vs Winter Sod

Bermuda grass is the most common type of sod in Tucson and Phoenix in the summertime because it’s a very tolerant species that can handle hot temperatures. The only issue is that Bermuda grass is dormant during the winter months. So if you want your lawn to be green all year then you have to use a grass variety that grows in the winter, such as perennial ryegrass. Perennial ryegrass is a good option for winter lawns in Arizona because it’s a beautiful dark green color, low-maintenance, and does well in the climate.

When to Plant Perennial Ryegrass

It’s best to plant Perennial ryegrass around October in Arizona because the climate is typically around 60 degrees which is ideal for this grass. Perennial ryegrass is a bunch-type grass best suited for use in full sun to moderately shaded lawns and is one of the fastest germinating grasses from seed. Once full grown, your ryegrass lawn will have excellent wear tolerance and can also tolerate some of the lowest mowing heights possible (1 to 2.5 inch recommended cutting height).

When you plant ryegrass in the winter it is called overseeding, because you are planting the seed over the existing Bermuda grass. Be sure to handle all the regular lawn maintenance steps of:

1. Scalping
2. Seeding
3. Fertilizing

In addition, another critical step in preparing your winter lawn is mulching. While it may be an optional step for most lawns, you’ll want to take the time to mulch if you do not have a good irrigation system or do not have a timer that can water 4-5 times per day. A well-composted mulch will help retain moisture and heat necessary to germinate your perennial ryegrass. After you have spread the seed, spread the mulch 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick evenly over the whole lawn.

Ryegrass will start to die around May when temperatures in Phoenix and Tucson really start warming up. When it’s time to transition your sod lawn for summer, stop watering your winter grass for a few weeks to let it die out. Then, begin your watering schedule once again to bring your dormant Bermuda summer grass back to life. Check out our fall / winter overseeding guide for more information on transitioning your lawn from warm to cool season. At the end of the day, be sure to keep in mind that lawn success is a matter of preparation.

How to Select The Right Grass For Your Lawn

Select the perfect turf using our lawn selector. Once you’ve found the perfect type of grass, you can order online or by phone. Learn how to measure your lawn and how to install your new lawn with our helpful online guides.

You are always welcome to visit our showroom. Come on in to meet our staff, get some great advice, and walk barefoot through our live grass sample areas. Evergreen Turf always has a green carpet rolled out for you!

Southwest Arizona climate often makes it difficult for homeowners to come up with the right landscaping ideas. This said, it isn’t impossible to have beautiful gardens in this region. Understanding the general climate in Southwest Arizona will better prepare you to come up with great winter landscaping ideas.

General Climate

Southwest Arizona experiences high temperatures during the hot summer months. Like the rest of Arizona, this region gets very little precipitation. It perhaps has something to do with its desert environment. But when winter comes, most people may enjoy the hot summers, as winter in Southwest Arizona is extremely cold and windy. In fact, Tucson has a number of ski resorts due to significant snowfall during winter. That should give you an idea what winters are like in this region.

Winter Landscaping Ideas

It goes without saying plants that may flourish in the rest of the United States will not thrive in Southwest Arizona. That is why Arizona homeowners have to plan their landscape and garden and grow plants and shrubs that can withstand the harsh winters and cold, windy conditions.

So, without much ado, here are some winter landscaping ideas that are perfect for Southwest Arizona.

1. Cold and Wind Resistant Plants: The dry, cold and windy conditions cannot be tolerated by most plants. Hence, it is imperative to find and grow plants that can tolerate these conditions. It is best to stick with cacti and succulents. These also are plants that will thrive in the poor soils of Arizona. Think of planting giant prickly pear cactus, which thrives in the southwest. However, do not plant this cactus near walkways and doorways because of thorns on the pads. You also can plant century plant (Agave Americana), which is a succulent and takes 10 years to bloom, after which it dies.
2. Plants for Sonoran Climate: There are many plants that are well adapted to flourish and survive in Sonoran climate. It is best to check with a local nursery about these plants, so that you don’t make a mistake. Typically, bougainvillea, which can flower, even in winter if there is no frost, lilac vine, primrose jasmine and rosemary are great choices.
3. Desert Botanical Garden: Located in Phoenix, the Desert Botanical Garden has an online presence. You can get ideas about what plants are best suited for the cold and windy winter of Southwest Arizona. For instance, the Desert Botanical Garden states that rosemary, which is a popular herb, makes great ground cover and has beautiful sky-blue blooms in winter. So, it is perfect inclusion your garden.
4. Walkways: When coming up with winter landscaping ideas, make sure you include pathways to walk around your garden and get access to the plants. You will still need to water the plants even if it is winter. Furthermore, provide the plants you have selected with shade, so that it protects them from the cold as well as the strong winds.

Other Winter Landscaping Ideas

Plan to strategically place outdoor lighting, so that you can admire your beautifully landscaped garden while sitting indoors in the evenings. It also will uplift your mood and boost the curb appeal of your home.

As Southwest Arizona has poor soil conditions, you want to grow a combination of plants, grasses amidst boulders and rocks. Boulders and rocks will add more depth to your garden and also break the monotony of the plants. Also, look to grow evergreen shrubs, such as Arizona rosewood and Chasteberry.

Another way to bring your garden to life during winter is by adding holiday accents. During Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s visit holiday stores and craft stores to pick up vibrant and colorful garden ornaments. You can place these ornaments in your garden to add color and make your garden look unique and special.

Don’t let the cold and windy winters of Southwest Arizona stop you from coming up with interesting and novel winter landscaping ideas. You will be amazed with a little bit of research and some effort, you will be able to enjoy greenery even in the winter months.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or contact us to talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

If you have lived in Arizona for any amount of time, you already understand that the winters get cold. Cold enough, in fact, to damage all sorts of unprotected plants and shrubs. Even your lawn can be damaged in the winter weather. Here are just a few suggestions on how to protect plants from frost:

Keep Off the Lawn

In short, don’t walk on your lawn when it has already frozen until the temperature has increased above freezing and the frost itself has lifted. Otherwise, your footsteps will probably leave brown imprints where the weight of your treading has crushed the leaves and left them irreparably damaged.

Know Your Plants

Practically speaking, it is next to impossible to protect every plant in your landscape but, on the other hand, it may not really be necessary. Knowing that fruit trees must be protected while the native cacti are relatively immune to the frost will maximize your efforts. Consult with your local horticultural expert for the best advice.

Plant Wisely

Wind can be a real killer in the winter months dropping the actual temperature by a dozen degrees or more due to the wind chill factor. Placing the more susceptible plants in places where they will be protected from the wind is simple common sense. The south and west sides of a building get more sun and planting shrubs near a retaining wall can also get them a little extra heat during the night.

Cover Up when Necessary

While most homeowners will sagely place old sheets and bed coverings over their most prized plants and shrubs, the wiser ones will also drop in a layer of mulch that will protect the roots of the plants as well. In addition, it is also a great way to get a head start on next Spring’s projects as you will already have a foundation established.

Avoid Plastic

While seemingly the ideal material for covering at-risk pants, plastic actually has several major drawbacks. It traps moisture which leads to the plants major undoing during a cold spell – freezing. In addition, even the slightest touch from a plastic covering to a plant is enough to impart the cold from the outside and damage the leaves of the stem.

Continue to Water

While somewhat against conventional wisdom, regular watering is of great value to a lawn and plants during the winter season in Arizona. Water your plants in the morning as the wet soil will absorb whatever heat is available from the sun and the leaves will have time to dry before the sun sets. Just don’t over water and everything will be fine.

Don’t Prune

Every experienced gardener – and the vast majority of novice ones – would never prune in the winter season. This tip is specifically aimed at those who feel the need to remove those dead and decaying leaves and twigs. Don’t do it! The parts you remove are actually serving as protection for further damage from the weather. Wait until spring even if it means looking at some unsightly plants.

Pay Special Attention to Citrus Trees

If you haven’t realized it yet, your citrus trees are not really suited to the Arizona winter environment. It is essential to cover even relatively large trees – those with six inch trunks or less – or you may wind up in the Spring with a yard full of dead plants. Just another tip on how to protect plants from frost in the Arizona desert.

There you have it, now you know how to protect plants from frost.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or contact us to talk to one of our sod specialists at 602-626-9959 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.