There’s nothing worse than investing time and money into your dream yard only to see the grass wilt and dry out. Save yourself the frustration by learning how to properly care for your Arizona grass. With scorching summers and annual monsoons, it’s difficult to get things right the first time – but not impossible.

Commit yourself to research

Whether you’re installing fresh sod in Arizona or rehabilitating a dried out lawn inherited from prior homeowners, the first thing you should do is research the best grass and how to care for it. Take into account the soil’s pH level, shade to sunlight ratio, surrounding plant life, and your personal commitment to maintenance. Talk to neighbors whose lawns you love and ask what problems they’ve faced. A well-kept lawn does not happen by accident so it’s important to know what species is likely to thrive in your region and how much time and money you have to ensure its success.

Opt for sod over seed

Heat is a major inhibitor of healthy growth as watering can lead to nearly-instant evaporation. Seeds often require significant time to form strong roots unless you’re prepared to be diligent about watering and reseeding annually. Sod is a good choice for Arizona homeowners as its even easier to grow and maintain than starting with grass seeds for several reasons:

• Installing sod in Arizona is a “one and done” solution to a bare lawn. Simply prepare the soil and install sod the same day it arrives.
• Although seeding is less expensive than sod, that might not be the case in the long run if you’re forced to reseed annually and pay more for maintenance services.
• Sod is more resistant to weeds as there is less room for the seeds to settle and germinate.
• Sod is less likely to dry out. This is because seeds initially need to be watered several times per day to prevent dry soil. Although sod also needs moisture to become firmly rooted, the watering schedule is less demanding and decreases in frequency much earlier in the rooting process.
• Laying sod in Arizona is perhaps most advantageous for its instant curb appeal. This is appealing to both new homeowners eager to enjoy their lawn and those looking to put their home on the market quickly.

Know how to maintain sod in Arizona

Once you’ve committed to installing sod, heed the most common tips and tricks for avoiding a dry, stressed out lawn.

1. Stay off the sod. Constant foot traffic from children and pets places unnecessary strain on new grass that is trying to form a healthy root system.
2. Restrict your dog to one specific area of the yard to do his business. If you can help it, try to avoid the grass completely and train him to relieve himself on the pavement (which can easily be sprayed down) or rock landscaping.
3. Prevent over fertilization by taking the proper precautions.
4. Closely adhere to the watering schedule of your specific sod type. Remember: the dry Arizona heat speeds up evaporation, so be mindful of the frequency and depth of watering.
5. Water early with evenly spaced sprinklers to avoid midday evaporation and fungal diseases caused by wet grass that festers in cool temperatures overnight.
6. Mow only at the recommended height for your particular sod and leave the clippings throughout the yard to aid water absorption.

For an estimate to install sod in Arizona or for a professional guide to preventing dry patches, contact a sod specialist at 480-456-1199.

Want to finally learn how to get rid of weeds in grass? You’re not alone. Harsh Arizona temperatures present the perfect opportunity for weed growth throughout an otherwise healthy lawn. Learn how to combat these pesky plants by knowing how to prevent and effectively remove weeds.

What Causes Weeds to Grow

You might be doing everything right to maintain your lawn, yet still find yourself fighting weeds every month like clockwork. Keep in mind, weeds are opportunistic and germinate the moment they’re exposed to a little rain and sun. Seeds will multiply as quickly as possible under optimal conditions, getting assistance from birds, rodents, rain runoff, and wind. Even the laborious act of pulling weeds may cause seeds to spread.

Common Weeds in Arizona

In learning how to get rid of weeds in grass, it’s imperative you know the species. Different types of weeds require different methods of eradication. Common Arizona weeds are:

• Spotted Spurge
• Filaree
• Common Mallow
• Nutgrass
• London Rocket

How to Get Rid of Weeds in Grass

Again, weeds are resourceful and very resilient, so understand that weed control won’t likely be a one-time occurrence. The Family Handyman gives you six practical solutions to weed control.

1. Maintain your turf

Don’t give seeds the sunlight they need to grow. Keep your lawn cut to the recommended height based on sod type. Grass that is properly fertilized and watered at the ideal height will provide enough shade to outperform weeds.

2. Know your weeds

The three main categories of weeds are annual grassy weeds (e.g. crab grass), perennial grassy weeds (e.g. quack grass), and broadleaf weeds (e.g. ground ivy). Each type requires the appropriate product, application method, and frequency of treatment.

3. Control broadleaf weeds

Use a broadleaf herbicide and distribute it with the smallest possible applicator. To control sporadic weeds, spot treat them with a small pressure sprayer. Weed patches need a 1-2 gallon tank sprayer. Lastly, bring in a dial sprayer when your lawn has succumbed to uncontrollable weeds.

4. Control perennial weeds

Because perennial grasses typically return year after year due to strong underground root systems, it’s not enough to simply pull them. Nonselective weed killers like Roundup will solve the weed problem but create another one—they will kill all plant life including your Arizona sod. Instead, put a cloth glove over a rubber glove, dip your hand in herbicide, and coat the blades starting from the base and moving upward. Don’t worry about actually pulling the weeds or coating every last blade—your method should work within a few days.

5. Control annual weeds

Perfect timing is crucial in preventing crab grass, so be sure to apply treatment between the first and third mow in the spring. If it still rears its ugly head, control crab grass by:

• Hand-pulling clumps and reseeding bare spots as needed
• Letting it go until next spring when you can once again try to time it correctly
• Treating clumps with crab grass killer (note: if you wait until summer or fall, this method will not work as seed heads will have already formed)

6. Know when to call it quits

Pessimism aside, poor conditions may mean that you’ll be forever fighting weeds, dead grass, and infestations. Consult a professional to consider if a complete resod might be a better option. If all else fails, you can always default to Arizona landscape trends: desert rocks with cacti or low-maintenance ground cover.

Call Evergreen Turf at 480-456-1199 for a free phone consultation to discuss existing lawn care problems and practical solutions to your weed-related woes.

The process of growing a beautiful lawn extends beyond the initial sod purchase. To install and maintain healthy sod grass, the secret is in the soil. Learn how to prepare or repair soil for sod grass by reviewing the basics of yard care.

How to Prep Soil for a New Sod Install

If you’re just installing a new lawn, you’ll need to properly prepare the ground and soil. This may prove to be an arduous task to homeowners with large yards, so be sure to set aside enough time for prep work. Since you should always install sod the same day it arrives, you don’t want it to be met with an unprepared foundation. To begin, remove all debris along with rocks, weeds, fallen branches, etc. To sufficiently amend soil for sod grass, till in mulch and gypsum 4-6 inches in depth while removing new debris below the surface. Level the ground and water thoroughly to compact the new soil. Finally, use a roller to avoid air pockets and uneven ground settling to end with a grade of one half to one inch below the patio and walkway. For more in-depth instruction, visit Evergreen Turf’s guide to sod installation.

How to Fix Soil for an Established Sod Lawn

To repair a lackluster sod lawn, you’ll want to test the pH levels of the soil. In short, the pH level is the soil’s acidity level—a finely tuned indicator of proper plant growth. There are many methods by which to accomplish this (see wikiHow for a complete list); however, the easiest is to simply use a test probe found at your local garden center. Dig a 2-4 inch hole in the soil and fill it with distilled water (the water type is important as it is neutrally acidic). Insert a clean, calibrated test probe into the mud and leave it for 60 seconds. The pH number will reveal the following information about your soil:

• >7: Alkaline
• 7: Neutral
• <7: Acidic

Once you know the pH, you’re halfway toward correcting the problem. Be sure to test the soil in several areas of your lawn. If you see slight variations in results, take the average pH level. Drastic differences may necessitate spot treatment. The pH level is important because acidic soil can foster weeds and hinder healthy sod growth. While you should have an understanding of pH levels prior to installing sod, you may have to modify the soil through trial and error throughout the lifetime of your lawn.

Because different plants require different levels of acidity, simply start with basic research on your particular sod type and how it fares in the Arizona sun. Be sure to take the surrounding plant life into account when trying to determine whether to alkalize or acidify soil for sod grass. Although there’s a definite science to correcting a soil’s pH, it’s really quite simple to implement the changes once you know what’s required of your sod and/or garden. For more information on modifying pH levels, see Sunset’s Garden Basics blog.

If the study of acidity and alkalinity levels leaves you feeling exhausted, it might be time to hire a professional—especially if you have a large backyard with many trouble spots. Like any major home project, it’s always easiest to do things correctly the first time. Getting “down and dirty” with your soil is the key to a strong, vibrant yard.

Here are some tips for you Arizona homeowners out there looking for landscaping ideas for front lawns:

• Beautiful Cacti. A cactus is a great plant to keep around in our dry desert climate. These resilient lifeforms are perfect for Arizona, and with so many varieties, shapes, and colors, your front yard landscaping can turn into an amazing oasis filled with low-maintenance cacti that will happily beautify the front of your house without requiring any extra effort from you!

To complete the look, define a space around the front of your house with rocks, then place your cacti in an aesthetically pleasing pattern. Fill the bed with mulch, then place a few additional rocks in strategic places to create interesting eye appeal.

• Hollowed Out Logs. For every door that closes, a window opens, so don’t overlook the use of items that are past their expected prime. Dead trees provide spectacular landscaping opportunities if you view them with a creative eye. Dead logs, branches, and tree trunks, for example, can easily be hollowed out (if they’re not already empty in the middle) and made into beautiful planters that will look stunning at the front of your house.

Because these natural planters limit the space in which you’ll be placing live plants, you have the opportunity to explore species that aren’t native to Arizona, which may require more water than you would want to expend if you planted them directly into the ground. Place some high-quality soil into the empty log, add your plants, and then fill the remainder of the space with additional soil. If you want to still with a low-maintenance option, shoot for succulents, as they require little attention, water, and energy from you.

• Pavers and Layers. A cobblestone walkway can do amazing things for the aesthetics of your front yard. Even a simple set of stones, when placed along a path from the backyard to your front door, can add easy appeal all the way from the street. There are plenty of paver options out there in today’s market, so shop around and make sure you find a color, style, and texture that you fall in love with.

Elevate a simply paved path by creating a tiered system with a retaining wall to hold the upper layer of your landscaping in place. A rock retaining wall will look beautiful in our area, and you won’t have to worry about how it will hold up when the summer sun starts beating down.

• Floating Decks. If you have a tree or two in your front yard, spend some time giving the branches and trunks some love. Floating decks make darling adornments to front yards, and they require very little effort to put into place. With some old, recycled lumber, you can easily construct floating decks to hang out around the foot of your trees. Once you’ve completed each deck, place decorative flowers and interesting outdoor-friendly accessories on them to complete the look.

• Tree Swing. Accessorize the front of your home with an adult version of a childhood classic. An updated tree swing can bring a relaxing and welcoming feel to an otherwise typical front yard.

Are you an Arizona homeowner who’s proud of the landscaping you’ve created at the front of your house? We’d love to see your pictures at our Evergreen Turf Facebook page!

Throughout time, labyrinths have represented peaceful places used for meditation and healing. Grounds of ancient civilizations the world over have been found to have remains of labyrinths, many of which are still somewhat intact today.

Backyards labyrinths are popping up across the country by homeowners who wish to have a peaceful oasis away from the stresses of work and the everyday world. This is a trend that has reportedly seen an uptick in requests resulting in thousands of backyard labyrinths on properties of all sizes. They can range from simple 30-foot spiraling desert stones in Arizona lawns or incredible, elaborate and lavish walkways reminiscent of 13th Century Europe.

Labyrinths aren’t mazes. In fact, their purposes are quite the opposite. Whereas mazes have multiple paths, dead ends, and confusing obstacles, labyrinths are created with a single winding path that leads walkers from the outside to the center and back again without distraction or disruption of other options.

If you’re interested in building a labyrinth in your own backyard, you have an awesome array of options. Elaborate structures often include lush landscaping, intricate stonework, and professional irrigation systems. This total package can be costly, but the ultimate outcome is something of beauty that’s meant to be enjoyed and awed. More simple options can be created by laying an intricate pathway of stone pavers that leads from the beginning to the center of a circle. The latter option, of course, requires less maintenance and is typically more affordable than options that add greenery.

You can find templates for garden labyrinths. This can be a great way to go if you’re looking for a catalog from which to choose your inspiration. Templates may be printed on weed-blocking landscape fabric, which is filled with sod, gravel, or stone after it’s placed on the prepared ground. Template designs are great for DIY options, but you may also want to consider going this route if you choose to employ the help of a professional. Finishing touches can go from simple concrete pavers to pricier options like French limestone and Turkish travertine.

If you’re considering adding a one of these peaceful paths to your own backyard, and you’re feeling a bit crafty, you could design and build a DIY labyrinth, or you could consider working with a pro.

Here are some tips to help you as you think through your backyard labyrinth:

• Design. Designs can range from simple to very complex. Explore various labyrinth designs until you find one that truly speaks to you. Be aware, however, that the more complicated the design you chose, the more costly the project may become.

• Scale. Labyrinths can be created in backyards of all sizes. No matter if you have a large space or small square of land with which to work, you’ll need to decide the dimensions of your project from the very beginning. Do you want to utilize your entire backyard space? Do you need to leave room around the perimeter for additional landscaping and yard details?

• Grid. Create a grid system that allows you to see where the lines on the labyrinth intersect with identifiable locations on the grid.

• Materials. Stone, wood, sod, and grass are just a few of the many options you can choose from.

Remember to have fun throughout the labyrinth project, from the planning process to completion of your meditative circular garden. Search Houzz for more inspiration, and contact our Evergreen Turf team if you need to order sod for any of your lawn projects!

Over the summer many lawns in the Phoenix area can develop weeds, particularly Spurge. You might recognize this weed as close to the ground, dark in color with some forms having hairy or purple-red spotted leaves and red stems. Spurge can grow in a circular shape and create a dense mat of weeds.

As you prepare your winter lawn we want to help you get rid of these pesky weeds.

Spurge is the most common turfgrass weed in the US, and Arizona in particular due to the heat. Spurge primarily grows in the summer, but it can grow well into the fall. It is easy for this weed to grow in Arizona sod in the fall since the weather remains warm here.

Your first reaction to kill this weed would be to spray it, but we advise against doing so. If you are planning to overseed your lawn, applying weed killing chemicals could slow down the growth of your new lawn. We recommend pulling the weed up with your hands, roots and all. This method of removing Spurge weeds is better for your lawn if you are preparing it for overseeding and in general, since it isn’t as harmful to your lawn.

If your lawn in Phoenix did grow Spurge this year we hope that you were able to pull it out before any real damage was done to your winter lawn. If you feel like your lawn is already a total loss you can always order fresh sod from our Arizona sod farm, already overseeded. In any case we want to help you prevent weeds from ruining all of your hard work in maintaining your sod in the Phoenix area, as it can be a struggle given our environment. The best weed prevention is a healthy lawn!

Follow us on Facebook for the most up to date tips on Arizona sod maintenance.

See the University of Arizona PDF (Link) “Managing Spurge in the Landscape” for extra information beyond our blog post.

There are many sod varieties to choose from when picking out grass for your Arizona lawn. As Arizona’s premier sod producer, we recommend Midiron, Palmetto St. Augustine, or TifGrand. All of these are great choices for the Arizona climate. Here is a little more information on each one.

TifGrand is an excellent choice if your lawn is going to have a lot of shade coverage. TifGrand is specifically designed to grow in shaded areas (But it does need 4+ hours of sun).

Midiron is one of the most popular choices for Arizona lawns. It is known to recover quickly from over-seeding which is great if you love having a lush lawn in the winter. If you enjoy entertaining outside during Arizona’s mild winter or refreshing spring than Midiron just might be the Arizona sod variety for you. It handles high traffic areas well, is easy to maintain and is both heat and drought tolerant.

Palmetto St. Augustine is the second best shade-tolerant grass for Arizona lawns. People are attracted to this variety not only for it’s shade tolerance, but also for it’s unique texture. The Palmetto St. Augustine is a lighter colored sod variety with a wider blade. Great for Phoenix and Tucson area homeowners, especially if you have shade on your lawn, and kids that like to play in the grass.

These are the best grasses for Arizona lawns. When selecting your sod variety, consider how much sunlight your lawn gets, your lifestyle (kids or pets), and how often you want to mow it. These are just a few of the sod varieties that Evergreen Turf offers, if you need help selecting a sod variety for your life and home use our easy “Lawn Selector Tool.”

Find out more about our other residential sod varieties.
Order one of our Arizona sod varieties (10% off online orders).