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Desert Landscapes or Xeriscape

Living in the desert southwest and it’s extreme climate limits the kinds of gardens you can successfully cultivate in the state of Arizona. The selection of available trees and plants that can successfully thrive in the Valley of the sun are limited, especially if you are anything short of an expert gardener. Desert landscaping is a beautiful and simple process that expresses the spirit and aesthetic of the southwest while necessitating little to no maintenance and watering. The reason for this is the plants that are used in desert landscaping, or xeriscape, are native to the desert and thrive in the Arizona climate naturally. The arid climate has caused plants to develop and evolve with means to retain water between rainy seasons. This means that watering your plants will not be necessary as they will retain water for long periods of time. You can choose to water you plants in a xeriscape, you just don’t have to very often.

Xeriscape landscapes can be extremely beautiful and serene as they lend themselves to being shaded sanctuaries with a balanced and clean look that is serene and soothing. Cacti, agave, aloe, palo verde trees, and rocks are among the common elements found in xeriscape gardens. Grouping these elements together with sculptures, water fixtures, and yard adornments will create a brand of garden that you won’t find in other regions of the country and will be hard pressed to find aside from a few select locations across the planet. The simplicity of xeriscape leaves plenty of room for creativity, which means gardeners can express themselves and create unique, one of a kind desert landscape creations.

Adding a xeriscape garden to the outdoor spaces of your home will enhance your every day experience as well as the appeal and value of your home and property. The spacious nature of xeriscape gardens make them ideal for entertaining guests and hosting out door parties or events. Adding paths, ponds and outdoor furniture among other elements can help you seamlessly transition the theme and feel of your indoor spaces into your outdoor spaces which can make you feel like you have a much larger home. Living in the Southwest means you experience some of the best weather in the world during the winter months. During the fall, winter and early spring, the temperature is perfect for spending time with loved ones enjoying the outdoors, whether you are partaking in outdoor activities or enjoying fresh air at home.

A & P Nursery in Gilbert, AZ is home to xeriscape experts as well as plants, sculptures, fountains and other garden supplies and accessories. If you are looking to create beautiful outdoor spaces that require minimal watering and care, xeriscape is definitley for you. The aesthetic of xeriscape is pure southwest and will make your home feel like it ‘s right where it’s supposed to be, blending seamlessly into the natural landscape and environment that surrounds it. We offer landscape services as well as planning and consultation for you garden projects. Visit www.apnursery.com or call us at 480-892-7939 today!

Tips for Shopping for Indoor

The right plants can do a lot to majorly enhance the atmosphere and aesthetic inside your home. Plants add a lot of life to any space, especially those that are not in natural settings. There is something soothing about nature to the human organism and the unnatural state of our modern society can throw us majorly out of whack without us even noticing. Making small adjustments like adding some plants to your surroundings can do a lot to offset some of the stresses we feel from existing in such unnatural states so frequently, day in and day out. Finding the right plants that appeal to your personality will augment the effect. Whether you are outfitting your home or office, you will notice a significant difference in your attitude. It may seem silly, but it’s true.  We are going to offer some tips for shopping for the right indoor plants to suite your needs an personality.

The first step is identifying plants that you are already fond of. Whether you enjoy the colors and appearance or the fragrance that the plant gives off, knowing what you like will make this process a lot quicker. Certain color schemes affect moods in various ways and understanding how the frequencies given off by certain colors and shades can affect the human psyche will allow you to maximize the benefits you can receive from you chosen house plants. Another area to consider is how much goes into caring for the types of plants you choose.  Different plants have differing needs when it comes to upkeep. Some plants will need constant exposure to sunlight and frequent watering; while others could need limited sun light exposure and don’t need water very often. This usually depends on where your plant is from natively. It is a good idea to choose plants that naturally thrive in the environment where you live as they will have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Getting Gardens In Arizona Ready for Winter Time

getting your garden in arizona ready for winter

With the first hints of cold in Arizona comes, we all know that winter is on its way. While people with gardens in warmer climates are just starting to plant, Arizonians know it’s time to shut the garden down. Plus there plenty of things to do in the fall to get ready for the winter season. For example, putting perennial gardens to bed, protecting annual crops from frost and preparing shrubs and trees from the cold.

Make sure you get a healthier start for next year by spending this fall weeding the perennial garden and sprucing up the lawn. Below is a checklist that will help you get your garden ready for winter time in Arizona.

Lawns

Fertilize your lawn in the Fall

  • Mow your lawn about 2-3 inches high to keep your grass roots healthy, cutting down too far will ensure they die out quickly and leave patches on your lawn
  • When fertilizing, make sure and use the 3-1-2 ration of law to food.
  • Reseed your lawn on the thing spots and spread annual ryegrass seed on top of the lawn during the warm season to add color during the winter
  • Add 1/2 inch layer of compost as a top-dressing to build up your grass’s root system
  • Aerate your lawn where there are compacted areas with an aerator machine
  • Make sure and water the lawn a lot during the fall, especially if we are having a dry month

Shrubs and Trees

  • You should shred your leaves instead of bagging them up and throwing them away. Create a 1-2 inch layer of chopped up leaved on top of the grass. The leaves will eventually breakdown and the earthworms will love the food leaving your soil well nourished.
  • Do collect some of leaves but compost them together with fresh grass clippings, flower plants, spent vegetable and other scraps from the kitchen.
  • Paint the trunks of your young trees with a white latex paint to avoid sunscald, which is basically your tree truck splitting due to quick temperature changes.
  • Protect your evergreen shrubs from cold wind by driving in stakes around the soil and wrap burlap around the plant, or you can also apply antitranspirant spray to the foliage.
  • Protect tender evergreen shrubs, such as rhododendrons, from cold winds by driving four stakes into the soil around the shrub and wrapping burlap around the plant, or applying an antitranspirant spray to the foliage.
  • For shrubs that are growing under eaves, place wooden tepees over them where the water tends to fall of the roof.
  • If there are areas that stay warmer during the winter, plant shrubs and evergreen trees now. Plant deciduous shrubs and trees after their leaves fall.

The goal of getting ready for winter is to do it before winter comes. Fall is usually the best time to get your plants, tree and shrubs ready for the chilly winter in Arizona.