April is National Garden Month! Here in the desert, it is also a great time to give your garden some attention before the weather gets hot.
One of the best ways to keep your landscape healthy in the heat and save water is to plant desert-friendly flowers, trees and shrubs. Need ideas? Pick up a free copy of Lush & Efficient, a guide to local planting, at Desert Water Agency in Palm Springs or at Coachella Valley Water District’s locations in Palm Desert and Coachella. You can also download the book online at www.CVWD.org/conservation or www.dwa.org/lushandefficient.
Be sure to check with your water provider for a grass removal incentive before updating your landscaping. Many agencies offer programs that can help with the cost of removing turf.
Herbs, fruits and vegetables can also thrive in the desert. For a list of seasonal recommendations, check out this month-by-month garden guide for the Coachella Valley at www.dwa.org/plantingguide.
For more garden tips, including a monthly outdoor irrigation guide, go to cvwatercounts.com.
