Plant Of The Month: Natal Plum (Carissa Macrocarpa)
This commonly grown shrub reaches up to 8 feet high and as wide, and the canopy coverage can be up to approximately 50 square feet. The leaves are an intense deep green, densely arranged on unique, tight, short branches. Fragrant white flowers are followed by red or purple fruit – as long as plants are not pruned excessively. […]
Landscaping Tip of the Month: Avoid Over-Fertilizing
In many parts of the Coachella Valley, sandy soils and rock-and-sand soil combinations are common. They have excellent drainage, but tremendous amounts of water must be applied frequently to keep plants alive when temperatures soar. Rapid soil drainage and frequent irrigation leaches (washes) plant nutrients, particularly nitrogen, away from plant roots. This results in a need to replenish these nutrients more often. […]
Where Does the Coachella Valley’s Water Come From?
Here in the Coachella Valley, our water comes from four sources: (1) groundwater, (2) recycled water, (3) imported water from the State Water Project, and (4) the Colorado River via the Coachella Canal, a branch of the All-American Canal. […]
Landscaping Tip Of The Month: Cooler Temperatures Mean It’S Time To Use Less Water
Now that winter is here, our temperatures are cooler, and that means we can gradually reduce watering times to avoid wasting water. Plants and grass do not need much water during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons. […]
Plant Of The Month: Desert Spoon, Sotol (Dasylirion Wheeleri)
The desert spoon, sotol is an outstanding accent plant that grows slowly, eventually developing a trunk. At maturity, it reaches 4 to 6 feet high, and spreads up to 5 feet wide, with a canopy coverage of up to 20 square feet. Its narrow, gray-green leaves are sharply toothed along the edges. […]
Live Water Wise
Climate shifts are creating changes in our weather, temperatures, and our water supply. It’s important for us to save water wherever we can – and to make water conservation a way of life. […]
