We live in the desert, yet so many of us have this innate desire for green grass, lush trees and vegetation, colorful flowers and golf courses.
We desire landscaping that visually appeals to us, whether or not our environment can sustain it. I know that I personally am more attracted to houses and yards with flower gardens, shade trees and lots of grass! The color green seems so much easier on the eyes than the harsh reflective glare of the desert, especially in the summertime, doesn’t it? Large shade trees also make the whole of the valley seem just a bit cooler when the temperatures are soaring above 110.
However, we have to step out of ourselves for a moment and consider the future of both Arizona and the planet we live on. We live in the desert where water has to be pumped in to maintain our desires for landscaping. This may be working well for now, but with the growth rate of the Phoenix area, where will we be in 20 or 50 years, or even 100? It’s hard to consider how our actions now will affect future generations after we’re long gone, but I believe we humans are starting to get our minds to shift and think beyond our current life expectancies!
Back to the topic at hand, is it possible to create landscaping that both appeals to our visual senses of beauty as well as supports our desert environment and water resources?
The City of Chandler thinks so! The City of Chandler Parks and Recreation Department is offering a FREE 3-part Southwest Landscaping Course to help those of us who are stuck in the grass rut! These classes are only available to Chandler utility residents (but check your local Parks and Recreation Departments and see if they are running something similar) and will be held on Tuesdays this Spring. In addition, the City of Chandler is also featuring free irrigation classes as well. You can’t beat that!
Click here for more information on the classes and enjoy!
Other posts you might like:
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
When I moved into my new home in 2005, I decided not to install any grass. I, too love looking at a well-kept, lush, green lawn. What I didn’t like – besides paying for the water to hydrate it – was it always looking brown. My grass never seemed to look like the perfect lawn I saw in the pictures. So, I chose a xeriscape design this time. For those of you who are considering removing your grass for a xeriscape plan, check with your water company. In most cases, you are eligible for a rebate or credit when you opt to replace your grass with desert landscaping. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no reward for choosing a xeriscape plan from the beginning, except the additional savings from never having to water your grass, and knowing that you are doing everything you can to conserve water! Be sure to ask your tax professional for any additional tax breaks for this purpose, as well.
I have the same internal arguement – I love a lush, green lawn, but I know there are better things I should be doing. I’ve given serious consideration to installing a synthetic lawn, but they’re not cheap. I have also seen some homes with desert landscaping that have tons of color – I think the right choice of plants can make a huge difference.
Peoria has the same type of classes you’re talking about. They call it Landscape Watering 101. People can learn more about it here: http://www.peoriaaz.com/News/NewsPR.asp?PID=53
-Chris