Author Archives: micah

Unless you want to stay inside absolutely all season long, it’s important to have ways to cool off outside during the brutal Arizona summer. Since not everyone has easy access to a pool, we wanted to focus on another option that can help a bit: shade trees. While shade trees may not be enough to make the hottest days enjoyable, they can make a difference. Temperatures in the shade usually feel as much as 10-15 degrees cooler than those in […]

For most of the United States, the threat of frost is very real for plants, even late into the spring. In Arizona however, plants face a different threat entirely: heat waves. With brutally hot temperatures coming as early as May, homeowners should be prepared to care for their plants properly during those triple-digit days. Here are some tips to help. Choose heat resistant plants. Because Arizona is a dry, hot climate, it makes sense to take heat waves into consideration […]

A well-designed backyard is hard to beat. When you design your yard with intention, it expands the livable area of your home and creates a space for making incredible memories. But many people don’t know where to start when redesigning their landscape. A great way to get the process going is to choose a feature or two you are really excited about, and then build the rest of the yard around that. And if you’re looking for incredible features for […]

Weeds are the bane of existence for most gardeners, landscapers, and homeowners. Staying on top of weeds can feel like shoveling snow in a blizzard: the moment you feel like you have the problem under control, you turn around and a new crop of weeds has popped up! You can always pull weeds as they grow. Or you can stay a step ahead of the weeds with pre-emergent. As the name suggests, pre-emergent is an herbicide that takes care of […]

Many homeowners in Arizona want a lush, green look for their yard landscaping, but think they are doomed to rocks and cacti.  That’s not true! There are plenty of ways to add greenery to an Arizona yard. One of the best is with fruit trees. Fruit trees are an excellent option not only because they produce delicious fruit, but also because they are large, full trees that offer plenty of green leaves (and plenty of shade). But not every fruit […]

In any type of design, safety should always be the number one priority. Your landscape design is no exception. Designing your outdoor areas so that they are well-lit, free from tripping hazards, and so on is vital to creating a space your family will enjoy for years to come.  Another important aspect of landscaping safety? The types of plants you choose. If your household includes children or pets, you could be putting them at risk if you plant flowers, shrubs, […]

Not many plants can survive the extreme heat of a Phoenix summer, which is why many Arizonans turn to a more prickly solution to add some greenery to their yards: cactus.  Cacti are the perfect low-maintenance option for desert landscaping. But is planting and caring for a cactus the same as with any other yard plant? Here are three big tips that will help you plant and care for your cactus properly. 1. Choose the right location. Cacti are hardy […]

Creating your dream yard is exciting, but it is also time consuming and costly. You want to make sure it’s done right the first time in order to avoid messy mistakes or premature repairs. You also want to create an outdoor space that is functional, beautiful, and will serve your family well for years to come. Needless to say, getting professional help can make your project be more successful in every way, but it’s important that you get the right […]

As 2021 draws to a close, many people are looking to the future as they make decisions about landscape design. So what are the trends we are predicting for 2022? Garden to table As more people focus on health and sustainability, growing food is becoming more popular. People are designing outdoor spaces that allow them to harvest their own vegetables, fruits, herbs, and berries, or even to house chickens. This is a fantastic way to add some beauty to your […]

The Phoenix area is known for its mild winters, but that doesn’t mean we never experience frigid—even freezing—temperatures. Winter nights in the desert can get cold enough to present a hazard to the plants and trees in your yard. So how can you protect your plants from these cold fronts, or from other storms that threaten them? There are a few simple tips every homeowner should know. Understand cold weather. Knowing how cold weather works will help you adequately prepare […]