Phoenix is located in the Sonoran Desert. As desert residents, we enjoy a diverse and beautiful natural desert landscape. By watering with the weather, you can use less water while having your landscape thrive!
Tip 1: Start by thinking about how often you water your plants.
Even for your thirstiest plants, you should water no more than 2x per week, in the hottest part of the year. In cooler months, you can water far less.
Tip 2: Next, time your watering for efficiency.
When you water, make sure to water at night or before the sun comes up. This way, the water won't evaporate before your plants get a drink!
Tip 3: Then, pace your watering for efficiency.
If you experience runoff during watering, change your schedule to run multiple short irrigation sessions.
- Learn more about appropriate irrigation rates and how water that is applied too quickly can be wasted by visiting this page from our partner Water Use It Wisely.
Tip 4: Remember, if it is raining, you shouldn't be watering!
When it rains, turn off your irrigation controller. You can skip your next planned watering day, or in general, just wait a week!
Tip 5: Most importantly, choose desert-adapted or low water-use plants!
When planting, consider choosing desert-adapted and low water-use plants, which are perfect for the Sonoran Desert! These plants will need very little extra water, which means less time, money, and water spent caring for your landscape.
Tip 6: Sign up for monthly text reminders from our partner, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.
Their text service can help you every month to water better by thinking about the weather! They make it even easier to water efficiently.