House & Garden

LadyBugs, Lawns and Landscape

LadyBugs, Lawns and Landscape Are you so busy that you just can't fit one more thing into your schedule? If you're like me, this is a no-brainer. As a result, do you feel stress mounting in trying to keep ahead of it all? And, what about high utility bills? (Another no-brainer; we live in the desert, so we are forever challenged with higher bills than we would hope for, especially in summer)! Well, let's visit what the experts suggest about when and how to water, so as that we maximize the output of our home irrigation 'system'. First, though, let's talk about system maintenance. Vendors will sell you on the ease with which you can water with an automatic system. Set the timer, and forget about it, right? But remember, that anything mechanical will break, and this is true of home watering systems. At least once a year, it is best to inspect and repair your system. Make sure that all sprinkler and drip heads/emitters are cleaned of accumulated hard water deposits, check hoses and replace those that may have cracked, and be sure to add a drip line/soaker hose to the previously-established emitters around those trees. And why, you may ask, is this so important? Well, when an emitter is installed for a young tree, it is typically set close to the trunk, because this is where the root ball is positioned! However, this only serves the purpose of correctly watering a young root system, and does not maintain correct watering for a mature tree.

As trees grow, their roots do not grow down into the ground, as many of us are lead to believe. Instead, roots grow outward and spread toward the edges of the 'natural drip line'. This is defined at the point where the canopy naturally drapes at maturity (that is, where the top, outer reaching edges of the branches and leaves are positioned above ground). Whoever designed tress knew what they were doing! The drape of the canopy is such that it maximizes any rainfall that occurs, allowing the water to fall where the mature roots actually reside! So, as a tree begins to grow, do not water at the trunk; you only loose water to runoff below ground, and the roots get little of the water needed for healthy growth. Instead, add a soaker hose or drip line to that initial emitter, (or use a garden hose) positioned toward the outer edge of the canopy to be sure that the roots get the water they need. So, just what is the ideal depth that you should water the total landscape. A general rule of thumb to follow is called the '1-2'-3' method: ' Leafy vegetables and annual bedding plants: water 6 inches to one foot ' Small shrubs, cool-season turfgrasses, corn and tomatoes: water one to two feet ' Large shrubs, trees, warm-season turfgasses: water 2' to 5'. We'll visit more about the 'science' behind irrigation during the summer issues. There's a lot more good information coming, and we look forward to sharing it with you!

Happy planning, planting, and managing! Lynae Cole

APS Emergency Number

In the event of a power outage, APS has an emergency number that avoids many of the voice prompts of their main number. Call (602) 258-5483.

Street Lighting - Report of Damage-Malfunction As found in the famous BLUE pages of the Business Edition of the Phone Book (602) 495-5125

Please report any street lights that are out ASAP as we need all we have to be functioning. You'll need to have the pole number (approx 6-8 ft up on the street side) and the address of the house closest to the street light that's out. Leave a report on voice mail along with your phone number. It generally takes approx. 2 weeks to repair. If you have any problems with repairs taking longer, email Steve D.

Link to SHPO
Here's a link to the State Historic Preservation Office.If you want info on getting the reduced property tax rate for historic homes, this is the place to check.

Countdown to Trash Pickup
Our uncontained trash in the alley is due to be picked up four times a year.

Products and Services for Historic Homes
ARTS & CRAFTS, MISSION, CRAFTSMAN, and BUNGALOW STYLE homes can find historic products and services at this website.

Visual Award
APRIL VISUAL AWARD Dana Evans wanted to be true to the heritage of her 1924 bungalow. So she set out to patiently rework the brick on the house, and replace the grout between the bricks. The brick-cleaning had to be a gentle process, she said, to bring out the original colors of the brick, which was kiln-fired in 1922. The house had original cedar shingles as siding, although they were covered over with several layers of paint. To evoke the hue of the original shingles, she chose a copper color, and used it for the trim on the house as well. She gives credit to a patient painter with reworking the wood trim to make it look good as new, although it is as old as the 84-year-old house. Evans also filled in the garden beds up against the house with colorful flowers, which serve as a welcome entry to her wide front porch. For these efforts, Evans is this month’s Visual Award winner. See the results in the 700 block of Lynwood.

APRIL VISUAL AWARD Chris Robinson’s 1931 Cape Cod bungalow stands out from the surrounding homes, and not just because of its architectural style. Her lot sits up from the sidewalk by a foot or two, so she took advantage of that perch and replaced a concrete retaining wall with planters flanking both sides of her front walk. She filled the planters with asparagus ferns, creating an airy feel. Two large trees in her front yard make it a shady retreat -- one which attracts lovebirds to her Arizona ash. Robinson also changed the house color from pale blue to soft gray, and swapped out the maroon shutters for black And she added a touch of whimsy with a fish-shaped mailbox custom made by Story’s own John Peirce. He also crafted two metal, octopus-shaped scuppers on her front porch. As the temperatures climb, Robinson’s home imparts of a sense of cool and calm. Drink some in as you pass by in the 1300 block of Willetta.

Plant and Seed Exchange Do you have an excess of vegetable or flower seeds or too many volunteer landscape plants that you don't want? How about seeds or plants that you would like but don't have? Now you can list the items you have to give away and those you would like to get here on the website. Add a post to the Message Board.

Building Permit Info The City's Development Services Department has up-to-date info on building permits, plan reviews and inspections now available on the Web. you can track permit no., plan review no. and professional license no, name and address.

Contractor Guide We've got a slew of new reviews and folks are finding competent, reliable contractors...and some have foud soe real dogs. Find out the straight scoop. If you've had work done, please take a minute to fill out the contractor survey and help out others who may need the same kind of work done.

The County Agricultural Extension Service has a plethora of gardening information. You'll find timely monthly tips, a garden calendar, gardening pubs available for download, answers to your gardening questions and links to other local websites.

For info on native plants, check out the Arizona Native Plant Society. You'll find bulletins on native plants, wildflower alerts and plant salvage information.

The Republic has a plant adviser with info on southwest desert gardening.

The Phoenix Rose Society meets the third Tuesday of the month at the the Valley Garden Center, 1809 N. 15th Ave. at 7:30 pm. Call for info-937.5713.

Perhaps the Valley of the Sun Gardeners is more to your liking. They meet the third Monday at the Washington Adult Center Auditorium at 2240 W. Citrus Way. Again, contact 937.5713.