Watering Guidelines for March

From the City of Mesa, view their web version with photos at www.mesaaz.gov/conservation/LWR.aspx

How dry is it? Well, La Niña conditions prevail with over 80 days since our last significant rainfall. Due to this along with some windy days means plants are definitely counting on supplemental water this winter to stay healthy. Learn more at www.climas.arizona.edu/drought-tracker/jan2012.

March is a transitional month when warm days will nudge Bermuda grass and other cold-sensitive plants out of dormancy. Many desert trees such as mesquites may look sparse, but it's normal! They will drop their leaves and leaf out with new growth soon. It is not due to under watering.

Recommendations below are for plants that are established in the landscape (in the ground about 2 years).

Lawn watering:
Dormant summer grass (Bermuda) - once every 14 days
Overseeded cool season grass (rye) - once every 7 days

If trees and shrubs are on the same valve:
Desert Adapted – once every 25 days
High Water Use – once every 12 days

Tree watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 30 days
High Water Use – once every 14 days

Shrub watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 21 days
High Water Use – once every 10 days

Groundcover and vine watering:
Desert Adapted – once every 21 days
High Water Use – once every 10 days

Cacti and succulent watering – once every 28 days

Annuals watering – once every 6 days

Native wildflowers – once every 10 days