March Watering Reminder

March watering reminder from the City of Mesa:

After doing your happy dance for the rain, hopefully you turned your irrigation timer to the 'off' or 'rain' setting to stop the watering cycle without disturbing your programs. Because it’s been dry and warm for over a week, it’s time to check your smaller plants like annuals or groundcovers to see if they need the water turned back on.

The rain was perfect for March since it is a transitional month when warm days will nudge Bermuda grass and other cold-sensitive plants out of dormancy. Having moisture available when new growth is emerging is important for a healthy start before heat sets in.

Many desert trees (such as mesquites, palo verdes and lysilomas) 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

Annual and vegetable watering – once every 5-6 days

Native wildflowers – once every 10 days

Note: These recommendations are a general guideline only and may need to be modified for your specific site conditions.