Pros And Cons Of Desert Landscaping

Have you recently moved to a warmer climate and don't know how to prepare your yard for winter? Are

you concerned that you don't know how to protect your cacti and desert plants during cold weather? If

you're new to the Southwest, here are some tips on winterizing your desert landscaping:

Schedule a pruning before the first frost: Many people new to Southwest living wrongfully assume that

desert plants need little care. In fact, ornamental grasses such as Mexican Thread Grass, Deer Grass,

or Pink Muhly Grass need to be cut back six inches from the ground so that new growth will occur in

the spring. Succulents such as Agave, Ocotillo, Yucca, or Desert Spoon can be harmed by too much

pruning, and only damaged or dead areas should be removed. Palm trees with a branch that cross another
Hiring an

expert with the proper safety equipment will ensure that you don't have to worry about encountering

any sharp spines or thorns commonly found in desert landscaping.

Have your watering system checked: If your desert landscape uses drip irrigation, hire a professional

to thoroughly examine the entire arrangement. They will check the water flow to make sure that each

plant is getting the right amount of water at the correct time. Succulents and other plants that store

water in their leaves can burst in the winter if overwatered, The freezing temperatures cause the

water to expand and crack the leaves open. The landscaping expert will also check to make sure your

system is buried deep enough so that the irrigation pipes aren't damaged should a freeze