Arizona Landscaping, Spring and Summer 2008 (Tucson, Tempe: environment, house, businesses)

[BillyBaroo]

We're closing on our house in about a month and I'd like to hear about other people's experiences and ideas for landscaping. I'm interested in putting greens, a small lawn for my backyard, outdoor fireplaces, outdoor grill and kitchen, flagstone, river rock, boulders, trees, bushes, a pergola, fountains, and horseshoe pits. My front yard will already be landscaped when we move in and the backyard will have nothing, a blank canvass. We have a corner lot, with an "L" shaped back and side yard, so a large part of the yard is actually on the east side of the house and will be well shaded from the afternoon sun. On the north side, we have a large covered patio where I'm installing a ceiling fan and a couple stereo speakers.

I'm looking forward to sharing and receiving a lot of information and ideas about landscaping in the great state of Arizona.

[Ponderosa]

Plant NOTHING next to your foundation/house walls and you will have a much lower chance of ever having termites.

[mdtoaz]

Thanks for starting this thread. We're in the same boat, except we've been in our house for a couple of months. We've got a decent sized yard that is basically dirt and a pool. We desperately need some rocks, as right now, the slightest rainfall turns it into a mud pit.

We're also thinking of using the fake grass to put in a putting green/bocce ball court, buidling a fire place and BBQ area and flagstone walkways. Not to mention plants.

Ponderosa - thanks for the termite tip. Do you think it's okay to put planters near the house as long as they don't drain right there? We were thinking of building a retaining wall/planter box type of thing that would have room in the bottom for drainage so there wouldn't be water draining around the foundation. Would something like that be possible? Or is that still taking a big chance w/termites?

[esselcue]

Plant "native" plants and trees and you'll be fine. Remember that water is precious and temps are drastic at times.

[mdtoaz]

We're definitely going for native plants, and we're looking into rain water harvesting, too. I can't stand when I'm driving around town and see businesses with their sprinklers going in the middle of the day.

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

We're definitely going for native plants, and we're looking into rain water harvesting, too. I can't stand when I'm driving around town and see businesses with their sprinklers going in the middle of the day.

Check out these rain barrels I found. I'm thinking about getting a couple of them.

Rain Barrels

[esselcue]

Sprinklers and lawns are such a HUGE waste of water! It drives everyone nuts if they know how much water evaporates that way. Drip systems are best, and harvesting rain water is a perfect idea. You are really in a wonderful desert mind-set! Best of luck to you!

[BillyBaroo]

Originally Posted by esselcue

Sprinklers and lawns are such a HUGE waste of water! It drives everyone nuts if they know how much water evaporates that way. Drip systems are best, and harvesting rain water is a perfect idea. You are really in a wonderful desert mind-set! Best of luck to you!

I will always defend having a small lawn when it serves a purpose and is designed correctly. In fact, most xeriscape programs will mention that growing some grass is fine. I have three kids and a couple dogs, we need a little bit of grass in the backyard.

But trying to grow and maintain a putting green would require a lot of time, money, and water. That's why I'm looking into the option of using artificial turf.

I looked around a little this weekend at barbecue grills. I'm starting to think I want a setup that will serve as an outdoor kitchen, maybe even one with an oven. I want to be able to cook dinner outside and keep from heating up the house. I also checked out a couple pergolas to extend my patio, I'd like to have a flagstone floor and then use more flagstone to create paths leading from the pergola.

[polit man]

mybe

[mdtoaz]

So, we've decided to go with a little area of real grass as opposed to the artificial turf. I've done some research and the artificial stuff gets (and stays) significantly hotter than regular grass, plus I don't really see where it would be anymore environmentally friendly when you consider manufacturing and disposal. So, grass it is.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows of somewhere around Tucson that sells sod? I found a place in Tempe where you can order online, but it looks like the minimum is 500 square feet, and we aren't going to need quite that much. Any help would be appreciated.