Need Landscaping Suggestions for Far North Phoenix (Carefree: new house, scorpions)

[musicforme]

We recently moved in our new house up in the I-17 / Carefree Highway area and started working on the landscaping in the backyard. Our house was vacant for around six months, so things were pretty overgrown as a result.

Over the weekend, I pruned the trees and removed some of the landscaping that had needles or thorns (removed two Bougainvilleas). We have a 2.5 year old and a 5 month old baby and don't want anything in the backyard they could hurt themselves on once they start playing back there when they are older.

I'm also looking for anything that would not encourage scorpions in the backyard. We've been in the house for barely a month and we've had two in the house, one of which was in our baby's nursery. I've also killed around ten or so a couple of hours after dusk using a blacklight.

I'm looking to add some landscaping to what is already in the backyard, and possibly replace some depending on how quickly it grows back. Below is a list of criteria for anything I'd plant:

1. No thorns, needles, or anything sharp that could hurt a small child
2. No vines or ground cover that scorpions could hide in
3. Requires low amounts of water and works well with a drip system
4. Prefer slow growth to reduce the amount of maintenance required

Any help or comments are appreciated!

[nightgirl151]

Not to sound rude, but we live in the desert, it is the scorpions environment. If your house backs to a wash or open desert, you are more likely to find desert critters. Scorpions can hide anywhere,I just found 2 last weekend in my front landscaping just under the rocks. The best thing to do is get a good pest control service to get rid of the bugs (esp crickets)- which is their food source, the less bugs you have, the less likely you will be to find scorpions. Make sure the company sprays your house, the block walls, and also your yard and landscaping beds. Getting your house sealed helps too, it is pricey though.

As far as plants and such-I would visit a nursery or have a landscaper come to your house to recommend low water/low maintenance plants that fit your criteria.

[AzDreamer]

Most nurseries have someone on staff to help plan your landscaping. Get some measurements and pictures and call around to see when someone is available. You don't want to just walk in on a busy weekend. After getting their advice go home and google the plant suggestions so you know for sure they are what you are looking for.

[musicforme]

Originally Posted by nightgirl151

Not to sound rude, but we live in the desert, it is the scorpions environment. If your house backs to a wash or open desert, you are more likely to find desert critters. Scorpions can hide anywhere,I just found 2 last weekend in my front landscaping just under the rocks. The best thing to do is get a good pest control service to get rid of the bugs (esp crickets)- which is their food source, the less bugs you have, the less likely you will be to find scorpions. Make sure the company sprays your house, the block walls, and also your yard and landscaping beds. Getting your house sealed helps too, it is pricey though.

We've done quite a bit to help keep the critters out. In a recent thread on here about scorpions, I listed around 7 or 8 things I've done to help keep them out.

Originally Posted by AzDreamer

Most nurseries have someone on staff to help plan your landscaping. Get some measurements and pictures and call around to see when someone is available. You don't want to just walk in on a busy weekend. After getting their advice go home and google the plant suggestions so you know for sure they are what you are looking for.

Do you have any suggestions for nurseries north of the 101?

The few times I've needed one in the past is when we lived in Texas and Lowe's was sufficent for our needs then. I prefer to use one that is based locally and not one of the big box stores.

[Rick Lee]

The closest one to you is on Carefree Hwy by the Mexican restaurant, El Encantos Dos.