by 505 Outside | Aug 5, 2019 | Blog, Design, Do It Yourself (DIY), Fall, Planting, Planting Tips, Xeriscape
One of the great advantages of desert-adapted plants is the wealth of colorful flowers they produce, a boon to gardeners and pollinators alike. Plants that bloom in autumn offer pollen and nectar for insects and, if the seed heads are left to ripen, a late season food...
by 505 Outside | Aug 5, 2019 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Lawn Care, Maintenance, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Waterwise Tips
Grass lawns in the greater Albuquerque area require supplemental irrigation in order to survive our high desert climate. Most residential landscapes are watered by pop up spray heads with conventional nozzles, as pictured below. Pop up spray head But did you know that...
by 505 Outside | Jul 2, 2019 | Blog, Design, Do It Yourself (DIY), Planting, Planting Tips
While it is fantastic living in the Southwest where the sun shines over 310 days a year, sometimes landscapes and homeowners alike crave shade. Large trees provide great shade but may take a long time to grow. So to create fast shade for patios and windows, choose...
by 505 Outside | Jun 4, 2019 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Maintenance, Planting, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Waterwise Tips, Xeriscape
Testing the soil moisture with a long screwdriver. Use a soil probe or a long screwdriver to test soil moisture. Push the screwdriver into the soil 24 hours after you’ve watered your plants. It will go easily into moist soil. Mark and measure how far it went into the...
by 505 Outside | May 1, 2019 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Maintenance, Maintenance Tips, Planting, Water Conservation, Xeriscape
Experienced gardeners in New Mexico know that the key to success is in the soil. Soils in our climate are highly erosive and without care will blow away with spring winds or wash out during summer monsoons. Covering bare soil with mulch is an essential gardening...
by 505 Outside | May 1, 2019 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Maintenance, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Waterwise Tips
What should every home owner know about simple irrigation maintenance? The most important thing is to visually inspect your system periodically. Usually, irrigation runs during the middle of the night and we’re unaware of how well (or how poorly) it’s working. Turn on...
