Keeping Cool This Summer While Saving Water
Over 40% of Albuquerque homeowners use evaporative coolers, while the rest use some type of refrigerated air system. Today’s evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) provide a practical, energy-efficient way to cool air in the low humidity climates found…
Living with Mosquitos
Mosquitoes have been so very prominent here in the Albuquerque area over the last five years, and we’ve been learning a lot about how to live with them in our yards. Fortunately, Bernalillo County and the City of Albuquerque have been studying mosquito lifecycles,…
2025 Desert Friendly Webinars
Set up a hose irrigation system for great benefits at a reduced cost
Set up a hose irrigation system for great benefits at a reduced cost The most efficient way to water your yard is by using an automatic irrigation system with underground valves. Hand watering can be problematic because it can lead to inconsistent watering, causing…
Designing Shade the Right Way: Trees, Shade Sails and Pergolas for a Comfortable Yard
Creating shade in a landscape is about far more than escaping the summer heat. The right shade strategy can reduce energy costs, maximize moisture absorption of plants, improve comfort year-round, and dramatically change how a yard feels and functions. Yet many…
Irrigation 101 Tutorials
Water Meter Information How can I find my water meter? Irrigation Valve Information Do I have an irrigation valve on my property? Install Drip Line from Irrigation Valve Learn how to install drip irrigation to your irrigation valves. How to Install Water to a Tree…
Common Planting Design Mistakes
1. Too many different plants spread out like polka dots Often when homeowners begin to design their yard, they get excited by the variety of plants in our Xeriscape Guide. Similarly, going to a well-stocked nursery in the spring can be like going to a candy store —…
How to Get Gravel Out of Your Yard
Maybe you recently moved into a house that has never been updated — think avocado tile in the bathroom and shag carpet in the sunken living room. You look outside and the theme continues — a sea of gravel and railroad ties. As with interiors, home exterior fashions…
Track Your Water Use Online
If you have a meter equipped with AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) as shown in the photo above, you can log into your Water Authority account and see your hour-by-hour usage. This may help you locate any issues in your house or yard, such as a continuous water…
Prep Now for a Great Edible Winter Garden
Growing winter veggies is a fun and valuable effort more people should experiment with in our area. In many ways, winter gardening is a lot easier than trying to garden in the summer — there are fewer pests, cooler temperatures require less watering and common winter…