Planting Tips
Choose desert-friendly plants that thrive in our dry climate. There are literally hundreds of plant options to choose from, and rebates are available for replacing turf with a desert-friendly landscape.
Compost del Rio Grande
In 1988, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority’s started a composting facility for biosolids produced. 505Outside recently visited the Soil Amendment Facility to check out the “Compost Del Rio Grande.” Water Authority compost is unlike any other in...
Plant these this Fall
Fall can be a great time to plant, especially if you are planting higher elevation and temperate climate plants that are adapted to cooler, more humid growing conditions. In the fall, the soil is still warm enough to encourage roots to develop so watering properly...
Xeriscape not Zeroscape: Water-conscious landscaping can be luscious and beautiful.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — By and large, New Mexican homeowners are getting the all-important message of the arid Southwest: Water is precious, and not to be wasted. But local experts say an important piece of the story is still often lost when it comes to landscaping:...
Sotol / Desert Spoon, Dasylirion Wheeleri
Exposure: Sun/Shade Water: Rainwater Height and Spread:5’ x 5’ Blooming Season: Summer Striking thin evergreen leaf blades (sometimes referred to as saw blades) grace this desert accent. Once established, it thrives on rainwater alone in hot gravelly or...
Vegetable and Herb Gardening in Small Spaces
Growing vegetables and herbs at home in small spaces can be easy, fun, rewarding and not expensive. Here are some tips for anyone from first timer to a pro. Start small with a raised bed, good-sized pots or containers or a small plot of ground. Good soil is the key in...
Watering to Establish New Plantings.
Irrigation is essential to give plants a healthy start, so they become well-rooted in the landscape. A great way to find out the water needs of individual plants is by checking out the ABCWUA Xeriscape Guide and then follow the seasonal watering recommendations. When...
The Life and Dry Times of 505 Trees
As I write this, a cold thin snow cover still hides the ground, but it won’t last long. If we’re lucky, the snow will slowly melt and seep into the soil; if we aren’t lucky, it will sublimate right into the atmosphere – straight from solid to gas. Alas, the roots of...
Plan Now for a Xeriscape Conversion
Winter is the best time to rethink your high water use turfgrass and create a plan for a xeriscape yard of desert-friendly plants. A desert friendly xeriscape will help you save water, reduce maintenance, encourage pollinators, and beat the heat of the summer. ...
The Albuquerque Urban Forest
In an arid city like Albuquerque, trees and the urban forest are even more important than in places with more moisture. Trees provide shade and habitat, and help cool the urban landscape. To sustain a healthy canopy trees require special care given the arid climate,...
What type of grass is that?
Karl Forester Grass plumes with pink Bush Muhly grass located behind it.
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Water Conservation Program
P.O. Box 568
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568
505-842-WATR Option 4
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P.O. Box 568
Albuquerque, NM 87103-0568
505-842-WATR