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.

Watering to Establish New Plantings.

by 505 Outside | Jun 1, 2021 | Blog, Planting, Planting Tips, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Xeriscape

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

by 505 Outside | Apr 1, 2021 | Blog, Landscape Tips, Planting Tips, Tree Care, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Watering Recommendations, Waterwise Tips

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

by 505 Outside | Jan 12, 2021 | Blog, Design, Do It Yourself (DIY), Landscape Tips, Planting, Planting Tips, Water Conservation, Xeriscape

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

by 505 Outside | Dec 2, 2020 | Blog, Landscape Tips, Planting Tips, Tree Care, Water Conservation, Xeriscape

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?

by 505 Outside | Nov 13, 2020 | Blog, Landscape Tips, Lawn Care, Maintenance, Planting, Planting Tips

Karl Forester Grass plumes with pink Bush Muhly grass located behind it.

The Balancing Act of Watering Trees in the Fall and Winter

by 505 Outside | Oct 7, 2020 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Fall, Maintenance, Planting, Planting Tips, Tree Care, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Waterwise Tips, Winter

The balancing act of watering your trees in the fall and winter is important. Established trees should be watered two to three times a month in the fall season and once a month in the winter season. If not watered properly, trees that get too dry during this time can...

WA Customers list the “Top Reasons to Convert a Lawn to a Desert Friendly Xeriscape”

by 505 Outside | Jun 29, 2020 | Blog, Design, Do It Yourself (DIY), Landscape Tips, Lawn Care, Planting Tips, Water Conservation, Watering and Irrigation, Waterwise Tips, Xeriscape

Water Authority customers have been inspired to convert their turf to sustainable, resilient xeriscapes that save water, time and money and provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators for many reasons. Below are some of our favorites: “We just didn’t see the...

Tips to Keep Mature Trees Healthy

by 505 Outside | Jun 1, 2020 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Planting Tips, Tree Care, Uncategorized, Watering and Irrigation, Xeriscape

Our urban forest (yes, the trees in your landscape are part of a forest) provides so many benefits too us – cooling, increased home values, beauty, and better mental health just to name a few. Here’s what you can do to help keep your members of our urban forest as...

Local educational resources are one click away

by 505 Outside | Feb 1, 2020 | Blog, Do It Yourself (DIY), Landscape Tips, Maintenance, Planting Tips, Xeriscape

We scoured the internet, met with local experts, and pulled together a great educational resource list for you. When you’re ready to dig into all there is to know about landscaping in New Mexico, these resources are ready for you. Plants: Native Plant Society of New...

Have trouble identifying plants? We’ve got an app for that.

by 505 Outside | Jan 2, 2020 | Blog, Design, Do It Yourself (DIY), Planting, Planting Tips, Uncategorized

Have you ever wished you could just take a picture of a plant and have the internet identify it for you? Turns out, there are a lot of digital options to help with the identification of plants. We’ve reviewed the best resources so you don’t have to. PLANT APPS:...