Spring is Coming: Is Your Yard Ready?
It’s nearing the end of winter here in Phoenix, and many homeowners are already thinking about their spring landscape design. If planting a garden is on the list this year, take a look at some of the best plants for your yard. Due to the desert climate, some plants will fare better than others in your garden. We’ve put together this guide to planting a variety of plants that will thrive in your yard.
Growing Vegetables? Consider a Raised Garden Bed
If you plan to grow vegetables in your garden, we recommend a raised garden bed. This way, you’ll have more control over the soil and growing conditions. Many plants can grow all year in Phoenix due to their double growing seasons.
Green Beans
Green beans thrive in Arizona, though the ground may freeze in February, so it’s best to wait until March to plant your new little seeds.
Herbs
Herbs are easy to grow, and they are an excellent addition to your garden. Not only do most varieties of herbs smell nice, but some herbs such as mint may also deter pests from your garden. Now is a perfect time to plant your herb garden, but if you suspect an upcoming freeze, make sure to cover your herbs, so they don’t freeze!
Peppers
Peppers grow great here in Phoenix! We can help you plan your backyard — call Desert Environments today!
It’s probably no surprise that peppers grow well here in the desert. Pepper plants do well in pots, as long as you keep up with the needs of the soil. Pepper plants don’t require much watering, but make sure you only water the soil as pepper plant leaves will wilt during hot summer days.
Snap Peas
Snap peas are easy to grow in Arizona year-round, and they’re pretty resilient to dry weather. Peas grow best at temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so now’s the time to plant them in your new garden!
Tomatoes
Who doesn’t love the taste of a homegrown tomato? Tomatoes grow well here in Phoenix, though we recommend starting your plant about five weeks before you plan on putting it into the ground.
Radishes
Now is the perfect time to plant radish seeds as they grow best when the temperature is about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest part of the day. Radishes are often recommended for first-time gardeners as they’re easy to sprout, grow, and harvest.
Carrots
Carrots are another vegetable that does well in the Arizona climate, though if you want your carrots to be as large as possible, you need to pay close attention to the soil. Root vegetables like carrots can be grown year-round in Phoenix!
Other Plants That Will Do Well in Your Arizona Backyard
Perhaps vegetable gardening is a little too much work for you, but you’d still like to watch your yard thrive this spring and summer. In that case, consider planting any of these plants that tend to do well in the desert climate and look beautiful.
Mexican Thread Grass
Mexican thread grass is also known as Mexican feather grass. If you plant Mexican thread grass in the spring, by the end of the summer, you’ll have beautiful golden grass. Mexican feather grass requires a medium amount of water and needs attention during the summer.
Indian Fig
You can’t drive anywhere in Phoenix without seeing cacti in various shapes and colors. The Indian fig is an excellent choice for the climate here, and it’s a small cactus that likes full sun and doesn’t require much water at all. Indian figs reach about a foot and a half in height at maturity, and they grow yellow and orange flowers during the spring.
Blackfoot Daisy
Just because we’re in a desert, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy flowers. Consider planting Blackfoot daisies in your yard, gorgeous flowers with white petals and yellow centers. The flowers grow quickly and last year-round when planted close together in a bed of blooms. This flower is one of the best and easiest ways to bring some color to your yard during the summer.
Aloe
Another succulent, aloe plants are beautiful and can grow to be large plants that you can use for a variety of purposes, including a topical application for those pesky sunburns. Aloe plants are tolerant of most soil types, though they need good drainage in their soul.
Calliandra
Another option for flowers in your garden includes calliandras, also known as fairy dusters. Calliandras range in color from pink to red, and they recover if they’re affected by frost. Calliandras are a great option to add color to your yard and attract pollinators such as hummingbirds.
Desert Willow
If you’re looking to add a tree to your yard, consider the fast-growing desert willow. The tree can reach up to 25 feet, and its flowers are shaped like trumpets and range in colors from pink to a purple-magenta. Desert willows attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, so you’re sure to see a flurry of activity in the spring and summer.
Desert Honeysuckle
The desert honeysuckle plant attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators with beautiful flowers that range in color from bright yellow to a deep red. These shrubs bloom throughout the year, and they don’t require much watering other than the occasional deep water. Desert honeysuckles also recover well from hot weather and frosts, making it the perfect low-maintenance flower for your yard!
Evening Primrose
Another option for your yard this spring is the evening primrose, otherwise known as Oenothera. These plants have large flowers with four petals, typically in pink, white, or yellow. Evening primroses are hardy and can be used in multiple different areas in your yard, including both full shade and full sun.
How Can Desert Environments Help?
With over 25 years of landscaping experience in the Phoenix metro area, Desert Environments can help you plan your perfect backyard oasis. We dedicate ourselves to customer care and high-quality work. We can help answer any questions you may have about growing a garden here in Phoenix during the summer, and we can even help you plan it! Call today to get started!