www.scottsdaleranch.org
The Calm Before the Storm
City of Scottsdale Collection Services
By Randy Zellers SDL, Director of Operations
As you know, we are getting dangerously close to those hot summer months. Let’s enjoy April and May while we can before June, July and August make it unbearable to go outside and enjoy our landscape. The desert landscape starts to transition this time of year and here are a few things to look for. IRRIGATION Gradually increase the water to your trees, shrubs and turf as dictated by the increased temperatures. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply and infrequently to encourage root systems to grow downward to cooler soil temperatures. Shallow watering will keep roots near the surface where soil temperatures are the warmest and most stressful for the root systems. Watering every day for a few minutes will stress the roots of all living material and not f lush salts through the root system. Tips of leaves turning brown is a sign that salt burn has occurred and the need for deeper watering is required. SHRUBS Decrease trimming as this action stresses the plant. By this time, all frost damaged material has been eliminated and major rejuvenation pruning has occurred. Shrubs will bloom more frequently if allowed to grow naturally. Only prune if plants are encroaching on sidewalks or driveways during warmer months of the year.
Upcoming Weeks of Brush Collection: April 20th and May 18th The earliest items can be placed out is the Wednesday prior to the week of pickup and must be placed out no later than 5:00 am on Monday the week of the scheduled pick up. Residents, please be considerate of your neighbors - do not put your items out before the designated dates. Please be patient as the City has all week to pick-up in our area. NOTICES FROM THE CITY OF SCOTTSDALE: Please separate your brush and bulk pickup into two piles – one for green waste and one for everything else. The piles will be picked up by separate trucks during your designated brush and bulk pickup week. *Please refrain from placing trash containers or bulk trash where it blocks the sidewalk and would prevent pedestrians or wheelchair bound residents from passing along the sidewalk.
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TREES Spring is a good time to open canopies of trees like Sissoo, Eucalyptus, Palo Blanco and Jacarandas. Remove cross branching and dead wood to help rejuvenate your trees. Water deeply once per week to f lush salts in the soil through the root system. A balanced fertilizer for your trees is a good idea before the warmer temperatures hit us. All plants and trees are coming out of dormancy and the root system would enjoy the boost of nutrients. TURF Rye grass is transitioning out and our base grass of Bermuda is emerging with the warmer temperatures. Gradually increase water to your lawns and mow the rye shorter each week to encourage more sunlight to the Bermuda. By the end of May, most turf has transitioned, except shaded areas, where Rye will hang in a little longer. Bermuda turf needs 8-10 hours of direct sunlight to f lourish and trees in turf obviously inhibits sunlight needed for health. Consider Fescues for shaded areas or convert weak turf to a more xeriscape landscape.
Randy Mueller Ins Agcy Inc Randy Mueller CPCU CLU ChFC, Agent 10575 N 114th St, Suite 111 Scottsdale, AZ 85259 Bus: 480-391-9390 www.randymueller.com
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ANNUAL FLOWERS By the end of May, annuals should be changed out to your summer choices. Potato Vine, Lantana and Vinca are good choices that can handle the heat. Get your landscape tasks completed now so you can minimize the amount of work needed during the warmest part of the year.
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