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A Complete Guide to Xeriscape Landscaping and Water-Efficient Design

Written by Santa Rita Landscaping on . Posted in Landscaping.

A beautiful landscape can increase the look and feel of your property. However, maintaining the look of the average landscape requires the homeowner to use significant amounts of water per week. According to the EPA, homeowners in dry states like Arizona can use up to 70% of their water on lawn maintenance.

It’s no surprise that more homeowners are switching to xeriscaping. What is xeriscape landscaping? The top provider of affordable landscaping in Tucson, AZ, covers the details in this post.

Xeriscape Landscaping: Your Water-Wise Garden

Xeriscaping is the term that describes a drought-tolerant landscaping design. It is the approach to go for if you’re a homeowner who wants all the benefits of having a beautiful landscape without dealing with all of the stress that comes with it.

If you choose a xeriscape landscape, you won’t have to worry about how the sun affects the plants or how the plants can survive when drought sets in.

The Key Steps in Xeriscape Landscaping

The key elements of a drought-tolerant landscape design include the following:

Efficient Space Management

During xeriscaping, the landscaping service you choose will look at the best way to make use of hardscaping and xeriscape-friendly softscaping to achieve that look you’re going for.

Some of the factors they will consider include the size of the area, how much sun hits your property, the soil type, and more.

Drought Tolerant Plant Selection

A significant chunk of xeriscape landscaping involves choosing drought-tolerant plants that will do well in the local climate and soil and still provide that pomp and color. Landscaping technicians often choose groups of perennials and shrubs during xeriscape plants selection.

Drought-Friendly Irrigation Installation

Irrigation systems used in xeriscaping take the water directly to the plant’s roots.

So, what is xeriscape landscaping? It’s a less demanding approach to getting that green landscape of your dreams.

Other Xeriscaping Benefits

Beyond landscape water conservation, there are other benefits to adopting xeriscape landscaping:

Improved Property Value

Savvy potential homeowners will find properties with xeriscape landscaping more appealing. This can improve the value of your property or allow you to command higher fees.

Versatile Landscaping Option

Xeriscaping can work for all kinds of landscapes. Whatever the size of your yard, you can achieve that vibrant, visually stunning look that xeriscape landscapes are popular for.

Low-Stress Garden Maintenance

Apart from reducing the need for constant watering, most of the perennials and shrubs used in xeriscape landscaping don’t require regular maintenance. So, you can save money on lawn mowing, pruning, etc. Additionally, they are hardy plants that can withstand most local pests and diseases.

Call Santa Rita Landscaping LLC for Your Water-Efficient Landscaping

We hope this post on “What is xeriscape landscaping?” has convinced you to go the eco-friendly route with your landscaping design or redesign. Are you looking for a company to trust with the project? Do you need sustainable garden ideas with water-saving alternatives to conventional landscaping elements?

Call Santa Rita Landscaping LLC at 520-623-0421 to schedule a consultation.    

signs a tree needs to be removed

5 Signs a Tree Needs To Be Removed From Your Property

Written by Santa Rita Landscaping on . Posted in Landscaping.

Should you say goodbye to that old tree in your yard? It may feel heartbreaking, but keeping bad trees sometimes brings more trouble than they’re worth.

As the go-to crew for tree removal in Tucson, AZ, Santa Rita Landscaping LLC encounters many folks, who hold on to troublesome specimens for too long and regret it. Keep reading to learn the signs a tree needs to be removed before you’re facing a real hazard.

1. Advanced Decay

Any rotting tree is a ticking time bomb. Lingering, musty odors, fungal growth all over, branch dieback, and wilting leaves are all bad news for a tree. 

Tree disease or infections weaken the internal structure and make it unsafe. Why put your property and its inhabitants at risk? Ask a specialist for guidance for tree care and removal.

2. Severe Leaning

A naturally leaning tree that grew that way over time shouldn’t worry you. A sudden change in orientation? That’s another story.

Aside from the severity of the angle, the likelihood of the tree toppling over increases with:

  • Highly-saturated soil: Stay vigilant after a heavy rain. If your foot sinks into the ground as you walk, it might not have the strength to hold a leaning tree.  
  • Visible roots: Erosion or the ground subsiding can expose the root system and create an unstable tree.
  • Heaving ground: Does one side have lifting or cracking soil? The rootball is likely shifting and unbalancing the tree.
  • Tree shape: Varieties with a top-heavy crown are more likely to fall.

3. Physical Damage

We tend to see trees as sturdy and resilient, but, in reality, they’re not invincible. The winds from passing storms can crack trunks, break branches, and uproot whole trees. Human actions like car accidents and construction harm these systems, too.

Under the right circumstances, even simply walking around the base of a tree can compact the soil and suffocate the roots.

4. It’s Too Close To Your Property

We all love the shade and beauty trees bring, but what if they grow perilously close to your home or business? It’s easy to see how branches may end up straining nearby walls and windows as falling leaves, twigs, and other debris clog up gutters and attract pests. These are clear signs a tree needs to be removed.

Don’t forget what’s underneath. The tree roots will slowly invade and disrupt your building’s foundation or underground pipes. That’s why many experts recommend planting trees at least 15 feet away from a structure.

5. It Affects the Nearby Landscape

Trees can act like rude party guests, stretching their branches wide and hogging all the sunlight. The roots dive deep to soak up precious water and nutrients from nearby flora, too. 

Are you seeing a less vibrant and diverse garden space? Look up.

Do You Need More Hazardous Tree Removal Signs?

The signs a tree needs to be removed aren’t always obvious. You might even have a dead tree and not realize it. 

Don’t worry; Santa Rita Landscaping LLC always has you covered. Dial 520-623-0421 today for everything from tailor-fit tree risk assessments to landscaping your backyard.

DIY Landscape Design vs. Professional Design: Which Is Best for You?

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Landscaping.

DIY landscaping tantalizes many property owners. They assume they’ll save money while flexing their outdoor creativity, but is that true? 

Although DIY landscape design has its place, there are times when professional design works best. The Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC, team for landscape design in Tucson, AZ, shares more below.

Consider Your Project Scope

Do you have any specific landscape design plans for your property? The scope of your plans will determine whether you need a professional landscaper at the helm of your project. 

Whether you hire professional designers or not, you should always consider the following:

  • Your project’s budget: How much have you put aside for your landscaping venture? The value and savings of hiring a landscaper might surprise you. 
  • Equipment required: You probably don’t need help with tasks requiring a small spade shovel and some dirt. However, heavy machinery requires experience and operational licenses for safe use. 
  • Your available resources: Do you have the time, energy, and knowledge to execute your plans quickly and efficiently? If not, turn to a professional landscaper. 
  • What you can realistically do alone: Many property owners underestimate the energy and time required to complete a landscaping project. A little help from professionals goes a long way! 

When Is DIY Landscape Design Appropriate?

DIY landscape design works well for small-scale projects in your outdoor space. For example, you’ll want to add some annuals to a predetermined area in your yard. You can also easily do the following without a professional:

  • Learn which annuals thrive in sunlight vs. shade
  • Choose a fertilizing product
  • Dig shallow holes to plant stuff

You might also implement simple yet creative flower bed ideas to emphasize the changing seasons. These projects usually take a day or less and don’t require any special equipment or products. 

When Does Professional Landscaping Serve You?

Professional landscapers should handle complex landscaping projects that need consistent maintenance and care. Some examples of more complicated undertakings include the following:

  • Crafting features that promote energy efficiency and native eco-diversity 
  • Building large structures like rock walls, man-made ponds, and permanent seating areas
  • Irrigation and drainage engineering
  • Constructing expansive flower beds from the ground up

These projects require professional design experience, construction skills, and project-specific materials to complete them safely.

Before Hiring a Professional Landscaper

If you’ve chosen to hire a professional landscaping company to complete your project, you can still strategize ways to save money while achieving your desired results. The following tips will help you find the best landscaper to fit your needs:

  • Explore the average price to complete a landscaping design. 
  • Research landscapers’ experience in your particular undertaking. 
  • Speak with your landscaper about affordable materials and methods.

Share Your Ideas With Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC

While DIY landscape design allows you to enjoy personal creativity and resourcefulness, it doesn’t suit all backyard landscape ideas. Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC can assist you in creating the perfect outdoor paradise on your property. Call 520-623-0421 to learn more.

Understanding Landscaping Texture: A Homeowner’s Guide

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Landscaping.

Most Tucson homeowners want their properties to make a statement, but the hot desert climate can make things tricky. Adding some texture to a landscape is a great start, accentuating the beautiful parts of your home and drawing together your living space and outdoor spaces. 

So, how can the right landscaping texture enhance your property’s appeal? Below, Santa Rita Landscaping LLC shares a brief guide on what texture means for landscape design and how it can take any upcoming landscaping projects to new heights.

As one of the area’s leading professional landscaping services, Santa Rita Landscaping LLC is also available to help if you’d like to explore landscape design in Tucson, AZ, in more depth.

Landscaping Texture Involves The Design’s Look and Feel

Texture in landscaping can describe how plants, hardscapes, and other design elements feel to the touch. Are they fine or coarse, spiky or smooth? It’s a powerful tool if you’re trying to develop a truly breathtaking landscape that elevates your home’s visual appeal. 

Combining various textures can create eye-catching landscape designs that transform spaces from shabby into luxurious. However, some elements will change the texture they bring to the space over time and depending on the season. For example, deciduous plants drop their leaves during winter, providing a very different landscaping texture than they do in the summer.

Plants Add Natural Textural Variety to Your Outdoor Areas

Even with the plethora of plant life in a garden, plant textures come in three primary forms:

  • Fine
  • Medium
  • Coarse

Fine-Textured Plants

Finer plants have small blossoms and leaves, giving gardens an airy, light feel while filling up the gaps. Fine textures act as background plants and complement denser vegetation.

Medium-Textured Plants

Medium-texture plants have moderately sized foliage with relatively smooth, simplistic shapes and edges. They often amplify or unify finer textures and coarse flora for more enchanting landscapes.

Coarse-Textured Plants

Coarse-textured plants have large leaves and thicker branches, often featuring as the focal point of a landscaping section. They can make spaces appear smaller or enhance them, depending on what you’re trying to achieve.

Balancing Texture Creates Interest Without Being Too Much

Although combining various textures creates gorgeous landscapes that can complement your home’s exterior features, you don’t want to overdo one specific texture. For instance, too many medium-textured plants make it dull, while haphazardly adding textures can make a garden look too busy. You must find a balance between the texture varieties to avoid overcomplicating the look.

The best way to make your home the highlight of the neighborhood is to use the three textures optimally. 

  • Use one or two coarse-textured plants as centerpieces.
  • Fill larger spaces with medium textures that highlight this centerpiece.
  • Beautify the space with the finishing touches of the finer-textured plants.

Contact Santa Rita Landscaping LLC for Outstanding Landscaping Services in Tucson, AZ, Today!

Would you like some help creating captivating outdoor spaces using various landscaping ideas? Whether you want to incorporate landscaping texture with plants, water features, unusual backyard landscape ideas, Santa Rita Landscaping LLC can help.

Call Santa Rita Landscaping LLC at (520) 623-0421 today and transform your Tucson, AZ, home and garden today!

Four Things to Know When Hiring a Landscaper

Written by csDevTeam on . Posted in Landscaping.

Landscaping your yard can be an exciting and rewarding home improvement experience. This type of project requires the right landscape contractor, but hiring a landscaper can be extremely difficult. 

The experts at Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC are landscape design professionals in Tucson, AZ. We understand the importance of selecting the right professionals for your project. Call us at (520) 623-0421 and read this guide about the four things to know when hiring a landscaper.

#1: Plan Ahead

Landscaping projects vary in size and scale. Trying to find a landscaping professional for your unique project requires that you plan ahead. Ask yourself: are you working on your entire yard or a smaller space?

Smaller projects may only require a weekly visit. Extensive renovations and transformation projects require daily work over an extended period of time — months or weeks, usually. Create a schedule that you’d like to follow for your project.

#2: Set a Budget

Create a formal budget. Establish targets for how much you are willing to pay for service. Consider that maintenance companies typically charge around $100 or more for smaller projects — lawn mowing and hedge trimming, for instance.

More extensive projects require more labor and materials to complete. For that reason, landscape architects often charge thousands of dollars for their services — potentially up to $10,000, depending on your specific circumstances.

#3: Consult Multiple Landscape Professionals

When hiring a landscaper, it’s best to consult multiple companies. Obtaining more than one quote gives you a better idea as to how much you should be paying for your services. You’ll also have several points of reference you can use to compare different services.

Ask each contractor about their approach to landscaping. Encourage them to explain what makes them unique and seek information about other customers who worked with them on similar projects. You can never ask too many questions!

Ideally, you’ll want to consult with at least three landscape professionals before making a decision, although it never hurts to ask more. Check their reviews and relevant materials to see if what they told you during your consultation is accurate.

#4: Check Qualifications

Landscapers require proper licensing and qualifications to provide reliable service. Landscaping professionals must be licensed, bonded, and insured, displaying their relevant certifications and license numbers on all promotional materials. 

In addition to these general qualifications, some landscape companies practice unique specialties that require more qualifications. State regulations often dictate that companies using pesticides and fertilizer must obtain licenses. Companies that offer irrigation or interior landscaping systems may also require proper licenses.

Learn More About Landscaping Projects

Our experts at Santa Rita Landscaping, LLC, can help you navigate the process of hiring a landscaper. Whether you want to learn more about the average cost of landscaping or work with our incredible landscaping team, call us at (520) 623-0421. Together, we can create a plan for your unique landscaping project and make your dreams a reality. Contact us to learn more.