SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Registration open for fall landscape workshops

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sonoran desert landscapeSCOTTSDALE – Keep your home beautiful and water thrifty this winter by attending one or more of Scottsdale’s Water Conservation Fall Landscape Workshops. Classes are free and open to all Scottsdale residents.

From plant care in the desert to efficient watering, there is a workshop just right for you.

Workshops will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Via Linda Senior Center, 10440 E. Via Linda and Saturdays beginning at 10:30 a.m. at either the Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th Street or at Scottsdale’s Xeriscape Garden, 5401 N. Hayden Road.

Advanced registration is required for all workshops and can be made on-line at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Water/Conservation/workshops or by calling 480-312-5690.  Confirmations will be provided.

Here’s the workshop schedule
Thursday, Oct. 3: Edible Gardening – Take advantage of this timely workshop to get your garden growing in our unique desert environment. You will discover the importance and details of soil preparation as well as how to overcome the challenges of our desert environment. Master Gardener Cathy Rymer will teach you how to select, plant and care for vegetables, herbs, fruits and citrus for a bountiful harvest.

Saturday, Oct. 5: Plant Care in the Desert – This class will shed light on misconceptions and malpractices commonly associated with desert gardening. It is important to know how to care for your landscape after you have selected the right plants and correctly installed them. Horticulturist Kirti Mathura will cover proper techniques for watering, fertilizing, pruning and other maintenance tips in this class.

Saturday, Oct. 12: Drip Irrigation Design & Installation – Simple things you need to know! Learn from an expert how to design and install a drip system in your yard and get tips to make it efficient and easy to maintain.

Thursday, Oct. 17: Wildflowers – Fall is the perfect time to plant annual wildflower seed for a spectacular spring bloom in your landscape. Get tips for success from Horticulturist Kirti Mathura.

Saturday, Oct. 19: Plant Selection for Landscaping –Choosing plants that are just right for your yard is the key to landscaping in the desert. Master Gardener Cathy Rymer will teach you basic design concepts and plant choices

Thursday, Oct. 24: Program Your Irrigation Controller – Take control of your landscape watering with step-by-step instructions and hands-on practice setting and adjusting the timer on your irrigation controller.

Saturday, Oct. 26: Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair – Get the basics on good maintenance practices, advice on problem solving and techniques you can use to keep your landscape irrigation system running smoothly.

Saturday, Nov. 2: Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden Tour – Go on a walking tour (approx. 2 miles) through Scottsdale’s five and a half  acre Xeriscape Garden with Bill Casenhiser, the Garden’s caretaker, and learn about beautiful, water thrifty plants that thrive in our desert environment.

For more water conservation tips or information on the free landscape workshops visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Water/Conservation