TEMPE, Ariz. - The City of Tempe is offering free workshops on xeriscape landscaping. Water is precious in our desert climate and it can be expensive to grow non-native grasses and plants. At the workshops, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants will learn how to plant and care for hardier, drought-resistant landscaping called xeriscape:

* Saturday, Sept. 29 - Basics of designing and converting to a xeriscape landscape.
* Saturday, Oct. 6 - How to choose xeriscape plants and how to maintain them.
* Saturday, Oct. 13 - Drip irrigation design, installation and maintenance.

Every participant will receive a free comprehensive xeriscape workbook, xeriscape brochures and information on drip irrigation and maintenance.
The first workshop will be held in the conference room of the Water Utilities South Water Treatment Plant, 6600 S. Price Rd. The last two workshops will be held in the Community Room of the south Tempe police substation, 8201 S. Hardy Dr. Registration is required by calling Richard Bond of the City of Tempe Water Conservation Office at 480-350-2627.

The city offers a rebate of up to $500 for Tempe residents who install or convert their existing lawns to low water-use landscape, xeriscape or artificial turf. The rebate is $250 for converting a front yard and $250 for converting a backyard. Download an application at www.tempe.gov/conservation/landscaperebate/program.htm

City of Tempe offers free xeriscape workshops

Maintain your plants for beautiful looking landscapes

Proper plant care will keep your landscape beautiful and looking its best throughout the year. Mesa residents are invited to attend a workshop titled, “Plant Care and Maintenance for Desert Landscapes,” to learn about typical maintenance practices such as proper watering, pruning, fertilizing, planting, and tree staking. The City of Mesa Utilities Department is sponsoring this free workshop.

The workshop will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on October 11 at the Utilities Department Building – Community Room, 640 N Mesa Drive. Advance registration is required. To register, call (480) 644-4400 or e-mail your request to conservation.info@cityofmesa.org. A map and confirmation letter will be mailed approximately one week prior to the workshop.

For more information on caring for your desert landscape and other water conservation programs, visit the City’s Web site at www.cityofmesa.org/utilities/conservation. Mesa encourages all residents to use water wisely.

Tags: Landscape Maintenance, Landscape, Maintenance, landscapes, landscape, palnt, plants, workshops, desert, water conservation