The growing season is upon us! We are finally starting to come out of the hot summer and into cooler fall. We will greatly appreciate the cooler weather and our landscapes will, too. Fall is the time when our trees and plants can effectively establish themselves into their environment. With the changing of the season, there are a few things we need to remember so that our landscapes and gardens can thrive.
Watering: With the cooler nights and days, it’s important to change our watering routine. For fall, we need to water less often than we do during the hot summer. Typically, once our daytime temperatures reach 85-100 degrees, we move away from our summer watering schedule. There are factors that play into how much you need to water; those factors are the type of tree or plant, and the planting location. Check out our watering guide to see what we recommend. If you would like more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our nursery pros at your nearest Moon Valley Nursery location. Now’s a great time to help cut the amount of water we use by reducing the frequency that we water our lawns. With cooler weather, our lawns will retain more moisture longer, cutting back on our usage. So, we need to cut back on the frequency of watering, not the actual amount used when watering.
Fertilizing: It’s time to fertilize! Fertilizing will help your trees, palms, and other plants grow to their full potential. Now is the perfect time for giving additional help with the growing process, fertilizers allow trees and plants to intake more nutrients and water along with making nutrients more readily available. Moon Valley Nurseries has a line of custom developed fertilizers that can be used on a variety of landscape materials – turf, grass, palms, desert trees, shade trees, and so much more. Click here to see our fertilizers.
Tree Care: Make way for new growth! That’s right. Trim off the dead or damaged branches so that new growth has room to bloom. Proper tree care is vital for strong growth in this fall season. Were the monsoons rough on your landscape? No need to worry. Our professional tree care team is here to help. They can remove any dead, damaged, or overgrown branches. Let us clean up your landscape!
What to Plant
Crape Myrtle – If you want color, this is the tree for you! Blooming large clusters of flowers throughout all seasons, the Crape Myrtle will deliver year-round interest. We custom grow our Crape Myrtles to be mildew resistant, making them the strongest Crape Myrtle you can find. With low maintenance needs, low water use, and the variety of colors of flowers, it is easy to see why the Crape Myrtle is one of the most popular flowering trees for any yard. This drought tolerant tree grows in a vase shape, with vibrant flowers popping against shiny, bright green leaves. The multi-trunk looks impressive with nighttime lighting, adding even more interest to a landscape.
Tipu – This fast-growing shade tree is the solution for adding shade and beauty to any yard. Its large canopy is created with feathery, bright bluish-green foliage. The Tipu tree features a fissured bark texture and, in late spring, lovely golden blooms appear. Tipus are water-wise, drought tolerant, and grows well in many soil conditions. These trees require little maintenance. And, as a bonus, the nectar of the Tipu attracts butterflies and other pollinators to your yard or garden.
Chinese Elm – The Chinese Elm is also known as the “Evergreen Elm”. In very mild winters, Chinese Elms can retain their leaves throughout the season. The foliage is dark green and creates an umbrella-shaped canopy that produces mass amounts of shade. The Chinese Elm is ideal for use as a picnic spot, for climbing, or for attaching a tire swing for the kids to enjoy. This tree thrives in full sun and is very tolerant of poor soil and poor weather. Moon Valley Nurseries carries the ‘True Green’ strain which does not weep.
Ficus Columns – Indian Laurel Columns are an excellent choice for creating a living wall. Need privacy? Look no further. These Ficus Columns have dense evergreen foliage that works well for blocking unwanted sights and noises. They even create shady areas. Once established, Indian Laurel Columns are drought tolerant and water-wise. They are easy to prune, so you can keep them small and topiary or tall and majestic – whichever fits your style. Grown to thrive in desert environments, Ficus Nitida Columns are sure to add greenery to our arid Arizona landscapes.
Piru Queen Palm – Our Piru Queen Palms feature thicker and harder trunks, denser and greener fronds, and fuller crowns. These evergreen palms thrive in full sun and can handle heat or cold exposure. Very low water requirements make this a perfect palm for desert landscapes. Our Piru Queen palms will bring the feel of the tropics and resort living straight to your yard. These beautiful palms can grow up to heights of 35 feet and can have 10-15-foot fronds. Plant in your front yard for a focal point and use nighttime lighting to bring the wow factor!
Pygmy Date Palm – It can be grown in shade, is slow growing, and its roots are non-invasive. This allows the pygmy Date palm to be a fantastic option for planting under larger palms or trees, in between palms, or in a cluster. Its versatility and dwarf growth pattern allow the Pygmy Date palm to be planted in tight spaces; perfect around pools, patios, courtyards, and in pots. This stunning palm features multiple trunks of varying height or it can be grown with just a single trunk; depending on your need. Moon Valley Nurseries has custom grown our Pygmy Date Palms at our farms to ensure that the palms generate thicker trunks and fuller crowns.