The City of Tempe provides publications on conservation topics for any Tempe customer. Each of these publications are available online or print. For print copies to be mailed to a Tempe or Guadalupe address, please submit a Publications Request Form. Links to digital copies, flip books and interactives follow:
Detailed descriptions of each of the above publications follow:
Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert
Low-water-use plants from deserts all over the world can help you create a beautiful landscape that provides shade, privacy screening, habitat for wildlife, and even food. Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert: Guide to Growing More Than 200 Low-Water-Use Plants provides a unique selection of plants that have been carefully chosen by local valley horticulture and water experts. Each plant in the guide includes:
- a picture of the plant
- common name
- botanical name
- growth rate, size, and form
- foliage details (evergreen or deciduous), color, texture
- flowers and blooming seasons
- info about litter, thorns, allergy
- special features, such as pool friendly or great for screening
"New Tree Care Guidelines: Right Tree, Right Place"
The New Tree Care Guidelines: Right Tree, Right Place summarize best practices for planting, maintaining, and watering trees in Tempe.
Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert
Xeriscape: Landscaping With Style in the Arizona Desert is a step-by-step guide for planning, installing and caring for your landscape in the desert. The guide goes over the eight steps to planning and designing a great yard. At the heart of creating a beautiful, healthy and water-efficient yard are the Xeriscape Principles:
- Good Landscape Planning and Design
- Low Water Use Plants
- Appropriate Turf Areas
- Efficient Irrigation
- Soil Improvements
- Use of Mulches
- Appropriate Maintenance
Xeriscape also comes in many styles for different tastes. Both the print copy of the book and the online version provides pictures of different Xeriscape landscapes that you can use as inspiration.
Landscape Watering by the Numbers
Up to 70 percent of your home water use could be going to your landscape. One of the easiest ways to save water outdoors is to ensure that the water that you're applying to your soil is not going to waste. Plant water needs depend on the weather. You may be able to reduce your water use by 30-50 percent by adjusting your irrigation each season.
The Landscape Watering by the Numbers PDF guide provides an easy way to figure out how often and how long to water your plants. To make efficient watering simple, how long you water will stay the same but how often you water will change at least four times a year.
Smart Home Water Guide
Find & fix Leaks that are draining your Budget: An Easy Step-by-Step Smart Home Water Guide will help you check your home and landscape for leaks. You do not need any special equipment to use this guide. It shows you how to use your water meter to check for continuous leaks and non-continuous leaks. It will also show you how to inspect different areas of your home and landscape for leaks, as well as how to use valves to isolate your leaks.
"Desert Lawn Care"
The Desert Lawn Care brochure highlights easy ways to maintain grass in the desert to ensure that it is beautiful and uses water as efficiently as possible.
"Good Reasons to Take Out Your Grass"
The Turf Removal brochure highlights best practices when it comes to removing grass from your landscape.