JANUARY
PLANT SPOTLIGHT
HIBISCUS
It may seem like our desert climate would be too hot and dry for the tropical Hibiscus shrub, but in the right conditions, it can actually thrive! It is happiest in partial sun, but will adapt to full sun. Hibiscus is sensitive to frost damage in the winter, but quickly recovers in the spring.
There are over 200 colors and varieties of Hibiscus, but in local landscape, you will most commonly see bright red or a peachy orange. Hibiscus is unmistakable: the oversized flower petals are feathery soft, and the pollen-heavy pistil reaches straight out from the center of the bloom. The leaves are deep green and waxy.
FUN FACT! The flowers and other parts of the hibiscus plant are used to make medicinal teas and supplements for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infections, metabolism, and even cancer.
HOLIDAYS
AVERAGE TEMPS
NEW YEAR'S DAY
MLK JR DAY
HIGH 76
LOW 51
PROJECTS
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS
Everyone starts the new year with personal and professional goals. But what are your new year’s landscape resolutions? A new year is a great time to have LandTech review your property for plants that need to be replaced, rock to be replenished, or upgrades to irrigation systems, entrances, or turf conversion projects.
JANUARY CUTBACKS
The new year has always symbolized new beginnings and a fresh start. LandTech’s plant maintenance program uses the same thinking. Beginning in January, select plants are revitalized and rejuvenated with seasonal cutbacks. We will be focusing on the most cold-tolerant plants, like sage, chuparosa, and ornamental grasses. Once this selective pruning or cutback is completed, the plants will be left to grow and flower naturally throughout the spring and summer months.
These select shrubs should be cutback to a height of 12″. Loppers, handsaw or chainsaw can all be used, depending on the width of the branches being cutback. The shrubs will grow back quickly and look great for the first bloom in the spring!
TREES
January is a great time to focus on selective tree trimming. Our tree specialists have a perfect view of the structure of deciduous species (those that drop their leaves in winter), such as Chinese Elm, Ash, Desert Willow, and many others. This allows our crews to better determine which branches to trim to promote safe and balanced growth.
Simple trimming of fruit trees during the winter will promote healthy crops in the next season’s production. The messy ooze of sap from the various mesquite varieties can be reduced by pruning in January and throughout the coming months. General pruning of deciduous and evergreen trees will expose branches to the sun that were previously shaded by other branches. By trimming select trees in the cooler months, these branches are able slowly adapt to the sunlight, rather than being scorched by it in the summer heat. However, any frost-damaged leaves or branches should not be trimmed until temperatures warm, and there is no longer a risk of frost.
PESTS
Scorpions are are just a part of living in the desert. On top of being everywhere, they seem virtually indestructible! They can go without food for a year, survive completely submerged underwater for days, and always seem to scurry away at lightning speed. While we do have to share our habitat with scorpions, your landscape can play a big part in reducing your number of encounters with these creepy crawlies!
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Remove Citrus Trees Citrus trees are a huge part of the southwest landscape. Bugs and pests love to feast on the fallen fruit from these abundant citrus trees. Scorpions are more than happy to feed on the rotting fruit as well as the insects they attract. Removing citrus trees from your property will remove two easy food sources for scorpions.
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Remove Palm Trees Scorpions are nocturnal. During the day they need a safe, shady spot to hang out while they wait for the sun to go down. Palm fronds and palm bark are the perfect shelter for scorpions. Removing palms of all varieties will force scorpions to find a new place to call home.
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Remove Boulders and Logs Burrowing under large rocks and logs is another way scorpions escape the desert heat. Plus, if you’ve ever flipped over a big rock in your yard, you know all kinds of bugs start squirming and wriggling about. Removing these landscape accents eliminates both a source of food and shelter for scorpions.
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Reduce Water Usage While scorpions can survive a shockingly long time without food, water is a different story. They can only live for about a week without water. Adjusting sprinkler and drip irrigation to prevent excess watering will eliminate a key water source for scorpions and the insects they feed on.
If you are having issues with scorpions or other unwelcome visitors on your property, LandTech is happy to discuss landscape solutions that will naturally repel and prevent pests while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your landscape.