8 Landscaping Ideas in Fall for Arizona Homes

When fall kicks in Arizona, the temperatures no longer reach triple digits, and days get shorter than before. You might not think that the fall season is not an active and thriving time for your Arizona home’s landscape. But, the truth is that this can be a very active time because it is the perfect season for planting and maintenance in the country. Here are some landscaping ideas to ensure an amazing fall season. ​

1. Fertilize
​Fall is no doubt the best time to fertilize your landscape since shrubs and trees are still in the process of growing beneath the soil. The nutrients from these fertilizers will be stored in their roots and will remain available for a more vigorous top growth the moment spring season comes.  ​

2. Tree Maintenance 
Fall is also the time to check on the health and status of trees in your landscape. Staking trees after heavy rain and strong winds during monsoon season is very important since adverse weather conditions may have destroyed the tree’s foundation. After planting, one stake will be enough for growth of 3 to 6 months. It is recommended to switch to double stake harness for the following tree. If you planted the tree in spring, you might want to double stake this fall.

3. Use Fall Annuals for a Touch of Color
While other parts of the country dread dark days of winter, residents in Arizona spend more time outdoors adding some instant colors to their landscape. The fall annuals are an easy and fantastic way to add a touch of striking colors to garden beds, hanging gardens, and accent areas.

4. Do Some Pruning
Shrubs and trees usually require heavy pruning before cold winter starts. Some may require this for damage prevention caused by ice and snow storms, while others need it for looks or controlling size for the next spring. Make sure you don’t prune some flowering plants such as lilacs, viburnum, and hydrangeas as it can spoil their spring bloom.

5. Plant in Your Vegetable Garden 
Vegetable gardens in urban areas are getting more in demand each year in Arizona. Growing and cultivating vegetables may sound like a challenge yet growing vegetables is easy and more fun. If it is your first try to plant vegetables, it is recommended to use mainly transplant vegetables.

6. Plant New Shrubs and Trees 
Arizona enjoys excellent planting seasons. While spring season is a great time to plant, fall season is more ideal for planting new shrubs and trees. During colder months, shrubs and trees convert energy into root growth. Planting during fall allows root development up to 5 months. Once spring comes, the shrub or tree you planted in fall will already have a more established root system, letting it focus all its energy for top growth.

7. Optimize for Rainfall
Sink the main planting areas by up to 6 inches to better capture the meager rainfall. It is an approach that also helps solve issues for front yards with a backward slope since these homes can flood when sudden heavy rains happen.

8. Make the Most of the Sun
See to it that your landscape also receives adequate sunlight to promote a healthier sod growth. Sod can never tolerate complete shade so remember this when you plant your gorgeous trees which can turn red during fall.