Free landscape workshops for Scottsdale residents

Be the envy of your neighborhood this spring and summer with a beautiful garden and outdoor landscaping. Scottsdale’s free Spring Landscape Workshops offer hands-on experience from efficient watering and pruning to a complete backyard makeover.

Workshops are scheduled at the Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef or the Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, 5401 N. Hayden Road. Advanced registration is required for all workshops and can be made on-line at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Water/Conservation/workshops or by calling 480-312-5690. Confirmations will be provided.

Here is the workshop schedule:

Drip Irrigation Design & Installation
Learn how to design and install a drip system and get tips to make it efficient and easy to maintain.
Date: Saturday, March 1
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Groundcovers & Vines for the Desert Landscape
Groundcovers and vines can add great beauty to your garden. Horticulturist and Master Gardener Kirti Mathura will teach you how these plants work for the desert landscape.
Date: Thursday, March 6
Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Learn to Prune
Pruning promotes the beauty, strength and health of your trees and shrubs. Learn basic pruning cuts in an outdoor setting.
Date: Saturday, March 8
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, 5401 N. Hayden Rd

Program Your Irrigation Controller
Take control of your landscape watering with step-by-step instructions and hands-on practice setting and adjusting the timer on your irrigation controller.
Date: Thursday, March 13
Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

“Smart” Irrigation Controllers
A new generation of irrigation controllers can automatically adjust your irrigation schedule based on your yard and weather conditions. Learn how this new technology can save up to 30 percent on your outdoor watering.
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Plant Care in the Desert
Horticulturist and Master Gardener Kirti Mathura will cover proper techniques for watering, fertilizing, pruning and other maintenance tips for your desert garden in this class.
Date: Thursday, March 27
Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Irrigation Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Repair
Get the basics on good maintenance practices, advice on problem solving and techniques to keep your landscape irrigation system running smoothly.
Date: Saturday, March 29
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Backyard Landscape Makeover
Master Gardener Cathy Rymer will show you easy step-by-step methods to a successful backyard makeover.
Date: Thursday, April 3
Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef

Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden Tour
Go on a walking tour (approximately two miles) through Scottsdale’s five and a half acre Xeriscape Garden with Bill Casenhiser, the Garden’s caretaker.
Date: Saturday, April 5
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon
Location: Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden, 5401 N. Hayden Rd

For more water conservation tips or information on the free landscape workshops visit www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov/Water/Conservation or call 480-312-5690.