Create Backyards That Thrive
in Tucson, Arizona
Creating a biodiverse habitat in your backyard doesn’t have to “bee” daunting.
In the low desert of Tucson, you will need to consider the average rainfall, understand the need for supplemental irrigation, and get to know the growing seasons.
This guide will give you an overview of the “must knows” for getting started on creating your own thriving outdoor space, from plant selection to irrigation needs, and more!
Growing Seasons
Cool Season
Winter rains
Potential for hard freeze
Spring
Mild temperatures
Great for starting gardens
Dry Summer
Hot, little to no precipitation
Not recommended to plant
Monsoon
Hot with more humidity
Monsoon storms allow for hot season gardening
Fall
Like a “second spring” for starting cool-season plants
Mild temperatures
TIP: March and October are the best months to plant new landscaping plants
Native Plants with Low Water Requirements
Trees
Mesquite
Desert Willow
Palo Verde
Ironwood
Shrubs
Creosote
Blue ranger
Desert lavender
Baja fairy duster
Flowers
Poppy
Lupine
Desert marigold
Blackfoot daisy
Cacti
Agave
Prickly pear Saguaro
Organ pipe
Ground cover
Tufted evening primrose Trailing indigo bush
Vines
Queen’s wreath
Baja passion vine
TIP: Even native plants need supplemental irrigation for the first two years to thrive.
Praise for pollinators:
Arizona is home to 1,300 bee species,17 hummingbird species, and 28 bat species!
TIP: Drip irrigation is 96% efficient compared to hand watering.
1'
2'
3'
Deep Watering: The 1-2-3 Rule
1'
2'
3'
Small plants such as ground covers, cacti, and annuals:
water to a depth of 1 foot.
​
Medium plants such as shrubs:
water to a depth of 2 feet.
Large plants such as trees:
water to a depth of 3 feet.
