Timely Tips for April in the Low Desert
Tip of the Month
Choose native plants or plants which are adapted to our high temperatures and alkaline soils. It will cost you much less time, energy and money it you decide to celebrate the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert rather than trying to recreate the Pacific Northwest the Southeast or some other environment. Trying to adjust the soil pH, the humidity, the salts in the water, etc. etc. etc. to meet the needs of a maladapted plant is a never ending battle at best. Often the poor plants become stressed and vulnerable to pests & diseases. There are thousands of beautiful plants that thrive here and many that grow no where else. Do yourself and the plants a favor - go native!
Climate Information for April in Phoenix, Arizona
Rainfall:
- Average: 0.22 inches
- Record: 3.4 inches (1926)
Temperature (degrees F):
- Average High: 84.5 degrees
- Lowest High: 52 degrees
- Record High: 105 degrees (1989, 1992)
- Average Low: 55.3 degrees
- Lowest High: 77 degrees
- Record Low: 35 degrees (1922)
Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.
Turf
- Begin fertilizing Bermuda grass lawns during late April or early May. Follow the directions on the container.
Roses
- Continue fertilizing established roses, liquid fertilizers can be added at 2 week intervals, follow the directions on the container.
Landscape Plants
- As the weather warms and days lengthen, adjust your irrigation timer to water more frequently.
- Be sure to run your system long enough to wet the top two feet of soil. Deep, infrequent watering is much better than a daily sprinkle.
- Tree water use, desert types being the exception, increases rapidly during this period of leafing out and gradually higher air temperatures.
- Allow your wildflowers to go to seed. They will produce a natural healthy feast for birds as well as reseeding themselves to come up again in your yard next year.
- Make plans for Arbor Day, The Last Friday in April
- Most woodpecker damage occurs during the period of breeding and territory establishment, February through June
- DO NOT plant seeded Bermuda until the soil warms up in mid to late May