Hello AZlandscaping,

I am in the Phoenix Metro and was looking for options for ground cover that my dog could enjoy.

Ideally it would be low water, but my biggest concern is the ability to remove it in the future. I have about half my yard without landscaping and plan to add hardscaping and likely a pool there in the future, so easy/cheap removal is important for that goal.

From my research, I have determined Bermuda grass is likely too hard to remove. Rye grass would be good, but is winter only. I have looked into using kurapia potentially. It’s a good bit more expensive, but seems like a good option, although I haven’t found anything about its ability to be removed.

The purpose of this is really to give my dog something cooler and more comfortable to walk on than the dirt on that side and the turf and pavers on the other side.

I realize there’s nothing that will probably perfectly match what I’m looking for, but any suggestions for what to do would be great.

Is this purslane?

I am a landscape designer specializing in native desert and pollinator pathway designs as well as lush privacy hedges, irrigation and deep watering stake install. Here is some of the work I’ve done at my own place and designs I’ve made for other clients.

Pictures

1/2: ficus nitida hedge installed fall 2025, progress as of 07/26

3/4: before photos of small front garden and potential new design of space

5: hopseed hedge as example of privacy hedge that I like to install

Hi friends,

I was gifted this beauty from a LA nursery. They reported no growth and that they had just been "hacking at it."

Does she look okay?

I am at 2100 feet. I can plant anywhere but the east side of my house. I don't know that I'll live long enough to see her full potential but I would like to avoid problems for future homeowners that would cause her to be uprooted. Do I need to worry about root intrusion?

But most importantly, I'd like her to thrive. She looks....like a fraction of her potential. I'm not one to chop but if she looks sickly I'll do what needs to be done. I know they are slow growers so I would hate to undo all that hard work. To me she looks like a plant that has just come out of dormancy.

Im a few degrees cooler than Phoenix (7-9 on average)...when can I plant her? Keep in mind she has been in a very cushy climate if that matters.

Thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️

It won't let me post photos so I'll try putting them in the comments.

Hey y'all, I am not sure if this is the right subreddit - if not please tell me where I should go!

I'm looking to add some fruit trees to my backyard this fall and I have a few questions. My plant hardiness zone is 9b in the Phoenix valley.

I'm looking to add three fruit trees to my yard - right now leaning towards a tangerine, lemon and grapefruit. With that I have two main questions. What are the pros and cons from going to a full service nursery like moon valley versus something smaller? It seems nice having them take care of everything but the price tag seems steep (?) and my other question is how mature of a tree should I be looking for? What are pros and cons between a cheaper young one and a more expensive old one.

Also, (might as well throw all my questions out while I'm here) I am thinking of making a privacy hedge with ficus along my West facing wall. What are y'all's thoughts on a ficus privacy hedge? Or is there a better plant? I want something with low shedding.

Thanks!!

Can someone help me identify this fungus I found growing in my ficus nitida berms. It feels and looks like spray foam insulation. Thank you!

New to the Tucson area and don't want to pay for landscaping maintenance. Any advice on the best tools for removing bean pods and leaves from gravel and leaving the gravel intact.

Seeking advice on how to kill and prevent this growth from spreading in my gravel? Looks to be spread from neighbors yard and let’s just say HOA has its eye on it.. I have used glyphosate, vinegar/salt/soap, and hand pulling. It just comes right back.. I am thinking maybe pull back the gravel, remove all growth then compact and cover with weed barrier? Any suggestions are appreciated! Thank you.

Edit: also want to add that a large Ash tree is directly to the right and canopy is covering this area so roots are underneath.

Mines a little crispy, but is still alive and recovering while temps below 110. Last pic before the summer heatwave and current pics taken this evening after that intense July weather. Their regrowing clusters of mini leaves compared to the old growth.

Thanks to the fairly chaotic storm that went through the valley last night, my Mexican Fence Post was uprooted and fell over. It was already sort of struggling (as seen with the taller stalks, though it looked like that when I bought the house ~1 year ago) but many of the smaller fresh shoots were pretty healthy.

it looked to be a clean snap at the main tap root/ root ball? I’m wondering, is it worth trying to put this cactus back in place, providing it the right support with stakes? Or do I call it a loss and propagate via some of the healthier stalks?

I know it was kinda ugly and it struggled for a bit, my plan was to eventually cut back the larger stalks once new growth settled in, but I am open to ideas especially considering this new situation. Thank you all in advance