September brings planting season, and Mesa reminds homeowners of its incentives for converting grassy yards into water-wise landscapes. Mesa's residential Grass-to-Xeriscape program offers eligible residents up to $1,100 on a future project to remove grass and replace it with low-water-use plants and trees. Landscape conversions can cut water use in half.
Since its inception in 2007, Mesa's Grass-to-Xeriscape program has helped homeowners remove more than 550 thousand square feet of grass, resulting in estimated cumulative savings of more than 127 million gallons of water. Mesa is expanding its efforts this year by increasing incentives for commercial customers and HOAs, who may now qualify for up to $70,000 on future grass removal and irrigation equipment upgrade projects. The Water Infrastructure Financing Authority of Arizona contributed partial funding for this program.
"We live in the desert, and water conservation is at the forefront of Mesa's sustainability efforts. Outdoor water use can account for up to 70 percent of the total water consumed in a home, and our Grass-to-Xeriscape program is helping homeowners conserve water and save money," said Mesa's Environmental and Sustainability Director Scott Bouchie. "We also have many other resources to educate the public and make fall planting easy and enjoyable."
Mesa has additional resources to help residents with tree care and plant selection to help refresh their landscape after the long, hot summer. The City invites residents to meet Mesa's Urban Forest Program Manager and water conservation staff at a free pop-up event at one of two Mesa plant nurseries:
Saturday, Oct. 5, from 8-11 a.m. at Treeland Nurseries, 2900 S Country Club Dr.
Friday, Oct. 18, from 8-11 a.m. at SummerWinds Nursery, 3160 S Country Club Dr.
For guidance on choosing water-wise plants, residents can pick up a copy of the newly updated "Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert" at Mesa Libraries, local plant nurseries and our Customer Service Center at 55 N. Center. This popular book details 218 plants perfectly suited to our desert climate and soils. These plants need less water and make gardening easier with minimal maintenance. An online version of the book is also available.
More information and tips are available at mesaaz.gov/conservation.