Mitchell Park West Neighbors

City of Tempe offers free xeriscape workshops


TEMPE, Ariz. - The City of Tempe is offering free workshops on xeriscape
landscaping. Water is precious in our desert climate and it can be
expensive to grow non-native grasses and plants. At the workshops, which
will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., participants will learn how to plant
and care for hardier, drought-resistant landscaping called xeriscape:

*Saturday, Sept. 27 - Basics of planning, designing and installing a
xeriscape landscape.
*Saturday, Oct. 4 - Overview of plant materials suitable for our desert
climate.
*Saturday, Oct. 11 - Drip irrigation design, installation and
maintenance.

Each participant will receive a free comprehensive xeriscape workbook,
xeriscape brochures and information on drip irrigation and maintenance.
All workshops will be held in the auditorium of the south Tempe police
substation, 8201 S. Hardy Drive. Registration is required by calling
Richard Bond of the City of Tempe Water Conservation Office at
480-350-2627.

The city offers a rebate of up to $500 for Tempe residents who install
or convert their existing lawns to low water-use landscape, xeriscape or
artificial turf. The rebate is $250 for converting a front yard and $250
for converting a backyard. Download an application at
www.tempe.gov/conservation <http://www.tempe.gov/conservation> .