Seasonal Yard Care in Phoenix: What to Do Each Season for a Healthy Landscape

Living in Phoenix means dealing with one of the most unique climates in the country. With scorching summers, mild winters, and unpredictable monsoons, your yard needs care tailored to each season. A thoughtful, year-round approach keeps your landscape thriving, whether you’re maintaining desert plants, shade trees, or decorative gravel and turf. Here’s a seasonal guide to help Phoenix homeowners keep their yards healthy and beautiful all year long.

Spring: Planting, Refreshing, and Preparing

Spring in Phoenix brings mild temperatures and longer days, making it one of the best times for landscaping projects.

• Plant New Additions: This is the season to plant desert-friendly trees, shrubs, and flowers. Options like palo verde, desert willow, and lantana thrive when planted before summer heat sets in.

• Refresh Gravel and Mulch: After winter, replenish gravel or mulch around trees and plants to lock in moisture and control weeds.

• Tune Up Irrigation Systems: Check drip irrigation lines for leaks and adjust watering schedules to prepare for hotter months.

• Fertilize Strategically: Apply fertilizer to citrus trees, palms, and other non-native plants to encourage strong growth.

Spring sets the foundation for a vibrant yard and ensures plants are ready to handle the harsh summer sun.

Summer: Protecting and Conserving

Phoenix summers are intense, with daytime highs often exceeding 110°F. This season is less about planting and more about protecting what you already have.

• Adjust Watering Carefully: Use deep, infrequent watering to encourage strong root systems. Early mornings or evenings are best to minimize evaporation.

• Provide Shade: Use shade cloths for sensitive plants and rely on mature shade trees or pergolas to reduce heat stress.

• Maintain Turf and Pavers: If you have artificial turf or paver patios, rinse them down occasionally to keep surfaces cool and clean.

• Monitor Plant Health: Look for signs of heat stress like drooping leaves or yellowing, and adjust irrigation if needed.

The key in summer is survival. With proper care, your landscape will stay resilient until cooler weather returns.

Fall: Restoration and Growth

Fall is often considered the second spring in Phoenix. As temperatures cool, plants perk back up, and it’s the perfect time to make improvements.

• Prune and Trim: Lightly prune trees and shrubs to remove dead growth and prepare them for winter. Avoid heavy pruning until winter dormancy.

• Plant Again: Just like spring, fall is ideal for planting new trees, shrubs, and seasonal flowers. Roots establish well in the cooler soil.

• Fertilize Lawns and Plants: If you overseed with winter rye grass, apply fertilizer to promote lush, green growth.

• Clean Up Debris: After monsoon season, clear out fallen branches, leaves, and debris to keep your yard neat and pest-free.

Fall is all about rejuvenation—restoring plants and re-energizing your yard after the summer heat.

Winter: Maintenance and Pruning

Phoenix winters are mild compared to most regions, but cooler nights and occasional frost can affect your landscape.

• Prune Trees and Shrubs: Winter is the best season for major pruning since most plants are dormant. Focus on shaping trees like mesquites and palo verdes.

• Protect from Frost: Cover sensitive plants with frost cloths when temperatures dip below freezing.

• Overseeded Lawns: If you planted ryegrass in fall, mow regularly to keep your lawn looking sharp.

• Plan for Spring Projects: Use the cooler season to design or schedule bigger landscaping projects, like new patios or gravel installations.

Winter is less demanding, making it an ideal time to give your landscape a tune-up and prepare for the next growing season.

A Year-Round Commitment

Phoenix landscaping isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about steady, seasonal care. By planting in spring and fall, protecting in summer, and pruning in winter, you create a cycle that keeps your yard strong and beautiful no matter what the desert climate throws your way.

With the right seasonal approach, your yard won’t just survive in Phoenix—it will thrive.

At Unwind Landscapes, we're here to help every step of the way. As your professional Phoenix Landscaping Company, we take your vision from an initial Landscaping Design consultation to a finished and beautiful project.

This content is for general reading purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or content.