Your Villa Magazine Desert Cities April-May 2021

Adjust to warmer temperatures in your garden D E S I G N + B U I L D April is a great time to enjoy the garden as the color season reaches its peak. Plant & Water This month, the danger of frost has passed and now is a great time to plant subtropical plants that are cold sensitive such as bougainvillea, hibiscus, lantana, cape honeysuckle and citrus. Continue to plant and transplant warm-season vegetable crops. Choose short- days-to-maturity fruiting varieties before average temperatures of 105 degrees Fahrenheit begin to damage pollen. Set out culinary herbs such as mint, rosemary, sage, parsley and thyme. Remove winter annuals and replace with desert-friendly plants to create a pollinator garden. lantana, lavandula, penstemon and salvia are great options. Many desert shrubs attract hummingbirds and bees. Desert milkweed planted in bulk attracts both queen and monarch butterflies. Care Remove weeds and Bermuda grass from flowerbeds and gardens. As temperatures warm, begin applying more water to both vegetables and fruit crops. Common irrigation issues Make a habit of checking your system after each time you mow to look for broken sprinkler heads. This can help save hundreds of gallons of water. Resources Visit cvwd.org/rebates to learn about water-efficiency rebates and discounts for Coachella Valley Water District customers. For more tips on desert-friendly gardening, consider purchasing CVWD’s landscaping book for $10 at cvwd.org/store or call customer service at (760) 391-9600. Free Planting & Gardening calendars are also available upon request at cvwd.org/publications . CVWD Outdoor Water Efficiency Rebates & Discounts Facebook “ f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Facebook “ f ” Logo CMYK / .eps Visit www.cvwd.org/rebates for program details and requirements. Or call us at (760) 398-2651. Programs require pre-approval. Smart Irrigation Controller Landscape Conversion Sprinkler Nozzle Replacement 28 | YourVilla Magazine