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Queen Creek to educate residents on xeriscaping to save water
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Queen Creek's Cactus Fiesta is a free annual event where people can learn about low-water landscaping called xeriscaping. Photo is courtesy of the town of Queen Creek.
Xeriscaping isn't just about rocks and cactus.
It's about lush landscapes that can bloom year-round without much water or maintenance.
And Queen Creek officials want residents to know that by xeriscaping - landscaping for water and energy efficiency - they can save money, energy and thousands of gallons of water in the dry desert climate.
As tough economic times hit the East Valley, Queen Creek's Cactus Fiesta event Saturday will teach residents about low-water landscaping techniques and using native plants - ways to save more than $100 a year.
"With the price of everything increasing, people are looking to save money," said Connie Speelman-Harris, the town's water conservation specialist. "There are a lot of options with xeriscape."
Queen Creek Water Department figures show that it takes 35,000 gallons of water a year to properly maintain 1,000 square feet of turf, while low-water plants use only 15,000 gallons for the same amount of space. That could trim about 50 percent off of someone's water bill each month, Speelman-Harris said. In Queen Creek, where lot sizes are often larger, there could be an even more significant savings, she said.
Brochures of xeriscape options are packed with photos of colorful flowers, cactus and blooming ground cover.
"You can have color all year long in the desert," she said. "Until people see what they can do, they don't know."
Speelman-Harris said not only can people save money through lower water bills, there's also less yard work involved with a low-maintenance landscaping plan.
"If you're not enjoying your lawn and you're only out there to mow it, xeriscaping is a great option," she said.
At Saturday's cactus fiesta, David Morris with the Pueblo Grande Museum and instructor with Grand Canyon College will give information about the desert ecosystem, native plant uses and conservation issues.
Morris will be joined by master gardeners Gail Hughes and Joe Friend, both from the Pinal County Cooperative Extension. They will give information about gardening and desert plants.
"People can see the beautiful options and learn how to take care of it," town spokeswoman Marnie Schubert said of the gardeners' presentations.
The event is free to the public and includes vendors, children's activities and door prizes.
Queen Creek Cactus Fiesta
When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday
Where: Queen Creek Town Hall, 22350 S. Ellsworth Road
Information: (480) 358-3000 or www.queencreek.org
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