Desert Spoon…

The large stalk that grows from the center of the Sotol Yucca or “Dasylirion Wheeleri” have a distinct silhouette resembling the shape of a spoon when seen at a distance. These yucca plants were a staple to early Native Americans in the Southwest. They used them for a variety of cordage and basket weaving materials. The center stalks were harvested when they were young, green and succulent for food.

There are many varieties of these yucca plants across the Southwestern deserts. If you take a drive out of the Phoenix metro area in any direction, you will soon find this to be one of the most common native plants in our Sonoran desert. While mostly referred to as a cactus in error, they are actually more of grass and part of the lily family.

Dasylirion Wheeleri or “Desrt Spoon Yucca”

ProQual Landscaping is a complete landscape management solution for commercial properties in Arizona. We specialize in Apartment and multi-housing communities as well as HOA landscaping. Visit the ProQual website or call: 480-456-0608.

Save and Conserve With Smart Water Management

Save and Conserve With Smart Water Management
Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Arizona

Weather sensing, self-adjusting
SMART Water Controller

Desert communities like Phoenix Arizona and surrounding cities continue to experience growing concern as the demand for precious but limited water resources continues to rise. Multi-housing communities, home owner organizations and large commercial complexes with common area landscaping are looking for ways to conserve water resources and reduce monthly water utility bills. The quickest way to make a significant impact on water management practices is to install smart water controllers as an integral part of the overall landscape management plan.

Smart watering technology was originally put in place only on large commercial properties and golf courses that had their own small weather stations on site. Now, with most local weather stations feeding their data to various internet weather sites, this weather data is available to smart watering controllers through a simple wireless internet connection.

So, what really makes a water controller smart? Several added features make a controller truly smart.

Scheduling: Like other systems, these controllers have the ability to turn valves off and on at programmed times. But, a smart controller can also calculate weather conditions and adjust to optimize water usage.

Remote access: You can manage controllers from anywhere an internet connection is available.

Alerts: Controllers can measure flow and detect system anomalies like a leak or line break and alert the irrigation technician.

Evolving: The latest smart controllers can evolve as technology changes and improves with periodic updates.

The cost savings of implementing smart water can be huge! Most properties near Phoenix experience a minimum of 20% savings and some as high as 35-40%. After converting to smart controllers, the return on investment time is approximately one year in most cases. In arid regions, smart water management just makes sense as water utility prices continue to rise while the price of technology is decreasing.

These smart irrigation systems require smart and experienced landscape professionals to properly implement and get the most value from them. Once a new system in place, it is important to maintain a close relationship with an experienced landscaping contractor. Smart controllers are not a set-it-and-forget-it solution, proper training and real in-the-field experience play a big role in the long-term success of your smart irrigation plan. If you are searching for a water conserving, cost saving solution for your property, get in touch with your landscaping contractor to audit your current watering and irrigation plan. There is a better way to manage you landscaping when it comes to water use and distribution.

Purple Prickly Pear…

Yes, they really are that color! Purple Prickly Pear cactus or "Opuntia santa-rita" is native to the Sonoran desert and grows in clumps that usually reach about four feet high and five to six feet wide. During the warm summer months, the color is a blue/gray shade, their unique purple/pink color becomes more pronounced in the cooler winter months.

Like other prickly pear varieties, the pads are covered with sharp tan spines. Their yellow and red flowers bloom in the late spring. Purple Prickly Pear in Arizona also produce a reddish purple fruit in the summer.

Opuntia santa-rita or "Purple Prickly Pear"

Let Arizona's finest commercial landscape team enhance your property 

with a complete landscape management plan - 

Call ProQual at: 480-465-0608 to get started.

WEATHER ALERT! Phoenix Rainfall down -476%!!!

Year to date in 2012, the Phoenix Valley has only received 0.52" of rainfall. This is -2.48” (-476%) under the normal average year to date rainfall total of 3.0" for the Phoenix Valley.

At ProQual Landscaping, Arizona Water Management is a key focus of our business. Water is necessary for a healthy landscape, but over-watering is just a waste of money. With triple digit temperatures and hardly any rainfall, our Commercial Landscape Management customers are using more water to achieve adequate results. 

The 2011 North American monsoon season was the hottest on record and one of the driest here in Phoenix, Arizona. We are hopeful that the 2012 monsoon season will bring us the rainfall we have been lacking!

Stay posted for rainfall totals and weather updates.

2012 Rainfall totals: (as of 7/2/2012)

2012 Phoenix Valley Average (Phoenix Rainfall Index): 0.52" (-2.48" from average)

Read more:
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/weather/forecast/todays_forecast/arizona-forecast#ixzz1zVC4JJ5p

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/PRI/

What Kind of Cactus is That...?

Cholla Cactus

Whenever someone visits Arizona, they are always surprised at the many diverse and unique varieties of cacti and other desert plants in our landscaping. In the movies, all they ever seem to show are the Giant Saguaros that Arizona is so famous for. I once met a Japanese tourist in the Phoenix airport and his two main objectives in visiting Arizona were to see a Giant Saguaro in "real life" and to see the Grand Canyon. He couldn't wait to get out and experience the Sonoran desert that he had seen in so many american western movies.

As we drive through the streets of Phoenix and the surrounding cities, it is surprising how many of our street names are derived from cacti and other local plants. Ocotillo, cholla, sagebrush, greasewood, I have noticed so many of these names. But... how many of us can really put a plant with a name? In the weeks to come, we will be featuring unique varieties of common Arizona plants on this blog so we can all learn a little more about our beautiful Arizona desert.

Check back soon to put a name to all of those plants you've wondered about for years!

Questions about Arizona Landscaping? Contact ProQual today: 480-456-0608

Xeriscape Series Part Seven...

Arizona Xeriscape Maintenance

No matter what type of commercial landscaping you choose in Arizona, it will require some degree of care throughout the year. Turf areas will require spring and fall aeration along with regular fertilization every 6 to 8 weeks. Keep your grass height at 3 inches and allow the clippings to fall. Trees, shrubs and perennials will need periodic pruning to remove dead limbs, promote blooming or control height and spread. Remember that most of the removed plant material can be shredded and used in composting piles.

We hope you have enjoyed learning a more about this obscure word "xeriscape" over the last couple of months. If you have any questions or needs regarding your Arizona landscape maintenance, contact ProQual today: 480-456-0608

Arizona Muti-housing Association Trade Show | Landscape Company Booth

ProQual continues to support the AMA at their 2012 annual trade show in Phoenix AZ

ProQual alway has so much fun mingling with AMA members throughout the 2-Day event. Make sure to visit our booth at these events... you wont be disappointed.

This year ProQual gave away two flatscreen televisions to two lucky winners! You can't win if you don't come join the fun :)

See you at the next show...

Scott Needham shows off his
football muscles for the crowd

It's all fun and games until...

Xeriscape Series Part Six...

Turf Alternatives...

The variety of grass used on turf areas of you Xeriscape make a big difference when it comes to water consumption. There are many native grasses and hybrid grasses that have been specifically cultivated for turf lawns in warm regions. Some of these grasses can survive with only 25% of the water required for many other varieties. here in the low desert of Arizona, these warm season grasses are the greenest in June through September when night-time temperatures stay well above 70 degrees.

For the cooler months, October through April/May, the warm season grass will turn brown and have a straw-like appearance. It is best to scalp and over-seed turf areas with a variety of grass that will thrive in the lower temperatures of the cool season. Some bluegrass varieties specially cultivated for the cool season can also reduce water consumption by at least 30%. Using the appropriate grass, reducing the amount of grass, and regular maintenance can significantly reduce water requirements.

If you need to save money on your landscaping water usage... ProQual can develop a smart watering plan tailored specifically for your property. Give us a call at: 480-456-0608

Xeriscape Series Part Five...

Mulch is Important to Arizona Plants

Mulch does a lot more for plants than you might think. Using the proper mulch for the proper plants is really important.

In Arizona, we see the use of inorganic mulches such as rock or gravel quite often. While surrounding plants with these materials looks very natural with our Arizona desert landscaping themes, this practice should be limited. Surrounding plants with rocky material tends to retain heat and only very heat resistant plants should be considered.

On the other hand, organic mulches such as wood chips, tree bark, or sawdust actually help cool plants. These organic products should be applied 3-4 inches deep (not just visually covering the ground). This practice will keep the soil from crusting or compacting and will help prevent weed growth while minimizing evaporation.

There is a misconception that Xeriscaping eliminates the need for heavy mulch... this is not the case. The proper use of much will help soil beds retain moisture and plants thrive!

“It’s real simple… We have fun!”

Last week, ProQual Landscaping had its Manager’s Meeting at Octane Raceway in Phoenix Arizona. The Account and Division Managers got out on the track, were able to race each other and just had a great time. “It was awesome to see our lap times get better and better, each and every race,” says Account Manager Devin Shepard. “We all have a ton of fun together!”

ProQual Landscaping has brought on 16 new Landscape Management Communities so far this year. When asking Vice President Scott Needham, What’s the secret to your success? He said, “It’s real simple… We have fun, we work as a team and love what we do! We help each other out and really care about our customers. ProQual is a family company. We work hard to make each of our customers, part of our ProQual Family.”

That really showed out on the track, as the ProQual Team helped each other learn the best race lines and shared advice to help improve their lap times. It’s safe to say everyone had a great time and can’t wait to go back to show off their skills!

Check out some pictures of our night…