Planting trees only makes sense if you’re going to plant them when the time of year creates the greatest chance of success. Planting new additions to your yard is a two part battle – choosing the right time of year, and caring for them properly with their needs in mind.  Trees like to be planted when it is warm, as this is when they are doing most of their growing. Planting in warm weather will help them to establish themselves at a much faster rate.

Anyone who has lived in Phoenix knows once it gets hot, it is going to stay hot for a long time. Right now when our daytime temperatures are in the high 80s and 90s is the best time to be planting trees because the nights are still cooling off into the 60s, which is when your trees and plants do the most growing.

It’s important to know that your trees must be planted properly by experts in order to give your trees the best chance for survival. Planting properly during this time of year assures your plants root out quickly before the heat shows up, giving them the most amount of time to fully establish before the cold, dry winter weather returns.

The window to get your home looking great and lower your upcoming summer AC bills is closing soon. Instead of paying the electric company top dollar for air conditioning, put your money into your property and let your newly planted trees keep you cool this upcoming summer.  Stop by any Moon Valley Nursery this weekend and mention this article and receive delivery and planting of your items within a week - we’ll make sure you don’t miss the best time to plant everything!

Many people buy fast growing shrubs and trees because they want them to get to a certain size fast. Typically people use this type of plant material to block unwanted views in the ways of fast growing hedges or trees or because they want to get shade quickly on an area of their yard or home.  After they have planted these and have gone through a season they get discouraged because their trees and shrubs are nearly the same size they were when they purchased them. The typical first response is always the same, I got the wrong shrub or tree, but the fact is what you are doing to care for the tree may be the reason it is not growing to its full potential.

Every shrub or tree is going to have a time period where it is going to have to get established before it will begin to grow. The fastest way to get your plants to establish after being planted is with proper watering and nutrients. Using Super Charged Moon Juice when planted will help them to establish quicker so they can begin to grow by not spending so much time going through transplant shock.

There are two huge reasons why your shrubs and trees are not growing to their full potential after they have established this is because you are watering wrong and not feeding them properly. Plants do not need frequent water with low amounts of water; this is not going to give them what they need to continue to grow especially during the hot weather. You should water all your shrubs to a depth of 18-24’’ each time and then allow them to dry a bit before they get watered again. What you are doing here is building up a water reservoir underground that allows the plant to go and take up water during hot and windy days.  You are also trying to accomplish the same thing for your trees, but with trees you are going to want to give them enough water to saturate the root ball down to about 36’’ each time.

This does two things, first it helps you not waste water. Watering every day at a fraction of the amount your plant actually needs waste water and does nothing for the plant because you are not getting the water to the feeder roots down below which are the most important part of the plant. The second thing it does  is saves you money, not watering every day but watering deeply a few times a week will decrease the amount of water that evaporates from the soil and in the end save you money on your monthly water bill.

The second reason they are not growing to their full potential is you are not feeding them enough. Yes much like every other living thing on this plant they too need to be feed regularly to keep them at their healthiest and so they can grow big and strong. Regular applications of fertilizer will keep the roots healthy and also make the water you are giving your trees and plants more effective as well. Monthly applications of the Moon Dust Fertilizer (16-8-4) applied March through October will keep your plants growing and strong, and strong and healthy plants do not die and are less prone to insects and disease.

If you ever have any questions regarding watering please give one of our nursery professionals a call at 602-938-MOON (6666) and we will be happy to help you with all of your watering needs. Our goal is the same as your goal; we want your trees and plants to grow to their fullest potential.

Look, we know that some people just aren't as invested in the goings on of your yard - the simple truth is that we're all not landscapers. However, the yard is such an important part of your home, that you should know that the professionals you trust to keep your yard in order know their stuff. You wouldn't keep bringing your car to the same mechanic if they can't keep it running, nor should you keep a landscaper that doesn't treat your yard like their own. Because of this, we listed the 3 biggest mistakes landscapers make, so look out for these issues the next time you pay attention to your yard.

Trees and bushes all need to be trimmed at one point or another. It is very important that you only trim when it is needed, not only because “it’s the season” to trim. Trimming citrus trees wrong can lead to diseases and poor fruit production, trimming shade trees wrong can weaken supporting branches and make it easier for your tree to be blown over or snap in heavy winds. The only safe and proper time to trim is when your tree or plant needs to be trimmed to keep it healthy. Because of the wide variety of plant life seen around town, this really depends on the specific tree or plant species you've got in your yard...which means you should have a separate plan for each tree and plant. You should receive trimming advice from your nursery upon the delivery and planting of your trees.

Many landscapers and homeowners do not give the proper amounts of water to their trees and plants which can decrease the life of your landscape. It is very important to have adequate sized drip heads and proper amount of lines running to each shrub and tree to insure sufficient water coverage. You should be sure to water all of your plants deep enough to build up a “water well” for the tree or bush to draw from during hot and windy days - again this information should be provided to you from any nursery or landscaper that you purchase from.

Most landscapers will plant whatever trees and plants a homeowner wants in order to make them happy and to get the job, regardless if it’s in the best interests of the homeowner.  While we understand the importance of making a customer happy, it’s also the job of your landscape company to inform you of things that just will not work or that are not going to accomplish the goal that you have set.  If you are trying to get shade from your tree on a window or particular part of the home, it is important that you have a tree with a mature height of at least 10’ taller than the area being shaded. 

This tree also should not be planted more than 10-20 feet from east to west of the area you are shading – this ensures you’re getting the most effective amounts of shade out of your investment. The same goes for bushes, certain bushes tolerate more sun than others in the hot desert climate and your Moon Valley Nursery professional can tell you which ones will work the best while still trying to meet your goals.

Just like anything else in life, things with your yard simply work better when they're taken care of. We understand that your busy, and that you don't have all of the time in the world to dedicate researching your yard. That's what were here for - we understand the value of providing you with every bit of information you need to enjoy the benefits of a wonderfully maintained yard. Just give us a call 602-938-MOON (6666), and ask away - we're successful simply because we're here for our customers - every day of the week.

You do not have to have a yard to benefit from trees and plants or to do your part to help the earth. House plants are a great way to clean the air in your home and reduce carbon monoxide dangers for you and your family.  You can plant everything from palms, patio trees, and flowers indoors. When planting indoors be sure to give your plants adequate lighting so they can continue to grow strong and healthy.  Use a lightweight potting soil that drains well and place by a window or artificial light source so your plants can benefit you the most, and put them in every room of your home. 

To find out how to make your home and yard more earth friendly stop by any of our Moon Valley Nursery locations today! We have trees, palms, plants and flowers that will work well both in your yard, in your garden and in your home.

Fruit and citrus trees make a great addition to any yard and they are very easy to grow and maintain. Fruit and citrus trees can be grown almost anywhere in your yard - even in pots and containers.  Fruit and citrus trees are great for all skill levels of gardeners as they are relatively easy to get started with, but with proper care can produce more and more fruit each season.

While many people think Arizona’s not well suited for fruit production, there are many types of citrus that grow well in our climate. Feel free to click on one below for more information on the specific types we carry, these are just some of the many we have avaialble:

While there are many types of trees to choose from, remember that your primary purpose for these trees is fruit production…if you’re looking for big shade trees, then it’s best to look elsewhere. Growing fruit and citrus trees is an easy task and it starts with planting them in the right location, you want an area that gets sun at least half the day.  Once you have your location picked you can than decide how many trees you want to plant. You are able to plant these trees relatively close together since they are smaller growing trees. Planting a variety of fruit and citrus trees not only gives you a wide range of fruit producing trees, but also helps with cross pollination of the trees, often resulting in greater fruit yields.

Citrus are great for the desert southwest because they are actually pretty drought tolerant and easy to maintain. Citrus trees prefer to be watered deeply and then allowed to dry out completely before the next watering.  Citrus trees of all kinds are generally slow growing and require very little to no pruning at all. Citrus trees are designed to look like big bushes and over trimming them can actually hinder fruit production. So if you’re thinking of growing your own fruit, know that it grows easily and requires little care for them to make your back yard work for you.

Landscaping is very important out here in the desert, it serves many purposes other than just satisfying your HOA requirements. Here are 3 ways to make your landscape pay you back over the long run.

Landscaping your yard doesn’t have to be just for looks, a properly planned landscape can not only cut down on your monthly bills, but become a practical solution to many problems commonly faced in Arizona yards. Not only does a nice looking landscape increase a home’s value, but can help decrease time it spends on the market if you do decide to sale. With many home listings now primarily picture driven, the first impression of the home is imperative to attracting or dissuading a potential buyer. With a well-planned landscape, or just a few improvements, you can lower your expenses on your utility bills while enjoying your beautiful new landscape.

A common misconception is that you need a huge yard in order to create a tropical escape…well today we will show you that’s just not the case. Some of the easiest spaces to turn into a tropical paradise are small patios, decks, or courtyards. It is what you plant, and how you plant it, that’s really going to give it the tropical appeal that you’re looking for.

Small areas such as patios and decks do not have a lot of in-ground planting room, so to utilize this space you can use pots. Many tropical plants do not have large root systems making them perfectly accommodating for this type of growing environment.  Putting some larger pots and planting a trellis between them is a great way to add colorful vines to your sitting area. This allows you to use things such as Pink Jasmine, which has a beautiful fragrance, or the Bower Vine and its large blooms will defiantly set off a small area. These are just some ideas, with the proper planning, you’re only limited by your own creativity.

Contrast these vines with pots and place in Pygmy Palms, Bismark Palms or even use Piru Queen Palms as great accents. You can also place things like Hibiscus, Cape Honeysuckle, Cape Plumbago, Lantana, and many more as these beautiful tropical flowers are sure to delight. The key to making your small patio or deck a tropical paradise is to combine lush palms with bright colors.

This planting idea will work much the same in a smaller courtyard, the only difference is you can actually plant these in the ground and you can contrast those ground planted tropical with lush pots as well. Stop into any Moon Valley Nursery and see how we can transition your boring balcony, patio, deck or courtyard into your own tropical oasis.

We help hundreds of people every day with questions about their yard, and many of the issues homeowners face can be solved with a better understanding of landscape basics. You don't need to be an expert to have a successful yard, but proper planning and care can really increase your curb appeal.

Most people do not realize this, but they are probably not watering properly and in the long run they are wasting water and money. By watering early in the morning right before the sun comes up you get the most amount of that water down into the root ball of the tree since the ground is its coldest and the water doesn't evaporate. Your nursery will give you a schedule for watering your new trees or plants correctly, so like anything else in life, it's easier if you go into this project with a plan...trees and plants need the right amount of water, over or under-watering can cause big problems down the road. If your yard, like many, are on a drip system, it's important to know how much water, be it too much or too little, it's putting out. See our plant watering guide for the basics of good watering.

Many people want a low maintenance backyard, so they have lots of rock & gravel with very few plants or trees. While you may be saving yourself some outside labor you’re actually costing yourself money - rock and gravel reflects heat, creating a persistently hotter environment around your house. Properly placed trees and shrubs can reduce the amount of heat that is put onto your home. If you need some help with this, APS has a few guides, or you can always talk to one of our design specialists.

Certain trees require pruning, some trees require no pruning. For example citrus trees, most people are surprised to find out, are just supposed to look like big bushes. The only things you want to prune off of a citrus tree are the suckers growing below the graft or dead branches. Otherwise leave your citrus tree alone.  Also just because the season is OK for pruning doesn’t mean you HAVE to prune your trees. Trees only need to be pruned when they need it to make them stronger and topping your tree each season only makes the tree weaker. We have a guide on trimming and pruning you should see if you have any questions.

You wouldn't make your family pet go a year without food, so why would you do the same to your trees? Adding nutrients to the soil will only improve the health of your trees and plants. Fertilizing should be done monthly to give your trees the biggest edge, we recommend our Moon Dust Fertilizer - it's specially formulated for our tough soils. Doing this will increase water efficiency, root strength, and will promote good strong growth. Fertilizing should be done March through October.

Many homeowners know they want certain plants and trees in their yard because they like them, so they put one over there, one over here, and one next to the spot out the window, because they can see it when they are in that particular room. But what they do not realize is they are not landscaping with a purpose, one that is going to serve them better over the long haul. Improper plant placement is one of the biggest reasons homeowners don't end up with the yard they wanted. Going into your landscape with a plan is very important, and having a landscape expert help you out with your design will get things going. Trees and plants grow - it's what they do - so planning and plotting for this expected growth is essential to giving your yard that beautiful look. While it's possible to drop an instantly grown landscape into your yard, this can get expensive, so planning with the right sized trees and shrubs while accounting for expected growth will really help your home's curb appeal.

After a long and freaky cold winter our friends are letting us know that their homes need help - and lots of it! Frozen trees and shrubs are the dominant feature in so many of our yards, and as depressing as our yards look, this is the best time of the year to turn it around and finally have the home that makes us proud and happy.

Many damaged plants and trees are showing signs of new growth and we can now prune out the dead wood, revealing the fresh new growth containing promise of a beautiful future. That new growth, or lack of new growth can be the deciding factor for waiting for recovery or removing and replacing with brand new trees and shrubs.

Our management team has been burning the candle at both ends for the last six weeks to provide each of our stores with fresh trees and shrubs for each of our stores. Every day we are receiving truckloads of trees and shrubs in an endless variety of beautiful color and frost hardy varieties. While the hard winter has an impact on the usual selection, you will find that we have many options compared to previous spring seasons!

When you come in to a Moon Valley Nursery you will find stores full of brand new trees and shrubs that are great in our climate. From our own farms throughout Arizona and California and new growers throughout the southwest we are prepared to show you many choices to refresh and refurbish your landscape.

Spring is the very best time to plant new trees and shrubs before the heat of summer hits and our nurseries are stocked full of healthy new specimens to choose from. We have thousands of new trees in hundreds of varieties and many different sizes to choose from. There is no better time to check us out and see if we can earn your business. Our nurseries are full of great trees and shrubs and our nursery people are ready with answers to your questions. 

We have the best line of products to stimulate, feed and nourish your old and new plants and trees back to health or get them started on a path of beauty for your home. If you’re an old customer or never been to Moon Valley Nursery before you will be amazed at the diverse selection and huge quantity of beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers we in stock right now.

If your looking for summer flowering garden or potted plants look no further than our Flower Tents in Chandler, north 7th St and Tatum Blvd locations. You will never find more complete garden centers.

This is a tough decision, because so many shrubs work best for specific applications  areas of town, and in certain areas in the garden. However, we selected the Little John, as it's one of the only shrubs capable of filling just about any role as well as ones tailor-made for a purpose. These shrubs are exceptionally hardy, look beautiful, and hold a unique red bottlebrush-shaped bloom for several months throughout the year. Because of their size and adaptability, you can put these just about anywhere in your yard and know that you'll have a plant that will require much less attention then it will get even from those just looking at your yard.