March 17th

By Mutt Mulligan

California’s deserts are in bloom!

Have you seen the pictures of the deserts in California recently? Experts say they are in a “super bloom” thanks to the unseasonably wet weather the area has been having. This, following years of severe drought.

It just goes to prove what TurfMutt has been saying all along. Even in the desert, flowers bloom! It’s also proof that plants are smarter than we give them credit for. When conditions are dry, plants know how to conserve water, and they green up (or bloom up, in this case!) again when rains come.

You don’t have to live in a desert environment to experience this phenomenon of nature. Simply watch the plants in your own yard, parks and schoolyards. Chances are they will go dormant, or “turn off” during dry spells and summer months. But they will green back up when rains return.

If the colorful photos are giving you the itch to plant something green, take TurfMutt’s simple advice:

• Plant for your climate zone (check the climate zone map for insight).
• Put the right plant in the right place.
• Water wisely (watch TurfMutt’s video to learn how!).

Living landscapes are important no matter what climate you live in. Learn more about their benefits and how to best care for them by visiting LivingLandscapesMatter.com.