City offers water-wise landscaping classes

The Peoria Water Conservation Division is offering free water conservation and landscape classes to people who live inside and outside the community.

Classes are at Peoria's Development and Community Services building, Point of View room, 9875 N. 85th Ave. unless otherwise noted. Registration is requested and can be accomplished online at conserve.peoriaaz.gov or call 623-773-7286.

The classes are:

Vegetable Gardening with Kirti Mathura, horticulturist with the Desert Botanical Garden, 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 5.
Mathura will teach the importance of soil preparation and proper planting seasons, as well as strategies to overcome the challenges of gardening in the low desert.

Landscape Watering 101 with Michael Buettner, Peoria parks and landscape supervisor, 5:30-7 p.m. March 19.
Learn how much water plants need, different types of irrigation systems, and how to set your irrigation controller for the maximum efficiency.

Landscaping for Wildlife with Kirti Mathura, 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 26.
Mathura will introduce students to many plants that provide shelter and food for native wildlife.

Landscaping in the Arizona Desert with Leeann Spahos, Peoria water conservation specialist, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. April 9.
An interactive guide to water-wise landscaping in the Arizona desert. Tours of landscapes, garden gallery, design ideas and more.

Xeriscape: Desert Fusion Garden Lecture and Walking Tour with Kirti Mathura (Limited to first 25 registered participants), 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 25, City Hall Pine Room and Desert Fusion Garden, 8401 W. Monroe St.
Learn about the seven Xeriscape principles, which if used properly, ensure that landscapes are water efficient, yet creative and colorful. Lecture and walking tour of the Desert Fusion Garden will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

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