Smart Summer Watering: Keep Your Landscape Thriving in the Valley Heat

As summer temperatures soar in the Valley, outdoor water use often spikes—sometimes more than necessary. Imagine stepping outside to find your yard thriving even in the hottest months, all while using less water and saving money. The secret? Watering deeply but less frequently, and keeping your irrigation system in top shape. Despite common assumptions, more water isn’t always better—even during extreme heat.

July marks Smart Irrigation Month—the perfect opportunity to transform your outdoor watering habits. Simple changes can lead to efficient watering, a healthier landscape, and lower bills this summer. 

Water Deeply and Less Often, Even When Temperatures Soar

Slow the flow. Water slowly and deeply so moisture reaches your plants' roots. If you water too quickly, it can run off and be wasted. Deep watering means you can water less often—an essential strategy in our arid climate, where heat and wind quickly dry out the soil's surface. 

Recommended Watering Frequency:

• Grass: No more than twice a week
• Established trees and shrubs: Once a week
• Desert-adapted plants: Even less often

If you notice certain plants struggling during extreme heat, give them a bit of extra water, but avoid making it a routine.

Most people tend to overwater their landscapes—including low-water-use plants. This can cause excessive growth, disease, and other maintenance headaches. Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger roots, helping your plants tolerate heat and drought.

Water at the Right Time

The time of day you water is also important to maximize water use.

• Avoid watering on windy days—water can easily blow away or evaporate.
• Pause your irrigation after a monsoon or even a decent rainfall (many smart timers do this automatically).
• Water between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., when the sun is low, and evaporation is minimized.

Inspect and Maintain Your Irrigation System

A healthy landscape starts with a healthy irrigation system. As summer heat intensifies, check your system regularly:

• Turn on your irrigation system and walk your yard.
• Inspect sprinkler heads for clogs, damage, or leaks.
• Check drip lines for cracks or broken emitters—high temperatures and dust can cause problems.
• Address any pooling or runoff right away to avoid wasting water.

For Additional Help and Available Resources

The AMWUA Smart Home Water Guide walks you through leak detection and common irrigation issues. For more tips, visit the Landscaping with Style website for detailed maintenance advice.

Check with your local water conservation office for rebates on smart irrigation controllers and information about free workshops.

By watering wisely and keeping your system maintained, your landscape can thrive—even in Phoenix’s scorching summers—while using much less water. Small changes can make a big impact.

Ready to get started? Explore this interactive watering guide—designed for the Phoenix metro area—to learn how much and how often to water, set your timer, and troubleshoot common issues.

For even more resources, visit our conservation pages.

For 57 years, the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association has worked to protect our member cities' ability to provide assured, safe, and sustainable water supplies to their communities — Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. For more information, visit amwua.org.