🔥 August Survival Guide: Even Drought-Tolerant Plants Need Help One of the biggest misconceptions about water-wise landscaping is that once you install drought-tolerant plants, they can handle anything Mother Nature throws at them. August proves otherwise. Even plants adapted to hot, dry climates experience stress when we’re seeing: ☀️ 100°+ temperatures 🌵 Hot, dry winds 🔥 Reflective heat from rock mulch, sidewalks, and driveways 💧 Weeks without meaningful rainfall If your new landscape is looking a little tired, don’t panic. That’s completely normal. Here are a few things you can do to help your plants through the hottest part of summer: ✅ Water deeply, not frequently. A long soak encourages roots to grow deeper instead of staying near the surface. ✅ Water early in the morning. Less water evaporates, and your plants have time to hydrate before the afternoon heat. ✅ Check your drip emitters. A clogged emitter can leave one plant struggling while everything around it looks fine. ✅ Look for signs of stress. Wilting during the afternoon isn’t always a problem if the plant recovers by evening. If it’s still wilted the next morning, it likely needs more water. ✅ Be patient. Most drought-tolerant plants spend their first year establishing roots. Once established, they’ll require significantly less water. Bonus Tip 💡 If your landscape has decorative rock, remember that rock absorbs and radiates heat. A plant next to a south-facing sidewalk or driveway may need a little extra attention during heat waves compared to one growing in afternoon shade. The good news? Cooler nights and lower temperatures are just around the corner. Help your plants make it through August, and they’ll reward you with healthier growth for years to come. 🌿 Question for the group: Which plants have handled this summer’s heat the best in your yard, and which ones have struggled the most?

Over the past few weeks I’ve been a little quiet on here—not because I’ve disappeared, but because we’ve been busy helping homeowners transform their landscapes! It’s been exciting to see so many families making the switch to beautiful, water-wise landscapes that are easier to maintain, use significantly less water, and create habitat for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Every project is a little different, but the goal is always the same: create an outdoor space that’s both beautiful and sustainable. At Natural By Design, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between having a gorgeous yard and being responsible with water. With the right combination of drought-tolerant perennials, ornamental grasses, groundcovers, native plants, efficient drip irrigation, and thoughtful design, you really can have both. Some of the biggest benefits we’ve seen homeowners enjoy are: 🌿 Lower water bills 🌸 Color and interest through multiple seasons 🦋 More pollinators and wildlife 🌎 Reduced maintenance and a healthier environment 💧 Landscapes designed to thrive in Utah’s climate Whether you’re thinking about replacing a small park strip or reimagining your entire yard, I’m always happy to answer questions—even if you’re just exploring ideas. I genuinely enjoy helping people understand their options and find solutions that fit their budget and goals. If you’ve been wondering how to save water, qualify for available rebates, or simply create a landscape you’ll love for years to come, feel free to reach out or leave a question below. I’m always happy to help. —John Natural By Design

🌱 Busy Season in Full Swing! 🌱 We’re right in the thick of the landscaping season at Natural By Design, and it’s exciting to see so many homeowners taking steps to reduce water use while creating beautiful outdoor spaces. One of our recent projects was a record-setter. We completed what we’re told is the largest park strip conversion that the city’s program has ever participated in. The city provided 25 yards of free Glacier decorative gravel, and the homeowner is expected to receive approximately $8,000 in water-wise landscape rebates. Think about that for a moment: ✅ Thousands of square feet of thirsty turf removed ✅ Significant reduction in outdoor water use ✅ Lower monthly water bills ✅ Reduced maintenance and mowing ✅ A beautiful landscape designed for Utah’s climate ✅ Approximately $8,000 back in the homeowner’s pocket This is why I love what we do. Every project helps homeowners save water, save money, and create landscapes that make sense for the future of Utah. The rebates, free materials, and incentive programs available right now are some of the best I’ve ever seen. If you’ve been thinking about replacing part of your lawn, now is a great time to explore your options. What would you do with an extra $8,000 and lower water bills every month? 💧 #WaterWise #Xeriscape #UtahLandscaping #NaturalByDesign #LandscapeRebates #WaterConservation #FlipTheStrip #UtahWaterSavers #GreatSaltLake #SustainableLandscaping

Hey everyone, sorry I’ve been a little quiet lately. We’ve honestly been slammed with projects the past few weeks and I’ve been running hard helping homeowners transform lawns and secure thousands of dollars back through Utah lawn conversion rebates. It’s been a busy season, but a really rewarding one. One thing I’m seeing right now is that a lot of people wait too long to make adjustments in their landscapes before the summer heat hits. Late spring is actually one of the best times to set your yard up for success while temperatures are still manageable and plants can establish before July and August. Here are a few simple water wise tips that make a huge difference: 🌱 Mulch deeper than you think Most people barely put enough mulch down to matter. A solid 3–4 inches around plants helps retain moisture, keeps roots cooler, and dramatically reduces weeds. 💧 Water deeper, less often Frequent shallow watering trains roots to stay near the surface. Longer soak times with fewer watering days encourages deeper, stronger roots and healthier plants. 🌾 Use spreading groundcovers Plants like creeping thyme, ice plant, spreading junipers, and sedums can slowly fill space over time, helping shade soil and reduce evaporation while looking beautiful. 🐝 Plant for pollinators Yarrow, salvia, penstemon, lavender, and native grasses don’t just save water. They bring life into the landscape with bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. ☀️ Watch your drip system now Late spring is the perfect time to check emitters, leaks, clogged lines, and spray patterns before summer arrives. One broken emitter can stress a new plant quickly. 🪨 Don’t assume rock means maintenance free A good xeriscape still needs thoughtful plant spacing, mulch depth, proper drip irrigation, and occasional weeding. The goal isn’t “zero maintenance.” The goal is a healthier, lower water, more enjoyable landscape. Honestly, one of my favorite parts of these projects is watching homeowners realize they don’t miss mowing nearly as much as they thought they would. Instead of staring at a lawn, they start noticing flowers, textures, bees, butterflies, and birds.

🌱 From Random to Intentional This one was a fun challenge out in Syracuse. The homeowner had already planted a mix of shrubs over time. No real plan, just adding things here and there. Instead of ripping everything out, we worked with it. And honestly… that made it better. We shaped the design around what was already there, cleaned things up, added structure, and turned it into something that actually feels cohesive. Now it looks like it was always meant to be this way. Here’s the part most people care about: They removed 1,300 sq ft of lawn At $2.50 per sq ft through Utah Water Savers That’s $3,250 back to the homeowner On top of that, this yard will save tens of thousands of gallons of water every year. Less mowing Less stress More time actually enjoying the yard And still green where it matters This is what I love about xeriscaping done right. It’s not about stripping everything out. It’s about creating something better, smarter, and built for Utah. If you’ve got a yard that feels random or unfinished, you’re not as far off as you think.