Your Yard Is Talking: What August Reveals About Your Landscape August is actually one of the best times of year to evaluate your landscape. Why? Because right now, your yard can’t hide its problems. After weeks of Utah heat, you can clearly see what’s working—and what isn’t. Here are 5 things to look for: 1. Plants that constantly wilt Some temporary wilting is normal, but plants that struggle every afternoon may be in the wrong location, have inadequate irrigation, or simply aren’t suited for our climate. 2. Dry spots in the lawn Before increasing your watering time, check your sprinkler coverage. Often the problem isn’t a lack of water—it’s poor distribution. 3. Plants that are thriving with very little attention Take note of these! They’re showing you what actually works in your specific microclimate. 4. Areas that feel unbearably hot Large expanses of rock, concrete, artificial turf, and other hard surfaces can absorb and radiate tremendous amounts of heat. A low-water landscape doesn’t have to mean a hot landscape. Strategic trees, shrubs, grasses, groundcovers, and living plant material can make a huge difference. 5. Empty or struggling areas of the landscape Don’t necessarily rush to fix them right now. August is a great time to observe and plan. Fall is one of the best planting seasons in Utah, and what you’re seeing today can help you make much better decisions in September and October. The goal of a water-wise landscape isn’t to create a yard that simply uses less water. It’s to create a landscape that becomes more resilient, more comfortable, and easier to maintain over time. So before August ends, walk your property and ask: What is my landscape trying to tell me? Drop a picture in the comments if you have an area you’re struggling with. I’d be happy to take a look.

🔥 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.