Exhibit goal

Water is a precious resource, especially in the arid Southwest. As a result, it is important to use our water efficiently and wisely. One significant area in which water savings can be achieved is outdoors, which accounts for the majority of a single family home's use.

The intent of the DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit is to provide the community with more information on actual water use by various plant and turf landscapes.

DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit

SRP initiated the DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit in October 2004 as a water conservation study and demonstration project. It is designed to gather information about available landscape products and options that may help reduce outdoor water use.

The project features a xeriscape demonstration garden and uses facility grounds to test a variety of turfs, turf products, and advanced irrigation technologies. SRP turf and irrigation specialists are monitoring selected products to determine product performance, assess water use, and evaluate how they withstand Arizona's climate.

Product testing and demonstration

The DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit is testing and demonstrating a variety of landscape options and products:

  • Drought-resistant and low-water-use grasses: Six varieties of grass are being studied to assess which ones promote reduced water application needs, less maintenance, vigorous growth, uniform color, and extended growing seasons. These varieties include Bull's-Eye, Midiron, TifSport, Celebration, Princess 77 and SeaIsle 1 Paspalum.
  • Synthetic turf: The project is studying three brands of synthetic turf, two of which use a sand and rubber infill and one that does not, to determine whether they offer a viable, low water use alternative to natural grass. These products are being monitored for durability, drainage, heat retention, fade resistance, and maintenance requirements.
  • Soil amendments and fertilizers: Soil amendments and specialty fertilizers enhance soil and turf characteristics, aid in the breakdown of toxic organic compounds, and stimulate the release of nutrients. Several products, including polymers and organic fertilizers, will be applied to study areas throughout the project to determine how they impact soil water retention and dispersion characteristics, grass health, and irrigation needs.
  • Advanced irrigation technologies: SRP is researching a variety of residential and commercial irrigation systems and controllers, as well as advanced sprinkler heads. Some of the controllers use smart irrigation technology, such as soil moisture levels and weather data, to establish watering schedules and application rates. These devices, along with a sub-surface turf irrigation system, are being studied to determine their ease of use and how they aid in reducing total water application. Sprinkler heads are being monitored to assess their distribution and uniformity characteristics.
  • Xeriscape demonstration garden: The xeriscape garden provides an opportunity to view attractive, practical, and efficient xersicape options. It features thirty-five varieties of native and low water use trees, shrubs, groundcover, and accents, and incorporates earthworks to retain rainwater on-site for use in tree and plant beds.

Test results

The first 18 months of the exhibit yielded a wealth of information about the water efficiency of several landscape products and options. View a summary of the results, including photos and charts.

Additional information

SRP is proud to provide water-saving information to the community and actively endorses water efficient technologies. For more information about the DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit, call SRP's Water Conservation Office at (602) 236-3291.

Get information about other SRP water services and programs.

Project supporters

The DesertWise Landscape Research Exhibit has been funded by SRP Renewable Energy and Technologies with additional support from more than 40 organizations. Thanks to all the supporters that have graciously contributed products, services and expertise to this project:

  • Acclima Co.
  • American Soil Technologies
  • Aqua Conserve
  • Arizona Drip Systems, Inc.
  • BioFlora
  • Desert Gatherings
  • Dig Irrigation Products
  • Empire Equipment
  • Environmental Techniques
  • Evergreen Turf
  • Ewing Irrigation Products
  • FieldTurf
  • Fertizona
  • Global Organics
  • Golf Green Guys
  • Granite Express
  • Great Western Sales & Distribution
  • Horizon Irrigation
  • Hunter Industries
  • Hydro Point Data Systems
  • Irrometer Co.
  • Metering Services
  • Motzz Laboratory
  • Mountain States Wholesale Nursery
  • Native Resources International
  • Pennington Seed Co.
  • Rainbird
  • Rainmaster Irrigation Systems
  • Schaeffer Manufacturing
  • Seeds West
  • Soil & Turf Sciences
  • SRP PERA Club
  • Stabilizer Solutions
  • Synlawn
  • Todd Valley Farms
  • Toro
  • Tree Doctors
  • University of Arizona Cooperation Extension
  • West Coast Turf
  • Western Organics
  • Wilbur-Ellis Company

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