5 Great Ways to Create Your Ultimate Summer Oasis in Tucson
The weather is already getting warmer, which means it’s the perfect time to start planning summer BBQs and enjoying your outdoor living spaces. Because it gets so hot in Arizona, you’ll need to consider features that will keep you and your guests cool and comfortable in the summer heat. Here are our tips for how to build the perfect backyard for Tucson summers.
Incorporate a Variety of Shade Elements
You can’t enjoy an outdoor patio in the Arizona summer heat without shade structures. Incorporating a variety of shade elements on your outdoor patio will block harmful UV rays, help you avoid sunburns and heat exhaustion, and lower the temperature on your patio. If your patio doesn’t have a roof, installing shade sails can create shade. You can also use umbrellas and awnings to create more areas of shade throughout your landscape. If it’s natural shade you are looking for, there are a variety of native trees that can provided ample coverage. Make sure that you have more than one shaded area or that you use more than one shade element so that as the sun moves, you’ll still have a shaded place to relax.
Use Native Plants and Be Sure to Upgrade Your Irrigation
Plants that are native to the Southwest desert require less water and are more drought-tolerant than non-native plants. This means they will look beautiful year-round and won’t make you end up with a huge water bill. Native plants also put less of a strain on our natural desert ecosystem.
Installing an irrigation system that works on a timer or a schedule will help you make sure your plants get enough water as the weather gets hotter. Schedule it to water plants at dusk or in the early morning hours so that the plants don’t lose as much water to evaporation.
Consider Adding a Fan
Installing fans will not only give you and your guests a nice, cooling breeze, but they can also keep pests off your patio. Consider installing a ceiling fan on your patio or porch ceiling, or using standing fans or tabletop fans as well. There are a variety of options available to fit your needs and the aesthetic of your space.
Install a Built-In Barbecue
Installing a built-in barbecue or outdoor kitchen gives you the perfect way to host summer cookouts. Cooking outdoors also helps you keep your kitchen and home cool and comfortable and leaves cooking odors outside. Explore custom barbecue installation options and design the outdoor cooking area of your dreams, and you’ll find yourself cooking outdoors year-round.
At Horticulture Unlimited, we specialize in landscaping and hardscaping design in Tucson, AZ. If you’re ready to transform your outdoor living space, our experts can help. We will evaluate your space and go over your needs, goals, and budget and then help you bring your vision of your dream outdoor living space to life. We have extensive experience in designing and installing patios, walkways, landscaping gravel and rocks, water features, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, decks, built-in barbecues, lighting, and almost anything else you would need for the perfect outdoor living space. Call us today at (520) 321-4678 or contact us online to set up an initial consultation.