Desert Rose Landscape & Maintenance

Desert Rose Landscape & Maintenance Professional landscaping and grounds maintenance serving Santa Fe, NM.

Reliable service, quality workmanship, and consistent care for residential and commercial properties.

Question of the Week: Watering Smarter During Santa Fe's DroughtQ: How long should my irrigation system run for?A: Irrig...
06/06/2026

Question of the Week: Watering Smarter During Santa Fe's Drought

Q: How long should my irrigation system run for?

A: Irrigation run times can vary greatly from property to property depending on your soil, plant material, sun exposure, and how the system was designed. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

With Santa Fe experiencing severe drought conditions, it's important to water deeply and efficiently. We typically design our irrigation systems to run 30 to 45 minutes per zone, providing a deep soak that encourages healthy root growth while minimizing runoff and water waste.

Keep in mind that watering frequency is just as important as run time. Plants may need water more often during periods of extreme heat, but longer run times are not always the solution. Regularly check your soil moisture and plant health, and adjust accordingly.

If you're unsure how to program your system, have it evaluated by a professional. A properly adjusted irrigation schedule can save thousands of gallons of water, reduce utility costs, and keep your landscape healthy through drought conditions.

Plant of the Week: Corkscrew WillowCorkscrew WillowSalix matsudana 'Tortuosa'Zone 4-8Few trees add as much character to ...
06/05/2026

Plant of the Week: Corkscrew Willow

Corkscrew Willow
Salix matsudana 'Tortuosa'
Zone 4-8

Few trees add as much character to the landscape as the Corkscrew Willow. Its long, narrow leaves provide a soft, graceful appearance during the growing season, while its twisted and contorted branches create a striking architectural feature year-round. The unique branching pattern becomes especially noticeable in winter after the leaves have dropped.

A fast-growing tree, it can quickly reach 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with mature specimens capable of growing up to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide under ideal conditions.

Plant in full sun to partial shade and provide regular water, especially during establishment. Be sure to select a planting location well away from sidewalks, driveways, septic systems, and underground utilities. Its aggressive root system actively seeks moisture and can damage nearby infrastructure. Maintaining consistent soil moisture can help reduce excessive root spread.

More Than Just a Side YardThis side yard was due for a refresh. The existing planting beds had become sparse, the irriga...
06/03/2026

More Than Just a Side Yard

This side yard was due for a refresh. The existing planting beds had become sparse, the irrigation system needed attention, and the space wasn't living up to its potential.

We removed selected plants, rebuilt the irrigation system, and introduced a new mix of evergreens, ornamental grasses, shrubs, vines, and a flowering crabapple to bring more color, texture, and year-round interest to the landscape.

River rock was added along the house to create a clean transition between the architecture and planting beds, while fresh bark mulch helped unify the entire space. A new water feature adds another layer to the experience, bringing movement and sound to an area that now feels much more inviting.

The curved walkway was already doing its job. Our goal was to give it a landscape worthy of the journey.

Question of the Week: Drought Watering Tips: Adjusting Your Irrigation This SpringA: Irrigation run times can vary depen...
04/18/2026

Question of the Week: Drought Watering Tips: Adjusting Your Irrigation This Spring

A: Irrigation run times can vary depending on your system, soil, and plant types, but with the unusually warm spring and ongoing drought conditions in New Mexico, proper watering is more important than ever.

Here in Santa Fe, the goal is still deep, efficient watering, but you may need to increase frequency slightly due to the dry conditions, not just longer run times. Most systems run about 30–45 minutes per zone, but it’s better to break that into shorter cycles (cycle and soak) to allow water to pe*****te deeply without runoff.

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation, and keep an eye on your plants. Signs like wilting, dull leaf color, or dry soil a few inches down may mean it’s time to adjust. At the same time, avoid overwatering, especially with drip systems, since wasted water is a major concern during drought.

If you’re unsure, having your system evaluated can help you fine-tune your schedule and avoid both plant stress and high water bills.

Plant of the Week: Corkscrew WillowCorkscrew WillowSalix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’Zone 4–8This eye-catching tree is known for...
04/17/2026

Plant of the Week: Corkscrew Willow

Corkscrew Willow
Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’
Zone 4–8

This eye-catching tree is known for its uniquely twisted and contorted branches, creating year-round visual interest. Long, narrow green leaves fill out the canopy in spring and summer, while the sculptural branching becomes fully visible in winter.

A fast grower, Corkscrew Willow can quickly reach around 20 feet tall, with mature specimens growing up to 40 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

Plant in partial to full sun and water regularly, especially while establishing. Be sure to plant well away from sidewalks, driveways, and plumbing lines, as its aggressive, shallow roots will seek out moisture and can cause damage. Keeping soil consistently moist can help reduce excessive root spread.

Transformation Tuesday: Simple Changes. Big ImpactThis yard started as a blank canvas with little definition and a lot o...
04/14/2026

Transformation Tuesday: Simple Changes. Big Impact

This yard started as a blank canvas with little definition and a lot of unused space. We brought structure and purpose to the area by building a raised flowerbed and weaving in a dry riverbed to help guide both water and the eye through the space.

A flagstone pathway now creates a natural flow toward the front yard, while Santa Fe brown gravel ties everything together with a clean, cohesive look. Thoughtful plantings like Sky Rocket junipers, Colorado blue spruce, mugo pine, crabapple, and a mix of grasses and perennials add texture, height, and year-round interest. Character boulders were placed throughout to ground the design and give it a natural feel.

The result is a balanced, low-maintenance landscape that feels intentional, inviting, and built to thrive in the high desert.

Last day to vote for Best of Santa Fe 2026!If you’ve been meaning to support us, today’s the day. You can still cast you...
04/14/2026

Last day to vote for Best of Santa Fe 2026!

If you’ve been meaning to support us, today’s the day. You can still cast your vote, and every single one counts.

We’d be incredibly grateful for your vote under “Home Services” → “Best Landscaping Company.” It takes just a minute and makes a real difference for our team.
Link here: https://bestof.sfreporter.com/ballot-2026/

Thank you for all the support this year. We truly appreciate being part of this community.

We made it to the voting round for Best of Santa Fe 2026, and we’d really appreciate your support.You can vote once a da...
03/23/2026

We made it to the voting round for Best of Santa Fe 2026, and we’d really appreciate your support.

You can vote once a day, and every single vote helps more than you might think. If you’ve worked with us or like what we do, please take a moment to vote for Desert Rose under “Home Services” → “Best Landscaping Company.”

Thank you for being part of our community and trusting us with your outdoor spaces.

Voting is open through April 13.

Spring is starting to show up in Santa Fe!The sun is warmer, the days are longer, and landscapes across the city are beg...
03/20/2026

Spring is starting to show up in Santa Fe!

The sun is warmer, the days are longer, and landscapes across the city are beginning to wake up after winter. Fresh mulch, clean beds, and new growth always make this time of year one of our favorites.

Nothing beats spring in northern New Mexico.

Transformation Tuesday: A Fresh StartSometimes a transformation does not require a full rebuild. This front yard already...
03/18/2026

Transformation Tuesday: A Fresh Start

Sometimes a transformation does not require a full rebuild. This front yard already had a great foundation with established plants and a thoughtful layout, but it had become overgrown with weeds and tired mulch.

We cleared out the unwanted growth, cleaned up the beds, and refreshed everything with a new layer of bark mulch. The result is a landscape that feels cared for again, allowing the grasses, flowers, and shrubs to stand out!

Address

3201 Zafarano Drive Suite C Box #579
Santa Fe, NM
87507

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15054716403

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Desert Rose Landscape & Maintenance posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Desert Rose Landscape & Maintenance:

Share