In a water-scarce environment, transitioning to xeriscaping offers a practical solution to conserve water. Ponderosa Cactus, a Tucson go-to for 36 years, is helping homeowners embrace this new trend, specializing in plants ideal for Tucson's dry climate.
Ponderosa Cactus, located at 3571 E. Fort Lowell Rd., began as a family-owned nursery in 1986 dedicated to creating sustainable, desert-friendly landscaping. “We’ve seen a rise in homeowners, businesses, and even municipalities switching to xeriscaping because it’s sustainable and practical, " Carrasco said. “It’s exciting to see this shift in mindset, and I’m proud that Ponderosa Cactus is playing a role in this movement.”
This is a particularly exciting time at Ponderosa Cactus as Daniel and Maricela -- parents and founders of the nursery -- increasingly shift operations to their daughters and the next generation of family leaders.
What sets Ponderosa Cactus apart? Esmeralda Carrasco, Chief Operating Officer of Ponderosa Cactus, explains that their commitment is unparalleled. With a dedicated team offering expert advice, creative design ideas, and plant recommendations, Ponderosa Cactus makes transforming landscapes easy. Customers will gain the knowledge needed to create a landscape that is not only visually beautiful but water-efficient and easy to maintain.
Carrasco finds it rewarding to help customers with their landscapes and recalls one of her most rewarding projects. “One of my favorite projects was with a local homeowner who replaced their water-thirsty lawn with a combination of Mexican Fence Post, agaves, and gravel pathways,” Carrasco said. “Not only did they cut their water bill in half, but their property became the talk of the neighborhood.”
Ready to redesign your landscape? Carrasco recommends starting small and following these simple steps to kick off your xeriscaping journey.
Step 1: Understand Xeriscaping Principles
Water conservation, soil health, and using plants that thrive in a dry climate are the foundation of xeriscaping. Ponderosa Cactus hosts workshops, plant-care guides, and personalized consultations that will equip homeowners with the knowledge needed to start their xeriscaping journey.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Landscape
There has been a major shift over the last couple of years in conserving water. In assessing their landscape, residents should analyze their current yard and identify areas of improvement such as any drainage issues and water-thirsty plants. Foothills residents can visit Ponderosa Cactus with a picture of their current landscape and receive guidance from their team to transform their yard.
Step 3: Plan and Design Your Xeriscape
Thoughtful planning and design are essential to creating a landscape that balances functionality and beauty. This includes carefully considering pathways, plant placement, and water-saving strategies throughout the space. Ponderosa Cactus makes it easy to envision a xeriscape with their design expertise and diverse plant selection. While some homeowners may not require a full landscaping plan, Ponderosa Cactus offers tailored tips to enhance any outdoor space.
Step 4: Improve Your Soil
Soil health is a key factor in a thriving xeriscape, yet Tucson's soil is notoriously tough. Ponderosa Cactus offers both high-quality soil amendments and expert guidance to help homeowners prepare their soil for desert plants, ensuring long-term success.
Step 5: Select Drought Tolerant Plants
Every home is different and plants vary from yard to yard. To reduce water and elongate the lifespan of plants, residents should pick desert-adapted plants. Staff at Ponderosa Cactus help customers find their perfect plants. From cacti to flowering perennials, Ponderosa Cactus has it all.
Step 6: Install Efficient Irrigation
Rainwater and drip irrigation harvesting are beneficial in xeriscaping. While there is a need for irrigation, most of Ponderosa Cactus’ plants will do just fine with the monsoon season. Ponderosa Cactus has trusted professionals in the field of irrigation that will help install any needed irrigation.
Step 7: Mulch
While mulch is important for many landscapes, it is not significant in an xeriscape. Gravel, decomposed granite, and organic mulch are components that will work more effectively.
Step 8: Maintenance and Care
For those looking for less work, xeriscaping is great. While xeriscaping still needs some maintenance like pruning, some watering, and weed control, it requires way less attention than a traditional landscape.
Step 9: Educate Yourself and Others
The xeriscaping community is continuously growing and those who have made the switch can continue to educate and inspire those around them. Ponderosa Cactus continues to educate with different partnerships such as partnering with different HOAs and the county to advocate for drought-tolerant plants.
Ponderosa Cactus is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. on Saturday.
Established in 1986, Ponderosa Cactus stands as a beloved family-run Tucson nursery thriving in true family tradition. This business is currently shifting to the hands of the Carrasco family’s next generation. With deep wisdom transferred from one generation to the next, the Cazrrascos are deeply committed to crafting an outstanding selection of cactus varieties for their esteemed clientele.