Hottubs and Good Scents in the Desert
Many people in the city of Phoenix are taking steps to cut down on their usage of water, for both economic and environmental reasons. Maintaining large swimming pools and and large lawns requires the constant filling of the pool due to evaporation, and the constant watering of the lawn due to the high temperatures and the dry weather conditions. Also, due to the more clay like consistency of the ground in the desert, most species used to plant yards and golf courses requires the use of inorganic and chemical fertilizers.
In current times, many are making a few decisions differently, opting to install smaller hottubs rather than large swimming pools, and choosing to plant species of trees and plants that are native to the desert environment in which we live. Hottubs do require care and maintenance, but are not so labor intensive as pools. The remain covered when not in use, which has two obvious benefits. One being that the leaves and dirt that can fall into and wreak havoc on the filters of swimming pools, especially during the monsoon season, are kept out of the hottubs. And secondly, the cover prevents some of the evaporation of the water that requires most pool owners, hours of refilling the pools each morning.
The choice to switch out lawns for plants indigenous to the environment not only cuts down on labor as well, but is more ecologically sound, reducing water usage and taking away the necessity for the use of chemical fertilization. Many plant gardens with the sense of sight in mind, which is one of the elementary and important concerns, however there are many plants of the desert that also smell incredibly great. Many are opting to plant ornamental grass throughout their yards, species that do not require feeding or cutting, along with some of the various good scented trees and flowers. There are many to choose from such as jasmine vines or one of the species of sage plants. Creosote bushes and Acacia trees are also wonderful options, all of which smell lovely after an early morning desert rain. This is the perfect time to grab a cup of coffee and to relax in a backyard hottub before beginning the day.