How to Select a Perfect Tree for Your Yard

Big….Healthy…Beautiful…and Affordable……

Four steps to follow when picking out a tree

Fall marks the beginning of one of the most prolific planting seasons in the southwest. The weather is ideal for planting and the selections are abundant. Trees are one of the most popular items to plant this fall. The four steps to follow when picking out a tree are:
• Big
• Healthy
• Beautiful
• Affordable

Look for Big Trees

The size of a tree tells much about how the nursery has cared for your tree. The growth process not only requires the right amount of water and conditions, but also nutrition. Trees are a living organism and just like us they require good soil and nutrition to grow strong, healthy and big.

A common observation made by customers that stop into Moon Valley Nursery is how unbelievably large our trees are. By selecting a tree that already has good size to it, you are able to enjoy a large canopy of shade from the moment you plant it in your yard.

Healthy leaves, growth and branch structure

Healthy trees can be spotted a mile away. They have a look of well-being with good form. Look for leaves that are appropriately colored for the season and are insect and disease free. Undersized, yellow leaves that prematurely drop are obvious signs of poor health.

Growth is an essential requirement for a healthy tree. Trees that express new extensions of terminal buds are exhibiting signs of vigor.

Check branches for breakage and/or for bark damage. Especially on the tree trunk any damage to the bark can become an easy path for disease and eventual decay.

Beautiful and pleasing to the eye

A tree that has a wide umbrella canopy, healthy leaves and sturdy branch structure is pleasing to the eye and will easily become the focal point of your landscape. Moon Valley Nursery is a grower direct nursery that specializes in growing trees that are native to the southwest. Our trees are naturally acclimated and will ease into your yard beautifully.

Affordable and assessable

Moon Valley Nursery makes trees affordable by offering tree packages. You will get more for your money by purchasing more then one tree. Go to www.moonvalleynursery.com and click on our current ads. Moon Valley Nursery also makes our trees assessable because we deliver and plant them for you. Call any Moon Valley Nursery at 602-938-6666 for details. 

Trees and Plants to Attract Songbirds to Your Yard

Songbirds     

Each fall the Southwest is marked by a massive migration of birds. More than 350 species of birds leave for a little R&R in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Central and South Americas. These tiny winged creatures travel thousands of miles to their winter retreats to breed and rear their young. It’s hard to imagine the crisp air of fall without the sounds and drama of our migratory birds.
Some have names many of us recognize - the ruby-throated hummingbird, chimney swift, purple martin, gray catbird, wood thrush and northern oriole. Others may be familiar to the more serious birdwatchers - the ruddy turnstone, yellow-bellied cuckoo, common nighthawk, yellow bellied flycatcher, scarlet tanager, bobolink, red-eyed vireo and Cape May warbler. Collectively, these birds are known as “neotropical migrants because they nest in Canada and the United States, and winter in Mexico and points south” (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
Over the last few decades ornithologists have noticed a concerning decrease in these populations. What has happened to these birds? Habitat loss is part of the problem. What can you do to help our little winged friends? Plant a tree or a shrub in your yard this fall!

Create a conducive habitat for songbirds.

You can create and restore habitat for these little singers at your home or at your workplace. You can make any property attractive to birds by offering water, shelter, food and nesting habitat. Start first by evaluating your property. Keep in mind that diversity encourages a larger variety of birds.

Trees:         
Landscape your yard with native evergreen and fruiting trees. One of the best Songbird Tree is the Mesquite Tree because it is loaded with pollinating insects. This tree draws scores of songbirds, including cardinals, green tailed towhee, and all sorts of varieties of warblers.

Shrubs:     
Shrubs are a natural attraction for songbirds. Shrubs are versatile in your landscape design and can add definition or can be used as a natural barrier on your property.

Water Features:      
Noisy water features attract more migratory birds. Birds are attracted to water features that are shallow, clean and noisy. The sound of dripping water is a magnet for songbirds.


You don't have to put out a commercial bird feeder to provide food for the neotropical migrants that pass through the southwest this time of year. Moon Valley Nursery will help you landscape your yard with native evergreen and fruiting trees, shrubs, grasses and vines and water features that birds cannot resist. Call a designer from Moon Valley today and let us design a songbird habitat for you.

September begins the planting season! Moon Valley Nurseries shows you how to plant a tree

Moon Valley Nurseries shows you how to plant a tree 

September begins one of the most exciting planting seasons. The most value for your money this time of year is a tree from Moon Valley Nurseries. 
Moon Valley Nurseries shows you how to plant a tree and gives you some valuable tips as we enter this years planting season. 


Materials Needed
• A good quality tree (from Moon Valley Nursery)
• Shovel
• Moon Dust
• Watering Hose

The most important step is to begin with selecting a healthy tree. Moon Valley Nursery has the best quality of trees in the Southwest!

Choose a suitable tree for the region, climate, and space.


All of the trees at Moon Valley Nursery sells are suitable for the climate here in the Southwest.
Consider how quickly and how large the tree will grow and how much cleanup it will require.
Understand the growth habits of the tree you will plant, and the shape that your tree will have when it is mature.
Any questions about the region, climate and space can be answered by any of our Moon Valley Nursery staff.

Decide where you want the tree. 


Remember that trees will grow large, so in addition to arranging it according to how you want the area to look, think ahead and ask yourself:


• What will the tree shade, and what it might touch or cover when it is fully grown?
• Will it be too close to any sidewalks, houses, or power lines?
• Does your planting location tend to flood or puddle heavily when it is wet? 
Choose a site with good drainage. Planting holes can form natural ponds in non-percolating conditions, and many trees will drown if their roots are completely submerged.


Remember, after your tree is planted add fertilizer. All plants need fertilizer to thrive, but too much and you will burn the leaves or kill the plant. Moon Valley Nursery has the perfect blend that will help your newly planted tree to thrive, Moon Dust for trees and shrubs. For an easy step by step tutorial watch 'Moon Valley Nurseries show you how to fertilize your tree or shrub'.


A newly planted tree needs stakes to support it while it develops a strong root system. For further instructions on how to properly stake a tree watch 'Moon Valley Nurseries shows you how to stake a tree'.

Planting Season Begins! Start Planting Now!

Fall Planting Season Begins:

As summer comes to an end it is time to start thinking about fall planting. Fall is a great time to plant many different kinds of trees and shrubs, as well as an endless variety of flowers all which can be found at any Moon Valley Nursery.
Fall-planted specimens often settle into their new homes more easily than those planted in spring, because they usually don’t have to contend with a period of hot, dry weather the way the latter do. Also, because of the famously mild weather that the southwest boasts compared to the rest of the country, it is a pinnacle time for you to spend outdoors designing, planting and tending to your fall trees, plants, and flowers.

Tips for Fall Planting:

 First and foremost: Choose healthy-looking plants at the Moon Valley Nursery. Visit any Moon Valley Nursery and browse through our huge selection. A Moon Valley Nursery staff member will be happy to take you on a tour of all the possibilities that are waiting to be planted this fall.
 Water is still a priority Even in the fall make sure the plant receives ample water at planting time.
 Select a species that has been acclimated to the Southwest. Moon Valley Nursery is a grower direct nursery; therefore our plants are acclimated, negating stress when planted.


Come in today and select trees and plants for the fall planting season! Moon Valley Nursery www.moonvalleynursery.com .

Hummingbirds!

The Hummingbirds are Back!

Late August and early September marks a much anticipated time for garden enthusiast, the return of the hummingbirds. The monsoon rains that we experienced in the Southwest provided the much needed moisture to revive natural nectar plants that feed the hummingbird.
Planting for hummingbirds allows you to enjoy having a beautiful plant thrive in your yard as you watch these tiny birds feed themselves.            
Plants that attract Hummingbirds:
Moon Valley Nursery has a huge variety of

plants, shrubs, and ground covering that a       
hummingbird cannot resist.








Red Yucca:

The Red Yucca is one of the most interesting drought tolerant plants because of its unique architectural attributes. This plant looks great in any yard day and night. Highlighted in the garden with accent lights it provides a stunning addition to any yard. It is a favorite of hummingbirds. Moon Valley Nursery has a great selection to choose from.

Arizona Yellow Bells:
The Arizona Yellow Bell is a great ornamental shrub and works great in any yard or as a small patio tree. It is great to use as a natural screen. Hummingbirds love the tubular flower of this plant.

Red Trumpet Vine:
Who can resist the romantic feel of a draping vine over an archway or trellis? You will fall in love with this fast growing Red Trumpet Vine. The vibrant red flower transcends softly to a reddish orange with a yellow center. The Red Trumpet Vine is a must for any yard as it enjoys full sun and is a favorite of hummingbirds.

Little Johns:  
This shrub is ideal for small gardens. The bright red fuzzy flowers are produced near or at the ends of the branches in cylindrical groups that resemble an old-fashioned bottlebrush. Even when this shrub is not in bloom its evergreen leaves are spectacular. This plant loves full sun and is great for mound covering in a xeriscape, because it requires little water. The lovely red blooms are attractive to hummingbirds as well as butterflies.

Solanum or “Potato Bush”
Hummingbirds love this bush! It has a dainty flower surrounded by dark green leaves. During the twilight and night hours it has a sweet fragrance because of being pollinated by nocturnal birds and insects. Add color and a whimsical feel to your yard by adding this amazing shrub to your yard.


Moon Valley Nursery carries an abundant supply of shrubs, bushes, ground covering and trees that will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Come in today and browse our huge selection at incredible prices! Moon Valley Nursery 602-938-6666 www.moonvalleynursery.com