Where to get your $5 tree

A million new trees to cast cooling shade in Tucson by 2030 — that is Mayor Romero’s goal. It is a reachable goal and, in fact, could be achieved within weeks if each of the 547,131 Tucsonans planted 2 trees. That would result in 1,094,262 new trees immediately. And in the remaining time until 2030, all those trees would be growing taller and shadier and absorbing more CO2.

I hope that would happen — an officially-sanctioned tree-planting blitz–but meanwhile Mother Nature is doing her own tree blitz. Volunteer Mesquite and Palo Verde trees are sprouting on their own all over the city, but I’m not sure they are being counted toward the million tree total.

Choose 2 trees thanks to TEP

Mesquite and Desert Willow as well as other trees that do well in our desert climate are also found in plant nurseries ready for residential gardens. They are, however, not cheap. To reduce the cost of young trees Tucson Electric Power is making 12 varieties of trees and big shrubs available for $5 each at five area nurseries after September 6th. But you have to order your trees–up to 2 trees–through the TEP website. You can’t just wander into a local nursery and pick up a tree. TEP will send you an email and tell you where to go to pick up your new tree(s). Note: in 2023 the selection of trees has changed. The price is still $5. Now only 2 trees/shrubs are available to each TEP customer.

In anticipation of September tree planting, I visited Harlow Gardens in MidTown, the first name on TEP’s list of places distributing the $5 trees. And what a charming surprise it turned out to be starting with the big and colorful Welcome sign at the entrance you can see at the top of this post. (All five TEP tree pick-up locations are listed at the bottom of this post.)

Ornament your garden with more than than plants

Just inside the entrance gate are two figures that set the tone for Harlow Garden’s garden accessories. On the left is a tall gardening lady with her shovel wearing what looks like a college graduate’s cap or maybe just a beret with ribbons. On the right, a comfortable garden bench that would be especially fun for children. Nothing like sitting on a “horse” in your back yard.

Since early September is not a good time of year for planting, (wait until the daily average temp is below 90F) there are painted pots to add color to your indoor or outdoor living space. Not the usual Talavera ones, these colorful yellow pots with birds would enhance any garden, patio or balcony — even without one green plant in them.

I recently wrote about the lack of fountains in Tucson, but bird baths are common. You could go all out with the ornate one with squirrels on the left or simply put a shallow container of water on a flower bed for birds and other creatures. The tower of greenery on the right shows what one can do with a massive display of low water usage succulents in pots!

Even the buildings at Harlow Gardens reflect their colorful spirit. The succulents painted on the wall in the shade house are awesome. And on a wall near the exit, old-fashioned hollyhocks — a plant that seems to be making a comeback.

Meet the Garden Wizard

And if you need advice about gardening in our hot climate, ask the Garden Wizard. He or another Garden Wizard are on duty daily at Harlow Gardens. You can also get excellent gardening advice at the Hot Gardens website.

Where to pick up your trees — but visit the TEP website first

Harlow Gardens, serving central and downtown Tucson
5620 E. Pima St., Tucson, AZ

Tucson Cactus & Koi, serving northwest Tucson and Oro Valley
7810 N. Oracle Rd., Oro Valley,

Civano Nursery, serving eastern Tucson
5301 S. Houghton Road, Tucson,

EcoGro, LLC, serving downtown and central Tucson
657 W. St. Mary’s Road, Tucson, AZ 85701

Native Gardens of Green Valley
20 N. La Canada Drive, Green Valley, AZ

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