Desert landscaping can be a low maintenance option that requires little upkeep and water. Succulents are of course a must; cacti, aloe and yucca are traditional desert additions.

More: Tips to keeping your garden safe through the summer This was about evaporation rates which are key to growing here in the desert. Before humidity arrived we were routinely way below 10%.

The desert landscaping used the least amount of water, but it also produced temperatures that were on average 5.4 degrees higher than the other landscape types.

Air temperatures in the xeric landscape plot averaged 3 o C (5.4 o F) higher than in the other two landscape types.