Climate
Tips for planning a xeriscape to replace your lawn
Erin flipped her strip. Photo: Erin Alberty/Axios
I've been experimenting with xeriscapes in Utah for about 15 years — I even won an award, looky looky! — so I'm well aware of the difficulties of planning.
Here are 4 tips to see your project to the finish line:
How a plant shortage could flummox the West's drought response
A drought-tolerant rosemary plant on display in a California nursery. Photo: Dan Honda/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images
As western states expand cash incentives to eliminate thirsty grass lawns and switch to drought-friendly gardens, homeowners are running into a snag:
- Many of the recommended native and desert-adapted plants are unavailable to buy.
How to ditch your grass without breaking the bank
Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
Residents interested in trading in their lawns for water-efficient landscaping can apply for the state's new incentive program through Utah Water Savers.
Why it matters: The rebates can assist Utahns who want to conserve water to convert their lawns into drought-tolerant landscaping without breaking the bank.
Utah expected to see hotter-than-average summer
Map showing seasonal temperature trends likely during summer 2023 across the U.S. Image: NOAA
A 40%-60% chance of higher-than-average temperatures is projected for most of Utah this summer.
Driving the news: The NOAA outlook, released last Thursday, shows the highest probability of above-average temperatures in New Mexico and Arizona, where there’s a 60% to 70% chance for a warmer-than-average summer.
The case for Utah to host another Winter Games
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
Utah is "favorably" positioned to host the 2030 or 2034 Winter Olympics, a report released yesterday suggests.
Driving the news: The 12-page report from the University of Utah's Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute outlines the environmental, social and demographic factors associated with Salt Lake City playing host to another Winter Games.
Utah is paying lawn companies to trade in their noisy, gassy machines
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
As the grass turns green and flower buds unfurl, it's time to listen for the melodic songs of birds, the buzzing of bees and the gentle flutter of ...
... your neighbor's two-stroke leaf blower.
Utah Capitol cherry trees expected to see peak bloom this weekend
Cherry trees at the Utah Capitol. Photo: Kim Bojórquez/Axios
As temperatures warm up, you won't have to wait much longer to see cherry blossom trees bloom at the Utah Capitol.
Driving the news: The picturesque trees are expected to see their peak bloom between this weekend and early next week, Alexis Koontz, visitor services manager for the Utah Capitol Preservation Board, told Axios.
Utah's EV registration rates outpaced nation in January
Electric vehicles accounted for 7.2% of monthly new vehicle registrations in the Salt Lake City area in January — up from nearly 3% in January 2022, Axios' Joann Muller reports.
Zoom out: Nationally, EVs accounted for 7% of new vehicle registrations in January, up from 4.1% the same month last year.
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