07/13/2026
In the Sonoran Desert, monsoons bring much-needed rain, but they also bring powerful wind gusts, saturated soil, and sudden storms that can turn weak landscapes into dangerous ones ⛈️🌵🏜️
Every year, we see fallen trees, damaged shrubs, uprooted plants, broken limbs, and even toppled saguaros. Many people assume the wind alone is to blame, but often the real issue starts long before the storm arrives.
💧 Overwatering is one of the biggest mistakes💧
Trees and saguaros that are watered too frequently tend to develop shallow root systems. Instead of growing deep, strong roots that anchor them into the desert soil, the roots remain close to the surface. When heavy rain softens the ground and strong winds arrive, those shallow roots are far more likely to fail.
So what should you do?
🌵 Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. If meaningful monsoon rains have soaked the ground, you can often skip irrigation altogether and let nature do the work.
🌳 Check recently planted trees. Young trees haven’t had time to establish strong root systems and may benefit from temporary staking or proper strapping before storms arrive. Supports should stabilize the tree without preventing natural movement, which helps build stronger trunks.
🌵 Old saguaros or newly planted saguaros may also need temporary support during their establishment period. Proper bracing can help prevent leaning or toppling during high winds until their roots become established.
✂️ Remove dead or damaged branches before storm season, and inspect trees for signs of decay or structural weaknesses that could become hazards during strong winds.
🌿 Choose desert-adapted plants only. Species that evolved here are naturally better equipped to handle our intense weather, from scorching summers to powerful monsoon storms, and don’t need much watering.
Monsoon season reminds us that healthy landscapes aren’t built overnight. The care we give our trees and plants throughout the year determines how well they’ll weather the storms when they finally arrive.
Happy monsoon season! ✨🌧️🏜️
🌿Graphic design by Jaime Cabrales, Tucson Clean and Beautiful
