Landscaper turns an eyesore into an artscape

When local landscaper Joe Wiegand of Landscape Artisans saw the entrance to Camino Encanto at the Frontage Road looking forlorn and uncared for, he decided to treat the area as his own back yard.

He got a one-year right-of-way work permit from Pima County to clean up, re-landscape and beautify the area.

“When I start a small project it becomes a big project... I’m an artist,” he said. “I like to create.”

With hand tools, sweat equity and a love for nature, Wiegand has removed dead cactuses, endless weeds, eyesores, desert broom and several packrat nests while rescuing and transplanting whatever cactus he could.

Dead cactuses have been replaced with young Golden Barrel, Monstrosus, Mexican Fencepost and Mexican Bird of Paradise that Wiegand donated giving the formerly dried up entrance a fresh, well-cared-for look.

Working with Gerald Paugh, Wiegand said, “We cleaned up the wash, did a lot of weeding, moved rock and added new gravel” and was proud to show off the newly planted areas on both sides of the Camino Encanto/Frontage Road entrance.

He’s even been hauling water once a week from his home nearby to support the newly planted cactuses.

Wiegand took on the beautification project on his own, expecting to do the labor and pay for plants and hardscape, but said he hoped the county would help by supplying a dumpster.

Despite several phone calls to county personnel and the local landfill, he hasn’t heard back. “There’s been no help or enthusiasm from the county. An inspector did give me an orange vest so I wouldn’t get hit, but so far I’ve had to pay $80 in dump fees — plus gas — to haul away what I’ve removed to the landfill.”

Still, Wiegand is inspired to continue his beautification project farther on Camino Encanto.

“The great outdoors shouldn’t go unappreciated,” he said. “It’s a gift many people don’t appreciate.”

Contact Green Valley freelance reporter Ellen Sussman at ellen2414@cox.net.