Mark Peterson

SPECIALTY: Landscaping

ABOUT:

Mark A. Peterson is a conservation project coordinator for San Antonio Water System. With over 30 years of experience as an urban forester and arborist, Mark is probably the only person you know who actually prunes trees for fun. When not expounding on the benefits of trees and limited lawns, you’re likely to find him hiking San Antonio’s wilderness parks or expounding on the virtues of geography and history to his friends.

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Fall for the Benefits of Mulch

Mulch is a natural way to enhance organic matter and retain moisture in urban soils. September is a great time to add it to your landscape. There’s much to love about mulch. It’s a natural way to enhance organic matter and retain moisture in urban soils, it’s available in both organic and inorganic forms, and […]
Make High Water Bills a Thing of the Past

SAWS offers many programs and resources to help you avoid the hardship and hassle of a high water bill. Whether caused by a leak or an irrigation system run amok, an unexpected high water bill is the last thing your household needs, especially during these times of uncertainty. Fortunately SAWS has many programs and resources […]
Go for the Water-Saving Gold

The fastest way to score Olympic-size savings is to turn off your irrigation system. Then use our WaterSaver Coupons for the win! The 2020 Summer Olympics may be over, but there are still some Olympic-size savings to be had on your monthly water bill. And it’s as simple as cutting back your landscape watering. Simply […]
Simple, Easy Irrigation Lessons

There’s plenty of help for using and programming your in-ground irrigation system. So grab a snack and beverage and tune in to these how-to videos. Although hand-watering or a simple hose-end sprinkler are the way to go when watering your landscape, many folks rely on in-ground irrigation systems. Unfortunately, they frequently put out excessive amounts […]
2021 WaterSaver Landscape Tour

Explore some lush local landscapes that go above and beyond to conserve water — all from the air-conditioned comfort of your couch. Escape the heat, grab your favorite beverage and curl up in your favorite comfy chair. It’s time to virtually explore some lush local landscapes that go above and beyond to conserve water — […]
Mosquitos: Masters of Misery

Stop swatting and start enjoying your great outdoors. Use these methods to help prevent these biting bloodsuckers from hanging around. All the weeks of drought-busting rain showers this spring have been great for landscapes and wildflowers. But they’ve also ushered in an unwelcome pest: mosquitos by the millions. Many myths surround the management of mosquitos. […]
Lawn Care 101

Maintaining a large lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these four simple steps to keep it healthy and green — and save a lot of green on your water bill. As many faithful newsletter readers know, I’m not fond of landscapes that limit the growth and health of my beloved trees and perennials. […]
Conserving Water Is Always In Season

Monsoon or drought, there’s an ideal watering schedule that not only benefits your landscape, but also your wallet. We may be out of Stage 2 and Stage 1 watering rules, but that does not mean we should return to watering our landscapes several days a week and washing patios and driveways. Thanks to plentiful rain […]
Hedges for the Future

Extreme winter weather took a toll on many plants. But there are a few that fared surprisingly well. Check out our list to toughen up your landscape. Viburnum, pittosporum, xylosma, prostrate rosemary and Indian hawthorn suffered significant mortality during the big freeze. Fortunately, other species, both native and introduced, responded remarkably well. Here is my […]
Have Patience with Palms

There’s no magic potion to increase survival of frost-intolerant, heat-loving plants. Instead, be patient and know how to recognize signs of survival. Several weeks ago I recommended patience and leaving certain plants alone until at least May 1. This included palms and sagos as well as heat-loving plants like esperanza, firebush and Pride of Barbados. […]
We’re In Stage 2 — Do You Know What To Do?

For those new to our city — and for residents who may have forgotten — we’ve compiled answers to a few frequently asked questions about Stage 2 watering rules. It’s not even May yet, but rainfall remains scarce and temperatures continue to climb, causing the Edwards Aquifer level to drop steadily. As a result, Stage […]
Celebrate Earth Day 2021

From growing our own food to using our city-provided recycling and organic waste bins, we made good use of our extra hours at home this past year. Here are a few more ways you can honor Mother Earth. This past year gave us the gift of time to discover ways to help Mother Earth. From […]
We Are Still In Stage 1

Once-a-week watering is more than enough for your landscape, especially if it’s loaded with lush, drought-hardy plants. With the chaos of the recent extreme winter weather, not to mention our landscapes were still in their winter dormancy, it’s easy to understand why many of us may have forgotten that we are still in Stage 1. […]
Post-Freeze Landscape Care

Plants are resilient, so wait and watch. There’s nothing you can apply or “water in” to help frozen flora. Clocks have sprung forward, sweet spring days have arrived and — despite the deep freeze of February 2021 — green shoots are returning to landscapes in a hurry throughout South Central Texas. Flowers, pollinators (and even […]
Spring Bloom is Virtually Here!

Lackluster landscape? Up your gardening game at SAWS Spring Bloom — a four-day online extravaganza March 10-13. Lackluster landscape? You’re in luck — SAWS’ annual Spring Bloom happens this week! This year’s event will be a four-day virtual extravaganza from March 10-13. Starting at noon Wednesday, March 10, two interactive webinars will be offered daily […]
Palms Post-Freeze: Destroyed or Just Disfigured?

It was the duration of the freeze that played a significant role in survival. Some plants could not produce enough internal “anti-freeze” to survive. Palms are often planted by newcomers thinking that South Texas is subtropical. Although our summers feel that way, freezes in 1983, 1989, 2011 and most recently in 2021 should finally dispel […]
Getting To Know Roses

Celebrated in verse, drama and literature, roses remain a mystery for many of us. Familiarize yourself with this quintessential symbol of beauty and romance. In all of history, roses are the most written about flower in verse, drama and literature. You’d think with as much that’s been reported we would know more about all the […]
Plant Bulbs in Winter for Color in Spring

South Texas may not be famous for its tulips and daffodils. But with a little tender-loving care, you can coax a rainbow of springtime hues with a mix of bulbs, rhizomes and corms. For those of us who greatly miss tulip time in the Midwest, there are opportunities for a South Texas spring bouquet of […]
Keep Those Living Gifts Alive

Got plants for Christmas? Keep them living long after the season of giving with a few simple tips. Did you get a plant for Christmas? Are you trying to keep it alive for at least a few weeks? Many of us at one time or another have received a plant from someone who genuinely believes […]
Working With a Landscape Designer

December and January are an excellent time to put your thoughts down on paper and begin researching resources. Even now when most of my communication with customers happens via email, one of the most frequent requests — sometimes desperate pleas — I get is how to find the resources and professional help to design a […]
A Plan for Pruning

Pruning trees and woody shrubs is an essential part of landscape maintenance. Right now in the dormant season is the prime time to prune. Normally, we begin pruning trees and shrubs in late November or early December, just after the first frost. But in years with abnormal weather, your landscape may experience greater trunk or […]
Reduce Water Use Now, Save Money in 2021

Evergreen shrubs, trees and even your St. Augustine lawn go dormant this time of year. But watering less not only makes sense for your plants. It’ll also lower your sewer bill. Your landscape is your single biggest water user. So turning your irrigation system way down, or even off, is a surefire way to save […]
Watering Rules Come Back To Haunt Us

Fear not, your plants will not perish. Even your evergreens will continue to gleam. Rainfall has been scarce and that’s opened the door to the return of Stage 1 watering rules. But fear not, your plants will not perish. Even your evergreens will continue to gleam. That’s because your landscape is preparing for its long […]
A Season To Celebrate Those Who Pollinate

Cooler weather is the perfect invitation to explore the great outdoors and take a peek at the pollinators puttering and fluttering about. With the advent of cooler weather, there are a few pollinator-packed events happening in the coming weeks. Although the events are virtual, you can still get outside and experience the pollinators firsthand. For […]
Landscape To-Do List for October

Stay wicked busy this month in your fall garden. From harvesting to planting to tidying up, there’s plenty to do to get it in gear for spring. October can be quite magical. The cooler temperatures and crisp air beckon, encouraging us to slow down and linger longer outdoors, perhaps with a pumpkin spice latte in […]
New to Gardening in SA? This Webinar is For You!

Whether you’re an Alamo City newcomer or just a gardening greenhorn, our experts will help you get your plant-rearing powers up to speed. If you’re new to San Antonio — or just gardening in general — you probably have lots of questions about your landscape and how to make the most of it. From growing […]
Fall Landscape Maintenance

Autumn is the best time to tackle activities that will enhance your landscape now — and get it ready for next spring. There are a few activities you can do in your yard over the next two or three months that will benefit your landscape now and help prep it for next year. Firstly, September […]
Ways To Water Well

While there are several watering methods you can use, some are more effective than others. Here’s a closer look at the top techniques, and the pros and cons of each. Many newcomers have arrived to San Antonio lately from all corners of the world, and many are first-time homeowners, too. One of the first things […]
The Zen of Xeriscape

Dreaming of a lounge-chair-worthy landscape that’s high style and low maintenance? Xeriscape may be the fuss-free remedy your weary soul is searching for. Coined in 1981 by employees at Denver Water, the word xeriscape (xeris is Greek for dry) refers to combining a low maintenance landscape with low water use. A xeriscape is not rocks, decomposed […]
Once-a-Week Watering In Effect

Steamy temps and a lack of rain have taken their toll on the Edwards Aquifer level, prompting Stage 1 landscape watering restrictions. Here’s what that means for your lawn and garden. Hot temperatures combined with a lack of measurable rainfall has resulted in more landscape watering — and the Edwards Aquifer level responded accordingly by […]
For Less Work, Choose Ground Covers

The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is less of everything — less water, less fertilizer, less pesticides and less mowing. Tired of mowing, weeding, feeding and watering the lawn over, and over, and over again? It may be time to forget turf and move on to something that’s drought hardy, water […]
There Is No Standard Setting for Irrigation Systems

No two landscapes are alike and neither are the in-ground sprinklers that serve them. Before you just turn yours on and forget it, consider what it’s watering and where. Every summer, as soon as the hot, dry weather settles in I start getting questions about irrigation systems and how long they should run. Unfortunately, the […]
Put Out the Welcome Mat for Our Feathered Friends

More than just being lovely to look at and listen to, birds are beneficial to have around, especially when it comes to pesky insects. Birds provide immense pleasure with their tranquil melodies and pleasing plumage. Just peer out your kitchen window or wander through your garden from time to time and you’ll hear — and […]
Save Water and Save Sales Tax

This Memorial Day weekend is also a sales-tax holiday for water-efficient and water-conserving products — online purchases included! Saving water is always a good thing. Saving money so you can save more water is even better. You can do just that this Memorial Day weekend — it’s also a sales-tax holiday for water-efficient and water-conserving […]
Flowers for our Feathered Friends

While hummingbird feeders are a great supplemental source of nectar, a native bounty of blooms means more food options. Given the choice of flower nectar or sugar water, the best choice for our hummingbird friends is always a natural food source. Of course, hummingbird feeders are a great supplemental source of nectar for your local […]
Mulch On a Mission

Available in organic and inorganic forms, mulch comes in many shapes and sizes. Choosing the right one depends on where you plan to use it. In the world of gardening, there are many different types of mulch for your landscape. Deciding which to choose depends on where you plan to use it. But first it […]
The Wonders of Weed Watching

Let’s not be so quick to judge the humble weed. After all, they are green, native and an important part of a diverse, stable ecosystem. We have been blessed recently with plenty of rain to make everything grow lush and green. Of course, with all this extra time staying home and working from home, we […]
Mindful Garden Moments To Keep You Grounded

Fresh air benefits the body and mind. Take a few minutes every day to check on your garden’s well-being — and boost your own in the process. Fresh air benefits the body and mind. When given the opportunity, we all should venture outdoors to work in the garden. Of course, COVID-19 protocols of wearing a […]
An Extra Special Earth Day

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Earth Day celebration in the U.S. Here are a few ways you can honor Mother Earth from the safety of your home. San Antonio (and the world) is united in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. So it’s only fitting that we unite in observance of Earth […]
The Thrills and Chills of Yardwork

Got coronavirus cabin fever? Here’s your fast pass for a landscaping thrill ride you can board right from your own back door. OK, so maybe it’s no theme park. But if you use your imagination, your landscape can be like a riveting roller coaster ride of tasks to tackle — especially if you’re in desperate […]
The April Caterpillars Are Coming

These little guys are famished and your trees are a bountiful buffet. But before you banish them, remember this: Song birds are nesting now and caterpillars are the food supply for their young. Spring is here and so are the caterpillars. These little guys are famished and to their hungry eyes your trees are a […]
In-Person Irrigation Consultations Suspended

Due to public health concerns, SAWS conservation specialists won’t be making house calls for a while. But hold the phone — our expert advice is still just a call or email away! As the world around us changes, we’re adapting our conservation programs to help protect our community’s health. We’ll Call You SAWS has temporarily […]
SAWS Postponing Free Spring Bloom Event

San Antonio Water System is postponing its annual Spring Bloom event. “We have decided to postpone our annual gardening event, Spring Bloom, to better accommodate the numerous volunteers, gardening partner groups and vendors who are essential to the event’s success. We understand several thousand people look forward to this spring kickoff event that guides residents […]
Create Your Own WaterSaver Landscape

Want to transform your landscape, but don’t have a clue how to begin? The WaterSaver Landscape Design School is for you! Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to have a lush landscape bursting with color and texture — and still save water. What? You don’t know where to start? Lucky for you, there’s an […]
Garden Geek: Common Complaints and Questions

Planting and pests are two topics that try even the most experienced gardeners. Fear not, the Garden Geek’s got the answers. At this time of year, there are two things I get an earful of: what’s eating my Texas mountain laurel and when do I fertilize my lawn. One is easy to explain. For the […]
Peterson’s Picks: Plants with Power

Does your landscape lineup lack the strength to survive fickle forecasts and plant pests? Have no fear — Peterson’s Picks will give your garden superhero standing. It’s no secret San Antonio’s climate can be challenging for gardeners, particularly if your landscape lineup lacks the flora fighters that can survive fickle forecasts and plant pests. Enter […]
Step Away from the Pruners

Crape myrtle is an excellent drought-tolerant plant for a variety of landscape situations. It also requires absolutely zero pruning. Like the annual arrival of the purple martins, the wanton pruning of crape myrtles begins in spring. It’s known by many names: heading back, topping, pollarding, hedging, etc. Still, by any name, it’s a crime against […]
Winter Blooms for Busy Bees and Butterflies

Weather is extremely variable in South Texas. Besides frustrating humans, the fickle forecast can really confuse pollinators. But you can help them survive the shifts. Weather is extremely variable in South Texas. One minute you’re bundled up in a parka and the next you’re dressed down in a t-shirt and shorts. But we’re not the […]
Free Fruit Trees in the Forecast

Fancy a little fruity flair for your landscape? Score a free fruit tree at the Jammin’ Jams Fruit & Nut Tree Adoption event Saturday, Jan. 25. This weekend may be the perfect opportunity to add a little flavor to your flora. The annual Jammin’ Jams Fruit & Nut Tree Adoption event happens Saturday, Jan. 25, […]
Now Is the Best Time To Plant Trees

Tree roots continue to grow throughout fall and winter. So planting trees now gives them a head start to face the brutal heat of summer. The best time to plant trees is in the fall or winter because tree roots continue to grow throughout these dormant seasons. By spring, young trees are strong enough to face […]
Scientific Proof Not To Water in Winter

Nature provides enough moisture during the winter months to maintain plant needs during dormancy. But don’t just take our word for it — consult ET. South Texans are pretty fortunate. We often enjoy mild winter weather with just enough precipitation to eliminate the need to water our landscapes. Why don’t we need to water, you […]
Cool Season Color

Annuals aren’t typically touted as a drought-tolerant option, but they do add a nice burst of color to an otherwise monochromatic winter landscape. Oh, the weather outside is frightful… OK, maybe not in South Texas. But it can certainly be delightful, especially if you choose to swap out your seasonal annuals. Although we (in conservation) […]
Wind Down Watering for Winter

Your plants and lawn have settled down for their long winter’s nap. That means you can take a break from watering. We’re often asked whether a landscape requires irrigation during the winter. While the answer can depend on the weather, for the most part your plants and lawn are preparing for winter dormancy. That means […]
Don’t Rake and Give Your Back a Break

Leaves provide an almost endless supply of essential nutrients to your landscape. Mowing and leaving them exactly where they fall can provide multiple benefits for your landscape. By now, leaves are falling and we ponder whether to rake, mow, or just ignore them. Although options vary, leaves do provide multiple benefits and maybe the path least traveled […]
Winter Lawns Gone a-Rye

Ryegrass can use twice as much water as warm season grasses. So unless you enjoy spending money on your lawn during the winter — and possibly having a sparse lawn next spring — don’t plant winter rye. Every year we get requests for advice or irrigation variances concerning ryegrass. We pleasantly, but firmly, say no […]
Fall Back and Turn Down Your Irrigation Controller

The end of Daylight Saving Time means setting your clocks back one hour. It’s also the perfect time to dial back your irrigation controller. Your landscape and your wallet will thank you! For many of us, fall is the best time of the year. It comes in the form of cooler and pleasing temperatures. As […]
Enjoy Fall Color, San Antonio Style

You can create your own sensory garden and fall bounty next year by including these autumn standouts in your landscape now. If you’re new to San Antonio, you’ve probably already realized the landscaping experience is kind of unique. Also distinctive is San Antonio’s fall color. Some important things to note about your new hometown: Humidity […]
Fall Time Fun in the Landscape

Autumn is the best time to tackle activities that will enhance your landscape now — and get it ready for next spring. Take these next couple of months to leisurely sow and gather. There are plenty of activities you can do in your yard in October and November that will enhance your landscape now — […]
The Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival Is Oct. 20

A week’s worth of monarch merriment including seminars, symposiums, workshops and walks begins Oct. 12 and wraps up with the family-friendly festival. Pumpkin spice everything isn’t the only reason to love October. There’s the cooler temperatures that are perfect for planting and the monarch butterfly migration. That’s right, every October San Antonio is all aflutter […]
Hearty Plants Start with Crazy-Rich Soil

A healthy soil is the basis of everything in the landscape and garden. There’s no need for petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides when your landscape is rooted in fertile ground. I am often asked what to add to or spray on plants to encourage growth or discourage pests. And my answer is always the same: Start […]
Landscape Design Made Simple

Want to transform your landscape, but don’t have a clue about where to start? The WaterSaver Landscape Design School is for you! For many people, getting started gardening is difficult. It’s a comment we hear often when we’re out in the field doing conservation consultations. But like any challenging task, breaking it down into small, […]
Fall Gardening Expo Is Sept. 7

Eager to get planting, but don’t know how to start? Learn all about earth-friendly gardening and landscape care during the fall-focused Cultivate expo — and earn WaterSaver Rewards, too! In case you didn’t know by now fall is the ideal time to plant in San Antonio. From fall vegetables to succulents to Texas-tough plants that’ll […]
Say So Long To the Lawn

Considering all the maintenance and watering a lawn requires, it’s a wonder why anyone would even want one. The alternative: pretty perennials and a permeable patioscape. When it comes to your lawn, how much is too much? Prior to World War II, lawns were not a major component of the American landscape. But with the […]
50 More Rea$ons To Love WaterSaver Coupons

Still on the fence about applying for SAWS WaterSaver Coupons? Maybe this will help make up your mind: When you install your new landscape or patioscape we’ll give you a bonus $50 mulch coupon! As if getting a $100 coupon for drought tolerant plants or patioscape materials wasn’t enough, now there’s a bonus in it for you: […]
Landscape, Defend Thyself!

Plants have developed unique characteristics to help them beat the heat and many other extremes. Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply walk away and let them fend for themselves. Plants, as far as I know, don’t have nerves or organs that require cooling like humans. In fact, some plants can tolerate — […]
Late Summer Landscape Care

Who says it’s too hot to garden? Late summer is the perfect time to get rid of any non-native plant species invading your yard and prep your landscape for fall planting season. Late July and early August always give me the garden blues. By this time, I have eliminated all spring season vegetable plants, except […]
Water-Saving Ways To Keep Your Bill Low

Dry, hot summers are a fact of life around here. But maintaining a healthy landscape while reducing your water use is easier than you think. Here are a few ways to do that. The hot, dry weather isn’t likely to be going anywhere anytime soon. After all, this is South Texas and drought is a […]
Meet Horseherb, the Misunderstood Weed

You’ve probably seen it, this small, nondescript forb with tiny yellow flowers and clover-like leaves. It may not look like much, but horseherb is quite the superhero when it comes to groundcover. Horseherb is a very common native forb. Although some folks think of it as a weed, it’s practically the perfect plant. It’s drought-tolerant, […]
Crape Myrtle: Carefree and Colorful

Crape myrtle is one of the most versatile ornamental trees we have in South Texas. Not only is it drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, but it’s available in various shades of the rainbow. Years ago, I considered crape myrtles to be rather boring, much like the crabapple trees in the North. But after hearing a presentation by Mark […]
Pruning the Storm Damage

Severe storms come and go and trees have adapted to them. Still, trees can sustain major damage. But with the correct pruning we can help accelerate their regrowth. Recently storms played havoc with our trees. Limbs and trunks were tossed around like toys in a toddler’s playpen. What can we do to help our trees? […]
It’s Cool To Be Shady

Trees and shrubs provide us with shade, clean air and clean water. When watering during the summer months, these are the plants you want to target. During the summer months, it’s best to focus your watering on plants that provide the greatest economic and environmental benefit to your home — trees and shrubs. In addition […]
Doing Drip Irrigation Right

If you want to save water (and money) with drip irrigation, it all comes down to selecting the right design for your landscape, installing it properly and scheduling it correctly. Drip irrigation saves water, right? It’s a question I hear quite often and the answer actually depends on your landscape design, type of drip irrigation […]
Nematodes: A Natural Alternative to Pesticides

Along with summer comes grubs, chinch bugs and fleas to wreak havoc on your lawn. Forget typical insecticides — nematodes are naturally nifty. These microscopic worms attack other organisms in the soil. It’s almost summer and beetle larvae (aka grubs), chinch bugs and fleas are on their way to damage your lawn. For those not […]
May the Mulch Be With You

Mulch is a natural way to enhance organic matter and retain moisture in urban soils. May is one of the best times to apply mulch to your landscape for maximum benefits. I confess. I love mulch. Mulch is a natural way to enhance organic matter and retain moisture in urban soils. Mulch is available in […]
WaterSaver Landscape Tour is May 4

Go behind the scenes at five fabulous landscapes that showcase very different approaches in design, but share a common goal: saving water. Five amazing WaterSaver yards are featured in this year’s free WaterSaver Landscape Tour. Come get a rare look at landscapes that offer different approaches in design, but share a common goal of saving water. […]
Fix that Leak!

That drippy faucet is more than just an annoyance. It’s downright wasteful. One out of every 10 homes has leaks — often hidden from view — that waste nearly 100 gallons of water a day. Is your house one of them? A leaky faucet, a toilet that constantly flushes on its own — it might […]
Fruit Trees for San Antonio

Fruit & Nut Trees: Add a little flavor to your flora. Here is your master list of species have been recommended by the Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service and adapted to the region. Citrus Tolerance You shouldn’t have to worry about these trees until temps hit 27 degrees or lower. The first two should be […]
A Half-Day Dedicated to Saving Water

Got four hours to spare? Then register for WaterSaver Saturday, March 30, and learn all things landscaping — and earn all of your WaterSaver Rewards points for the year! Looking to rejuvenate your landscape? And save lots of water and money? Then WaterSaver Saturday is for you! WaterSaver Saturday is a free half day of mini-workshops […]
The Gardening Madness March Brings

While getting a jump on the spring spruce-up for your landscape is a great idea, there are some garden tasks that are better left until April. March is easily the month when San Antonians get bitten by the gardening bug and crave being outdoors. While getting a jump on the spring spruce-up for your landscape […]
WaterSaver Coupons and WaterSaver Rewards: New Season, New Savings

Our two most popular programs for homeowners are all about saving you water and money. We’ve made a few improvements this time around to help you maximize both. The benefits of SAWS’ WaterSaver Coupons and WaterSaver Rewards programs are two-fold: save water and save money. While both programs are great to begin with, we thought […]
Plant Berry Fruitful Trees This Winter

Trees and shrubs that produce small fruit are extremely important to our feathered and furry friends during the winter. But they are also very appealing to the eye. For both reasons, let’s plant some fruit-bearing plants. Here are several options: Trees Brazil A small single or multi-trunk tree that produces bluish black fruit in late […]
Take a Leave From Raking

Leaves provide multiple benefits to your landscape. While you have several options to get rid of them, it might be simpler to just allow them to lie wherever they may fall. The leaves are steadily falling and you’re probably pondering whether to rake, mow or just ignore them. While you have several options to get […]
Turn Back Time

Daylight saving time ended Sunday, Nov. 4. Did you remember to adjust the clock on your irrigation controller, too? For many of us, fall is the best time of the year as it brings cooler, more satisfying temperatures and a welcome change in the air. One important change is the turning back of our clocks. […]
Things That Go Bump in the Landscape

Are you guilty of these evil deeds dwellers do that provoke the old-school chills and thrills of those B-movie horror flicks? Read on to learn the chilling truth about gardening mayhem most foul. I love classic horror flicks with their spooky music and clueless characters opening suspicious doors or stepping down into a dank, dark […]
Planning a Fall Renewal

Gardeners rejoice! Fall’s milder temps mean it’s time to do some landscape damage control and turn your attention to more promising projects. Whew! You survived another scorching, parched summer. Now, it’s time to do some landscape damage control and turn your attention to more promising projects, like planting trees and pruning for your plants’ future […]
Connect with SAWS On the Go

Have you tried SAWS’ new mobile-friendly My Account website? Track your water use, pay your bill and more anytime with just a few taps. Ever been out and about enjoying your day when you realize you haven’t paid your SAWS bill yet? You no longer have to rush back home to dig for your account […]
Fall Coupon Spotlight: Mexican Buckeye

Understory trees like Mexican buckeye provide a multitude of benefits such as color, layering and buffering from neighbors. Understory trees add color, vertical structure and wildlife benefits. No home landscape should be without them. Also referred to as ornamental trees, understory trees remain petite beneath large shade trees and provide layers within the urban forests […]
Summer Tree Watering

Native and established trees generally don’t need any supplemental water. But should the weather turn particularly dry, they just might. Be sure to water them correctly. By definition, established trees — those that have been in the ground for two or more years — seldom need supplemental water other than natural rainfall. If they do […]
Drought Doesn’t Have To Equal Demise

Drought is a regular occurrence during our South Texas summer. But with a little preventive care, you can help minimize plant damage and mortality. In the decades that I’ve lived in South Texas, I’ve learned several things about drought: it reoccurs often, plants rebound and a little preventive care goes a long way. Although we’ve […]
Wetting Agents to Help Survive the Drought

Wetting agents are a gardener’s dream come true during drought, especially when we’re doing everything we can to conserve water. Just because we’re currently in the middle of a drought doesn’t mean we have to let our precious plants and flowers go dry. Wetting agents are substances added to the soil to increase water infiltration […]
Doing Drip Right

If you want to save water (and money) with drip irrigation, it all comes down to selecting the right design for your landscape, installing it properly and scheduling it correctly. Drip irrigation saves water, right? It’s a question I hear quite often, and the correct answer is maybe. It all depends on your landscape design, […]
Lawn Watering How-To: Converting Inches to Minutes

Our weekly watering advice tells you, in inches, how much water your lawn needs to stay healthy. But just how long does your sprinkler need to run to dispense that amount? Use our simple formula to find out! If you’re a regular reader of the weekly e-newsletter or Garden Style San Antonio, then you know […]
Get Penny Wise With WaterSmart

This free online tool will help you make good water- and money-saving decisions — and avoid the sticker shock of summer water bills. With San Antonio’s recent return to drought restrictions last week and temperatures hovering around the century mark, SAWS is offering a new tool to help San Antonians avoid the sticker shock of […]
Don’t Stress About Shade

There’s absolutely no reason to despair about a garden with heavy shade. You have a multitude of options when it comes to plants. Just think perennials. Too. Much. Shade. It’s one of the most common grumbles I hear via the Garden Geek Question Forum. Sometimes it’s about growing grass with minimal sunlight. But most often the […]
Combatting Webworms

Webworms generally don’t pose a threat to a tree’s survival. But if you prefer a web-free tree, there are tried-and-true ways to manage these multi-legged menaces. Soon, ugly, nasty webworms will be insidiously attacking our pecan, mulberry and fruit trees. One day the trees are full and green and the next, sticky nests abound. How […]
Want an Ideal Landscape? Think In Threes!

The most enchanting outdoor spaces incorporate three elements: lawn, beds and pervious patio. The result is a brilliant balance of beauty and water-wise benefits. In anticipation of Earth Day, April 22, I imagined what an ideal landscape would look like through the lens of water conservation, low maintenance and aesthetics, realizing that aesthetics belong to […]
Lawn 101

Although many a pundit in print and on TV claims to hold the secret to a beautiful lawn, the answer is quite simple and does not require expensive tools or chemicals. Follow these straightforward tips and you should have a healthy green lawn that uses minimal water. Select the correct grass type Abandon the idea […]
Don’t Discount Damianita

Durable, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, damianita deserves a permanent place in your landscape. And that’s why we’ve added it to our list of approved plants for the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon. Alongside roads, limestone cliffs and even in parking lot cracks and crevices grows a tough little, yellow-flowered perennial without any means of supplemental moisture. It’s called damianita. And […]
It’s Fix a Leak Week!

That drippy faucet is more than just an annoyance. It’s downright wasteful. One out of every 10 homes has leaks — often hidden from view — that waste nearly 100 gallons of water a day. Is your house one of them? A leaky faucet, a toilet that constantly flushes on its own — it might […]
Landscaping Au Naturel

Want to save a ton of water (and have a little extra free time on your hands)? Garden in harmony with the area’s natural conditions. Xeriscape (xeris is Greek for dry) was coined in 1981 by Denver Water and refers to the principles of matching low maintenance landscape with low water usage. But don’t be […]
Being Water Wise Earns Rewards

As if saving water wasn’t rewarding enough, now you can earn points for increasing your water-saving wisdom — and cash them in for coupons to use on water-saving materials. The WaterSaver Rewards Program is back and better than before! First, a friendly reminder: if you signed up previously, you don’t need to sign up again. If […]
How To Hire an Irrigator

A licensed irrigator can save you time and money. But being licensed doesn’t guarantee quality work. Ask these five questions before you hire someone. Last month I gave everyone some excellent ideas on how to hire an arborist. As previously mentioned, a public servant (municipal, state or federal) such as myself is not allowed to provide […]
Watch the Winter Wildlife

While we hurry indoors to the warmth of a fire in a seemingly dormant world, Mother Nature still grows, blooms and scurries about the earth regardless of the weather. Watch the winter wildlife that is part of the show! Beneath the fallen leaves, perched on cold, bare branches and deep within the soil exists the […]
The Right Questions to Ask an Arborist

Topping is a big no-no when it comes to tree pruning. If a potential contractor practices topping, move on to another provider. Winter is the best time to prune your trees. Make sure you have the best arborist for the job. It will save you money and headaches. During my long tenure at the Texas […]
Holiday Watering Method

During the winter native plants and adapted non-natives don’t require much water beyond natural rainfall. So choose a holiday once a month and water then. One of the hardest habits for new and native San Antonians to break is the tendency to water their lawn and beds too often. The fact is, native plants and […]
Fall Is the Best Time To Plant

Our soil doesn’t freeze like northern soil, so planting during the fall and winter provides the absolute best opportunity for plants to grow, thrive and survive our very hot summers. The “green” industry regularly promotes fall and winter as the best times to plant. This is true, but have you ever wondered why? It seems […]
Landscape Legends and Lore

From hauntingly humorous to truly terrifying, garden tales of misery and woe hover and haunt unsuspecting homeowners. Read on for the shocking revelations. As we draw nearer to the spook and specter time of year, I’d like to recount some of the boo-tanical tales I’ve heard over the past year. Some of them are quite […]
Snag Some Shady Savings

CPS Energy wants you to plant some green in your yard. In return, they’ll put a little green back in your wallet. Shade trees, properly placed and planted, will significantly reduce cooling costs for your home. They can also earn you some extra dough. CPS Energy wants you to plant some green in your yard and, […]
Welcome Monarchs to your Garden

San Antonio is all aflutter with monarch butterflies, now migrating over Texas en route to Mexico to roost for the winter. Come celebrate this fantastic flight this weekend! Monarch butterflies are making their way through Texas en route to Mexico to roost for the winter — and this is the peak week to spot them […]
Say Sí to Salvias!

From being deer resistant and drought tolerant to attracting butterflies and bees, salvias are the smart choice for your landscape. Although there are many special plants on our WaterSaver Landscape Coupon list, my favorite is Salvia, or more correctly all the Salvias because all the Salvias are included! Salvias are at the top of my list because of their pest and deer resistance, […]
Come Celebrate Cilantro!

Whether you love it or hate it, cilantro is the star of this year’s San Antonio Herb Market, Oct. 21 at Pearl Brewery. Herbal Bites Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) When to plant October through MarchWhat to plant Seed or very small transplants Where to plant In the ground or container. Containers require additional water. Full sun […]
A Six Pack of Vegetation Inspiration

Need a little landscape design direction? Visit six San Antonio-area gardens that were chosen for their artistic, water-saving ways and be inspired. When it comes to designing and planning your landscape, many of us draw inspiration from observation. Studying how other gardens are assembled and manage to thrive, even during the toughest drought conditions, can […]
Plant Geek Favorites

Gone are the days of not knowing what plants to plant. Our nine gardening experts have each shared their four favorites — that’s three dozen plants to pick from! Have you ever been to a nursery or looked over your landscape and been totally perplexed about what plants to purchase or add? Wonder no more! […]
Top Ten Native Plants of Texas and Mexico

Autumn is upon us and so is the fall planting season. Check out our top 10 list of native plants to sow this season. It’s tradition in South Texas on Sept. 16 to reenact the Grito de Dolores , Father Miguel Hidalgo’s cry for independence from Spain. Here’s our grito — our cry for freedom from watering unnecessarily. This […]
Remember, Remember to Mulch in September

After a grueling summer, mulch is the perfect topper for your tired landscape. It provides much-needed nutrients — especially carbon — to the soil. Mulch is applied on landscape beds in early fall and late spring. My month of choice is September, as it will “tidy” up the landscape after a grueling summer and lay […]
Rain Barrels Redux

Autumn is synonymous with harvest. This fall SAWS is offering rain barrel coupons so you can reap the rain in all its autumn bounty. Now you can stop wishing you could collect all that rain pouring down from your rooftop and actually do it. This fall, San Antonio Water System will host three rain barrel […]
If It’s Hot, It Must Be Time to Plant Palms

Now is a good time to consider adding a palm or two to your landscape. A palm, properly planted and established, requires no supplemental water — and very little maintenance. When it comes to the landscape, there are only two planting seasons in South Central Texas: Nov. 1 to April 1 for trees, shrubs and perennials and […]
Don’t Worry, Water Smart

Though it’s been a while, San Antonians are no strangers to drought restrictions. Watering smart is the best way to maintain your landscape and adhere to the city’s conservation ordinance. Recently, San Antonio Water System customers had to say goodbye to the flexibility of year-round watering and say hello again to Drought Restrictions . During Stage One […]
Container Gardening for Singles

Itching to garden but lack the space at your tiny bachelor (or bachelorette) pad? Try container gardening! Most vegetables and herbs in a traditional South Texas landscape can also be grown in pots. Those who know me might doubt it, but I actually enjoy cooking, especially with fresh vegetables and herbs from a garden. But […]
Drought Does Not Mean Death

Drought is a normal occurrence in South Texas. But you can help minimize plant damage and mortality by following a few simple rules. In the three decades I’ve lived in South Texas, I’ve learned three things about drought: plants rebound, preventive care goes a long way, and it’s fruitless to worry constantly about drought. From […]
Virtually Indestructible Annuals

Annuals are not typically recommended as drought-tolerant, low maintenance plants. But we’ve discovered a few select varieties to be as heat-hardy and carefree as most perennials. Normally we recommend perennial shrubs and trees as drought-tolerant, low maintenance plants rather than annuals, which as a rule use more water and are only seasonal. But I’ve found […]
Take Care of Your Trees

Trees and shrubs provide us with shade, clean air, clean water, and increased property values. During the summer months, these are the plants you want to target when watering During the summer months, it’s best to focus your watering on plants that provide the greatest economic and environmental benefit to your homes — trees and […]
The Hot Weather Vegetable Garden

Even during some of the hottest times of the summer, South Texas gardeners can keep busy. Lucky for us there’s still time to plant three great hot weather vegetables! By mid-June tomatoes, squash, beans and sweet corn are nearly done, but our desire for gardening is not. So what’s a gardener to do in the […]
How to Establish New Plants Quickly

Along with proper planting, proper watering leads to quick establishment and fast growth. The key is frequent, small amounts over the course of a few weeks or months. When it comes to the long term health of plants, the first couple of months are the most important. Aside from proper planting, which you can learn […]
Simple Schemes Save Water Too

When it comes to redesigning your landscape, a frequent goal is to reduce the amount of lawn you have to maintain. So simple is better, especially if your design skills and time are limited. As a professional forester with more than three decades of experience maintaining urban forests and landscapes, I thought I would impart […]
Building a Rain Garden in 10 Simple Steps

Building a rain garden can be complex or simple. We strive for simplicity here and an end result that’s both attractive and functional. Rain gardens, formerly called bioswales or even just swales, are manufactured shallow depressions in your landscape that are designed to slow down the water running off roofs and pavement and allow it to infiltrate […]
Check Out Our New Event Calendar!

New and exciting things are happening at GardenStyleSA.com. We’ve been undergoing some renovations as of late on the website, but we’re thrilled to announce our new event calendar feature! The event calendar is located right up front on the right side of the page. There you’ll find all the local green activities including tours, children’s events, […]
Calculating the Current Watering Advice

Ever wonder where those watering advice numbers come from? It’s all very scientific. Weekly watering recommendations are calculated based on weather conditions, soil makeup and plant types. Throughout the year, we get numerous inquiries about how we calculate the weekly watering recommendations for the current watering advice. The process has been used for more than […]
Shades of Bluebonnets

Did you know bluebonnets aren’t always blue? They actually come in seven different hues, all of which are legally the Texas state flower. Who has not seen or been in a photo of a family surrounded by bluebonnets? Or viewed the numerous artistic renderings of a Hill Country pasture? But how many of you knew […]
There’s No Need to Weed and Feed

Forget weed and feeds. The best fertilizer for your lawn is a dressing of compost in the spring and autumn, and allowing the leaves and grass clippings to lay where they fall. Every so often the airwaves are inundated with advertisements for weed and feed products. While each on their own can be useful, together […]
Four Roses that Deliver in San Antonio

Roses are a beautiful, xeric addition to any landscape in San Antonio, provided they have a little sun. Here are four robust varieties that can tolerate poor soil, extreme drought and even biblical floods. Everyone has their favorite rose variety. But I chose these four in particular because I like their color, durability and fragrance. […]
Get a Winter Workout in the Garden

The mostly mild South Texas winter months are a pleasant, comfortable time to putter around your yard. You may even work up a little sweat and drop a few holiday pounds! For many people, winter is a time of reflection and rejuvenation. In South Texas, those activities also apply to the landscape, where there’s plenty […]
Plant Now for Maximum Root Growth

Here in South Texas, January is the perfect time to plant because the ground never freezes. And the list of plant options is extensive, so don’t let these cold snaps keep you from your garden. Don’t the cold, damp weather fool you — this is the perfect time to plant not only trees, but all […]
Post-Holiday Poinsettia Pampering

Pamper your poinsettia. With proper care, it’ll serve you long after the holidays as a xeric evergreen perennial in your landscape. Living in South Texas has its perks. One of them is the opportunity to grow poinsettias for annual holiday beauty. If you’ve been taking proper care of the poinsettias prior to and during the holidays, then […]
How to Identify Oaks Using Acorns

The humble acorn is more than just a tasty snack for many mammals, birds and insects. It’s also a valuable tool used by botanists to identify oak trees. We have been blessed — or cursed — with an abundance of acorns this year. Production of acorns increases and diminishes according to a periodic schedule together […]
How to Select a Tree

Selecting and planting trees isn’t rocket science. But knowing a few basics before you buy can help ensure the survival of your freshly sown sapling. Selecting and planting trees are not tasks shrouded in mystery and magic. No chant or sacrificial offerings will be needed to ensure the survival of your newly planted tree. Of […]
21 Deer-resistant Plants for San Antonio and the Hill Country

There are no truly deer-proof plants — except for plastic and silk ones. But stick with these tried-and-true choices and you shouldn’t have an issue with deer feasting on your flora. How do I keep the deer from eating my plants? This is one of the Garden Geek’s most frequently asked questions. And let me […]
Invasion of the Tree Roots: How to Prevent It

Contrary to popular belief, tree roots do not cause cracks in water or sewer pipes. They will exploit existing cracks, though. Just plan ahead before planting and eliminate that possibility. Today I’m addressing a common myth — that tree roots invade water and sewer pipes. Yes, it’s a myth. Despite all the anecdotal stories going […]
Mexican Buckeye and Mexican Plum: Uber-tough Understory

Understory trees like Mexican buckeye and Mexican plum provide a multitude of benefits such as color, layering and buffering from pesky neighbors. And they’re both featured in our fall WaterSaver Landscape Coupon. Understory trees add color, vertical structure and wildlife benefits. No home landscape should be without them. Also referred to as ornamental trees, understory […]
Now is the Time to Plant Spring Wildflowers

While fall is the perfect season to plant spring wildflowers in Texas, our weather is so unpredictable that the seeds often don’t get the right combination of rainfall and temperature. Seed balls are the solution! Do you have bare soil or thinning grass? An empty plant bed? Do you want to help nature and all […]
How to Prevent Lawn Disease

Although we can’t control the weather, we can do other things to reduce the chances of lawn disease — now and in the future. San Antonio lawns frequently fall prey to avaricious grass fungi that often don’t display the results of their malevolent activity until later in the year. Although we can’t control the weather, […]
The 7 Best Palms for San Antonio

Palms provide a great tropical feel to your landscape without excessive maintenance and now is a great time to plant them. See the seven best we suggest sowing. Warm winds softly blowing. Palm fronds waving gently. Adult beverage in hand. And not a care in the world because the palms I’ve planted don’t require mowing, […]
Oak Species that are Wilt Resistant

The very best way to limit oak wilt is selecting and planting the best oak species for our region that are resistant to this deadly disease. Many of you have heard about the dangers of oak wilt, which has killed hundreds of thousands of oaks over the past 50 years. Certain areas of the original “oak […]
Busting Myths About Oak Wilt

A lot of mythology surrounds the oak wilt disease that’s so common in our region. Arborist Mark Peterson sets the record straight. During the last millennium, because of my experience in Dutch elm disease management, I was hired by the Texas Forest Service, (currently Texas A&M Forest Service) to assist in addressing the state’s oak […]
Simple Summer Landscape Maintenance

Late summer is a good time to do some simple touch-up maintenance — mulching, replanting, pruning — to your landscape. Late summer is a good time to just enjoy your landscape or do some simple touch-up maintenance. Mulch The best way to simplify a lot of maintenance responsibilities is to add mulch. I favor a chipped […]
Water with Purpose

All plants need water. But how much and how often varies from plant to plant. Although there are various recommendations floating around out there, we prefer to rely on scientifically based advice. Knowing there can be slight variations based on soil, shade, slope, season and species, we recommend no more than these water applications per the following […]
Plant of the Week: Cape Plumbago

Cape Plumbago – Cool Color for High Heat Landscapes As most gardeners know, there is a season for everything… especially plants. With that in mind our plant of the week section will help us share information on the best plants to consider adding to your landscape that will thrive in each season. If you live […]
Natural Bug-Repelling Herbs

San Antonio Water System Project Coordinator Mark Peterson demonstrates how to use common garden herbs as natural bug repellents. Plant rosemary, lavender, lemon balm, citronella and others in your landscape and enjoy the passive bug/mosquito-repelling properties. Or, activate the herb oils by crushing or placing them on coals. Watch the video to learn how to create […]
Plant Some Patriotic Pride

Declare your independence from a boring landscape this season with a spark of American spirit. Here’s a list of our favorite plants bursting with patriotic pride. Red Scarlet or Tropical sage – Salvia coccinea is a versatile perennial that can be used in sun or shade. Autumn sage ‘Cherry Red’ or ‘Maraschino Cherry’ – Salvia greggii does best in full sun, […]
Winter Watering – How Much Is Enough?

There’s a trick to watering efficiently without creating excessive evaporation or runoff. It involves precision and an important piece of equipment — the water wand. Hand water those problem areas. There is an art to watering proficiently with a handheld hose and I was surprised to learn how many people don’t know the finer techniques […]
Battle of the Burs

Grass burs typically take root in late winter, but in Texas they can sprout several times a year. The trick is to suppress them before the seeds germinate. Sticker bur, aka grass bur or field sandbur, is one of the most hated weeds in our lawns. Most commonly found on disturbed or sandy soil, Cenchrus spinifex may […]
Pests and Fungus: The Downsides to Too Much Rain

We’re not able to control how much rain we receive, but we can minimize elements in the landscape that encourage insects and their fungal friends. The summer of 2007 is often remembered as the summer of biblical rainfall. The sky faucets would not turn off. The spring of 2016 is beginning to feel the same. […]
Winter Watering – How Much Is Enough?

With the right plant selection and installation, and correct amount of soil, compost and mulch, a landscape can be both healthy and attractive — and require very little maintenance, particularly irrigation. My years in South Texas with the Texas Forest Service and now San Antonio Water System have taught me one very important thing: there’s […]
Synthetic Turf – Is Faking It Right for You?

Thinking about faking it? Synthetic turf is not the solution for most San Antonio yards, but in limited areas that are highly shaded, it is a good alternative to grass. For those who’ve had it with mowing, watering, fertilizing and pesticide applications, there’s only one answer — groundcover. But many people are now turning to […]
Winter is When You Want to Plant

There are lots of plants that really enjoy the cool season and are ready for a long and happy life in South Texas. So get planting! Don’t let the cold, damp weather fool you. Winter is the perfect time to plant not only trees, but also plants and seeds. The list will astound and amaze […]
New Year, New Plants

In the South, woody plants and evergreens go into dormancy, except for the roots which retain some cellular activity and growth. That makes the month of January the perfect time to plant. Every state, commonwealth and territory has an Arbor Day. When I arrived in Texas as the local regional community forester, I was intrigued by […]
Real Christmas Trees: There is Life after the Holidays

Before you kick your Christmas tree to the curb, consider our recycling options and tips on how to extend its life after the holidays. Another Christmas season has come and gone, and now you’re left with a lonely Christmas tree. By this time it’s beginning to look rather forlorn. Fear not, you do have a […]
Loving your Poinsettia after the Holidays

When it comes to poinsettias, living in South Texas has its perks — you can incorporate them into your landscape for perpetual beauty beyond the holidays! So, you received a poinsettia for Christmas. Congratulations! Living in South Texas has many perks. One of them is the opportunity to grow poinsettias post holidays. If you’ve been taking proper […]
Overwatering in Winter Leads to a Dead Lawn

It’s winter and if you’re watering the lawn more than once in a 30-day period, you’re creating the perfect conditions for the dreaded lawn fungi. Did you know that improper winter watering can lead to a lawn filled with fungi and dead grass? In our winters, warm season turf grasses such as Bermuda grass, zoysia […]
Milkweed for Monarchs

The monarchs are on the move. Help them along their journey by planting native milkweed and flowers with lots of nectar. Milkweed, the Asclepias genus, is the only food of the monarch butterfly caterpillar. Without it, monarchs would die before ever reaching their winter hibernation areas in the mountain forests of Michoacán. The problem: most of the […]
Six Living Christmas Trees for South Texas Landscapes

Living Christmas trees may not be prevalent in South Texas, but there are a few good options if you want a little Christmas all year through. Compared to the rest of the country, South Texas has limited choices for pine trees. But there are a variety of conifers that can superbly play the part of […]
Ball Moss is Not So Bad

Before you banish the ball moss from your trees, know this: it is not a parasite. Ball moss does not feed on your trees, but only uses them for structural support. ‘Tis the season for stories — many filled with joy, humor and maybe a little “extra” for “flavor.” Stories of ball moss are like […]
Prepare to Prune

This is the time of year to prune your trees. But before sharpening your chainsaw, think about what actually needs pruning. Yes, it is an arborist’s favorite time of year — pruning time. December, January and the first part of February are the best time of year to prune trees. But before sharpening your chainsaw, think about […]
Get Fall Color Garden Style

Craving fall color in your landscape? Add drought-tough and colorful trees and shrubs for fall color now and in the future. Many of the trees and shrubs included on the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon plant list are not only fabulously drought tolerant and tough, they also provide excellent fall color. Get plants that will provide fall color this year […]
The Last Irrigation

The only plant activities happening this time of year are food storage and some root growth. That means you can turn off your irrigation system and let your landscape go dormant. The end of October is traditionally when we turn off the irrigation system and let plants naturally go dormant. Landscapes that are dominated by […]
Garden Geek: Most Commonly Asked Questions

From time to time we like to reveal what your fellow readers are asking about. The questions tend to be seasonal, though not always. Below are some of the questions we tend to get come fall, as well as our well-thought out responses. Why is my grass dying? Invariably, lawn questions fall into these two […]
How to Choose the Right Oak Trees

Always let nature be your guide when choosing oaks. Pick oaks based on the type of soil you have and plant them according to the best location for each species. Before I moved to San Antonio 31 years ago as the regional community forester for the Texas Forest Service (now Texas A&M Forest Service) I reviewed […]
A Rose by Any Other Name…

In our Water Saver Landscape coupon program, we often include Earth-Kind roses as eligible species to include. Several coupon recipients and one or two nurseries have asked us to explain why. All of our eligible species are intended to grow with limited discretionary supplemental water. Earth-Kind roses are perfect examples and to understand why we include Earth-Kind roses it helps to […]
Use Mulch for Healthier Plants in Fall

South Texas is generally still hot and dry in September so we need options to reduce water loss and encourage root growth. Mulch fulfills these needs wonderfully. There are two times a year we urge homeowners to add mulch to beds and trees — May and September. You can always add mulch to the landscape, […]
The Value of Understory

The understory is often seen as the underdog of the plant world. But in reality, the understory is the workhorse of a forest, facilitating growth for all species and permitting new species to become established. All foresters know that healthy forests contain what are called multi-layer canopies. Even forests that are habitually burned by nature […]
Drip that Fits

Drip irrigation has always been considered an efficient method of watering a landscape; efficient meaning a uniform amount of water applied over a uniform area. But drip irrigation can also be effective by targeting a certain area of the landscape with minimal water to produce a desired effect. To do so requires proper design and […]
Container Gardening

Few suspect and even fewer know that I really enjoy cooking, especially with fresh vegetables and herbs from a garden. But I live in an apartment and many of my single amigos live in small homes. What are we single guys to do? Enter containers. Many vegetables and herbs can be easily grown in containers, […]
Summer Tree Watering

For now, native and established trees don’t need any supplemental water. But should the weather turn particularly dry, they might. Just be sure to water them right. Little did I know that when I first started writing this article we’d be inundated with rainfall… I would’ve told you that established trees — those that have […]
Texas is Francophile-friendly! Bastille Day!

Texas and the French connection. Bonjour, mon ami — it’s Bastille Day! That’s right. With a slight twist of fate here and there, Texans could be speaking French right now, mon chéri! Without going into a 17th and 18th century history lesson, let’s discuss some very interesting Texas-French factoids. France was the first European country to recognize the fledgling […]
Top Ten Reasons NOT to Change Your Irrigation Controller

Past multi-year droughts with once-a-week watering requirements, as well as our extensive horticultural knowledge has shown that landscapes in San Antonio need no more than once-a-week watering. Your SAWS Conservation staff recommends only once-a-week and only during the hottest part of the year when it has not rained. As a bonus, if we maintain our once-a-week schedules […]
Ask Me Questions, I Tell You No Lies

We thought we would let you into the world of queries to the Garden Geek. Readers send us about 50 questions a month — and I answer most of them — but the entire department assists with the effort. They’re as wide and varied as San Antonio, but during certain times of the year they […]
Understanding Water vs. Plant Behavior

“I have to water my plants — they’re drooping!” Oh, how I wish I had a dime for every time I heard that… You might find me in Provence nibbling cheese and sipping wine. The truth of the matter is all plants droop in the afternoon, regardless of the moisture in the soil. During hot months, the […]
Hail to the (Distressed) Monarch!

Texas is known for its wide open spaces, diverse ecosystems, wildflowers and wildlife. And wildlife can range from the largest mammal to the smallest insect. The most famous critter of them all may very well be the state insect: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Monarch butterflies have taken a beating in recent years. Deforestation in their […]
Establish the Entire Landscape

Let’s put together all our plant establishment watering advice in a brief, easy-to-remember schedule. Just remember the numbers 4-3-2. All plants including grass, shrubs and trees require frequent and consistent, but small amounts of water initially. Then watering gradually changes to infrequent, deep amounts. All warm-season lawn grasses – Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine – […]
Hand Water Wisely

Watering by hand is the most effective and efficient form of landscape watering. Effective because the water is applied directly to the soil over the roots and efficient because, in the case of trees, the water is applied over the most important part of the root system — the canopy drip line. The only downside to […]
Fertilizer is Rarely Necessary

Although I love the color green — green leaves, green T-shirts, green tea — I don’t particularly care for rivers, lakes, aquifers and a Gulf of Mexico made green by excess fertilizer. Often thought of as just St. Patrick’s Day phenomenon, rivers occur when homeowners and property managers think March is the time to fertilize […]
Got Clover? Consider Yourself Lucky.

One frequently asked question I get is how to get rid of oxalis and clover. Although the two look similar and are often confused, in reality neither poses a problem and, in fact, both are beneficial. Oxalis, or wood sorrel, is often found in the shady portions of the yard. Depending on the species, oxalis […]
Deer Resistance is Not Futile

So many people ask me for plant choices that deer despise. And it saddens me to say there are none — unless you want a plastic landscape. On the other hand, one merely needs to look at the parks and rural lands to see what plants are deer resistant. Obviously, live oak, juniper, Texas mountain laurel, […]
It’s Time to Prune

While many homeowners have been eager to prune their disheveled perennials and shrubs, waiting until late February has its benefits. Our feathered and furry friends found food and shelter in the perennials’ unpruned loveliness. Plus, pruning later minimizes the risk of any new growth succumbing to a late freeze. Appropriate spring pruning of perennials can be […]
There’s No Need to Weed and Feed

Every so often the airwaves are inundated with advertisements for weed and feed products. While each on their own can be useful, together they’re — to be blunt — entirely useless for South Texas. The “weed” component is generally 2,4-D, atrazine or dicamba herbicide. Although I will offend many who espouse total organic practices, chemical […]
Pruning of Crape Myrtles – Just Say No

Like the arrival of the purple martins, the wanton pruning of crape myrtles also occurs annually. It’s known by many names: heading back, topping, pollarding, hedging, etc. Still, by any name it is a crime against nature. Most disheartening is that this type of pruning is totally unnecessary. And, contrary to the popular belief that […]
A Backbone for the Landscape

Although we have the luxury in South Texas of many drought-tolerant perennials to add color throughout the year, the landscape also needs a few evergreen plants for structural integrity. Also known as backbone plants, evergreen shrubs and trees provide structure we can design around. One-third of your landscape should consist of backbone plants, followed by […]
Mountain Laurels – Mustering More Blooms

During my tenure with the Texas Forest Service, I repeatedly heard the lament “Why are there no blooms on my Texas mountain laurels?” Limited or no blooms on mountain laurels can result from several different causes. Planting in the shade, early freezes, too much water and insects have all been implicated in diminished flowering, but […]
Post-holiday Poinsettia Care

Living in South Texas has its perks. One of them is the opportunity to grow poinsettias for annual holiday beauty. If you’ve been taking proper care of the poinsettias prior to and during the holidays, then you have the opportunity that many people in the rest of the country do not. Incorporate them into your landscape for […]
Get a Winter Workout in the Garden

Winter is often a time of reflection and rejuvenation. Our winter isn’t cold enough to ache our bones, but it is brisk enough to turn our thoughts to our landscape. And there’s plenty to do — or in some cases not do — in the landscape, even in winter. Lawns Water the lawn once a month […]
Mulch – the Gift that Keeps on Giving

The decorations and lights have been taken down and the eggnog has been drunk. Now, what to do with the tree? Why not make mulch from it? Christmas trees can be re-used for many purposes: erosion control, fish habitat and, most importantly, mulch. Pine mulch is an excellent source of nutrients and organic matter, and […]
The Perfectly Designed Landscape

One of our most frequently asked questions is, “How do I design my landscape?” Let me simplify the process somewhat by giving you our bare bones breakdown of a “perfect” landscape. In previous Garden Tips, we have written about design elements such as color, balance, species, site and xeriscape. All are important, but there are very basic elements to help […]
Foundation Planting Not Required

There are many design elements to consider for the landscape — color, simplicity, scale, balance, rhythm, focal points — but one landscape plan generally ignores all of these, yet continues to be the default choice for many new homes. I’m talking about foundation planting. Planting around the foundation was originally intended to hide structures of […]
Have Your Margarita and Fall Color, Too!

If you recently migrated to San Antonio for the warmer weather and margaritas, but feel like you left the colorful fall season behind, don’t fret. San Antonio may not have the same lovely crisp mornings or apple cider, but we can offer you some ideas on outstanding fall hues, albeit in slightly different forms. Hot […]
Winter Average Help

A WaterSaver landscape — one with minimal lawn, pervious hardscape and lots of native and adapted plants — can save you money not only during the winter, but throughout the year, particularly during the winter average period. SAWS monitors the amount of water you use during three complete billing cycles from mid-November to mid-March to […]
Fall Really is the Best Time to Plant

The “green” industry regularly promotes fall and winter as the best times to plant. This is true, but have you ever wondered why? It seems a bit illogical to plant a plant just as it enters — or will soon enter — dormancy. Here is the answer, short and simple. In south Texas, we have […]
Fall Back on Lawn Watering

For many of us, fall is the best time of the year. It arrives with cooler temperatures and the end to daylight saving time. It also marks the beginning of dormancy for plants and lawns and, more importantly, the end of regular landscape watering. With cooler weather and (hopefully) increased precipitation, plants and especially lawns […]
Assess Your Trees Before Pruning

Late November to mid-February is pruning time, but before pruning the trees yourself or trolling the advertisements looking for arborists, stand back and assess what — if anything — needs to be pruned. Too often, homeowners prune because someone came to the door and offered. Pruning is done for three main reasons: safety, tree health […]
Red is the New Black

The story goes that John Fanick of Fanick’s Nursery, San Antonio’s oldest nursery, once said, “You can sell any plant in San Antonio as long as it’s red.” In that spirit, firecracker plant is a drought-tough perennial every local gardener should know about. Firecracker plant (Russelia equisetiformis) is a low-mounding perennial with long, fine leaves […]
Be On the Lookout for the Indestructibles

While browsing the landscapes along the WaterSaver Landscape Tour, take note of some common plants in San Antonio landscapes. Though not exclusive or rare, these indestructibles present super powers when planted and established correctly. They’re virtually indestructible, making them a must for every landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for: Vines Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.) — This restrained […]
Butterfly Heaven

Few plants provide as much enjoyment to butterflies as mistflowers. These perennials provide masses of flowers for a true butterfly banquet, providing candy for butterflies— not to mention “eye candy” for humans. All mistflowers require sun, but they can also tolerate a little shade. The ideal location is a site that is sunny for three […]
Keeping What Nature Offers – Stay Native

The common practice when building homes in the Hill Country or brush country is to simply remove existing vegetation and plant replacements that are more suited to Houston, Anaheim and Virginia. Nothing against those fine places, but this is South Central Texas, where the weather tends to lay waste to fanciful garden notions. We should […]
Chlorosis Diagnosis? Follow the Geekster’s Orders!

Are yellow leaves making you blue? Leaf chlorosis or yellowing of leaves is a common problem for plants in alkaline soils – the very soils found in San Antonio. Alkalinity binds iron to the soil, preventing plants from absorbing it. The result: yellow leaves. But chlorosis happens for other reasons, too. You just need to be a […]
Keep the Peace Between Soil and Water

You might gather from the title that there’s a chance soil and water don’t always get along, and you would be correct. Dry soils or dry potting soil mixes will actually repel water, as they’ve become hydrophobic. We want them to be hydrophilic, aka water loving. Products known as wetting agents will help bring back […]
Proactive Pest Prevention

July is a great month to proactively suppress many landscape pest problems. Proactive measures are an important component of all pest programs whether you call it organic, plant health care, or integrated pest management (IPM). Like the old proverb says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” June bugs and fleas can […]
How to Use SAWS Watering Advice

You can get the current watering advice delivered directly to your email box by signing up for the weekly GardenStyleSA eNewsletter and check the advice anytime at GardenStyleSA.com. You will find up-to-date watering advice for the San Antonio region. We have watering recommendations for beds and lawns in the sun or shade. Grass The combined lawns […]
Dressed for Success!

Dress your lawn for success with aeration and top-dressing today. Aeration allows water, air and nutrients to reach the roots. Top-dressing, especially if you use compost, provides organic material to improve soil texture and micro organism activity. Together, aeration and top-dressing serve as a magic elixir for the lawn and most importantly reduce the amount […]
Wading Through the Watering Advice

What does our watering advice mean for you? Let’s get some basics as to how we give this watering advice on a weekly basis. Water plays an important part in a plant’s life processes, from nourishing photosynthesis to maintaining the simplest cell wall. Native and adapted non-native plant species that have been preserved or planted and […]
Fertilizer: Fact of Plant Life or Fiction?

Soon the advertisements will be in every form of media – newspaper, TV and radio. All will tout the same message. “Purchase fertilizer now!” But does the marketing accurately express the need? Research demonstrates that all plants including grass, shrubs and trees, use nutrients applied in the fall more efficiently and to greater effect than […]
Whip Up a Wildscape!

Native plants often fare better than non-natives – especially when enduring weather extremes. While using native species definitely helps our pocketbooks, there is another benefit to drought-tolerant plants: they’re wildlife-friendly! The first step in creating any new wildscape is taking inventory of what you already have. You may have excellent butterfly and song bird plants, and […]
Five Rules for a Healthy, Long-Lived Tree

Planting a Tree Select only native or well-adapted trees for our area which have unblemished single trunks, firm rootballs and more branches than clear trunk (i.e. no “lollipop” specimens). See the plant list for specific recommendations. Locate large trees (over 60 feet at maturity) no closer than 20 feet from a building; medium trees (over 30 […]
Springtime To-Do List

Springtime has arrived in all its colorful glory. It’s time to get outdoors and tend to your landscape. Here’s a short list of potential projects for you to tackle in your landscape. Lawn Fortunately, not a lot has to be done just yet since our grasses do not become really active to April. Mow twice […]
Summertime To-Do List

Summertime may be filled with lazy days and scorching afternoons, but there are still important gardening projects you can do in your landscape. So apply some sunscreen, put on a protective hat and head outside to do some chores – all while taking the time to smell the blooming roses, salvias and crepe myrtles. Lawn […]
Low-water Landscaping 101

Where do I start? That’s a question homeowners often ask us when it comes to transforming their water-guzzling landscapes. What they’re really asking is how can they make their landscape conservation-oriented, low-water (and still beautiful) and what tools are available to do that. One very important tool we recommend is the WaterSaver Design School. Offered two to […]
Alkaline Soils – Your Acid Loving Plants Won’t Do Well Here

With new residents arriving here from both coasts every day, we get many inquiries about growing azaleas, camellias or peonies. Sorry folks, but these plants just won’t grow in beautiful San Antonio. The main culprit: alkaline soil. Some plants grow in acidic soils and others grow in alkaline soils. But rare is the plant that will […]
Treat Your Landscape to Some Post-Winter Pampering

Once the bitter cold is behind us, the absolute best thing you can do for your landscape is to shower it with a little TLC — in this case, tender loving compost. Compost can be shoveled, tossed, or blown on top of the grass to a depth of half-an-inch or tilled right into garden beds. Compost […]
Water with Purpose

It’s a no-brainer: All plants need water. But how much and how often varies from plant to plant. While there are various recommendations out there, we prefer to rely on scientifically based advice. Knowing there can be slight variations based on soil, shade, slope, season and species, we encourage these water applications for the following […]
A Naked Lawn is a Healthy Lawn

Why not make this the year you go au naturel? There’s a movement afoot encouraging more sustainable landscapes, or yards that survive on homemade compost, natural pesticides and rain water. Many of us already realize the benefits of a sustainable landscape – traditional fertilizers and pesticides can pollute our drinking water and harm our pets. But truly embracing this idea […]
Long Live Your Landscape

Previously, we discussed how to identify and properly prune prematurely dead and diseased branches on trees, shrubs, and perennials. Now, let’s talk about preventing dead plants and branches. When there is an abundance of dead woody plants, they usually fall into three main categories: broadleaf evergreens (including magnolia, photinia, dwarf youpon and boxwood), heavily pruned […]
Mulch is Simply Marvelous!

I confess. I love mulch. It’s a natural way to enhance organic matter and retain moisture in urban soils. Mulch is available in both organic and inorganic forms, and it comes in different shapes and sizes. Most people think of mulch as raw or partially decomposed pieces of wood or bark. While this is true, […]
How We Calculate Watering Recommendations

Throughout the year, we get numerous inquiries on how we calculate the weekly watering recommendations. Although our process is based on established science, it is actually quite simple. Texas A&M University’s Irrigation Technology Center provides us with an estimated water requirement for the San Antonio area called Potential Evapotranspiration, or PET. This is a theoretical […]
Aeration and Compost

Aerating and applying compost to your lawn are excellent ways to improve its overall health. Both reduce the amount of irrigation needed by increasing the soil’s ability to hold and receive water. In other words, aeration and compost create a bigger and better “soil sponge.” Although not all soils are alike, they all benefit from the addition […]
Spring Cleaning

Shortly, our flowering perennials such as salvia, esperanza and lantana will awaken from their winter dormancy. Much like overgrown hair in need of a haircut, perennials need a good spring cleaning in the way of pruning. We do this for three reasons: appearance, growth, and flowers. Some homeowners prefer a well manicured landscape, while others prefer an […]
Falling for Color San Antonio-Style

New homeowners relocating to San Antonio will have a new landscaping experience. They will be falling for color San Antonio style. Some of the important things to note about your new hometown: Humidity and hot temperatures are facts of life, but it does cool down eventually. Still, San Antonio does present unique opportunities for gardening, […]
Plant Trees, Cast a Shadow

The best time to plant trees is in the fall or winter because tree roots continue to grow throughout these dormant seasons. By spring, young trees are strong enough to face the rigors of summer without serious stress or water deficit. During my years living in San Antonio, I’ve observed fairly good rain episodes in late […]
Shrub-A-Dub-Dub

They create privacy, disguise unattractive views or act as sound barriers. I’m talking about hedges, and they’re a great addition to any garden, provided they’re chosen thoughtfully. A good hedge has three characteristics: fast-growing, evergreen, dense foliage. Flowers or fruit are welcome additions, but not absolutely necessary. Of course, drought-tolerance, low-maintenance, and non-invasiveness are equally […]
A Natural Lawn is a Healthy Lawn

There’s a movement afoot encouraging more sustainable landscapes, that is, yards that survive on homemade compost, natural pesticides and rain water. In other words, natural lawn. Many of us already realize the benefits of a sustainable landscape (traditional fertilizers and pesticides can pollute our drinking water and harm our pets). But truly embracing this idea that a […]
Lovely As A Tree

To me, there’s nothing more picturesque and peaceful than being amongst leafy giants, basking in their lovely shade and bearing witness to the wildlife they host. Planting a tree is an honorable task that when done correctly provides benefits for decades to come. But do you know which trees grow best here? Your tree’s longevity not […]
How Low Maintenance Can You Go?

As we begin to spot the scorched and parched San Antonio landscapes, many of us begin dreaming of a day when we are free from the worries of brown, crunchy grass and the constant threat of persistent drought. Low maintenance is the key during these warm months. Is that even possible in South Texas? And […]
Be Wise When Using Water Features

Got a fountain in your landscape? You can now enjoy the soothing sounds of it — and other water features — while kicking back in your garden watching the wildlife revel in it, too. Residential water features can run anytime, even during drought restrictions. Still, while enjoying your fountain, pond, waterfall or stream, remember they do […]
Mow High, Mow Often

Often, we’re asked about lawn mowing and its relation to maintaining a healthy, drought-tolerant lawn. Although we discourage expansive areas of grass, there are ways to reduce how much water your turf needs. Of all the suggestions and recommendations you may hear, there are two key factors that will help make your lawn more drought-tolerant: […]
Countdown to Establishing New Plants: 3-2-1

All new plants require mindful watering to get them off to a good start. Once plants are properly established, they respond with vigor and need surprisingly little water, even during times of drought. So how do you properly water to establish plants? It’s as easy as 1-2-3 — or rather 3-2-1. The basic rule for […]
How to Select a Tree

Selecting and planting trees are not tasks shrouded in mystery and magic. No chant or sacrificial offerings will be needed to ensure the survival of your newly planted tree. However, the novice tree planter or even an experienced one should heed these prudent suggestions. Nurseries sell trees in three forms: bare root, balled-and-burlapped (aka “B […]
Fertilize for Free with Leaves and Grass

All fertilizers have three numbers listed on their packages. These represent the major macronutrients including phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. In South Texas nearly all required nutrients are available in the soil, with the exception of iron. But of the macronutrients, only nitrogen requires constant replenishing because it leaches from the soil with rain and irrigation […]
Take a Post Summer Look at your Landscape

By the end of the summer many landscapes look tired and bedraggled, much like an old, well-worn sofa. On the other hand, some fall landscapes resemble newlyweds, springing from the church doors with vibrant energy. What is the difference? Take a post summer look at your landscape to see what plants did well and which […]
Toppling Trees? Not if They’re Native

A wailing and gnashing of teeth can be heard throughout Texas as many of us are worried about whether our favorite trees will die. While you should be concerned, do not distress. Droughts occur on a regular basis in Texas. In fact, droughts occurred in 1917 and 1925, and there was the drought of record […]
Fall Vegetable Planting Time is Now

Although the temperature is sweltering, now is the time to start planting your fall vegetable garden! Delay in planting some vegetables could result in less produce on the table later. For a comprehensive list, check out Jerry Parsons’ fall vegetable seeding guide for San Antonio (Region III). In the meantime, here are few plants and dates to […]
Lawn Survival 101

Many folks are worried sick about their lawns during lengthy droughts. As a tree professional, I can understand and respect your concern, but I cannot really empathize. Grass just hinders the growth of my beloved trees and shrubs. Regardless, SAWS conservation staff is dedicated to providing the best information available for your landscape. To help […]
You Gotta Save Shade

During extremely dry weather, it’s best to focus your limited watering hours on plants that provide the greatest economic and environmental benefit to your homes – trees and shrubs. These plants provide us with shade, clean air, and increased property values, and they’re quite expensive to replace. In most cases, well-established trees don’t need extensive […]
Win the War on Webworms: Try these Methods

They’re everywhere. You know what I’m talking about – those ugly, nasty webworm nests insidiously attacking our pecan, mulberry and fruit trees. How can a homeowner stop this multi-legged menace? First things first, know your opponent. Webworms are not worms at all, but rather caterpillars that turn into moths. The female lays eggs in early March on […]
Beat the Heat: Plant Herbs

The weather extremes of summer can make even the most callused gardener cry. So let’s hail the heroes of the landscape — herbs! For many gardeners, herbs are the answer to their prayers. Among the most popular to grow in San Antonio: Oregano Thyme Mint Lemon balm Rosemary Chives Most herbs need full sun to thrive, […]
How to Plant a Tree

Prudent planters no longer refer to the spot where the tree is to be planted as the “hole,” but rather the “planting area.” Current research indicates that the ideal habitat for a newly planted tree is a planting area that is two to five times the diameter of the root ball and has been loosened […]
Shades of Bluebonnets

Who has not seen or been in a photo of a family surrounded by bluebonnets? Or viewed the numerous artistic renderings of bluebonnets draping a Hill Country pasture? But how many of you knew of the many bloom colors locked away in the genes of the Lupinus texensis? Jerry Parsons is considered to be the prime motivator […]
The Finer Points of Hand Watering

There is an art to hand watering with a handheld hose and using one proficiently. Hand watering with a handheld hose is allowed any day and time. It’s also an enjoyable, relaxing way to spend time in your yard. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know the finer techniques of hand watering. There’s a trick […]

Mark Peterson

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