Set Summer Nights Alight

Make the most of your summer evenings by lighting up your yard.  You can illuminate walkways and landscaping with path lights.  Architectural and landscape features benefit from well placed spotlights.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting can design a smart lighting strategy for you utilizing state of the art lighting that will last for years to come.  For a free consultation, give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Go Spurs Go

The Spurs return home tonight to face the Oklahoma Thunder in Game 5 of the series.  The Spurs gave up their 2-0 lead in the series with the last two games in Oklahoma.  Game 7 will be home as well so if they just keep winning all their home games, they will clench the title "Best of the West" for the 2nd year in the row and move on to the championship.

GO SPURS GO!

Did it rain on your parade?

It is hard to believe that here in San Antonio we would ever tire of having it rain since it is so scarce. However, I think most people were disappointed that Memorial Day Weekend plans were dampened with all the rain!  Hopefully you weren't affected by the flash floods experienced around town.  According to the National Weather Service, there is a possibility of more wet weather Friday and Saturday but it is not expected to be as significant or severe as we experienced last weekend.

On the bright side, our landscapes, lawns, lakes and aquifer desperately needed the rain and even with all the rain we will remain in drought restrictions.  Make sure you check your sprinkler system this week and delay any planned waterings this week as the recent rain should suffice.  If your rain sensor works properly, it will not run when it is wet however the often aren't working or aren't installed in older systems (it has been required in new installations since 2006).  If your rain sensor needs replacing or your irrigation system needs a systems check, our irrigation department would be happy to help.  Just give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Shady Garden Spot

We talk a lot about drought tolerant, sun loving plants but we often forget about that shady spot in the yard where you have a hard time getting even grass to grow.  If you are lucky enough, it is under the canopy of a big live oak tree offering shade you would love to use but not sure what to do with the space.

A shady spot is a great place to make a great sitting spot to cool off during the heat of the day.  You can put a bench or swing or even a set of table and chairs.  You can fill the area with a variety of shade loving perennials that will come back year after year.

Many think that a shade loving plants won't offer a colorful bloom but there is a huge variety in shade loving plants that can offer flower colors from spring through fall.  Not to mention the foliage alone creates a pleasing composition.

The following is a list of just some of the shade loving plants you may want to consider:
1.  Hosta - so many different varieties to choose from.  Many have variegated leaves or blue leaves
2.  Ferns - There are many different types of ferns with a lot of different leaf textures
3.  Astilbe
4. Toad Lily
5. Spotted dead nettle
6.  Bleeding Heart

Festival of Flowers

This weekend is the 14th annual Festival of Flowers.  This is a gardening event that you don't want to miss. It is Saturday, May 24th from 9-5 at the Alzafar Shrine.  This is a one stop shop for all things gardening including a city-wide plant swap.

You will have the opportunity to hear seminars from leading experts in the gardening industry as well as an opportunity for one-on-one questions at the Ask the Experts booth.  You can also pick up a free water-saving plant at the SAWS booth.

Visit http://safestivalofflowers.com/wpfof/ for more details!  We hope to see you there.

Want Green Grass this Summer?

Sounds impossible given many in our area are already in stage 3 or 4 water restrictions.  However, there is
an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the drought and will save you money on your water bills.  It is a new underground drip irrigation system for your lawns.  This is easiest done when you are installing a new lawn but it can be done on an existing lawn.

Here is how it works - Tubing is trenched about 3"-4" below the grass surface and covered over with sod. When the system comes on, the grass roots are watered -which is the only part of the grass that needs the water.  Drip irrigation is the world's most efficient type of irrigation and subsurface drip is especially so because it is unaffected by wind and evaporation resulting in 70% less water use than conventional overhead sprinklers.

Pretty Amazing - Save Water and Money and have green grass all year long!  While we have been installing them for several years now, it is becoming more popular especially with San Antonio in a seemingly non ending drought.  If interested, please give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Stage 3 Water Restrictions Looming for San Antonio

While San Antonio is currently under stage 2 drought restrictions, it is very likely we will get to stage 3 soon.

In stage 3, watering is limited to one day every other week for all irrigation systems, sprinklers and soaker hoses.  This will have a significant negative impact on your landscaping if you currently rely on a traditional irrigation system.

However drip irrigation will be allowed Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays during the restricted week as well as hand watering will be allowed every day.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting is one of the leading irrigation professionals who has been recommending and installing drip irrigation for years.  We recommend all new landscape beds be equipped with drip irrigation because it is better for the health of the plants and saves a significant amount of water.  If you would like our help to help you convert your irrigation system to drip, give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Thank You to all the Mothers!

Old World Outdoor Living

An old building we found in the woods.... 
Actually we created it to look like that. 
Certainly a special one of a kind project.

Gardening Gift for Mom

Mothers Day is coming up on Sunday and we have a great gift idea for Mom.  You can buy her a personalized stepping stone for her landscape/garden.  It is something that will decorate her outdoor living space and she will enjoy it for years to come.  It could even be the start of annual tradition done every Mothers Day.

There are a lot of different types out there and it can be as easy as purchasing one that they personalize for you or you can make one yourself.  If you decide to make one, you can buy a kit for ~$20 at a craft store or even just buy the stuff you need without a kit and save a few dollars.  Anyway you do it, it is a fun project for kids in particular and a gift that the mom in your life will treasure forever!

Is tonight the night?

Do you think the Spurs will seal the deal on round 2 of the playoffs tonight in Dallas?  GO SPURS GO!

Pruning gone wrong

I know that we have shown you this before but every time we see it, it really bugs us!!  Please don't prune your beautiful Crape Myrtle trees like this.

We would be happy to help you or just follow our advice on our previous post.
http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-right-way-to-prune-your-crape_28.html