More Rain headed our way?

There is a good chance for another storm to roll through San Antonio this afternoon.  With all the rain we had yesterday, there is a high chance for flash flooding so please be careful out there.

On the plus side, all this rain is great for our landscaping.  Please make sure you have your irrigation system is turned off this week - there will be no need to run them with all the rainfall we have had.  If your rain sensor is working properly, the system should turn off automatically when we have had significant rainfall.  If your rain sensor doesn't seem to be working, please give us a call and we can help.  It is a pet peeve to see an irrigation system on in the middle of a rain storm! 

Do you know what else loves the rain?  Weeds!!  The weeds will be popping up with all the rain and it will be time to start pulling up the weeds.  After you pull up the weeds, you can add a layer of mulch on top to prevent new weeds from popping up.  

Go USA!

Even if you are not a big soccer fan, it is hard not to catch World Cup fever this summer.  USA is battling Germany tomorrow in a highly anticipated game.  Go USA!

$800 Irrigation Rebates available through SAWS

SAWS offers its customers some great rebates in an effort to encourage customers to be more water wise. Their newest rebate they are offering has the potential to save you $800! If you have been meaning to make some changes or upgrades to your irrigation system, now would would be the perfect time to do it. Not only would you save money monthly on your water bill but you also will get partially reimbursed for having the work done!

If you make your irrigation system more efficient and you could receive up to $800 in rebates to help cover the cost. SAWS conservation consultants will work with your irrigator to help identify design flaws in your irrigation system that, if changed, can result in both water savings and healthier landscapes.

Rebate Terms:
Up to $800 for any combination of options, depending on the number of zones converted or capped, and if irrigation remains at or below a personalized schedule for water use over a one-year period. Only existing systems are eligible for rebates.

All customers approved to receive the first installment of their rebate will be given the final installment if they meet the water use requirements, even if the program is discontinued prior to the final rebate installment.

$250 for capping a zone. This might be chosen because an area is now hardscape, has been converted to bedding area instead of turf, or because the plants are mature and do not require regular irrigation.

$200 for converting a pop-up spray zone to drip/bubblers. We have been promoting this idea for a long time, if you have been considering it, now would be the time to do it!

$150 for splitting a zone to beds and turf

How it Works: In Four Steps
STEP 1: SAWS customers must call 210-704-SAVE to schedule an irrigation consultation with one of our trained conservation consultants before any irrigation work you want a rebate for begins. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended you call at least 2-3 weeks in advance of any planned work for an appointment. Appointments generally last an hour.

Consultants will run through your irrigation system, review your landscape and conservation goals, make recommendations specific to your home and leave you with written recommendations you can use when hiring an irrigator .

STEP 2: Have a licensed irrigator (Preferred Landscape and Lighting is a fully licensed irrigator) complete the work or you may complete it yourself. If you complete the work yourself, you must follow all city and state laws governing irrigation installation and design.

STEP 3: Once the installation of the redesigned system has been completed, call 210-704-SAVE to schedule a final inspection. Your conservation consultant will conduct a final inspection, including work completed and irrigation controller scheduling.

The consultant will then determine the amount of the rebate you may qualify for and provide you with a written copy. This will serve as your application for the Residential Irrigation Design Rebate. Upon final inspection and application approval, SAWS will credit your water bill with the initial installment of 50 percent of the total approved rebate.

STEP 4: If your water use remains at or below the watering recommendations for a period of one year, the final installment of the remaining 50 percent of the eligible rebate will be applied to your account.

You will receive monthly recommendations based on your unique property so you may compare actual water use to SAWS recommendations, which are based on actual weather conditions including any restrictions.

For the complete eligibility requirements or more details, visit the SAWS website at http://www.saws.org/Conservation/Outdoor/IrrigationRebate/

How to rid your yard of moles

Does your yard look like this?  

 If so, this is the most likely culprit...moles!

These subterranean creatures burrow through the dirt looking to bunch on insects in your yard.  They aren't actually eating your grass or plants, but are uprooting your grass as they make their tunnels.  Are you ready to rid your yard of moles? 

There are 4 methods of getting rid of the moles in your yard:

1.  Trap and Kill - This takes a lot of patience and has a certain yuck factor that most people aren't willing to do.

2.  Poison - The home centers are starting to carry a product that is in the shape of a worm that you place in an active tunnel for them to eat.  It contains poison that will kill the mole.  There are mixed reviews on the results and you have to make sure you place it in an active tunnel.

3.  Repel the Moles -   If you make your yard less desirable than your neighbors, your mole will move along. The most available and most effective mole repellent is castor oil which moles don't like they way it feels on their skin.  It is available in a liquid or you now see granules which make it easier to apply over a large area.

4.  Get rid of their Food Source - By far the most effective way of getting rid of moles, is to get rid of their food source - Insects.  You can apply a granule or liquid insecticide to your lawn to kill  the insects.  Make sure you get an insecticide that will kill grubs as that is their most favorite meal and not all insecticides kill grubs.

None of these are easy, quick or 100% effective so realize you aren't going to see immediate results.  The best results seem to be when you combine methods 3 and 4 above.  What have you tried? What has worked for you?

Praise for our Tree Service!

"Work done was very professional and the crew cleaned up the area before departing.  Upon arrival, crews introduced themselves and asked for any special instructions.  They worked steadily and completed work having me inspect for additional needs before they put their equipment away.  I would definitely use this crew again."
~Gary M.

Spurs win 5th Championship Title last night!!

Recognition Wednesday

Our maintenance department takes care of both residential and commercial properties.  We received this comment last week and are proud of the employees she mentions as well as all of our employees who support the maintenance team!  Great job Preferred!

"Just a brief note to express, how very pleased I am with the quality of service Preferred Landscaping & Lighting is now providing at the RIM Shopping Center. I sincerely appreciate the responsiveness to my calls and request, from the whole team – Lil’ John, Rachel, Amanda, Byron, Big John and the team of landscapers that are assigned to maintain the site.

Several visitors to the shopping center and the tenants have commented on how nice things are starting to look. I appreciate the way you all have taken ownership in the service that you provide at the RIM Shopping Center from the seasonal flower install, ensuring that our irrigation system is fully operational, trimming of the trees, to the maintenance of our lawns, hedges and curb lines. It’s been a long time since our lawns have looked so nicely groomed and weed-free, or when the plants have looked so healthy. Thank you for your service and we look forward to doing business with you all for years to come."

Thanks,

Tiffini D. Ervin
Property Manager
The RIM Shopping Center

Testimonial Tuesday

Our tree care division is top notch and here is a recent testimonial from a customer in Austin:

"The tree trimming service was great!  Respectful, thorough and clean.  Work was done on time and our residents are happy!"

~Shannon of Villas of Bristol Heights

Summer Succulents

Succulents are low maintenance and water saving plants that come in a range of colors, shapes and sizes. They can provide a no-fuss plant decor that require only occasional watering.

Some quick tips for success with your succulents:
1.  Be sure to use a quick draining soil mix because they don't like excess water around their roots.
2.  They prefer full sunlight but will do fine indoors in bright indirect light.
3.  Many need to be brought indoors if there is a frost.

Some of our favorite succulents are Sedum (hardy in a frost), Hens and Chicks, and Sempervivum.

Breathtaking Views!

Our favorite part of our jobs is helping people make their landscape dreams come true.  These Before and After pictures are from a recent project in which the clients wanted to create an outdoor living space that took advantage of the beautiful views they had of the hill country.

Our team of landscape designers, created a plan that included a two tier deck that extended to two sides of their home.  It also included a patio space and stone work as well as a bit of softscape as well.  The clients were thrilled with the end result and the views are even more breathtaking than before!