Preferrred Landscape and Lighting

Create a certified wildlife habitat in your own backyard

2012-03-01T09:26:00.000-08:00

Do you want to make sure your backyard is a healthy place for kids and pets? Are you interested in providing a safe habitat for birds and insects? The National Wildlife Federation has a great program that offers ways to help restore wildlife habitats in your own backyard. Here is an excerpt from their website:

Whether you have an apartment balcony or a 20-acre farm, you can create a garden that attracts beautiful wildlife and helps restore habitat in commercial and residential areas. By providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their young you not only help wildlife, but you also qualify to become an official Certified Wildlife Habitat^® from the National Wildlife Federation.

How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Provide Food for Wildlife

Everyone needs to eat! Planting native forbs, shrubs and trees is the easiest way to provide the foliage, nectar, pollen, berries, seeds and nuts that many species of wildlife require to survive and thrive. You can also incorporate supplemental feeders and food sources.

Supply Water for Wildlife

Wildlife need clean water sources for many purposes, including drinking, bathing and reproduction. Water sources may include natural features such as ponds, lakes, rivers, springs, oceans and wetlands; or human-made features such as bird baths, puddling areas for butterflies, installed ponds or rain gardens.

Create Cover for Wildlife

Wildlife require places to hide in order to feel safe from people, predators and inclement weather. Use things like native vegetation, shrubs, thickets and brush piles or even dead trees.

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Their Young

Wildlife need a sheltered place to raise their offspring. Many places for cover can double as locations where wildlife can raise young, from wildflower meadows and bushes where many butterflies and moths lay their eggs, or caves where bats roost and form colonies.

Ready...Set...Certify!

Once you have provided these essential elements to make a healthy and sustainable wildlife habitat, join the thousands of wildlife enthusiasts across the country who have earned the distinction of being part of NWF's Certified Wildlife Habitat^® program.

http://www.nwf.org/CertifiedWildlifeHabitat/UserAccount/SignIn?campaignid=WH10DGWP

Mark your calendars for this fun free gardening event!

2012-02-20T09:29:00.000-08:00

Before long, the weather will turn warm, flowers will be flourishing and the front parking lot of SAWS Headquarters will transform into a gardener's paradise. Spring Bloom happens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10 at SAWS Headquarters, 2800 U.S. Hwy 281 North.

This fun, free event is your opportunity to learn about gardening, landscape care, and so much more! SAWS will offer great tips to help spruce up your yard while still saving water, and your favorite local gardening and landscape experts will be speaking throughout the day.

For more information and the schedule of events, check out the SAWS website. http://www.saws.org/latest_news/NewsDrill.cfm?news_id=813

Time to Top Dress the Lawn

2012-02-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

Now is the perfect time to top dress or compost your lawn. Why should you add compost to your lawn?

Topdressing your lawn with compost is beneficial for many reasons:
1. Most importantly, it adds nutrients and living microbes to the soil environment
2. It encourages more water applied through rain or sprinkler systems to stay in the turf zone before it evaporates
3. It encourages a healthier "drought tolerant" root structure

We did a series of posts on the topic of composting your lawn this summer and I have attached the links if you want more information.
http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2011/07/compostingas-good-as-it-gets-for-your.html
http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2011/07/when-to-compost-your-lawn-what-blend-of.html
http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2011/07/top-dressing-your-lawn-do-it-yourself.html

Have you made the switch?

2012-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

In January, the Energy Independence Security Act began phasing out production of general purpose incandescent light bulbs. This new act has put the spotlight on other energy-saving bulb options including LED.

Preferred is an expert in the different LED options available in outdoor lighting and we have been installing LED systems for several years. We have also been helping clients make the switch to LED on existing lighting systems.

In a typical home situation, LED lamps should last more than 20,000 hours which means you don't have to change lamps more often than every 10 years. But the real cost savings comes in the efficiency of LED lamps - they are super efficient using just one-fourth the power of regular bulbs. While their upfront costs are higher, LED lamps pay for themselves in the long run through both reduced power usage and extraordinary lamp life.

Drought Survival Kit

2012-02-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

The Texas Parks and Wildlife department is featuring a "Drought Survival Kit" on its website that offers residents tips on how to landscape with water conservation in mind. Attached is a link to their website and a video clip. Check it out and let us know what you think.

http://www.texasthestateofwater.org/

Planning your herb garden

2012-02-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

While you can now find some fresh herbs in grocery stores you still can not get the quality of herbs you can get if you grow them yourself. Once you begin using homegrown fresh herbs, you will never go back to using store-bought dried herbs again!

Looking at a seed catalog for herbs can be overwhelming. To make it easier, make a list of those herbs you use on a regular basis and check to see which of those can be grown easily in your garden. When just starting out, look for herbs that are available as young plants you can transplant which are easier to get started than with seeds.

Be sure you plan your herb garden in a area where there is going to be plenty of sun and you have access to your garden hose. Keep in mind how big your herb plants will get and where you want to plant them in your herb garden.

You shouldn't need to fertilize your herbs and you don't want to use pesticides on your herbs. You may begin harvesting your herbs as soon as the plant has enough size to maintain future growth. Harvesting herb leaves prior to the plant flowering provides the best flavor.

Spring is in the Air!

2012-02-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

Seems hard to believe that Punzsutawney Phil could be right with his prediction for 6 more weeks of winter with the warm temperatures we are experiencing!

We are already working with clients on their spring designs so if you have a landscape project you are considering, now is the time to start planning it. Give us a call and we can set up an appointment 210-657-7737.

Last Freeze Date

2012-02-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

The average date of the last spring freeze is important in determining when to start on your vegetable garden. If you start planting your garden prior to the last freeze date, a frost will either severely damage their leaves or slow their growth for weeks. But if you wait too long past the last freeze to get started, your plants may not have much of a growing season before the heat of the summer.

For San Antonio, the average last spring freeze is March 6th. In Fredricksburg, it is March 24th. These are averages and are not meant to be used as actual last freeze. If you are eager to get started on your garden, you can start transplants in containers that can be placed outdoors but can be moved indoors when cold temperatures are forecasted. Once the last freeze date has passed, you can transplant them to your garden.

Create your own butterfly garden in a few easy steps!

2012-01-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

Texas has more butterfly species - over 440 - than any other state. Do you want them to make an appearance in your garden? Here are some simple tips to start a butterfly garden.
The key to successful butterfly gardening is to select a variety of flowering plants so butterflies are attracted to the food source all summer long. Plant flowering plants known to provide nectar for butterflies and provide plants known as food sources for butterfly caterpillars.

Utilize plants of different colors and different heights of flowering plants. Examples of butterfly attracting plants for Texas gardens are salvia, lantana, turks cap, purple coneflower, verbena, buddleia and butterfly weed.

Create a garden habitat that butterflies will enjoy - a sunny garden surrounded by shrubs. The sun warms the insects and the bushes provide shelter and protection from predators. Encourage flowering plants to continue blooming by pinching off dead flowers.

Another important point is to eliminate the use of insecticides in your garden. Butterflies and caterpillars are very sensitive to insecticide.

Another Job Opportunity

2012-01-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2807932186.html

Looking for a new job?

2012-01-19T09:15:00.001-08:00

Take a look for postions we are hiring. Please let us know if you are interested!

Irrigation Service Technician

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806676843.html

Landscaping Laborer

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806061168.html

Landscape Foreman

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806065169.html

Maintenance Foreman

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806490061.html

Maintenance Laborer

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806683104.html

Ranch Foreman

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806673272.html

Tree Climber

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/lab/2806666843.html

Time to plant your flowers

2012-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

If you have been storing flowering bulbs this winter, it is now time to get them out and plant them. Some of the common flowering bulbs are tulips, daffodil and crocus just to name a few. These bulbs like the cool soil temperatures we have now.

A few key points on the right way to plant a bulb. Plant with the pointed side up - this is the stem of the plant. You also should plant them at a depth that is 3X the diameter of the bulb. An example for a 1-inch bulb should be planted 3 inches down into the soil. If you haven't already done so, add some organic matter to the soil you are planting.

It is also time to plant the cool-season annual flowers such as pansies, petunias, sweet alyssum and snap dragons.

The early bird catches the worm...

2012-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

Think it is too early to plan your new landscape plantings? Now is actually the perfect time to start designing and planning what you want to do once the warm weather is here to stay.

Take a look at garden magazines and catalogues for ideas on new additions to your landscaping this year. If you need some help getting started, Preferred Landscape and Lighting can design a plan for your entire outdoor living space.

It is also the right time to prepare the soil now for spring plantings. The goal is to create a garden soil with a minimum depth of 12 inches. This 12 inches should be composed of 50% organic matter and 50% the soil in your yard. The organic matter can be composted manure, pine bark mulch, home compost, fallen leaves or a combination of them. If your soil is really shallow you may have to bring in top soil to get enough soil to blend with the composted materials.

Time to mow the lawn...

2012-01-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

I heard quite a few lawn mowers this past weekend. With the recent rain and the wet weather, the grass is making a comeback along with a lot of weeds.

Tired of spending your weekend mowing the lawn and picking the weeds? Do you wish you could skip the upcoming spring cleanup of adding mulch and annuals to your landscape beds? Let us do the work for you!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting has a maintenance department that can set up regular service calls to do as much or as little as you want them to. Just want a quarterly spruce up? Done. Want somebody out there every week tending the beds and spraying for weeds? Done. We can customize a maintenance plans to meet your needs. So you can get back to enjoying your outdoor space on the weekends instead of working on it!

Does your lighting system need a checkup?

2012-01-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed a few light bulbs out on your outdoor lighting system? Is there a light that flickers? Are some of your lights not positioned where you want them? If you have any or all of these issues, it is time for a lighting system checkup!

We can set up a service call and have our lighting technicians do a full analysis of your system and change out the lamps you need replaced. They can also recommend changes or improvements that could be made to your system. Many of our customers are transitioning their Mercury Vapor lighting systems to the new efficient LED system with just a change of a lamp.

Please give us a call if we can be of service to you - 210-657-7737.

The Millard Group and Preferred Landscape and Lighting Join Forces to Enhance Strategic Growth

2012-01-04T11:25:00.000-08:00

SAN ANTONIO & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chicago-based The Millard Group, a national leader in the janitorial services industry, announced today that it has acquired Preferred Landscape and Lighting of San Antonio, Texas. The two companies have complementary customer bases and service niches, and with the addition of Preferred’s capabilities to its core business offering, The Millard Group will integrate services in both horizontal and vertical platforms to strategically grow its business. Preferred will maintain its headquarters in Boerne, and there will be no staff or leadership changes.
Preferred Landscape and Lighting employs 80 people and is well-recognized throughout Texas for its commercial landscape maintenance, lighting and holiday decorating services. The Millard Group provides janitorial, window cleaning, and architectural metal and stone maintenance services to commercial clients throughout the US.
“As we look to strategically expand our business, the growth platform afforded to us with Preferred is very exciting,” commented The Millard Group’s CEO, Larry Kugler. “We look forward to offering our current clients enhanced services in commercial building maintenance, and growing our business in the landscape, lighting and decoration arena.”
David Dunne, Preferred Landscape’s CEO offered additional thoughts, saying, “The opportunity to join forces with a nationally-recognized company like Millard leverages Preferred’s growth potential and enhances our ability to service our customers.”
Preferred Landscape and Lighting provides a variety of outdoor services to businesses in Texas and was founded in 1995. Preferred has been honored as a 2011 Fast Track Company by the San Antonio Business Journal as well as by Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest growing companies, and with the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Leadership award.
Founded in 1915, The Millard Group is a family-owned business with a long history of leadership in the building maintenance industry. The Millard Group offers a full spectrum of janitorial, window cleaning, and architectural metal and stone maintenance services to clients coast to coast. The organization’s customer base includes commercial and industrial real estate buildings, residential properties, educational and banking institutions, health care facilities, regional shopping centers and strip malls. Millard employs 4,000 people and serves over 1,000 clients in 30 states

Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

What is your New Year Resolution this year? If you have resolved to get started on some overdue project around the house but aren't sure where to start - we can help! We would be happy to come out and discuss what you are looking for and can design a plan that fits your needs.

When is the best time to trim your trees?

2011-12-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Now is the correct answer! For most trees, the dormant season, late fall or winter, is the best time to prune although dead branches can and should be removed at any time. Pruning during the dormant period minimizes sap loss and subsequent stress to the tree. It also minimizes the risk of fungus infection or insect infestation as both fungi and insects are likely to be in dormancy at the same time as the tree. Finally, in the case of deciduous trees, pruning when the leaves are off will give you a better idea of how your pruning will affect the shape of the tree.

Call today for a free consultation with our licensed arborist!

Did you make the good list this year?

2011-12-22T12:48:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, give yourself a gift you will you enjoy for years to come - an outdoor kitchen! In today's home, the backyard has become an extension of your living space. Give yourself a present this year with a new space you will love.

Whether you like to entertain family or friends or just want a backyard retreat, we can design the perfect space for you! Preferred is your complete source for custom designed outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, pergolas - we have done it all!

Its Raining, Its Pouring...

2011-12-20T12:48:00.000-08:00

I know we are all busy with the hustle and bustle of the holidays but have you noticed all the rain we are getting?

The rain and cooler temperatures makes this a perfect time to update your landscaping. This is a great opportunity to spruce up landscaping that may have suffered from the drought this summer.

It is also a perfect time to convert your irrigation system to drip irrigation so you can be ready to tackle the next drought. Drip irrigation can be used for both landscape beds and your lawn. With drip irrigation you can water your landscape more efficiently and have more flexibility even when there are water restrictions.

Give us a call for a free consultation - 210-657-7737

Are you in the dark?

2011-12-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

The recent time change offers many early-evening opportunities to check out the darkness around our homes. Here are a few things to look for:

• Are sidewalks and steps well-lit for guests?

• Can people see your address clearly from the street?
• Would your home be more secure if lights were placed around it?

Here are some additional things to consider:
• It can be done easily during the winter months and in existing landscapes
• Landscape lighting takes advantage of new LED technology and uses as much as 80 percent less energy than traditional lighting. This means lower energy costs.

Tonight take a look over your landscape and imagine what a little light could do.

Here is another quick article on Preferred!

2011-12-07T11:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northwest/news/article/Lightscapers-to-the-city-2350715.php

Environmental Friendly Light for the Holidays

2011-12-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

San Antonio River Walk Installation by Preferred Holiday Decor Sets the Standard for One of the Largest Environmentally-Friendly Projects in Texas

http://www.businesswire.com/news/dallasnews/20111201006400/en

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-12-06T09:42:00.000-08:00

Here is an email we received last week - Thanks for the great compliments!

Hi Darryl.

Just thought you would enjoy knowing how much we enjoyed the back yard over the Thanksgiving holiday. We hosted family, and the yard looked fabulous. Knockout roses were blooming, and the weather was picture perfect. Every time we looked around, family members had wandered out to the yard to enjoy the round arbor, sit on the rock wall, gather around the fire pit, drink good wine and otherwise just hang out. The yard does just what you envisioned and hoped it would - it invites you out.

Best wishes for a great holiday season. Laurie

Preferred puts sparkle in season

2011-12-01T11:01:00.000-08:00

Check out a recent news article about holiday decor featuring Preferred Holiday Decor!

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/article/Firms-put-sparkle-in-season-2335960.php#photo-1844217

New LED lights on Riverwalk get the thumbs up!

2011-11-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Check out this recent article on the lighting ceremony and river parade from Friday. We are excited to be a part of the project!
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Lights-amp-up-river-parade-2293341.php

A new look for the Riverwalk

2011-11-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

Preferred is very excited to be a part of the new LED light project for the City of San Antonio. Even if you have been to the Riverwalk during the holidays in past years, this year there will be several new features to look for including a light display on the bridges, new lights for the trees along the riverwalk and new decorations from local businesses in response to the Mayor's "Light up Downtown" contest.

What do you think?

Photos by
Shane Kyle

Are you ready for the holidays?

2011-11-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

We are all hustling and bustling around here putting up holiday decor for many different companies, malls and the city of San Antonio.

Check out the lights we just finished for a mall in Houston. Make sure you have the sound on to really enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdEdPlnv5M0&sns=em

Testimonial Tuesday : Look at what some of our recent customers had to say about their experience

2011-11-15T10:49:00.000-08:00

"We are thrilled with the results of our landscaping project. Our new sod is beautiful and our updated planter beds look great with several large jars as focal points. The drip system was a livesaver during this drought! And the new LED lighting system highlights the whole yard. Thanks Darryl and Crew" ~Lois S.

"Everything was done perfectly- no stress fo me! Thank You!" ~Kathy S.

Is your lawn ready for the cold?

2011-11-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Protect your lawn all winter long by topcoating this fall. Topcoating is the best thing you can do to improve the condition of your lawn's soil. A layer of compost, if repeated annually, will gradually build up a kind of super soil layer that will support and feed your lawn. So this simple step not only renews your turfgrass - it ensures its future health.

Gain an hour this weekend!

2011-11-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Daylight savings time is ending Nov 6th!

Is your landscape lighting coming on early enough? With the clocks going back an hour and winter setting in, dusk is coming earlier and earlier. It is time to check your timers for outdoor lighting and adjust for all the changes. If you need help, give us a call and we would be glad to help.

How to protect your garden from Frost

2011-11-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

Now that November has rolled in, it is important to know that the first freeze is predicted around November 28th in San Antonio. That leaves only a few weeks to get your plants cold weather protected!

What can you do to protect your garden from frost?
1. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch - mulching all landscape plantings and the garden is a standard cold-protection technique. It helps insulate the root systems of all your plants. It also traps soil warmth built up during the growing season and preserves any soil moisture.

2. Move container grown plants into the garage or even indoors to protect them.

3. When a heavy freeze is predicted, cover any freeze-sensitive plants at dusk after the soil and plants have absorbed the sun's heat; covering the plants traps the radiating heat.

4. Don't use plastic coverings or sheets to cover your plants! Better choices include large cardboard boxes, thick wool blankets or bubblewrap. Make sure the covering goes all the way to the ground to trap the heat.

5. Uncover plants when the temperature rises above freezing to let the plant processes resume normal function - don't keep them covered all winter - they will suffocate!

Thank You!

2011-10-31T09:03:00.000-07:00

Thank you for joining us for the annual fall fest and turkey drive. We appreciate your support and it was a pleasure to spend the evening with our valued customers. With your generosity, we were able to raise over $2,300 for the San Antonio Food Bank!

We couldn't have done it without all of our wonderful sponsors. Thanks for your generous donations!

We are lit up in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month!

2011-10-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Preferred is cooking up some fun this weekend!

2011-10-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

Come join us as we participate in the first annual Stone Oak Chili Cookoff and Tailgate benefiting San Antonio children's charities. Enjoy a tailgate atmosphere complete with food and refreshment booths, hourly door prizes, celebrity judges and college football on Texas-sized television. For more information, visit http://www.stoneoakchilitailgate.com/

Come join the fun TONIGHT!

2011-10-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

We are all very busy around here getting geared up for our fall fest this evening! We would love to see you!

Fall Fest and Turkey Drive

5:30-8:30PM

Preferred Landscape and Lighting Design Center

26421 IH10 West

Boerne TX 78006

Fall Fest is an annual event benefiting the San Antonio Food Bank. We will be collecting turkeys or any donations you would like to make.

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-10-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

We love to hear from our customers and here is a testimonial from a recent fall refresh project:

"It is a pleasure working with the Preferred Landcape and Lighting staff - they are professional, courteous, creative and helpful. I am always satisfied with their work" Debby Z

Now is the time to freshen up your landscape with new mulch and replace any plants that died this summer. Give us a call if you need us to help!

Time to update your irrigation schedule

2011-10-17T09:37:00.000-07:00

Do you still have your irrigation schedule set the same as it was this summer? As the temperatures cool off, your landscape doesn't require the same amount of watering as it did at the peak of the summer. In fact, Preferred recommend's adjusting your settings monthly for the most efficient irrigation.

The following is a chart we use as guidelines for sprinkler adjustments:

Seasonal Adjust*
23%	January
31%	February
55%	March
68%	April
66%	May
80%	June
100%	July
97%	August
61%	September
40%	October
26%	November
21%	December

*Monthly Seasonal Adjustments based on 60% effective rainfall

Another note on irrigation, despite the wonderful wet weather we had the last few weeks, San Antonio is still under Stage 2 water restrictions. The following chart is from http://www.saws.org/:

Landscape Watering Watering with an irrigation system or sprinkler is allowed only once a week from 3-8 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. on your designated watering day as determined by your address:
Last Digit of Street Address	Watering Day
0 or 1	Monday
2 or 3	Tuesday
4 or 5	Wednesday
6 or 7	Thursday
8 or 9	Friday
No watering on weekends with a sprinkler, soaker hose or irrigation system. Areas without a street address, such as medians and neighborhood entryways, water on Wednesday.

Preferred has won phase 2 of the downtown holiday lighting project!

2011-10-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

Last week, San Antonio City Council awarded Preferred Landscape & Lighting the second phase of the holiday light project which is lighting of city facilities and parks with LED lights. This will complete the transition from incandescent bulbs to LEDs of holiday lights the city controls.

“This year, in an effort to support the Mayor’s inaugural Downtown Holiday Lighting Contest, the City will utilize 100% LED lighting for all holiday lights,” according to the agenda.

Alamo Plaza, Milam Park, Travis Park, City Hall, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, the Central Library and its garage, the International Center, and the Metro Health Immunization Clinic and Main Office are among the locations receiving the LED lights.

We are only a week away from our annual fall fest!

2011-10-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

Let it Shine!

2011-10-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Fall is a great time to update your outdoor lighting and evening is the time to show your home in its best light. LED is the revolution in outdoor lighting offering huge cost savings because it uses less electricity then tradional lighting.
Preferred Landscape and Lighting works with several different LED suppliers in order to bring you an extensive selection of LED fixtures. There are designs to fit all your needs in accent lights to path lights and everything in between.

Here are some pictures of a recent lighting job we completed that shows a few examples of LED lighting options.

We love the new LED lights from Kichler to use on steps, deck, bench and outdoor kitchens

An accent light can really create a dramatic look in your landscape

Before and After

2011-09-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite things about our job is to see the beautiful landscape transformations. Here are some before and after shots of a recent project that was designed by Preferred's designer, Robert Watson.

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-09-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Here is what a few of our customers have said recently of Preferred Tree Care:

"Preferred has been caring for our oak trees for the last 5 years. Because of the care, they stand out as some of the most beautiful trees in the neighborhood" ~Randy and Denise Surratt

"Chris was able to show up an hour early which was great. Chris is a very polite and professional young man who made our tree problem disappear without hesitation. We have recommeneded your company for 4 years now to our firends and neighbors" ~ Ron Wallace Jr.

Gearing up for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-09-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

La Cantera is gearing up again for Breast Cancer Awareness month by dedicating a pink tree to the cause. Preferred has adorned the tree with pink LED lights that will be displayed throughout the month of October.

Surviving the Drought: Autumn Action Plan

2011-09-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

The drought conditions are expected to continue and this fall is the perfect time to get your landscape in order. The following are ways you can get your yard repaired and prepared for the continuing drought:

Install Drip Irrigation
Consider Smart Controller
Turf replacement and underlying infastructure
Deep root fertilization of trees
Modify landscape to reduce turf area
Install new landscape prior to spring

If you would like Preferred to consult with you on the right action plan for your yard, please give us a call at 657-7737

Freshen up for Fall!

2011-09-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem possible with these triple digit temperatures but fall is right around the corner. We are currently scheduling our customers for fall refresh projects to give your landscape new life for the fall and prepare for cooler temperatures.

Now is the right time to do the following:

Add mulch to the landscape beds
Compost on turf
Replace plants that have died over the summer
Add seasonal annuals to your beds and pots

If you want to freshen up for the fall, give us a call- 657-7737

How is your grass doing?

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I bet your grass is not looking very good right now? It is a safe bet with the extreme drought conditions we have experienced this year in San Antonio and the water restrictions that have been placed on homeowners.

However, there is an amazing new technology that will allow you to have green grass during the next 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!

Fall Fest Information...

2011-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Save the Date!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting

presents

Fall Fest and Turkey Drive

October 20, 2011

5:30 - 7:30

This event is to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank

Testimonial Thursday: Preferred Tree Care

2011-09-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Since the theme this week is tree care, I wanted to share a few recent testimonials we received from our valued tree service customers:
"Attention to detail and consideration of the little things, like presentation of the tiniest of my garden is what will keep me as a regular customer to Preferred Tree Care" ~David C

" In August 2011, during some of the hottest days ever, I contracted with Preferred Tree Care to come out and trim the moss off my live oak trees as well as clear cedar from a 200'x200' area. Three employees (Chris, David and Lawrence) were assigned to the task and they did a thorough and very professional job - Awesome! They were extremely hard-working, fast and efficient plus they were very polite as well as considerate to my objectives and goals. Twice they worked until 8:00pm or later to get the job done. I am very pleased with the work done but I was most impressed by the crew. Also kudos to John Leifester for working with us to accomodate our budget, oversee the work and deliver as promised. Than you and best wishes always" Javier Saldivar

The Green Shade Rebate is back starting October 1, 2011!

2011-09-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

CPS Enegy and the City of San Antonio have partnered together to offer residential customers the Green Shade Tree Rebate!

Not only are trees aesthetically pleasing, they also increase property value, provide cooling shade to your home's interior and exterior, remove pollutants from the air, reduce stormwater runoff and improve the environment for a sustainable future.

Through Green Shade, you can receive a $50 rebate per tree (up to 3 trees) when you buy a qualified tree and plant it in the right place to save on your energy bill.

Trees planted on the west, south and east sides of your home or building provide shade from the sun during the hottest times of the day, reducing the load on your air conditioning system. Shading from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures as much as 9° F. This helps reduce the burden on your air-conditioning system, which helps you save energy. According to a study by the Houston Advanced Research Center, a mature medium or large tree planted within 10 to 30 feet of a building on the west, south or east side can save a home approximately 381 kWh per year, or roughly $37 per year, in energy savings.

For Rebate Guidelines: http://www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Rebates/Green_Shade_Trees/Green_Shade_guidelines.asp
For Qualified Trees: http://www.cpsenergy.com/images/GS_trees.jpg

We enjoyed this recent discussion on Texas Public Radio...

2011-09-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

We enjoyed this recent discussion on how to care for trees during the drought on Texas Public Radio.

http://audio.tpr.org/source110901.mp3

"San Antonio has sizzled through 50 days this year, in which the temperature has hit or exceeded 100 degrees. In addition, Texas is being hammered by one of the most severe droughts on record.
San Antonio is presently in Stage 2 of water restrictions. Officials at San Antonio Water System say that if rain doesn’t come, the city could be in Stage 3 in about two weeks.

For many of us, we’ve already given up on our lawns, but we don’t want to give up on our trees. There is room in the water restriction rules that allow for hosing down your trees and keeping them alive during this last stretch of the summer.

Mark Bird is the City of San Antonio Arborist and Michael Nentwich is the City of San Antonio Forester. They joined TPR’s David Martin Davies in the studio" on September 1, 2011...

Looking for a new job?

2011-08-31T09:22:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a new job, take a look...

Part-Time Administrative Clerk

https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS/wtx?u=1314797672154&pageid=EM_JP_JOB_DETAILS&id=6166867&keyword=Part-time+Administrative+Clerk&pay=10&per=HR&workweek=P&duration=R&referralPage=BROWSE_POST_BY_TEXT&sort=&pageNo=

Irrigation Service Technician

http://www.irrigationjobs.com/jobview.php?jobid=2636

Cool off with a ceiling fan

2011-08-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

It has been and continues to be one hot summer. Another triple digit day in San Antonio with no end in sight.

Adding a fan to your porch area is a great way to cool off. They create a breeze that helps make this heat a bit more bearable.

When installing a fan outdoors, it is very important to make sure it is an outdoor fan that can handle wet conditions. Even if your porch is covered, it will still be exposed to the elements.

Want a better way to water your lawn?

2011-08-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

We are really excited about the new things out for irrigation. One of our favorites is the subsurface drip irrigation that allows you to very efficiently and cost effectively water your lawn. This is great for new lawn installations but can also be done on existing lawns.

Check out this video to learn more about it: http://youtu.be/arYH03mwd84

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-08-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Wow - This compliment goes out to our hard working crews who are the best in the business!

"In August 2011, during some of the hottest days ever, I contracted with Preferred Tree Care to come out and trim the moss of my live oak trees. As well as clear cedar from a 200'x200' area. Three employees (Chris, David and Lawrence) were assigned to the task and they did a thorough and very professional job - AWESOME!

They were extremely hard-working, fast and efficient plus they were very polite as well as considerate to my objectives and goals. Twice they worked until 8:00pm or later to get the job done. I am very pleased with the work done but I was most impressed by Chris, David and Lawrence - All awesome individuals. Also, kudos to John Leifester for working with us to accommodate our budge, oversee the work and deliver as promised. Thank you and best wishes always, Javier Saldivar"

Looking for Shade?

2011-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

With the temperatures continuing to climb over 100 degrees daily with no end insight, it is essential to find ways to keep cool outside. The best way to keep cool while outside is to get out of the direct sunlight and into the shade.

Need help creating shade in your outdoor space? Have you thought about adding an arbor to your landscape? An arbor is not only decorative but also provides a great seating area for you to entertain in.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting designs and installs custom arbors designed for your space. We offer different styles, stains, wood to fit your style.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting chosen by city of San Antonio for holiday LED lighting project

2011-08-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

The San Antonio City Council unanimously approved the proposal to switch to LED lights along the River Walk this holiday season and hire Preferred Landscape and Lighting to execute the plan.

"Its about enhancing the No. 1 tourist attraction in the state," said deputy city manager A.J. Rodriguez, adding that the plan received no opposition at the meeting.

In short, the plan calls for replacing 85,000 incandescent multicolored lights typically used on the River Walk during the holidays with 1.76 million LED lights. The LEDs would wrap around tree trunks, instead of hanging from branches, and 19 downtown bridges would be illuminated as well.

Preferred collaborated on the project with local artist Bill FitzGibbons on designing, supervising and programming the LED Light, River Walk proposal.

Keep your lights ON

2011-08-19T04:35:00.000-07:00

Does your landscape lighting need a little TLC? Do you have lamps out? Preferred can help!

Preferred Landscape and Lighting offers service calls for lighting that includes a check on your entire landscape lighting system. We can then recommend what needs to be done to get your lights back in order and fix it for you.

Want to do it yourself? We carry inventory of most of the lamps used in our landscape lighting installation jobs. If you are in need of a new lamp, just give us a call or stop by and we can sell you the lamps you need.

Looking for a job?

2011-08-18T04:31:00.000-07:00

We are currently recruiting for two positions - let us know if you are interested!

1. Irrigation sales/design representative

http://jobboard.hortjobs.com/JobSeeker/JobDetail.aspx?abbr=HORTJOBS&jobid=a30e05d4-f086-4264-b2bf-fd1e6735dded

2. Irrigation Service Technician

http://jobboard.hortjobs.com/JobSeeker/JobDetail.aspx?abbr=HORTJOBS&jobid=ce9ced99-3dc5-4d99-8770-152af208156e

Now is the Perfect time to Protect your trees!

2011-08-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

Oak wilt, one of the most destructive tree diseases in theUnited States, is killing oak trees in central Texas at epidemic proportions . Oak wilt is an infectious disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, which invades and disables the water-conducting system in susceptible trees. All oaks (Quercus spp.) are susceptible to oak wilt to some degree, but some species are affected more than others.

There are several steps recommended to prevent new infections and to protect your trees. Preferred Tree Care has a licensed and certified arborist on staff who is also certified to treat Oak Wilt that would be happy to meet with you and discuss the best ways you can protect your oak trees. TOWC - 0128

Which type of grass is right for YOU?

2011-08-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

St Augustine Grass

High shade tolerant
Tolerates wide range of soil types
Coarse leaf structure
Low traffic tolerance
Mow every 5-7 days at 2.5-3.5"
Low Cold Tolerance

Which type of grass is right for YOU?

2011-08-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Zoysia Grass

Drought tolerant
Water requirements similar to Bermuda
Needs occasional thatch removal
Requires well drained soils
Mowed every 5-7 days @ 1-2" height
Lives in all kinds of soils

Which type of grass is right for YOU?

2011-08-04T12:13:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Grass

Not shade nor traffic tolerant
Highly drought resistant
Low disease potential
Fine leaf texture
Low fertilizer requirement
Seldom grows taller than 5"
Favors heavy clay soils
Good for sites to be planted with wildflowers and for low rainfall areas
Low salinity tolerance
Mow every 7-14 days at 1-3" height

Which type of grass is right for YOU?

2011-08-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

Bermuda Grass

High traffic tolerant
Drought tolerant
Fine leaf texture
Grows best in well drained sites
Water requirements increase with increase levels of maintenance
Grows best under extended periods of high temperature, mild winters and moderate to high rainfall
Mow every 3-7 days at 1 - 1.5" hiehgt
Does NOT grow well in shade
Relatively high fertilizer requirement

Which type of grass is right for YOU?

2011-08-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

While all grass types aren't looking their best due to our drought conditions, there are some types that are faring better than others. What is the best type of warm-season grass to pick for your lawn?

The Texas Cooperative Extension recommends four types of grass for central Texas:

Bermuda Grass– drought and cold tolerant, resistant to disease and spreads quickly.
St. Augustine Grass – deep rooted, tough, and fast growing.
Buffalo Grass – drought tolerant and low maintenance requirements.
Zoysia Grass – attractive, drought resistant and resilient to wear

Check back with us the rest of this week as we continue to post about the detailed traits of the 4 different grasses to help you decide which lawn grass is best for you!

Benefits of LED Lighting

2011-07-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

LED is the revolution in outdoor lighting. It has a long list of benefits over traditional lighting options. Preferred uses several different brands of LED but this list will focus on the specific benefits of the Kichler brand of LED lighting.

LED lights have a life expectancy of 50,000 hours - that is an average of 15 years!
LED uses 75% less energy than traditional lighting. This is better for the environment and saves you money.
LED doesn't attract insects - enjoy your yard without the annoyance of light fixtures that attract bugs
LED lights are smaller than tranditional lights and blend in with the landscape.
The Kichler LED lights have a 15 year warranty.

Summer = BBQ

2011-07-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

When summer arrives, most of us await the BBQ season with our mouths watering! Cooking outdoors is always more fun then cooking inside and it is even easier when you have the right equipment.

Preferred Landscape and Lighitng is excited to be a dealer of the BeefEater brand of barbeques. BeefEater is a leading brand in high end barbeques and they are designed and manufactured to the hightest standards; using quality materials and featuring leading product innovations.

What makes BeefEater better? Here are just a few reasons....

1. High heat output - The stainless steel burners have a high buT ratings and are located in close proximity to the primary cooking surfaces. This combination helps produce an extremely hot cooking environment.
2. Grill and Griddle Cooking Surfaces - Have both styles of cooking surfaces allow for greater flexibility in preparing a wide variety of food on teh BBQ, allowing you to cook a 'complete meal' on the grill at anytime of hte day.
3. Modular Design - BeefEater barbecues have the flexibility to be customized to your individual tatstes with a wide variety of accessories available - even a pizza hood if you desire!

If you are interested in learning more about BeefEater line of products, please give us a call 210-657-7737

We are on the fast track!

2011-07-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

We are honored to be a part of the San Antonio Business Journal's 2011 Fast Track Companies!

The Fast Track contest identifies the best companies across a wide-variety of industries including technology, financial services, health care and government.. The San Antonio Business Journal starts the Fast Track contest in late spring, sending out a survey to companies for them to provide detailed information about their revenue growth over a three-year period (2008 - 2010). All companies will be recognized at an awards luncheon being held at the Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, TX on Friday August 19th.

Summer Night Lights

2011-07-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

Summer nights are the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors while escaping the heat of the day. The right outdoor lights can turn your ordinary yard into an enchanted garden.

Light up the night with new state of the art LED lighting. Create a full moon effect given by properly placed fixtures at strategic locations creating dramatic light and shadows across your yard and landscape. Create a intimate dining area setting your arbor aglow.

The final word on Composting your lawn

2011-07-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

It is not recommended to apply more tha 1/2" of product at any one time. Therefore, it may require two applications per year to someone who is trying to salvage a troubled lawn, or someone who is continuing to improve an already near perfect stand of turf.

Regardless of your situation, topdressing your lawn with compost is a great way to apply organic based nutrients that build up soil structure and help you manage your lawn in a safe and environment-friendly way.

When to compost your lawn? What blend of compost is best?

2011-07-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

The recommended time of year to apply compost to your lawn is late spring/early summer, or in the fall. This process must take place when the grass is aggressively growing and not lying dormant, such as the winter months. It is highly recommended that you use a compost belend that contains very little manure, but drives most of it's organic value from grass clippings, vegetable waste, horse bedding, wood shavings (or a combination of them all), or something equally as "clean" and not a raw form of a manure product.

Top Dressing your Lawn - a do-it-yourself project?

2011-07-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Because the process of applying compost is labor intensive, many people hire someone to complete the work. Companies such as Preferred Landscape and Lighting have the ability to apply a calculated amount of compost to your lawn without the risk of burying it too deep, which can quickly do mor harm than good as a super thick layer will "burn" and suffocate the turf. The self-propelled machines that apply the perfect amount of product are preferred over the big blower type machines.

Top 3 benefits of Composting your lawn

2011-07-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

Topdressing your lawn with compost is beneficial for many reasons:
1. Most importantly, it adds nutrients and living microbes to the soil environment
2. It encourages more water applied through rain or sprinkler systems to stay in the turf zone before it evaporates
3. It enourages a healthier "drought tolerant" root structure

Composting...As Good as it Gets for your lawn!

2011-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

One of the most earth-friendly and well known, but often over-looked process in the beautification of your lawn, is the application of compost over the top of your turfgrass. Commonly referred to as "topdressing", this process allows a think layer of your favorite compost, top soil, sand, or manure to be applied to your lawn in amounts that will breakdown and decompose in order to feed both the grass and the soil. If this process is repeated on an annual or semi-annual rotation, the soil structure will greatly improve.

Do you topdress your lawn? Check back with us next week as we continue to discuss tips on the best ways to care for your lawn!

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-06-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

We continue to be so lucky to have the opportunity to work with awesome clients. Here are a few recent comments we have received from our customers:

"Very Professional Work. 1st Class LED Products used. The design was as billed - GREAT LED Lighting! Installation was quick and without a mess." ~Rob Hennessey

"The tree service crew that worked on our home and property were Excellent. Very polite. Knew what they were doing caring for our trees. Thank You" ~JoAnn Schenker

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work for you! We are grateful and so honored by your comments. Have we done work for you? We'd love to hear from you!

Make your lawn happy with these mowing tips

2011-06-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Since we are in a drought, you should raise your mower height to 2 1/2 - 3 inches. The grass will be stronger and better able to survive the drought when mowed at a higher cut. It will also discourage germination of weed seeds and insulate the soil against the drying heat.

You should never mow more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time and it is best to use a mulching mower that prevents the need to bag clippings. The clippings return nutrients to the lawn lowering the need for fertilizers.

Last but not least, make sure the mower blade is sharp. A dull blade will tear the grass tips causing them to turn brown.

What advice do you have for mowing the lawn?

Get your Weekends Back!

2011-06-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

Do you hate having to mow your lawn every week? How about having to fertilize and remulch seasonally? It can really take up a lot of your precious free time!

Look to Preferred Landscape and Lighting’s Maintenance and Enhancement department to care for your outdoor living space. We offer lawn and landscape maintenance to include: grub worm control, organic lawn fertilization service, tree trimming / pruning and tree and shrub care, as well as specialized Oak wilt prevention (arborist services). Our lawn care business can design and develop and maintenance schedule to fit your budget and special needs, even if it is to just fertilize your yard one time.

The Value of a Certified Arborist

2011-06-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Certified Arborists are tree care specialists dedicated to excellence in the field of Arborculture. They are highly qualified in the care of your valuable trees and shrubs with knowledge of the most up-to-date advances and proven age-old techniques.
They are educated and trained in:
• Diagnosis and treatment of your tree and shrub related problems.
• Proper pruning and management techniques for your valuable trees and shrubs.
• Understanding tree biology.
• Identifying and selecting the appropriate trees and shrubs for your landscape.
• Understanding the delicate soil and water relationships which affect tree and shrub health.
• Nutrition requirements and fertilization techniques to keep your trees and shrubs in peak form.
• Recognizing certain tree hazards and construction damage.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting has a full-time certified arborist who would be happy to help you with any tree care needs.

Its Raining, Its Pouring...

2011-06-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful sight it was to wake up and see rain drops falling this morning! Don't you wish you could save some of that rain water we received and use it in a few weeks when our landscape will need it again?

A water catchment system is an excellent way to collect rainwater and save it to use on our landscape. It allows more flexibility to water when we find ourselves in a drought situaton. Even though San Antonio doesn't get much rain, if you have a correctly designed system it would provide a nice supplemental supply even on the small amounts of rain we receive annually. Last night, San Antonio received at least one inch of rainfall and one inch can produce about 600 gallons with a 1,000 sq. ft. roof.

If you would like to learn more about a water catchment system, Preferred Landscape and Lighting would be happy to explain the options. Does anybody have one installed already? Any advice?

Testimonial Tuesday

2011-06-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

Preferred Landscape and Lighting is so fortunate to work with wonderful clients that have made our business successful. We are honored to get customer comments regarding the customer's experience at Preferred and are excited to share them with you on Tuesdays!

"It has been my great pleasure to have Preferred Landscape and Lighting design a landscape/yard and install a sprinkler system for my new backyard. Robert Watson was the salesperson I have dealt with and who designed the plans and I couldn't be more pleased. Mr. Watson is very professional and friendly. He listened and worked carefully with me in order that we could get exactly what we needed and desired.

Augustine was the gentleman who was and is in charge of the sprinkler system. The entire crew from the laborers who planted and the irrigation installers were all friendly and hard workers. I admire each and every one of them. It would be my desire that this letter be placed in each one of their personnel files."
Sincerely,
Robbie Luitjen

We truly appreciate those very kind words! Have you had work done by Preferred? What feedback do you have for us?

Surviving the Drought: Tip #5 Cut back your perennials

2011-06-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

When it gets this hot out, many perennials start to really show their lack of irrigation by looking a bit leggy. If the perennials are cut back, they will look better now and will be ready to bloom again when the rain comes. Preferred Landscape and Lighting can help you determine which plants are best suited to be pruned and how much to cut back.

Are your perennials struggling? What do you do to help them look their best throughout the drought?

Tip #4 - Program your Irrigation Systems

2011-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

In our ongoing series on Surviving the Drought we bring tip #4: Program your irrigation systems. In order to optimize your ability to water your landscape and follow the watering restrictions, it is important to review your programming for your irrigation system. Resetting your controller so you are using your drip irrigation on all the allowable days and watering your turf on the correct day of the week will keep your landscape in good shape and keep you in compliance and avoid citations with the watering authorities.

Resetting your controller can seem intimidating but if you read the instruction manual and know your zones, it is fairly simple. However if you need some help, the irrigation crew at Preferred Landscape and Lighting would be happy to schedule a service call to assist. Have you reprogrammed your irrigation system yet? Was it easy or hard?

Tip #3: Drip, Drip, Drip

2011-06-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

Drip Irrigation is the best way to water your planting beds as it is much more efficient than traditional irrigation. As much as 60% of the water used by traditional spray and rotor irrigation is lost to evaporation and never makes it to your thirsty plants. Drip irrigation, however, is a much more effective delivery system that puts water directly onto the root zones of the plants. When the drip tubing is properly covered with mulch, almost none of the water is lost to evaporation.

Water authorities encourage the use of drip irrigation through policy because it is so much more effiecient. The water restrictions allow more frequent watering with drip irrigation compared to traditional irrigation. Also, many water authorities offer finaicial incentives through the form of rebates for converting traditional irrigation zones to drip.

Preferred Landscape and Lighting promotes drip irrigation on any new planting bed installation. Do you have drip irrigation? How does it work for you?

Surviving a Drought - Tip #2

2011-06-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Tip #2 - Prune your Trees

The best time to prune oaks has always been the driest times of the year and it does not get much drier than this. The beetle that transmits oak wilt is inactive at this time.

Another reason to prune – trees are weakening due to the drought and will be letting more limbs die. These limbs are more likely to fall during future storms. Fallen limbs snag and make it tough for the already weak tree to heal and the limbs can cause property damage.

Check back tomorrow for additional tips on caring for your landscaping during a drought. Also, we want to hear from you...what do you do to help your landscaping survive a drought?

Drought in San Antonio

2011-06-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

Like the majority of Texas, San Antonio is experiencing drought conditions this summer. The current water restrictions in place allow homeowners to use their irrigation systems only once per week and that likely will become even more strict in the next few weeks. Is there anything a homeowner can do to help their landscape survive the drought? Yes!!

Tip #1: Mulch is vital to plants for surviving the drought

There are many benefits to adding mulch to your landscape
1. Keeps root zones cooler, moist and prevents evaporation.
2. Prevents weeds which steal water and nutrients from your plants
3. Properly mulched planting beds hold water longer.

Come back and check tomorrow as we continue our series on surviving the Texas Drought.