Stay warm on cool nights with an outdoor fireplace

We are enjoying the cooler evenings and anticipate the long evenings spent outside this fall.  To really enjoy the cool weather, it is nice to cozy up with an outdoor fireplace.  

An outdoor fireplace is so much more as something to keep us warm when outside.  It becomes a gathering space for long chats or drinks with friends.  It is a place for your family to get unplugged from all the technology inside and enjoy each other outside.

Preferred has been designing and installing outdoor fireplaces for years and we would love to help you design your outdoor hardscape.  Give us a call at 657-7737.

First day of Fall

Today marks the first day of autumn and it is so great that the temperatures took a dip to really make it feel a bit like fall in San Antonio!

Now that we have some cooler temperatures, it is time get planting!  I know we have mentioned it before but wanted to remind you that SAWS is still offering a $100 coupon if you replace 200 sq ft of lawn with water saving plants.  They have a great website that have sample landscape designs you can use with drought tolerant plants.  This is a great autumn weekend DIY project that will save you money on your water bill AND $100 rebate!

For more information, http://www.gardenstylesanantonio.com/coupons-rebates/

For our past posts on the rebate, http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-saws-watersaver-landcape-coupon.html

Ready to save some money?

Do you still have a Mercury Vapor outdoor lighting system?  It is time to save you some money with an LED Retrofit.  Not only do the lamps last a lot longer, it cuts the electrical cost by 75%.  The lamps last an average of 50,000 hours which is 10-15 years.  It also saves you time and money with the maintenance and lamp changes that the Mercury Vapor system requires.

LED lamps can put into your existing fixtures and offer you instant savings.  If you are interested in a free consultation, please give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Feed your Trees

Did you know that trees do most of their growing in the fall, not the spring?  And the most of the root growth occurs in the fall.   The best time to fertilize is when the tree is growing which is the spring and the fall.  This is especially important for trees that may be in distress from drought and summer heat.

The best way to feed your trees is through a deep root fertilization where the nutrients are delivered directly to the root zone.  An arborist has the special equipment and experience to properly administer a deep root fertilization.

If you are looking to fertilize them on the surface, you would want to use a slow release fertilizer with a 3:1:1 ratio.  Apply the fertilizer throughout the trees crown or drip line.  After application, you will want to slowly water in the fertilizer so the fertilizer can get deep down to the roots.  For the best way to water your trees, see our past post.  http://preferredlandscape.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-keep-your-trees-healthy.html

Are you ready for fall?

With cooler temperatures predicted tomorrow, we will get a preview of the fall weather that is still a few
weeks away.  Almost every landscape needs a fall refresh 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 need any help with getting your landscape ready for fall, give us a call!

Al Fresco Dining

Outdoor cooking continues to grow in popularity and it is more than just the basic grill.  Outdoor kitchens have been getting bigger and contain the same amount, if not more, of appliances we have indoors.  Outdoor kitchens are now equipped with brick ovens for pizza making and beer taps for the big party.

If you are ready to start your cooking outdoors and would like help designing your dream outdoor kitchen, please give us a call at 210-657-7737.

Need More Space?

Socializing will move back outdoors as the temperature starts to fall.  Now is the time to consider an upgrade to your outdoor living space.  Outdoor living spaces not only add value to your home, they provide your family with a place to entertain and socialize.  The trend is bigger is better, the outdoor living space is expanding taking up more of the yard.

 These are pictures from a client who wanted several different areas to socialize and enjoy the outdoors.  We love the mix of materials used to create the bi-level space.

Mums the Word!

Now that September has hit, everybody seems to be in a fall fever even though it is still summer hot outside. It is a great time on getting started on your fall outdoor decor plan.  Chrysanthemums are a fall favorite but in our hardiness zone they are considered an annual and will not return year after year.

Mums need frequent watering because they have shallow roots, probably once a day for our area.  They also require good drainage so make sure you have added to your soil if needed.    They can take full sun but a little afternoon shade in our area is better for them.