The milder weather is magnificent motivation to make your garden more hummingbird friendly. And SAWS WaterSaver Landscape Coupons can help you provide the perfect habitat for these mini flying acrobats.Did you know that planting nectar sources for animals such as hummingbirds is an incredibly effective tool for attracting them? That’s right folks, you can avoid the daily feeder maintenance if you have the right species planted in your yard.
Hummingbirds are attracted to tube-shaped flowers and knowing which species benefit them is key to a successful hummingbird garden. SAWS can help you provide the habitat for these iridescent critters with the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon.
Turks Cap, red yucca, Mexican firebush, various salvias, flame acanthus, Mexican honeysuckle, shrimp plant, Esperanza, rosemary and cenizo are all hummingbird magnets — and they’re all included in the coupon program!Conventional methods of attracting hummingbirds involve hanging feeders and, most importantly, diligent maintenance of these feeders. Feeder maintenance is of utmost importance to ensure the health of these majestic acrobats, especially during the hot months in Texas.




Hummingbird feeders can potentially harbor pathogens, if not cared for properly, as they attract large numbers of birds. For example, if an unhealthy bird uses the feeder, there may be a transfer of either viruses or bacteria to other birds using that feeder. Think of this from a human perspective. Would you want to share a water bottle with everyone in your neighborhood
The benefits of feeding wildlife with their natural nectar sources are myriad:

• You can enjoy them in your yard without the arduous maintenance of scrubbing feeders daily.
• The peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re providing them with natural, healthy nectar sources.
• It’s fun to watch them feed as they flit from flower to flower sipping nectar.

This does not mean hummingbird feeders are undesirable, just be aware of the critical maintenance involved before you purchase one. Otherwise, the benefit you hope to provide for them could be detrimental.
Use the cooler weather as motivation to make your garden more hummingbird friendly and let SAWS help offset the cost with the WaterSaver Landscape Coupon!

Crisp autumn air is a welcome relief after a long, hot summer — unless you’ve been overwatering your lawn. Cooler temperatures and increased moisture make your grass susceptible to fungal disease.Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall multiply the chances of disease problems in local lawns. Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine grasses can be susceptible to fungal diseases if the following conditions are present: overwatering or high soil moisture, high soil pH, poor soil fertility or improper mowing height.
Let’s take a look at the common fungal turf diseases that are possible in San Antonio.

• Take-All Root Rot, or Take-All Patch, is a very common fungal disease in St. Augustine characterized by yellowing of the grass and tiny puzzle piece-shaped fungal structures called hyphopodia on the stolons. Reducing water application where possible and applying sphagnum peat moss or ammonium sulfate fertilizer to the lawn helps reduce pH in the soil. Fungicide products should be applied before this fungus becomes a problem, because it’s very difficult to cure once established.

• Brown Patch Fungus, or Rhizoctonia, is another disease that appears when nighttime temperatures drop below 68 degrees and daytime temps stay in the mid-80s, combined with extended periods of increased humidity. Avoid applying too much nitrogen fertilizer and reduce thatch levels in the grass to help reduce moisture. Infected grass blades can be easily pulled off of the stolons. There are many fungicide products available on the market that will cure this fungus when applied properly.

• Gray Leaf Spot fungus effects St. Augustine grass in late summer as the result of high humidity and proper conditions. The leaf spots are grayish in color with purple margins. Grass infected with this fungus should not be given nitrogen fertilizers until the disease is cured. There are products available to help treat this disease.
  

Fungal diseases are usually the result of high moisture and humidity combined with cooler temperatures. Reducing the amount of water applied to the lawn, utilizing core aeration to reduce compaction and proper fertilization of the soil can help you reduce the chances of fungal diseases in your turf.
For green healthy lawns, always follow the dictum, “Less is best.” Less water, less fertilizer and less compaction.