At Home Texas Blog
 The weekend after New Year’s Eve is usually when the Christmas tree comes down in our house. I usually cut it up and add it to my brush/compost pile where it slowly decomposes and also provides some winter cover for the small song birds that spend winter in our yard.
But this year I decided to decorate it one more time, this time as a bird feeder. I took all the ornaments and lights off, left it in its sturdy stand and placed it in a good spot in our yard. Then I made some bird seed decorations. The whole project only took about an hour.re to edit.
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 Click here to eThe weather is changing and your landscape doesn’t have that unquenchable thirst for water as it did in the summer. October marks the time of year to make some or all of your irrigation system a ghost of the past.For many people, the idea of change can be unsettling, scary or down right harrowing. However, sometimes change can be good, as good as candy corn on Halloween! One of the things that can lead you into the light is making some positive changes to your irrigation system.
Irrigation systems are like children — they must be watched at all times to be sure they’re not getting into trouble or bothering the neighbors! With all of this in mind, October marks the time of year to make some or all of your irrigation system a ghost of the past. The weather is getting chilly and your landscape doesn’t have that unquenchable thirst for water as it did in the summer. The SAWS Irrigation Design Rebate can provide you with cash for putting an end to individual irrigation zones, converting spray irrigation to drip irrigation in beds or even retiring your entire irrigation system in one fell swoop. Getting cold chills yet? The process is simple: 1) Schedule a conservation consult by calling 704-7283 or email [email protected] and receive a personalized report with a rebate estimate at the end of the consultation. 2) Move forward with irrigation system changes and get them complete within 12 months of your first consult. 3) Schedule a final inspection in the same way as the first consult and one of our friendly consultants will come to your home and review all of the changes you’ve made and complete the final agreement. 4) Four to eight weeks after the final inspection and approval of your hard work, you’ll receive an irrigation rebate check from SAWS. (Nothing scary about that! Hee Hee!!) If you’re serious about these changes, consider our Landscape and Patioscape Coupon programs as well. Don’t get hung up on just irrigation — you can also remove 200 square feet of grass and replace it with friendly plants or a patioscape living area. But you must act fast if you’re interested in applying for the coupons. The application period ends Nov. 30. dit.  Want to transform your water-guzzling landscape, but live in a community overseen by a homeowners association? Follow our five ways to work with your HOA. If you live in a community managed by a homeowners association, historical society, etc. and you want to make major landscape changes, it is not an impossible task. But it is a process that takes time, sometimes costs money, and more often than not, requires compromise. Creating a beautiful landscape is one of many ways to increase your property value and your HOA wants you to do that. However, their job is to make sure you are keeping with the integrity of the neighborhood and this means they must approve your landscape plans before you begin any work. Follow these tips to help avoid any unnecessary frustration. Be flexible and be prepared to revise your plan. Going back and forth with HOAs is part of the process — landscape companies have to do it, too. In fact, if your budget allows you may want to hire a landscape company to do the plan and submittals for you. Talk to a neighbor who has recently gone through the process successfully and do what they did. If they got approved and your plans are similar, you’ve just increased your chances of a smooth experience. HOAs outline specific requirements for submitting plans for landscape changes — follow them to the letter. When you submit your plans, ensure your package is complete and send it in with delivery confirmation/tracking so date of receipt is accurate. Get familiar with Senate Bill 198 (pdf), which basically prevents homeowners associations from prohibiting use of native grasses or xeriscapes in landscaping. Follow-up with a phone call or e-mail to make sure they received everything they need; also find out when the next meeting to consider landscape plan approvals is scheduled. Above all, think of your HOA as a team member — not the enemy. All of these things can go a long way toward saving you time and headaches later. And if the movement towards sustainable landscapes is moving to slow for you in your community, consider getting involved with your HOA. Be on the board and become a part of the process of changing what our landscapes look like.
 CliBy Cynthia Barsun, Guest Author The arrival of fall means no more Daylight Saving Time — hope you also remembered to turn off the automatic clock on your irrigation system — and cooler, wetter weather. The occasional rain we get in fall is more than sufficient for our soon-to-be-dormant lawns. In fact, supplemental irrigation — especially after 8 p.m. and before 6 a.m. — only encourages the growth of fungi. Some of the typical lawn fungi: Brown patch Take-all-patch Gray leaf spot – warm weather Dollar spot Spring dead spot (bermudagrass) Cutting back on watering and reducing fertilizer, especially those with high nitrogen content, are the best ways to prevent fungi. Nearly all lawn fungi flourish in cool temperatures and abundant moisture. We can’t control the weather, but we can regulate excessive moisture and nutrients that favor fungi development. Your lawn will thank you. Cynthia Barsun is a former conservation ck here to edit.
 ClickThere’s only six more Fridays until Christmas! Is your landscape ready for decorating? Now’s the perfect time to tend to some landscape chores. November and December weather is typically mild in San Antonio, making it the perfect time to get outdoors and tend to some landscape chores. Get started with these “Ps”: Planting – fall is the ideal time in South Texas to plant trees and perennials. Pruning – late November through the middle of February is the best time to prune trees and large shrubs. Planning – think about what fared well and what didn’t this past year. For example, if you’ve replaced turf more than twice in the past five years, now is a good time to go in another direction. Provide – fall and early winter are the most important times to provide nutrition and organic matter to plants. Use slow release products like winter fertilizer, organic blends, or compost. Visit GardenStyleSA.com to find out what coupons are available to help you. Before you know it, your landscape will be prime for decorating come Christmas time! here to edit. |
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