SAWS WaterSaver Newsletter - Time to be Schooled

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Friday, February 10, 2012

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Time to be Schooled
By Mark A. Peterson

Register now for
WaterSaver Landscape Design School
by calling
210-251-8101.

As the proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Well, when it comes to designing your own landscape, the first step can be a little difficult. Fear not — Gardening Volunteers of South Texas to the rescue.

The water-wise gardening group is hosting the first WaterSaver Landscape Design School Saturday, Feb. 25, at Parkhills Baptist Church.

You'll learn basic design elements and examples from Brian Hough. His designs have been showcased on WaterSaver Landscape Tours and the Garden Conservancy tour in 2010. Hough will emphasize landscapes that use minimal water and provide year-round color. Local drip expert and enthusiast Tom Harris, Ph.D., will give a presentation on drip irrigation, and yours truly will describe SAWS' wonderful conservation programs.

Most importantly, you'll get to sketch out and create your own landscape design and pose questions to the experts. And not only will you walk away with the basic outline for your future low water-use landscape, but you'll also get goody bags loaded with precious resource materials and references.

Don't delay! Advanced registration is required. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 20. Call 210-251-8101 to register.

Join the Conversation

Will you be attending the WaterSaver Landscape Design School? Share your plans with us and your friends on Facebook.

Mark Peterson is a conservation project coordinator for San Antonio Water System.

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.

Watering with a sprinkler or irrigation system is allowed once a week before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on your assigned day, as determined by your address.

More Stage One rules

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012

0 in.	Bermuda (Full Sun)
0 in.	Buffalo (Full Sun)
0 in.	St. Augustine (Full Sun)
0 in.	St. Augustine (Shade)
0 in.	Zoysia (Full Sun)
0 in.	Zoysia (Shade)

Remarks:

Cool temperatures and previous rainfall means there is no need to water. Winter averaging still going on. Mark A. Peterson, Conservation Project Coordinator.

I just planted fruit trees. What should I be doing?

In addition to frequent initial watering of just the root ball, apply a small amount of dormant oil to the twigs. This will help prevent sucking insects such as scale, thrips and aphids from adhering to the plant and living off the sap.

E-mail your question to GardenGeek@saws.org

Tiny Trim

Mid-February is the traditional time for rose pruning. Fancy hybrid teas have lengthy and complex rules for pruning. Antique or old-fashion roses require much less attention. In general, prune off 1/3 of the current height, thin out the interior of the canopy and remove all dead, diseased and dying canes.

Banded Brothers

Nine-banded armadillos will soon give birth to their offspring. Here's a good reason not to view our state small mammal as a pest: 93 percent of its diet consists of insects. In fact, the armadillo in your yard may indicate that your lawn is too moist, creating a favorable environment for their favorite food: grubs.

Historic Texas Landscape Designs

Feb. 18, 10 a.m.-Noon
Mitchell Lake
Audubon Center
10750 Pleasanton Road

Explore the idea of creating contemporary, conservation-conscious landscapes guided by the lessons and successes of the past. Cost is $10 for MLAC members; $15 for non-members. RSVP required. Call 210-628-1639 or email.

SAWS WaterSaver newsletter is published by San Antonio Water System. You have received this newsletter because you requested a subscription, asked to receive information from us, or have been identified by SAWS as someone who could benefit from this information.

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Questions or comments? We would love to hear from you! Contact us at conserve@saws.org