Brad Wier is a SAWS conservation planner. Years in South Texas landscaping and public horticulture gave him a lasting enthusiasm for native plants that don’t die when sprinklers — and gardeners — break down. He’d rather save time and water for kayaking and tubing. He is a former kilt model, and hears hummingbirds.
Brad Wier
Not sure what to do after feasting with family and friends? Burn off some calories and plant a tree! The holidays are a special time of year to visit with […]
Brad Wier
Find out how to check your irrigation controller settings and avoid the most common programming mistakes. Whether you’re resetting it for the end of daylight saving time, adjusting irrigation for […]
Brad Wier
A homeowners association can’t legally require you to water your brown lawn or replace it. If your homeowners association sends you requests to replace your grass, read on. According to […]
Brad Wier
Olympics, shmolympics. Did your WaterSaver garden bring home the gold this summer? If you’re traveling within Texas this Labor Day weekend, take notice of landscapes and landscaping along the way. […]
Brad Wier
Don’t let drought deter you from tending to your vegetable garden. Do you have vegetable garden in your landscape? Under Stage 3 watering rules, you can water it with drip […]
Brad Wier
There’s an opportunistic fungus lurking, just waiting for the right moment to devour your trees. From oaks, elms and pecan to hickory, sycamore and even yaupon holly, hypoxylon canker is […]
Brad Wier
Deadheading is the fastest way to refresh these landscape diehards. We’re getting asked about deadheading a lot these days. On the bright side, it means that roses are blooming and […]
Brad Wier
Misty landscape? It could be the in-ground sprinklers screaming they’re under too much pressure. You’ve probably seen it before, clouds of a foggy mist spewing out of the in-ground sprinkler […]
Brad Wier
Hand-watering with a hose is still the most precise method for watering trees. Watering new trees A newly planted tree requires more care since it doesn’t have a root system […]
Brad Wier
In addition to watering times, the changes also include a new process for water waste violations and new rules for drip irrigation. With the ongoing drought and the Edwards Aquifer […]
Brad Wier
Updating the start time on your irrigation controller? Remember: You only need one. Any more than that can double or triple your water bill. New watering hours (for Stage 3 […]
Brad Wier
Expert landscaping advice and free WaterSaver plants — don’t miss this daylong event, Saturday, June 8! Gardening experts, speakers and landscape experts and vendors from across South Texas will converge […]
Brad Wier
Learn how SAWS aims to meet our water use reduction goals and maintain the vitality of our growing community, especially during drought. If you’ve lived in San Antonio very long, […]
Brad Wier
Don’t waste water and time trying to rescue rescuegrass that’s fading fast and not meant to last. It’s official: rescuegrass has started going to seed. Although it looks like lush […]
Brad Wier
Perennials are the way to go. They return on their own every summer — saving you water, time and money. If you’re swapping out winter bedding for summer color this […]
Brad Wier
Keep an eye out for colorful visitors around your yard this week. Don’t be surprised if you notice brightly colored birds around the yard this week. It’s not just leftover […]
Brad Wier
Compost is the stuff of life, brimming with magic-making microbes that nourish the soil. You may already know that compost is decaying plant and animal matter, from grass clippings and […]
Brad Wier
San Antonio’s growing season doesn’t click with the application schedule for these products. Read on to learn more reasons not to weed and feed. It’s spring and big box stores […]
Brad Wier
Got roses? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a renewal pruning. With Valentine’s Day fresh in mind, many people start thinking about cutting roses — not just florists, but […]
Brad Wier
It’s still winter and your landscape is still snoozing. Your sprinklers should be too. Recent freezes and rains have provided a timely reminder: winter is the perfect time to let […]
Brad Wier
There’s nothing like a week of deep freezes to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to evergreen foundation plants. This week’s seasonal star is red yucca (Hesperaloe […]
Brad Wier
If your garden’s still bursting with hardy perennials, be on the lookout for some of the feistiest hummingbirds of the year. Perfectly attired in red-and-green Christmas elf colors, Rufous hummingbirds […]
Brad Wier
In South Central Texas, planting in fall and winter just makes sense. Read on to learn why. Living in South Central Texas you might scratch your head when you hear […]
Brad Wier
Winter watering feeds the weeds — and your sewer service bill — for 2024. As you enjoy the fall harvest this Thanksgiving, you can also celebrate the opportunity to catch […]
Brad Wier
Our gardening experts share how their own landscape specimens are materializing after dreadful weather extremes. The past three years have seen some of the hottest, coldest, and driest Texas weather […]
Brad Wier
Proper scheduling and maintenance are musts to help drip irrigation use less water — not more. The ongoing drought has been rough on many landscapes. And while some in-ground sprinkler […]
Brad Wier
Drought-hardy Pride of Barbados shrugs off dry weather and responds with flaming hot hues. It happens every year around mid-September. Our landscapes are sad and haggard after a long summer […]
Brad Wier
No watering, no trimming, and evergreen. That’s why cenizo is the premier plant for a low-maintenance landscape. Texas sage, aka barometer bush or cenizo, is a stalwart in the Texas […]
Brad Wier
Important updates to the watering rules will not impact those already following Stage 2. With scarcely a drop of effective rainfall this summer and local springs, lakes and wells drying […]
Brad Wier
Check out our list of a dozen delightful native screens and hedges for your perimeter planting pleasure. San Antonio is at the extreme endpoint of so many eco-regions — the […]
Brad Wier
One major advantage of a drought-tolerant yard in blazing temperatures is the low maintenance. As the past few summers have taught us, a traditional American grass lawn landscape requires a […]
Brad Wier
With the right approach, you can sustain a year-round blanket of uncultivated beauties in your own backyard. As we settle into the first white-hot days of summer, the last stalks […]
Brad Wier
Expert landscaping tips and tricks and free WaterSaver plants — don’t miss this daylong event! The Festival of Flowers bursts back onto the gardening scene Saturday, June 3! After a […]
Brad Wier
If you’re starting up irrigation for the year, now is a good time to make sure you’re not needlessly adding more water than your plants can use. The approach of […]
Brad Wier
Learn how to detect and fix simple household leaks before they become high water bills — and earn WaterSaver Rewards in the process. Minor water leaks like running toilets, dripping […]
Brad Wier
If you’ve been watering in winter, you may need to wage a war on weeds. Here are the five usual suspects to watch for. Cooler temperatures and winter precipitation make […]
Brad Wier
The creamy flower clusters and abundant white berries are distinctive, but its burgundy autumn color is a standout in an evergreen landscape. Note: In celebration of central Texas’ tree-planting season […]
Brad Wier
Before you turn up your sprinkler system — and double your water bill — consider what areas of your landscape truly need water. Want to double your water bill? If […]
Brad Wier
Creatively arranging plants and pathways around a small patch of lawn can get you on course for long-term water savings and garden envy. Look at a brand-new cookie-cutter landscape and […]
Brad Wier
Turns out it’s no contest, and the answer may surprise you. Read this before you put in that new lawn. Turf installation may be the single biggest water user in […]
Brad Wier
Are you a water-saving warrior? Sign up for WaterSaver Rewards and get a little something extra for your wily water ways! SAWS customers can earn WaterSaver Rewards for learning about […]
Brad Wier
So-called deer-resistant plants often aren’t. But here’s how to keep your landscape from becoming the new trendy eatery for dinner-seeking does, bucks and fawns. To a famished whitetail, a perfectly […]
Brad Wier
Those yuccas, sages and muhly grasses likely don’t need all that extra water, even on the hottest summer day. In newer subdivisions, when it’s done right, irrigation is carefully laid […]
Brad Wier
Tired of endless watering and changing out bedding plants? There’s likely a perennial salvia that would love to grow in your landscape. There’s a salvia for every occasion in the […]
Brad Wier
A controller that’s been programmed incorrectly can swiftly drain your wallet. Take “control” of it and you’ll save money and water. Controllers are rife with hidden programming and settings, especially […]
Brad Wier
In Texas, a lawn is a precious thing — not a default groundcover to be wasted on side yards and medians. But selecting the right turf type makes all the […]
Brad Wier
A hummingbird feeder makes it easy to observe these winged wonders in action. But meticulous maintenance of the apparatus is critical for the health of these hovering houseguests. Once you’ve […]
Brad Wier
If you’re starting up irrigation for the year, now is a good time to make sure you’re not needlessly adding water weight to your plants. The approach of warm dry […]
Brad Wier
Our area hasn’t seen single-digit temps since the 1980s. So what garden tasks should take priority? First, check for leaks. Then assess your plants — or what’s left of them. […]
Brad Wier
Martins once nested in tree cavities, but they’ve since come to prefer the housing options humans provide. But establishing a colony requires more than just a box on a pole. […]
Brad Wier
Before you shriek with horror at the thought of not watering your landscape, here’s the chilling truth: turf fungi could come creeping in when you least expect it! Fall weather […]
Brad Wier
At the nursery, plants always look pretty in the pot. But will they grow and thrive once you get them home? Most likely, yes — as long as they’re planted […]
Brad Wier
Notice your in-ground sprinklers running unexpectedly? They may be set to water twice a day — effectively doubling your water bill. Luckily there’s an easy fix. It’s late summer and […]
Brad Wier
Use this extra time at home to get a handle on your sprinkler system and just how often it’s running. Follow our tips to make sure it’s watering efficiently. With […]
Brad Wier
Your grass won’t start actively growing until about mid-April. If you fertilize it now you’ll just feed the weeds. What can you do for your lawn right now? Coddle it […]
Brad Wier
Salvias are among the most forgiving and satisfying of pruning subjects. They bloom better on fresh growth, so last year’s old wood is often unnecessary for a healthy, attractive specimen. […]
Brad Wier
If you’ve ever tried to maintain grass in the space between the sidewalk and the street, you know it’s practically impossible. But that doesn’t mean it has to stay unattractive […]
Brad Wier
When properly designed, drip can be the most efficient method of irrigation. But when installed incorrectly, drip can use as much water as ordinary sprinklers, if not more. When properly […]
Brad Wier
Got a water saver garden? Skip the watering and give your plants an early summer grooming instead to help prepare them for a long, hot summer. It’s June and the […]
Brad Wier
While there’s no perfect answer to how much you should water in winter, there are some key conditions and observations to consider. As homeowners watch their landscapes enter winter dormancy, […]
Brad Wier
Struggling with a design for new landscape beds? There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Spikes and mounds — tall, wispy plants and short, dense plants — are a great […]
Brad Wier
Putting the right plants in the right places can make the difference between thriving and barely surviving. The secret is knowing your yard’s unique microclimates. According to an old song, the […]
Brad Wier
Want a landscape as distinctive as you are? These unique natives can be a challenging to find, but they’re well worth the search. In my previous article, I highlighted useful […]
Brad Wier
If your sprinklers have one of those fancy new smart Wi-Fi controllers, this tip is for you! Even the “smartest” controller relies on settings that were chosen the day it […]
Brad Wier
Your family members aren’t the only ones in the house using water. There are at least three automatic home systems using water on their own. And one has the ability […]
Brad Wier
If you’re fortunate enough to have a WaterSaver garden, you can skip the sprinklers and give your plants an early summer grooming instead to help prepare them for the dog […]
Brad Wier
Forget grackles and pigeons. When you opt for a WaterSaver garden instead of a lawn, you roll out the welcome mat to a host of feathered finery usually only spotted […]
Brad Wier
Need to tame some ferocious fronds of foliage? Try this tool trifecta and you’ll wonder how you ever gardened without them. In my work for SAWS conservation I’ve visited many […]
Brad Wier
A high water bill may be your first clue that something is terribly amiss. But there are a few other signs that signal you may be overwatering your landscape. Sometimes […]
Brad Wier
For many homeowners it’s the norm to use more water on their landscapes in July and August. Although the reason seems obvious, the extreme heat is not why customers double […]
Brad Wier
Add a little spark to your landscape this Fourth of July. Firecracker plants are garden superstars with bursts of tiny red blooms that glow like red embers, even during the […]
Brad Wier
Forget grackles and pigeons. When you opt for a WaterSaver garden instead of a lawn, you’re rolling out the welcome wagon for a fabulous flock of the fine feathered friends. […]
Brad Wier
Nutsedge is not your average weed. It’s a gnarly nuisance that’s difficult to control. And it’s a sure sign that a yard is poorly drained, overwatered or both. Nutsedge. It’s […]
Brad Wier
The mild, moist winter has provided the perfect environment for cool-season weeds. The best weapon against them is your mower or weed eater — especially before they go to seed. […]
Brad Wier
The first flocks of purple martins will be back from Brazil this week. If you’re enjoying the return of your martins, you’re not alone: It’s the weekend of the Great […]
Brad Wier
Below-freezing temperatures damage some semi-evergreen plants, while others may only appear that way. It’s not a bad idea to wait for spring and see what leafs out and what doesn’t. […]
Brad Wier
San Antonio is home to three different species of jaybirds. If you’re observant and patient, maybe you’ll get to see one of these feathered jewels this winter. When most people […]
Brad Wier
Drip irrigation delivers water to the root zone of your plants right where they need it and without all the extra spray that causes rampant mold, weeds, work and water […]
Brad Wier
Got a circular driveway? Don’t let this prime island of space go to waste. Showcase a WaterSaver landscape! A circular driveway is a great location for showcasing your WaterSaver landscape. […]
Brad Wier
Both Mexican and European olives are xeric plants and both can tolerate heat and drought. Mexican and European olive are xeric plants and both are included in the fall WaterSaver […]
Brad Wier
Incorporating agaves into your landscape doesn’t have to be painful. There are a few agaves — and a few similar big succulents — that have soft or spineless (even huggable) […]
Brad Wier
True to its name, Big Bend Yucca is a West Texas native that’s able to tolerate serious sun, heat, and drought. The first week of August can be tough in […]
Brad Wier
Whether you’re looking for a solution for an existing Hill Country landscape or installing a brand new one, adjust expectations right at the start and plant for your particular landscape […]
Brad Wier
Ollas are an ancient and very efficient method of “drip” irrigation useful for vegetable gardens, raised beds and containers. An ancient and very efficient method of “drip” irrigation useful for […]
Brad Wier
If you’re growing modern, ever-blooming roses like hybrid teas (including Knockouts and Belinda’s Dream), February is the time for renewal pruning. With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, a lot of […]
Brad Wier
Birds are living color. To partake in some of the color, take a mini stay-cation. Just 15 minutes south of downtown is the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, a 1,200-acre home […]
Brad Wier
The Shops at La Cantera is a good example of how lush a water-saver landscape can look when it’s smartly designed and managed. By Brad Wier and Rebecca Jost Whether […]
Brad Wier
In Japan, cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty and fragility — a national symbol, to be sure, and the inspiration for countless outdoor festivals. But they are also a […]
Brad Wier
If you’re removing turfgrass, struggling with a design for new landscape beds, and fed up with worrying about plant selection, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. To fill up a […]
Brad Wier
Using evergreen plants in your landscape will pay dividends in the long run – both in maintenance and appearance. Instead of choosing annuals that’re bound to be dead by the […]
Brad Wier
Many common weeds have specifically evolved to spread quickly in human environments, where there’s so much open space, bare ground and (often) so much extra water. If you’ve recently converted your turfgrass to […]
Brad Wier
No, it’s not radioactive, but bird fallout can definitely be contagious if you catch it at the right time. Migrating birds take a shortcut directly over the Gulf of Mexico […]
Brad Wier
Don’t wait for your next four-figure water bill to tune up your sprinkler system’s timer. A quick irrigation audit will often reveal common problems that are easily solved. Your irrigation controller may […]
Brad Wier
Want a yard that explodes with color all year long? Animate your yard with winged wildlife. The things that make a yard attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds also make it […]
Brad Wier
More than 20 million arrive in Comal County each summer and they’re up all night. But they aren’t exactly tourists. Mexican free-tailed bats at Bracken Cave make up the largest colony of […]
Brad Wier
Have you ever seen people waiting for the bus trying desperately to shield themselves from the sun under the sliver of shade from a telephone pole? Walkable streets and urban […]
Brad Wier
Your lawn is a blank canvas waiting to be filled with color and charm. Now that the weather allows for constructive planning and planting, consider adding or expanding the borders […]
Brad Wier
Mention xeriscape and many homeowners imagine scorched gravel and cactus. It may not be the Gardens of Versailles, but South Texas isn’t a desert either! You too can have a lush […]
Brad Wier
The cooler weather is the perfect time to revive the scorched, bald spots in your lawn. In fact, converting bald spots in your yard to shrubs or beds will save […]
Brad Wier
Leaves have fallen, branches are bare, yards have gone dormant, and mulch has been laid with care. But the scream of chainsaws signals the season of that most shocking practice […]
Brad Wier
When properly designed, drip can be the most efficient method of irrigation. But when installed incorrectly, drip can use as much water as ordinary sprinklers, if not more. You’d be […]
Brad Wier
Forget grackles and pigeons. When you opt for a watersaver landscape instead of a lawn, you open the gate to a host of feathered finery usually only spotted in woods […]
