Sarah Gorton is a Planner with the SAWS Conservation department. She is passionate about bats and native plants, with a particular fondness for horseherb! Sarah has completed certifications through Texas Master Naturalist and Native Plant Society. When she isn’t working on her research on the use of native grasses for uptaking pollutants at UTSA, she can be found making stained glass or hanging out with her two Chihuahuas.
Sarah Gorton
After you bring home your plants from the nursery, follow these steps to ensure they live long and prosper. All babies need a sheltered environment to grow up in, one […]
Sarah Gorton
The water that comes from your shower, bathtub, non-food prep sink and washing machine can be used in the home landscape. SAWS often gets calls from customers asking questions about […]
Sarah Gorton
Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, salvia is a savvy replacement for water-guzzling grass. Feast your eyes on a few of our favorites. If you haven’t checked out SAWS’ WaterSaver Landscaper Coupon list, you may […]
Sarah Gorton
Make sure your irrigation system is set to water only on your day. Late January showers were a welcome relief, but they didn’t put an end to the ongoing drought. […]
Sarah Gorton
Here are two more water-efficient options to replace your tired and incredibly thirsty turfgrass. Navigating accurate gardening information can be very overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right […]
Sarah Gorton
Before you replace your lawn with a trendy alternative, consult our go-to guide for substitutes that are made for central Texas’ unique weather and soil conditions. With each year, lawn […]
Sarah Gorton
Avoiding a water-waste citation is as simple as following the watering rules. Take these precautionary measures so you don’t accidentally get one. San Antonio remains under Stage 2 watering rules […]
Sarah Gorton
These endearing plants excel in every way: freeze and heat hardy, bloom all fall and pleasing to pollinators! Fall offers ideal gardening conditions for planting new WaterSaver Landscape Coupon beds. […]
Sarah Gorton
Many of our native plants have their own special quirks. Meet some of our favorite fill-in-the-blank floras. There’s a recent social media trend that uses the covers of a children’s […]
Sarah Gorton
True patriotic plants are native plants — ones that have been growing here since the beginning. And there are several that flaunt Fourth of July hues. Fill your landscape or […]
Sarah Gorton
Forget perfection. Your landscape doesn’t need a magazine-worthy design to bring the beauty — plus a fighting chance at surviving our brutal Texas summers. As I continue my half-hearted attempt […]
Sarah Gorton
First tip: native plants are the non-gardener’s dream come true. Have you ever tried to grow plants, but constantly kill them? Or maybe you love the idea of plants, but […]
Sarah Gorton
Every house is different. A licensed plumber can help identify leak risks that may not be so obvious. Winter is fast approaching, and we want to help keep you from […]
Sarah Gorton
Forget water-intensive privets and thirsty rose trellises. Options abound for pretty, posh plants that are as drought-tough as they are bucolic and cozy. England in the 1870s saw the rise […]
Sarah Gorton
Want to know exactly when your water meter is running? Apply for a water flow sensor rebate and get the Flume 2 for next to nothing! Have you ever been […]
Sarah Gorton
If you’re not careful, home ownership can be an unwelcome adventure of water-wasting proportions. Use these tips to test your abode’s water-using ways. New homeownership is an exciting adventure with […]
Sarah Gorton
San Antonio is home to one of the world’s largest bat colonies — a boon for natural pest control since a bat can eat its weight in insects in a […]
Sarah Gorton
Picked out the perfect plot to plant your cottage-style dreamscape? Your new home’s soil, shade and other attributes may have different plans. Keep these garden-centric signs in mind before deciding […]
Sarah Gorton
While the age of a tree has no bearing on the care it needs, knowing its age can satisfy many a curious mind. When the Garden Geek makes the occasional […]
Sarah Gorton
When it comes to spooky birds, the usual suspects come to mind: ravens, owls and vultures. But there’s a bloody good reason the loggerhead shrike goes by the nickname “butcherbird.” […]
Sarah Gorton
There are lots of critters that will take food if you put it out, including deer, squirrels, ducks and more. Before you decide to feed them, consider what it will […]
Sarah Gorton
Want to boost the bird variety in your yard? Check out our top recommendations of fowl-friendly flora. There are plenty of reasons to opt for native plants when it comes to your […]
Sarah Gorton
It is possible to have a healthy, robust landscape that only requires minimal maintenance. And being forgetful can work to your advantage — if you pick the right plants. I […]
Sarah Gorton
The simplest and cleanest way to perk up a lackluster landscape is with natural organic material. And it’s more accessible than you think. Just look to your food scraps and […]
Sarah Gorton
Ball moss and mistletoe are unsettling oddities that can strike fear in the hearts of tree lovers. Are they paranormal parasites? Interdimensional intruders? Turns out those theories (and other tall […]
Sarah Gorton
There are some steps you can take to reap the most benefits from your rain barrel — and see the savings on your water bill. There’s something about rain barrels […]
Sarah Gorton
Not enough ground to cover? Vines are a delightful way to occupy the vertical space. Plus they have the added benefit of giving your garden an air of mystery. Whether […]
Sarah Gorton
We want to help you save water and money so we encourage you to combine your coupons whenever possible. Here’s a few ways to get the most water-saving bang for […]
Sarah Gorton
Not everyone has the time or space for a backyard compost pile. But that doesn’t mean you can’t compost. Whether you’re an apartment dweller or just don’t want the hassle, […]
Sarah Gorton
A filthy feeder is bad news for the birds. Luckily there are several options that don’t require any upkeep at all — some you can even grow in your yard! […]
Sarah Gorton
This time of year doesn’t lend itself to putting a bouquet of fresh-from-the-garden flowers on the table. But a dried grass arrangement is the perfect substitute — and you don’t […]
Sarah Gorton
Gardening can be wasteful at times, what with all the cardboard and plastic packaging of planting materials. But being mindful of the quality and lifecycle of the purchases you make […]
Sarah Gorton
The monarchs butterflies may have moved on, but plenty of other butterflies are visiting the area and gracing our nectar plants. Won’t you welcome them with open arms and a […]
Sarah Gorton
Although regarded by many as a weed, hardy horseherb often grows in patches where grass can’t. And in many yards it means the difference between having barren spots or not. […]
Sarah Gorton
More than just the preferred prop of the grim reaper, a scythe might be the dead-simple solution if you have a heavily sloped or oddly shaped yard. And you could […]
Sarah Gorton
Native plant know-it-alls from across Texas will be sharing a wealth of information during the 2018 Native Plant Society of Texas Symposium, Oct. 18-21. Whether you’re pro-plant, all about animals, […]
Sarah Gorton
Want to pique pollinator interest in your landscape? The WaterSaver Landscape Coupon can help you create your own pollinator garden. But hurry — deadline to apply is Oct. 15! If […]
Sarah Gorton
If you have a barren, open yard, you’re the perfect candidate for several services and programs offered by SAWS, CPS Energy and the City of San Antonio. Combine them just […]
Sarah Gorton
Experience a fabulous flight of Mexican free-tailed bats during Bat Loco: Tuesday, Aug. 7, from 6-9 p.m. near the Camden Street Bridge. The home of the largest colony of bats […]
Sarah Gorton
The madrone tree is known for its lovely exfoliating bark, but San Antonio soils are all wrong for it. Rest assured, there are a couple of alternatives to ease your […]
Sarah Gorton
Gardening requires a decidedly different demeanor when you don’t have a big yard (or budget) to work with. But that’s no reason to give up your green thumb. Grab a […]
