For green grass yards to thrive (or even survive) in our region, we’re forced to over-fertilize and over-water. But there is a better way. There’s a common misconception that every American home should be accompanied by a perfectly manicured lush lawn. Unfortunately, the reality of this ideology is that our region — with its bouts …

Fertilizers and pesticides can be washed away by rainwater to nearby creeks and rivers. A few simple solutions can prevent this pollution — and save water! From heat to cold, rain to drought, moderation doesn’t apply to the weather in South Texas. Recent rains have been a welcome respite from the drought, but with significant …

Stop swatting and start enjoying your great outdoors. Use these methods to help prevent these biting bloodsuckers from hanging around. All the weeks of drought-busting rain showers this spring have been great for landscapes and wildflowers. But they’ve also ushered in an unwelcome pest: mosquitos by the millions. Many myths surround the management of mosquitos. …

Maintaining a large lawn doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these four simple steps to keep it healthy and green — and save a lot of green on your water bill. As many faithful newsletter readers know, I’m not fond of landscapes that limit the growth and health of my beloved trees and perennials. …

With all the rain we’ve been getting — and the possibility of more on the way — it may be a good idea to invest in a rain garden. Rain gardens have many benefits and are good for the environment. Want to build a rain garden, but not sure where to start? Consider your landscape’s …

The clear benefit of using ground covers instead of grass is less of everything — less water, less fertilizer, less pesticides and less mowing. Tired of mowing, weeding, feeding and watering the lawn over, and over, and over again? It may be time to forget turf and move on to something that’s drought hardy, water …

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. This week’s valentine vortex will be long remembered, with Texas’ lowest temperatures in 40 years: a veritable gut punch to those who forget how far …

There are several fruit trees that are well-adapted to our climate. Choose wisely and you’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor before you know it. If you’ve had the privilege of tasting fruit collected with your own hands, you know it’s worth the time and effort of planting a fruit tree. Of course, being …

Hardy winter perennials like salvias and Turk’s caps typically thrive without any additional water. And they entice a spectacular show of some of the feistiest, freakiest hummingbirds of the year. When our south Texas summer perennials slow down and drop flowers in autumn, we tend to stow away the hummingbird feeders for the season. But …

Spice up your autumn garden with warm hues, berry-bursting blooms and fragrant foliage. It’s the coziest backdrop for enjoying your preferred pumpkin-spiced beverage outdoors. Fall in South Texas always warms my heart with its beautiful weather and exhilarating snout butterfly explosions — it’s the perfect backdrop for enjoying the outdoors with a pumpkin-spiced drink in …