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Milberger's Nursery and Landscaping
3920 North Loop 1604 E.
San Antonio, TX 78247
210.497.3760
nursery@milbergersa.com

Open 9 to 6 Mon. through Sat.
and 10 to 5 on Sun.


Three exits east of 281, inside of 1604
Next to the Diamond Shamrock station
Please click map for more detailed map and driving directions.



Drought Strategies– Mulch – To Water or Not To Water
Water Saver Rebate – Q&A – Weekly Article and Archives

Q & A
By Calvin Finch, Ph.D.

Q. Name three root-hardy, perennial xeriscape plants that bloom all summer.
A. Firebush, esperanza, and poinciana indigo spires salvia, Mexican bush sage, and Mealy blue sage.

Q. What is the most efficient way to water vegetable and flower gardens?
A. Drip irrigation slowly places the water right on the root system. That is why it is so efficient.

Q. What reduces water need and reduces weeds, so trees and shrubs grow faster when placed on the root system?
A. Mulch reduces weeds and conserves water. Three inches of mulch over a newly planted tree root system can increase growth by 40 percent.

Q. How do you keep soaker hoses from wasting water?
A. Soaker hoses are pressure dependent so to keep them from wasting water only turn on the spigot a quarter of a turn.

Q. How often does St. Augustine grass have to be watered in the summertime to keep it alive?
A. St. Augustine only requires water every two weeks in the summertime to keep it alive.

Q. Soil in the San Antonio area gets compacted and water does not penetrate very well. What is the solution?
A. Aerate the lawn with an aerator that cuts plugs and lays them on the ground.

Q. If you have a leak that results in a larger-than-normal water bill, are you just out of luck?
A. No, contact SAWS at 704-SAVE. In most cases SAWS will forgive the extra costs on the bill due to the leak if you get the leak fixed.

Q. Can families who buy a new home take advantage of the landscape rebate?
A. Yes, just select zoysia, buffalo, or Bermuda grass instead of St. Augustine for $0.05 per square foot. If more than 50 percent is groundcovers or mulch, you get $0.10 per square foot.

Q. Roses are everybody's favorite plant. Are any roses xeriscape plants?
A. Yes — all old-fashioned roses can survive with limited watering.

Q. What are some good water-saving groundcovers that can tolerate more shade than St. Augustine grass?
A. Katy Ruellia, Asiatic jasmine, monkey grass and English ivy are good water-saving groundcovers for deep shade.