A naturalist by nature, Seth spent his early childhood crawling through creeks and caves of the Hill Country before moving to South Texas where he found his passion in nature photography. Now an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer, Seth follows the water wherever he lands and truly takes to heart his role as a conservation consultant for San Antonio Water System.
Seth Patterson
Freezes in central and south Texas rarely (if ever) cause the ground to freeze and damage underground pipes. But exposed pipes are vulnerable to extreme cold. Over the past few […]
Seth Patterson
The amount it does can help check your irrigation system’s efficiency and prevent water waste. Not surprisingly, sprinkler systems are designed to replicate the effect of natural rainfall with precipitation […]
Seth Patterson
Try these simple adjustments to prevent water loss, erosion and landscape damage. Have you ever noticed a stream of water running down the edge of a street only to follow […]
Seth Patterson
There’s been an explosion of these non-descript little butterflies flitting across South Texas. And we have the drought to thank. If you’ve gone anywhere in San Antonio over the last […]
Seth Patterson
Adding extra days to your irrigation system’s schedule won’t quench your landscape’s thirst. But it will soak your water bill. Central and South Texas have been blessed with July rainfall. […]
Seth Patterson
With some simple modifications, this valuable byproduct can benefit your landscape and local wildlife. Every drop of water counts, especially when temperatures soar in San Antonio. As our air conditioning […]
Seth Patterson
Sprinkler systems might seem simple, but they require intricate planning, precise design and detailed calculations to operate efficiently. A well-designed irrigation system conserves water by distributing it evenly and effectively […]
Seth Patterson
Add living color to your winter garden with a little splash of water. It’s no secret that birds fly south for the winter, but just how far south do they […]
Seth Patterson
January is an excellent time to finish oak pruning. Oak wilt poses an ongoing threat to the majestic oak trees that grace San Antonio landscapes. This vascular disease — caused […]
Seth Patterson
You have several options to get rid of autumn leaves. But it might be simpler — and more beneficial for your landscape — to just leave them where they land. […]
Seth Patterson
With prolonged drought and shallow, poor-quality soils, the conditions of our region are not favorable for healthy grass growth. There’s a common misconception that every American home should have a […]
Seth Patterson
The average sprinkler system uses a lot of water — and wastes even more if it’s watering haphazardly. Follow these easy tips to wrangle wild sprinkler heads. In a region […]
Seth Patterson
A backflow preventer keeps the water sitting on your lawn from flowing back into your home through your indoor taps. Sprinkler heads are relatively simple contraptions. When the irrigation system […]
Seth Patterson
Oak wilt season is upon us. Only make cuts that are absolutely necessary. Save any cosmetic pruning for later in the year. While San Antonio largely dodged the severity of […]
Seth Patterson
In winter, your grass is busy conserving energy so it can resume growing come spring. Winter dormancy is a natural process that occurs in turf grass during the colder months […]
Seth Patterson
No one likes to be surprised by a scorpion inside their home. But these predatory arthropods help eliminate other pests around the house. With cooler weather settling in, we can […]
Seth Patterson
Water bill sticker shock will soon be a thing of the past. High water bills are as unexpected as they are unwelcomed. They often leave you wondering exactly what happened. […]
Seth Patterson
It’s OK to embrace technology. But sometimes the smartest sprinkler controller is you. In the world of irrigation, smart controllers are all the rage. While manufacturers rush to get WiFi-connected […]
Seth Patterson
Follow these tips to avoid breaking Stage 2 watering rules and getting a citation. Stage 2 watering rules have been in place since mid-April. And if the severe dry weather […]
Seth Patterson
Whether they stop working or run non-stop, irrigation systems are susceptible to failure. And that could mean astronomical water bills. Just like appliances and devices in our homes, irrigation systems […]
Seth Patterson
If a large black-winged thing drops in to dine on your drink of wine, don’t panic. It’s just a black witch moth in search of fermented fruit to feed on. […]
Seth Patterson
Our plants, grasses and trees are all very efficient gardeners. But their work is happening deep below the soil’s surface. While we busy ourselves with watering, feeding and pruning our […]
Seth Patterson
Not all sprinkler heads are created equal. From rotators and sprays to drip and bubblers, they all provide different methods of watering. As we take advantage of the dormant season […]
Seth Patterson
Bugs and good grub. These are two tasty reasons an armored, insect-eating mammal may be digging about your yard. Have you ever been rushing out the door on your way […]
Seth Patterson
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 […]
Seth Patterson
Adding extra days to your irrigation system schedule won’t quench your landscape’s thirst. But it will soak your water bill. Central and South Texas have been blessed with an unprecedented […]
Seth Patterson
A few well-chosen plants can make the difference between feast and famine for our feathered friends. Go native with a touch of wildscape and bring on the birds! Spring is always […]
Seth Patterson
Your in-ground sprinkler system components could have sustained damage. Take these few steps now to avoid bigger, more costly problems later. The winter storm of the century swept across Texas […]
Seth Patterson
There is a limit to how much water is actually beneficial to your landscape. Make sure you’re the one running the show. Settling into a new home can be stressful […]
Seth Patterson
Every landscape has its own quirks and charms. So ditch the one-size-fits-all advice and find out how much water your unique yard really needs. Living in Texas, we’re all accustomed […]
Seth Patterson
Most spiders are beneficial to have around our landscapes. Flies, mosquitos, roaches and other undesirable insects are all appetizing to arachnids. A door orb-weaver, or adore an orb-weaver? Both phrases […]
Seth Patterson
More than just a perfect hideaway, cenizo’s stems and silvery-green leaves are also savory sustenance for these harmless, low-key larvae. When it comes to Bexar County native plants, few are […]
Seth Patterson
Jeepers creepers, did you hear those peepers? You may be surprised to learn the source of this lullaby lilting from your landscape. On excessively humid nights or right after it […]
Seth Patterson
Four years ago, what started out as a friendly rivalry to showcase urban biodiversity between Los Angeles and San Francisco has today grown into an international competition where people across […]
Seth Patterson
Embrace your inner scientist and get out in your yard! Document the curious critters and plants you see and share them with others via the iNaturalist app. Regardless of what walk of life we’ve chosen […]
Seth Patterson
This native species is highly drought-resilient and well-suited for our soil types. Plus, it’s immensely popular among pollinators and fruit foragers alike. Hiking along a high oak rimmed bluff on […]
