Get up to $500 for a new garden with help from SAWS

After a long, dry summer, it's already time to start planning for next year — and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) wants to give you up to $500 to make your yard and garden more drought-resistant.

Why now: Fall is prime planting time in South Texas. "New plants will have all fall, winter and spring to establish their roots before the heat of next summer," SAWS Vice President of Conservation Karen Guz said.

• These new plants need hand-watering to settle in. After that, they'll be ready to handle San Antonio's climate.

Here's the deal: Now through Oct. 15, you can apply for up to four $125 coupons — a total of $500 in savings — to replace thirsty grass with hardy, drought-tough plants and flowers that will help residents establish resilient landscapes ahead of next year's anticipated heat.

• Each coupon covers one 200-square-foot bed, about the size of a parking space

The deets: Here's how you can qualify:

• Choose a 200 square-foot area of lawn to convert into a future garden bed.
• Apply for the WaterSaver landscape coupon by Oct. 15 and upload a photo of the area you'll replace.
• Prep your garden bed by removing grass and any irrigation within the area, including sprinkler heads, valves and drip lines.
• Take photos of what you remove.

Next steps: After receiving your coupons, you're ready to get planting.

• Visit a participating local nursery like Fanick's Garden Center, Rainbow Gardens or The Nectar Bar,

• Use your coupon to select 15 SAWS-recommended drought-resistant native plants in any combination.
• Plant your new babies and hand-water to ensure they take to their new home.
• Upload a photo of your new garden bed and enjoy your new curb appeal to humans and pollinators alike.

Take note: Coupons must be redeemed by Oct. 31 and final photos submitted by Nov. 15.

Worth a mention: Coupons don't cover existing landscape beds, but you can expand them as long as you remove 200 square feet of grass per coupon.

Plus, plus, plus: You don't need a green thumb to get in on the action. SAWS' Garden Style San Antonio website offers a step-by-step guide to help you design your water-saving landscape.

Ready to dig in? Apply today.