Water is the lifeline of our industry. Whether you’re a landscaper, grower, or irrigator, your ability to thrive depends on the reliability and rules of the system that supplies your water. Yet many Texans don’t know who their actual water purveyor is, or what authority sets the policies that affect their operations.

Understanding this is not just good business, it’s essential for protecting your livelihood and preparing for the future.

Step 1: Identify Your Water Provider
Your water can come from several types of sources:

🏙️City or Municipal Utility – Common in urban and suburban areas. These utilities often adopt drought contingency plans, watering restrictions, and rate structures that directly impact landscapes and irrigation.
🏢Private Provider or Investor-Owned Utility – Smaller systems that are still regulated but may have different policies and pricing structures.
🪣Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) – In many rural areas, a GCD manages groundwater pumping and permits. Districts were created at different times with different powers, so the rules vary greatly across Texas. TNLA supports GCDs being managed through locally elected boards rather than top-down mandates.
🗺️No District at All – In some areas, there is no conservation district, which can leave water users exposed to less oversight but also fewer protections for long-term supply.

To find your provider, check your most recent water bill or your county’s water utility listings. For groundwater users, consult the Texas Water Development Board’s list of GCDs.


Step 2: Learn Their Rules and Plans
Once you know your purveyor, the next step is to understand the framework that governs them:

🚦Drought Contingency Plans – These dictate how and when watering restrictions are implemented. For example, a Stage 1 drought may limit outdoor watering to twice a week, while Stage 3 could ban it altogether, which could mean nurseries, growers, and landscapers could face severe impacts if not prepared. Click here for an example of Austin’s Drought Contingency Plan.
🏗️Infrastructure Investments – Many utilities are building new or expanding existing treatment plants, negotiating water supply contracts, or exploring aquifer storage. These projects will affect both reliability and cost.


Step 3: Understand Regional Water Planning
Texas is divided into 16 Regional Water Planning Groups. Every five years, these groups develop plans that feed into the State Water Plan. Each plan identifies future supply needs and strategies to meet them.

If you’re in the green industry, you should know which region you’re in and review the plan.

• Irrigators are legally required to be represented in this process, but growers and landscapers have a stake too—because conservation targets, drought triggers, and water supply projects all ripple down to our members.

Step 4: Know Your Source
Different water sources bring different risks and rules:

🌊Surface Water (Rivers, Reservoirs) – Prone to drought shortages, often tied to large contracts with entities like the Brazos River Authority or Colorado River system.
💦Groundwater – Can be reliable, but subject to pumping limits or well spacing rules if a GCD is in place.
🔀Mixed Supply – Many cities now diversify, combining surface water contracts with groundwater leases.

The source matters because conservation policies often reflect their vulnerability. For example, a city reliant on surface water may adopt tighter outdoor watering restrictions than one with strong groundwater supplies.


Step 5: Put It into Practice
Once you understand who your purveyor is, take these steps:

1. 🤝Introduce Yourself – Reach out to your city’s conservation staff or GCD board. TNLA has seen the value of being a resource, not just a customer.
2. 🔔Stay Informed – Sign up for drought stage notifications, attend utility meetings, and review regional water plans.
3. 📣Be a Voice – Remind decision-makers that landscapes, nurseries, and irrigation systems are not optional luxuries but vital infrastructure for cooling cities, preserving green space, and supporting Texas’ economy. TNLA advocates for conservation that balances efficiency with customer choice.

Final Thought
Water policy in Texas is not one-size-fits-all. Districts were created at different times, under different laws, and with different powers. But no matter where you live or work, one fact is true: knowing your water purveyor and engaging with them gives you a seat at the table.

Our industry is part of the solution. By working with water providers and planning groups, we can ensure that Texas landscapes stay vibrant, sustainable, and resilient for generations to come.


📬 Questions or need help?
Contact Karan Mehta, Legislative & Regulatory Manager – [email protected]

This week, from Monday through Wednesday, TNLA was in Washington, D.C. as part of AmericanHort’s Impact Washington Fly-In. Texas brought one of the largest state delegations in the country to advocate and educate our U.S. Senators and Representatives. Nine TNLA members participated alongside more than 120 advocates from across the nation.
These fly-ins are always fast and frantic, as we zigzag across Capitol Hill to meet with as many legislators and staff as possible. But they are also one of the most important ways we make sure the voice of the Texas green industry is heard in our nation’s capital.

Workforce & Labor (H-2A & H-2B)
Our industry depends on seasonal and year-round workers to grow, install, and maintain landscapes. The H-2A and H-2B visa programs are vital, but both need reform. We called on Congress to expand access, streamline applications, and modernize wage calculations so that businesses can meet labor needs while keeping costs predictable. Without these improvements, growers and landscape businesses face growing shortages that threaten their ability to operate.

Tariffs, Trade & Supply Chain
Tariffs on key horticulture inputs are driving up costs across the board. Many of these products cannot be produced anywhere in the U.S.—leaving green industy businesses no alternatives. We urged Congress to support a transparent and functional exclusion process so businesses can reliably access the inputs they need without being burdened by unfair costs.

Farm Bill
The Farm Bill expires on October 1, 2025. While it’s a cornerstone for agriculture, too often specialty crops and horticulture are left out. Current programs lock our industry out of crop insurance and other protections. We pushed for a bipartisan Farm Bill that reflects the realities of horticulture, ensuring access to risk management tools and expanding support for nursery, greenhouse, and landscape operations.

From labor shortages to supply chain costs to ensuring our growers have a safety net, these policies directly affect the health and competitiveness of Texas’ horticulture industry. Trips like this Fly-In show how TNLA is actively fighting for our members’ businesses—from Washington, D.C. to back home in Texas.

Contact Director of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs, Curtis Smith by email [email protected] or call him at 512-579-3851 or  Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Karan Mehta by email [email protected] or call him at 512-579-3874

The Texas Garden Retailer Awards (TGRA) shine a spotlight on the very best in our industry — and the deadline to enter is October 3, 2025. If you’ve been waiting to start your application, now’s the time!

Why Enter?

• Recognition that sets your garden center apart across Texas.
• Celebrate your team’s creativity, customer service, and community involvement.
• Gold winners automatically advance as finalists for Retailer of the Year in their revenue category.
• All winners will be honored at the TNLA Awards Festival during the Lone Star Hort Forum.

How to Apply

1. Apply Online: Submit your entry at tnlaonline.org/tgra. Entry fee: $225 for TNLA members, $300 for non-members.
2. Upload Photos + Captions: Provide 20 high-quality photos (1280×1024 pixels, 300dpi) with 1–2 sentence captions each.
3. Judging Criteria: Applications are reviewed on Innovation, Quality, Merchandising, and Culture. Gold contenders may receive a visit from a TNLA-selected Secret Shopper.

See What a Strong Application Looks Like
Not sure where to start? You’re not alone. That’s why we’ve included a sample application from a past TGRA entrant to give you an idea of how the process works.
This example shows:

• The types of photos that highlight merchandising, plant quality, and customer experience.
• How short captions (1–2 sentences) can tell a powerful story about your business.
• The level of detail that helps judges understand what makes a garden center stand out.

Every garden center is unique — and your story will be different — but seeing a real application can help you feel more confident and inspired as you put yours together.
View An Award Winning TGRA Application HERE

Tips for Success

• Start snapping and gathering photos now: Highlight your store in its current seasonal look — fall color, décor, or merchandising displays.
• Tell the story: Captions are your chance to explain why each photo matters.
• Focus on strengths: Showcase what sets your business apart, from sustainability practices to community events.
• Don’t delay: With less than a month until the deadline, completing your entry now ensures you won’t miss out.

Ready to Apply?
Show Texas what makes your business stand out. Submit your application before October 3, 2025:
👉 Apply for the 2025 Texas Garden Retailer Awards

Corpus Christi
Status & Restrictions

• Stage 3 drought rules remain in effect: no lawn watering.
• Hand-watering of trees, garden beds, shrubs, and potted plants is allowed before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. using a hose, bucket, or watering can.

Desalination Decision

• After a 13-hour meeting, the City Council voted to cancel the Inner Harbor seawater desalination contract (est. cost had risen to $1.2B, up from ~$160M in 2019).
• The city will ask TWDB to redirect ~$210M previously targeted to the project. Some debt from prior planning may remain.
• City staff warned that without new supply, Corpus could face an emergency by Dec. 2026, including potential 25% cuts for large industrial users.
• Read more here

Bottom line: The Inner Harbor desal plan is off the table for now; expect debate to shift to alternative supply options under close public scrutiny.


Austin
New Irrigation/Plumbing Requirements (new one- and two-family homes permitted after July 10, 2025)

Pressure Regulation

• ≥ 80 psi: PRV required + pressure-compensating heads
• 45–80 psi: Pressure-compensating heads required
• < 45 psi: No additional pressure requirement

50% Irrigation Cap

• Permanent irrigation systems may cover no more than 50% of landscaped area.

Exceptions (do not count toward the 50%)

• ROW strips < 6 ft: Drip allowed; excluded from 50% cap
• New trees: Individual bubblers on a separate zone; excluded
• Foundation watering: Single-zone drip line allowed; excluded
• Grandfathering: House building permit submitted before 1/1/2025 → 50% cap does not apply (proof required before inspection)
• Existing homes adding irrigation: 50% cap does not apply; pressure controls still apply

Enforcement Timeline

• Oct 1, 2025 – Apr 1, 2026: Education period (inspectors note issues, no fails)
• Starting Apr 1, 2026: Missing pressure controls or 50% compliance = failed inspection

Houston
What Council Approved

• $8.5M to replace ~25,300 aging water meters (many 20+ years old); part of a broader billing and infrastructure modernization push.
• 12-month pilot: ~25,000 smart meters installed (including ~2,000 in hard-to-connect areas) across all council districts; near-real-time usage data for customers.

Why It’s Happening

• Significant water loss and erratic bills tied to failing meter hardware and estimated reads.
• The meter project complements ongoing replacement of remote reading devices (RRDs).

What Customers May Notice

• Bills may increase after meter swaps (old meters often under-register usage).
• Near-real-time usage helps catch leaks/irrigation issues quickly.
• Read more here

Central Texas (Highland Lakes)

• Lakes Buchanan & Travis are designed to fluctuate—store in wet times, draw down in dry—and have anchored regional supply since the 1940s.
• Early-July 2025 rains boosted combined storage from ~51% to >90% within days; first time both were full since July 2019.
• Even with higher levels, expect ongoing conservation messaging from utilities.

San Antonio (SAWS)

• San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is working to clarify “soil” in the City of San Antonio development code.
• Current ordinance (since 2006) requires 4" soil with ≥ 0.25" Soil Organic Matter (SOM) under turfgrass on new construction.
• SAWS intends to move toward soil inspections on new builds after definitions are tightened.

East Texas
Groundwater Fight (Special Session)

• Governor added groundwater to the call; HB 27 advanced.
• Core concept: Pause on new/expanded export permits in the Neches & Trinity Valleys Groundwater Conservation Districts until Nov. 1, 2027, plus a TWDB study to inform future decisions.
• The Texas Senate amended the bill, removing the moratorium, and House Author Rep. Cody Harris pushed back, The bill ultimately died in the 2nd special session
• Read more here.

Why it matters:
This signals a larger groundwater debate ahead—potentially export guardrails, stronger ties to available water in aquifer, and more monitoring/reporting next regular session (2027).


El Paso / Far West Texas
Rio Grande Compact Settlement (Proposed)

• Texas, New Mexico, Colorado (and the U.S.) filed a settlement to end the long-running Rio Grande case.
• The deal would tighten operations below Elephant Butte and require New Mexico to curb groundwater depletions so deliveries to Texas are more reliable.
• A Special Master hearing is set; Supreme Court has final say.
• Read more here

Who it affects in Texas

• El Paso municipal customers and irrigators who rely on Elephant Butte releases.
• Even with a settlement, Elephant Butte remains extremely low, so expect continued focus on conservation, leak reduction, and diversified supplies in that region.

 

​The two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula) has recently been detected in Texas, traced to hibiscus shipments from out-of-state. This pest is already appearing in retail environments and poses a serious risk to ornamental plants and crops.

TNLA is partnering with Texas programs to strengthen our talent pipeline and connect members with tomorrow’s workforce. We’re calling for volunteers to represent TNLA on-site and sponsors who’d like visibility with students, faculty, and industry partners. (Sponsors may plug their companies—logo on materials, brief intro, and swag—per host guidelines.)

​Dates: Oct 8–10, 2025 • Venue: Texas Tech International Cultural Center

Why attend: Three focused days where industry meets academia—recruit talent, judge research, mentor student teams, and build partnerships.

What’s happening

• Oct 8 – Davis College Career Fair (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  Find internship and full-time candidates. Breakfast & lunch provided.
• Oct 9 – Research Showcase
  • 8:00 AM–1:00 PM: View faculty/grad presentations + keynote luncheon with researchers
  • 1:00–5:00 PM: Graduate student poster session (industry judges welcome)
  • ~5:00 PM: Poster awards & reception
• Oct 10 – Industry & Innovation Day
  Bring a real business challenge, mentor student teams, and hear pitches. Winning teams receive scholarships and potential commercialization support. Breakfast & lunch provided.

How you can help

• Volunteers: Staff the TNLA presence (2–4 hr shift), judge posters (Oct 9), or mentor teams (Oct 10).
• Sponsors/Donors: Help underwrite facilities, meals, and student scholarships; receive recognition and the chance to showcase your company.​

Bonus: Stay for the excitement--Homecoming vs. Kansas on Oct 11.

Questions? Email Jeremiah Armstrong at [email protected] with subject “IRIS – Volunteer/Sponsor” and note your availability and company name.

Your voice matters. Right now, two surveys are open that will shape decisions directly affecting Texas nurseries, greenhouses, and landscapers. We encourage all members to take a few minutes to participate so our industry’s needs are represented.

The IR-4 Environmental Horticulture Program is setting its national research priorities for the next two years, and grower input will determine which pest, disease, and weed issues get funded.


Right now, 75% of survey responses are from cut flower growers. If nursery and greenhouse producers don’t participate, our day-to-day challenges may not be reflected in IR-4’s plan.


What we’re asking:

• Complete the grower survey by Aug 29:
  👉 Take the IR-4 Grower Survey
• Share with your teams and peers so nursery/greenhouse needs are fully represented.
• Consider attending the IR-4 Priority Setting Workshop (Kansas City) to help finalize the research roadmap.
  👉 Workshop details: HERE
  
  
  

Why it matters:

• Direct influence on which pest, disease, and weed problems receive research attention.
• IR-4 has a new team and is rebuilding connections with industry--now is the time to weigh in.
• Better data now = better tools and solutions for growers over the next two years.
  
  Questions? Contact 
  
  Jennifer Gray
  Horticultural Research Institute
  [email protected]
  614-884-1155 Direct | 614-487-1117 Main ​

Upcoming local rulemaking may impact tree planting and availability. To prepare, TNLA is gathering marketplace data to show what species are realistically available.
What we’re asking:

• 👉 Complete the Native Tree Availability Survey (due Sept 5)
• Indicate if your nursery currently grows or carries specific Texas native tree species

Why it matters:

• Ensures policymakers see what is actually accessible in the marketplace
• Provides TNLA with solid data to represent the industry in regulatory discussions

Thank You for Taking Action
Both of these surveys are short, but the impact is significant. By participating, you ensure the voice of Texas growers and retailers is part of the larger conversation shaping our industry’s future.

Location: Fort Bend ISD
RSVP/Info: https://www.fortbendisd.com/cms/module/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=761
Short and simple: show up, say hello, and be seen.

• Light lift—no major prep.
• Great chance to answer questions and spark interest in horticulture careers.
• Even a brief visit helps put our industry on students’ radar.

If you can swing by, please note it on the form above and [email protected] so we can track TNLA presence.

Showcase your best work and earn statewide recognition. The Texas Excellence in Landscaping (TEIL) Awards are open now, with a deadline of September 29, 2025. Winners will be honored in January 2026 at the TNLA Awards Festival.

Why apply

• Industry credibility: Stand out as a leader in landscaping.
• Statewide promotion: Winners are highlighted across TNLA media and events.
• Team pride: Celebrate your crew’s craftsmanship and results.

How to apply (simple 3-step process)

1. Gather project photos — include before, during, and after to tell the full story.
2. Tell the story — outline challenges, solutions, and measurable results.
3. Submit online by Sept 29 — applications opened March 1, 2025.

Pro tips for stronger entries

• Assign someone to capture progress photos on every job.
• Highlight innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship—these elements stand out.

Apply here: TEIL
​
Questions? Contact [email protected]

TNLA and Region VI are partnering up to conduct the West Texas Workshop on October 2-3, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. Schedule of events and pricing information coming soon. Sponsorships are available. For Questions Contact Remmington Holt at [email protected] or call ​(806) 477-2605.​

Recognize your team, elevate your brand, and put your best work in front of the statewide industry. The Texas Garden Retailer Awards (TGRA) are officially open—and the entry is quick and straightforward.

Why enter

• Credibility with customers and partners
• Recognition for your staff’s work
• Visibility you can leverage all year (web, social, in-store)

“This award is incredibly special because it acknowledges the hard work, passion, and dedication of our team.” — Mckenna Jenkins, Sales & Marketing Director, Alldredge Gardens

How to enter (takes about 20–30 minutes)

1. Take 5–10 photos of your store/displays
2. Complete the short entry form
3. Submit online by Sunday, Oct 5

Enter here: tnlaonline.org/tgra.html
Brochure: Texas Garden Retailer Awards 2025 Brochure 

Quick tips from the judges’ perspective

• Shoot on a bright day; include wide shots + close-ups of your best displays
• If you’ve got fall décor up, include it—seasonal touches help tell your story

Questions? Contact [email protected] and we’ll point you in the right direction.

TNLA is partnering with Texas programs to strengthen our talent pipeline and connect members with tomorrow’s workforce. We’re calling for volunteers to represent TNLA on-site and sponsors who’d like visibility with students, faculty, and industry partners. (Sponsors may plug their companies—logo on materials, brief intro, and swag—per host guidelines.)
​

Dates: Oct 8–10, 2025 • Venue: Texas Tech International Cultural Center

Why attend: Three focused days where industry meets academia—recruit talent, judge research, mentor student teams, and build partnerships.

What’s happening

• Oct 8 – Davis College Career Fair (10:00 AM–2:00 PM)
  Find internship and full-time candidates. Breakfast & lunch provided.
• Oct 9 – Research Showcase
  • 8:00 AM–1:00 PM: View faculty/grad presentations + keynote luncheon with researchers
  • 1:00–5:00 PM: Graduate student poster session (industry judges welcome)
  • ~5:00 PM: Poster awards & reception
• Oct 10 – Industry & Innovation Day
  Bring a real business challenge, mentor student teams, and hear pitches. Winning teams receive scholarships and potential commercialization support. Breakfast & lunch provided.

How you can help

• Volunteers: Staff the TNLA presence (2–4 hr shift), judge posters (Oct 9), or mentor teams (Oct 10).
• Sponsors/Donors: Help underwrite facilities, meals, and student scholarships; receive recognition and the chance to showcase your company.

Bonus: Stay for the excitement--Homecoming vs. Kansas on Oct 11.

Questions? Email Jeremiah Armstrong at [email protected] with subject “IRIS – Volunteer/Sponsor” and note your availability and company name.

Date/Time: Wed, Oct 29, 2025 • 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Location: Horticulture & Forest Science Building, Texas A&M University
(Optional networking the evening before: Tue, Oct 28, 6:00–8:00 PM.)

Why attend: Meet motivated students across nursery, landscape, wine, produce, floriculture, and related sectors; promote your company and open roles.

How you can help

• Volunteers: Represent TNLA, greet students, share industry pathways, and collect contact leads for member companies (2–4 hr shift).
• Sponsors: Support materials/outreach; receive logo placement on table signage/handouts and a brief booth intro (as permitted).

Ready to participate? Email Jeremiah Armstrong at [email protected] with subject “Texas A&M – Volunteer/Sponsor” and include your company name and preferred time window.

A high-profile battle over groundwater in East Texas is drawing attention from lawmakers, water districts, and industry leaders across the state — including many TNLA members in East Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.


Recently, WFAA published a detailed report on Dallas investor Kyle Bass’s plan to pump up to 15 billion gallons of water each year from rural East Texas. The project has sparked fierce local opposition and renewed debate over Texas’s century-old groundwater laws.


Legislative Response
In response, State Representative Cody Harris (R–Palestine), Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has filed a package of bills aimed at modernizing Texas’s groundwater rules. While he has urged the Governor to add them to the current Special Session agenda, it remains uncertain whether they will be taken up before the next regular legislative session in 2027.

Two bills in particular have emerged as his top priorities:

• HB 216 – Would limit how much groundwater a single permit holder can pump and transfer out of a groundwater conservation district. For new permits issued after the bill’s effective date, no single permit could authorize production and export of more than 5% of the district’s total modeled available groundwater, as determined by the Texas Water Development Board.
• HB 218 – Would require greater regional oversight for large-scale groundwater transfers. For wells capable of producing 25,000 gallons or more per day, the originating district would need to notify all other districts in its management area. At least two-thirds of those districts would need to approve the permit before it could be granted, with boards required to consider the impact on long-term water availability.

A Broader Debate Over Texas Water Law
The publicity surrounding Bass’s proposal has reignited conversations about the “rule of capture” — the nearly 120-year-old doctrine that allows landowners to pump as much groundwater as they want from beneath their property, regardless of impacts to neighboring wells.
​
Lawmakers, local water districts, and stakeholders are now discussing what could be the most significant overhaul of groundwater governance in state history. Proposals under discussion include:

• Expanding state oversight
• Strengthening local conservation districts
• Potential major reforms to the rule of capture altogether

TNLA will continue monitoring these developments closely. Any changes to Texas groundwater law could have significant implications for our industry, and we will keep members informed as the legislative conversation unfolds. Questions? Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected]

Bell County now marks the furthest south the invasive pest has been confirmed in the U.S.
The presence of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has been newly confirmed in Jack, Navarro, Somervell, Bell, and Rockwall counties, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Notably, Bell County’s detection marks the southernmost known presence of EAB in the United States—a major milestone in the pest’s expansion and a growing threat to Texas ash tree populations.


🪲 What is Emerald Ash Borer?
The emerald ash borer is a destructive, exotic beetle that infests and kills ash trees by burrowing beneath the bark and cutting off the flow of water and nutrients. Once infested, ash trees typically die within 2–3 years.
EAB was first confirmed in Texas in 2016 and has now been detected in 31 counties statewide. The latest confirmations in 2024 represent a notable southward jump, increasing the risk for nurseries, landscapes, and natural ash populations across Central Texas.
​
Counties Affected

The USDA Interactive Map displays confirmed detections across the U.S., including the growing number in Texas.

What’s Being Done to Tackle It
The Texas A&M Forest Service is leading surveillance and outreach efforts to slow the spread of EAB. Confirmed counties are subject to state quarantines that restrict the movement of ash wood products to prevent further dispersal. Ongoing education and early detection efforts are critical tools in protecting remaining ash populations.


Key Considerations for TNLA Members

• If you grow or handle ash trees, especially in newly affected or adjacent counties, consult the TDA’s quarantine guidelines.
• Expect increased regulatory scrutiny around movement of nursery stock, wood products, and green waste.
• Landscape companies and urban foresters should monitor ash trees for dieback symptoms and woodpecker activity.

Here are some of the symptoms that are key to notice:

• Dead branches near the top of a tree
• Leafy shoots sprouting from the trunk.
• Bark splits exposing s-shaped larval galleries.
• Extensive woodpecker activity
• D‐shaped exit holes

Stay Informed

• Visit the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Emerald Ash Borer Hub for the latest maps, detection protocols, and resources.

Next Steps from TNLA
TNLA is monitoring the EAB expansion and will continue to work with federal, state, and local officials to ensure members remain informed and compliant. If you have questions about how EAB may impact your nursery or landscape operation, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]