Nolan Gore

The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Top 10 Plants for Xeriscaping in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / October 7, 2025

1. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens) Type: ShrubSun Requirements: Full sunWatering Requirements: Drought-tolerant once established; requires minimal wateringMature Size: Typically reaches a height of 3-8 feet with a similar spread Fun Facts: 2. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) Type: PerennialSun Requirements: Full sunWatering Requirements: Highly drought-tolerant; minimal watering once establishedMature Size: Typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet with a…

Drip Irrigation: The Smarter Way to Water in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / September 11, 2025

Short Version: Drip irrigation delivers water underground — right to the roots — saving water and boosting plant health. It’s perfect for Central Texas landscapes, especially in mulched beds, slopes, and even those narrow lawn strips by the street. What Is Drip Irrigation? Drip irrigation (also called subsurface drip) uses a network of tubing buried…

The Shaded Retreat: Designing a Lush and Low-Maintenance Shade Garden in Austin

By Nolan Gore / September 9, 2025

As a residential landscape company in Austin, Texas, we understand that not all garden spaces receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Whether you have towering trees or a north-facing yard, creating a lush and low-maintenance shade garden is achievable with the right approach. In this post, we’ll share our top secrets to designing an attractive…

What is a Native Plant in Central Texas? A Real Talk Recap

By Nolan Gore / August 21, 2025

A couple of weeks ago, I sat through a full day of landscaping classes at a Texas Nursery and Landscape Association (TNLA) expo. One of the most thought-provoking sessions was about native plants—a topic we all think we understand… until we start defining it out loud. The presenter was sharp. She lives in Fort Worth,…

The State of Lawn Robots in Austin, Texas: A 2025 Reality Check

By Nolan Gore / August 20, 2025

Last time I wrote about lawn robots, I opened with “Robots coming through!” That was back in 2018 when we introduced Willie, a Husqvarna Automower we named because Willie Nelson means grass, which we thought was hilarious. Well, spoiler alert: they’re still not good enough to use in most yards. They have reached a point…

How to choose the right plants

By Nolan Gore / May 6, 2025

Don’t put a plant in the ground until you’ve thought through these. Seriously. We plant thousands of plants every year—and we’ve seen just about everything. Over time, we’ve developed a go-to list of questions we ask ourselves before putting any plant into the ground. It helps us avoid the most common mistakes we see from…

Silkworms in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / April 10, 2025

Silkworms in Central Texas: What Are Those Worms Crawling on You? Have you ever been in a serious conversation—maybe even a meeting—only to feel something crawling on your neck? You do the jump-and-slap combo, thinking it’s a spider, and it turns out to be a tiny, green worm. Welcome to springtime in Central Texas. Those…

What to Know About June Bugs in Austin Yards

By Nolan Gore / April 2, 2025

TL;DR: • June bugs = no big deal (unless there’s a lot) • Their babies = turf-killing grubs • Now’s a good time to keep an eye out • We’ve got grub control if you need it What to Know About June Bugs in Austin Yards (And why they’re crashing your porch light party) It’s…

How do I deal with these weeds?

By Nolan Gore / January 10, 2025

If you’ve ever spent an afternoon pulling weeds from your lawn in Central Texas, you know the struggle is real. With our hot, dry summers and unpredictable rain showers, the conditions are ideal for unwanted weeds to thrive. Here’s your go-to guide for effective weed control in Central Texas… Why Are Weeds So Tough in…

What Should I Know About Lawn Aeration in Central Texas?

By Nolan Gore / January 8, 2025

Lawn aeration is often mentioned in lawn care conversations, but many homeowners don’t fully understand its importance. With the region’s extreme summer heat, compacted soil, and unpredictable rainfall, aerating your lawn can make a significant difference. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials of lawn aeration in Central Texas: explaining what it is,…