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The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

What to do about winter weeds in Austin Texas

By The Top Choice Team / September 22, 2026

Many people associate weeds with spring or summer when it seems like everything is coming to life. In fact, there are plenty of winter weeds in Texas that deserve our attention while temperatures are cool. Let’s look into what these weeds are and what you can do about them. Step 1: Identification Most weeds fall…

Lawn Fertilization in Austin: Why, When, and How to Do It Right

By The Top Choice Team / September 22, 2026

In Austin, fertilizing your lawn isn’t really that optional (unless you don’t want to have a nice yard).  Think of it as feeding your grass the right diet with the proper micro nutrients. Timing, product selection, and application matter a lot more than most people realize. Get it wrong, and you’re wasting money (or worse,…

Should you do fall top dressing in Austin?

By The Top Choice Team / September 15, 2026

It’s that time of year again when the Top Choice crews fly over Austin to sprinkle their magic pixie dust over the lawns of our favorite customers.  That’s right, it’s time for top dressing! Top Dressing adds a light layer of top-quality soil to your yard to help build a healthy, nutrient base for your…

Top 10 Plants for Xeriscaping in Central Texas

By Nolan Gore / August 31, 2026

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…

What to know about xeriscaping

By Nolan Gore / August 31, 2026

What is it? Why would you xeriscape part/all of your yard? What are the best plants for xeriscaping in Central Texas? What are common mistakes and misconceptions What are some common landscaping materials used in xeriscaping? What are several areas I should consider xeriscaping in my yard? What should I consider with xeriscaping? Some of our…

Fall Planting in Texas

By The Top Choice Team / August 25, 2026

Most people think of spring as the time to add plants and flowers, and make the world a little greener.  Fall is also a great time to plant – and in Austin, it may even be the best time to plant. Why is Fall the best time to plant? (Answer = Root development) Our worst weather is the brutal, long, dry…

How to Trim Live Oak Trees (and Prevent Oak Wilt)

By Nolan Gore / July 8, 2026

At the time of writing this blog, it’s almost time to trim live oak trees in Austin. Watch our video below or read on to learn why and how you should trim live oaks—and how to prevent that nasty Oak Wilt! Why trim live oak trees First…why should you trim your live oak trees in…

How to perform a DIY irrigation check

By Nolan Gore / June 9, 2026

Lots of folks like to handle their own irrigation. That’s great and we encourage it. A bunch of folks also want a pro to do an irrigation check to make sure their system is in tip-top shape before the summer.  Whatever you decide, please, please, please make sure your irrigation system is in good shape…

Oak Wilt FAQ

By Nolan Gore / June 2, 2026

We know you care about your yard, and especially your trees, so we thought we would pass along… It’s tree-trimming season! Across Central Texas, HOAs, municipalities, and well-meaning neighbors will yell at you if you trim oaks in the spring. Why? Because February-June has the highest likelihood of spreading oak wilt. The good news? We’re…

How to use rock and stone in your landscape

By Nolan Gore / May 26, 2026

So you want to use rock and stone in your landscape. You might be wondering… Function and Beauty – that’s always the goal with our landscaping. Sometimes you have to settle for one of the two (function OR beauty), but we always want to shoot for both if possible. Let’s take a look at a…