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The Top Choice Austin Landscaping Blog

Bamboo

By The Top Choice Team / June 26, 2019

Bamboo, a tall hollow cane, grows natively around the globe. Southeast Asia is home to the largest concentration of native bamboo where it can grow to 130 feet tall. Here in Texas a native variety of bamboo known as Arundinaria can be found in thick cane breaks along many rivers and marshes. It produces dense…

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Trimming your Crape Myrtles

By The Top Choice Team / February 11, 2019

PRUNE YOUR CRAPE MYRTLES Don’t let the controversy of how to prune your Crape Myrtles prevent you from taking care of them! You’ve probably noticed everyone is pruning their Crape Myrtles this time of year. We love the pretty, colorful blooms they provide for that extra Spring time pop of color. Unfortunately, there’s a lot…

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Protect Your Plants from Black Spot

By Allison / January 14, 2019

Beware: A Fungus Among Us Have you noticed discolored spots on the bottom foliage of your roses or shrubs? Do any of your trees have an arch of discolored lower bark? If so, you need to take action now!        Wet foliage is susceptible to fungus and other detrimental plant pathogens!  No one likes to…

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The Plant Hormone Auxin

By The Top Choice Team / December 28, 2018

The Plant Hormone Auxin Did you know that plants have hormones too? Plant’s hormones control their growth, reactions and even their movement. Perhaps the most interesting and widely studied plant hormone is Auxin. Auxin was discovered in the 1930s by Charles Darwin. In 1880 his book “The Power of Movement in Plants” describes the effect…

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No Fail Drought Tolerant Plants for Low Water Gardens

By The Top Choice Team / December 27, 2018

No Fail Drought Tolerant Plants for Low Water Gardens: Let’s welcome in the New Year with some water wise plants. As an Austinite we know the importance of water conservation, especially during the Summer. Try conserving water year-round with these lush drought tolerant plants for a water friendly garden! Yarrow (Achillea) Zones 3-8 This drought…

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Kola Nut – The Origin of Soda

By The Top Choice Team / December 27, 2018

Here is a short work from the one and only Ally. She put this together a while back for a project and we thought that some interested soul out there would enjoy it. Here you go… Short: Did you know Coca-cola was originally made from a nut? In fact, all forms of cola originate from…

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Perennials vs. Annuals: A Top Choice New Year Showdown

By The Top Choice Team / December 10, 2018

The new year is fast approaching, and one thing is on everyone’s mind: “how can I make my yard look tip-top this 2019″… Okay, maybe that’s not the one thing on your mind, but it’s a nice goal that doesn’t involve giving up donuts or getting a personal trainer. Here’s some tips and advice to…

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Why Trees Shed their Leaves

By The Top Choice Team / December 7, 2018

Why do Trees Shed their Leaves? When I was little, my mom and I got into an argument because I was convinced it was fall. Our yard in central Austin had a number of large live oak trees that shed their leaves in the spring. Naturally, it made sense to me that “when the leaves…

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Simon – A 64 Year Old Legend

By The Top Choice Team / November 30, 2018

This week Simon turned 64 years old. He has worked at Top Choice Lawn Care for over 5 years.  He works just as hard or harder than the next guy. Mowing for 10 hours straight in 100+ degree weather is exhausting, draining, a feat-of-endurance. He often mows 30+ yards in a day.  During the early winter,…

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Nature – Spend Time Outside

By The Top Choice Team / August 27, 2018

Do you go fly fishing to catch fish or so you can go fly fishing? -From Max Anderson Why do we like fishing or camping or parks or back yard grill outs? Why do we like trees and vines and bird feeders? One answer: they are actually good for us. Sometimes we just need to…

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